Tag Archives: Recovery

Daily Reading from Recovery Days April 28th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – review expectations

Denial

When you decide to quit addictive behaviour and face up to reality, you are essentially casting off your denial – the twisted mental process that allowed you to continue your addiction for so long although you knew it was wrong. Sobering up means accepting three essential truths:

  • This is what your behaviour was like
  • This is how it makes others think about you
  • This is how it makes you feel about yourself.

Facing reality can be painful – nobody likes hearing other people’s criticism, however justified. The thing that gives us encouragement is that we have a plan for putting things right – the Twelve Step programme. With this plan and the help of our Higher Power, reality does not seem so painful.

The moment we decide to sober up is a hugely important milestone. The road ahead may be arduous, but we have a roadmap and a guide. All that is left to do is to make the first move. Today I thank God for giving me the necessities for my recovery journey.

Today I Will

Daily Reading from Recovery Days April 14th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – send positive thoughts

Fellowship and connection

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; for he today who sheds his blood with me shall be my brother.

Shakespeare, King Henry V.

Whether we have actually shed blood or not, all of us addicted people have been in a fight and this common experience gives us a strong sense of fellowship and a sense of purpose too. Brotherhood and sisterhood are great words that bring us a sense of connection and togetherness at a crucial time in our lives. For most people, doing something as part of a group or team gives more satisfaction than doing it alone. Am I glad of the feeling of team spirit and involvement that I get from belonging to a Twelve Step group?

Attending a fellowship meeting and sitting alone at the back of the room, we can observe the other members and we can learn from their words of wisdom, but do we feel comfortable? If we feel welcome and if we interact with others, it is likely that we will enjoy the meeting more and leave with a warm feeling of having been a part of something, rather than having been just a spectator. Others, perhaps with more experience, have a responsibility to extend the hand of friendship but we have a responsibility to ourselves to make an effort to connect. Today I ask God for the courage to make the extra effort needed to come out of my isolation and meet new people.

Today I Will…………………………………………………………………………………

Daily Reading from Recovery Days April 7th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – enjoy the moment

Disease of addiction

Our active addiction traps us in a kind of ‘Stockholm Syndrome’ where the captive becomes emotionally attached to the captor, despite the latter’s malicious intent. For some, giving up their substance or behaviour of choice can seem like a bereavement, similar to the loss of a loved person. We need to recognise this condition however illogical it may seem. Long term addiction distorts our ability to see things as they really are. We are very complex people and addiction is a very complex disease, but the underlying message is very simple: it will kill us if we allow it to. Do I fully understand that I have a disease that can kill me?

It is almost unbelievable that intelligent people would continue self-destructive behaviour to the point of death when fully aware of the consequences. Yet addicted people do it all the time. It may seem that fear of death is less than fear of losing our drug or behaviour of choice, but it is more complicated than that. Emotional pain, self- deception and ego are such toxic and powerful ingredients that only the most powerful thing we know can defeat them – Higher Power. Today I ask that I never forget the power of God’s help.

Today I Will………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Daily Reading from Recovery Days April 1st by Chris B

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* April 1 *

On this day in 1943, the Big Book of AA was first published

Big Book

Alcoholics Anonymous is one of the most influential books of all time. In 2011, the 30 millionth copy was presented to the American Medical Association, which declared Alcoholism an illness in 1956. A parallel book – Narcotics Anonymous, was produced in the 1980’s, based on an earlier ‘Little White Book’. This has sold several million copies. There is an almost biblical flavour to the history of these publications. Their production required the involvement of many contributors, and the editing process was not always easy. Still highly relevant today, they stand as a monument to the dedication and wisdom of the early fellowship members. Am I grateful for the integrity and industry of the pioneers of AA and NA?

“Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path.” This bold statement at the beginning of Chapter Five of Alcoholics Anonymous is today backed by the living proof of millions throughout the world who have achieved sobriety through following the programme. When much of the world appears unstable and unreliable, it is reassuring to have the rock of the Twelve Step fellowships in our lives. Today I thank God for a second chance at life.

Today I Will…………………………………………………….

Recovery Days

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February 7th

Connection
Real connection is a joining of hearts and minds as well as the physical contact of a handshake or a hug. So much of our modern world involves illusion – the face on TV, the social media friend, or the cheery avatar in Meta-land. Do not be fooled, the only real connections are traditional human contacts, warts and all. The Twelfth Step is all about connection but some of the earlier Steps deal with it too: Steps Five and Nine, for example. Do I fully understand that the only true connection comes from the sharing of heart, body, and mind in the real world?
St Paul said:
For now, we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face. Now I know in part; but then, fully – just as God knows me.
In other words, true connection only happens when we fully understand each other. And that goes not just for connection with other people, but with God as well. Today I ask God for the perseverance to make connections because without it, there cannot be love, kindness or true recovery.