Tag Archives: Addiction recovery

Daily Reading from Recovery Days July 4th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – relax your whole body gradually

Enjoy the simple things in life

Happiness and good self-esteem are legitimate goals in life and recovery gives us a second chance. In that sense, we are truly fortunate. Life may be difficult, but recovery should most certainly be enjoyable, otherwise – what is the point? Our goal should be to become ‘Better than Well’. If we keep things simple and just try to do the right thing, we will reach our goal in the end. Poet William Blake wrote about the simple things of creation and the need to know right from wrong:

To see a World in a Grain of Sand And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,

Hold Infinity in the Palm of your Hand And Eternity in an Hour

William Blake.

There is a choice in life between the material and the spiritual – between wealth, pride and status on the one hand and honesty, love and service on the other. Which will be the dominant principle in my life? It is difficult to try to achieve both. Wealth and status are not necessarily evil, but I need to choose whatever brings peace of mind and happiness.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days July 3rd by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – close eyes briefly

Step Seven

Step Seven is about humility and also about reinforcing our commitment to change. I have committed to moving forward in life without these old behaviours is the basic message behind this important Step. If you can realistically appreciate your place in the world and your unique personality, then you are accepting life on life’s terms. You have no cause to be vain or arrogant but equally no cause to be ashamed. Can I take my place in the world without false pride or humility?

Step Seven is effectively saying that we are ready for new business and new ideas. We have asked for help in removing our shortcomings and now we need to fill the void left by that clean-out. In other words, opportunity beckons. Some of us may want to do service, some renew marriage vows, some perhaps will discover new strengths th a t they were unaware existed. It is a time for excitement and creativity. Today I ask God that I may make the best use possible of the talents that I have and the opportunities that appear.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days July 2nd by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – breathe slowly

Working the Steps

We live in two worlds – the finite and describable world of objects and people that we can see, touch and hear, and the world of ideas that is basically indescribable; we use the first to describe the second. So, if we say something like: I am the master of my fate, I am the captain of my soul, we are using finite images – ‘master’ and ‘captain’ to describe an attitude – that of taking personal responsibility for our lives. The Twelve Steps are another example. We are using the finite image of a flight of steps to describe a programme of recovery because ‘steps’ illustrate progress. On this day in 2000 the 20 millionth copy of Alcoholics Anonymous was presented to Al-Anon. Am I ready to progress through the Steps?

If we keep ourselves mentally and emotionally in good shape, we are more likely to have peace of mind. If we do our best to live according to proper moral and spiritual principles by putting value on honesty, humility, unselfishness, and love then we are likely to find contentment. The Twelve Steps are a good guide to our spiritual and moral wellbeing.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days July 1st by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – sit comfortably

Twelve Steps
The Twelve Steps are a programme of recovery from addiction that involves admitting defeat, self- improvement with help from a power greater than ourselves, making amends, and establishing healthy habits. They are summarised as:

  • Giving up – Steps 1 to 3
  • Cleaning up – Steps 4 to 7
  • Making up – Steps 8 to 9
  • Keeping up – Steps 10 to 12.
    The hallmarks of this programme are abstinence, lifelong adherence to its principles and relapse prevention. People who thoroughly follow this path rarely fail. Sometimes we just need to remind ourselves of the basic components of this simple programme. Do I fully understand the basic ideas and the actions I need to take?
    AA is more than a set of principles; it is a society of alcoholics in action. We must carry the message, else we ourselves can wither and those who haven’t been given the truth may die. Bill W, AA’s Legacy of Service.
    Today I reflect on these words.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days June 25th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – review expectations

Balance

Too much self-improvement can be bad for you. Mental, physical and spiritual fitness are good goals to have, but trying to be Superwoman, Mastermind and the Enlightened One all at once or separately, can cause serious burnout. The SMART acronym helps: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound. Addicted people tend to be ‘all or nothing’ types, but what we really need in our life is balance. Am I ready to set myself the goal of achieving balance in my life?

Self-improvement should start with acceptance. We can all improve because none of us is perfect. Yet, there is good in all of us and we should start by recognising this fact before we make any plan for improvement. Too many people in recovery approach the Twelve Steps, especially Step Four, as a search for character defects alone, but it is not meant to be only that. We should celebrate our assets too.

We are surprised to find that we have good points in our inventory. NA Text.

Today I give thanks that I have character strengths as well as defects.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days June 24th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – enjoy the moment

Reaching out

In moments of great emotional distress, when a kind person says: I don’t know what to say, they should probably not say anything and just be there to listen anyway. A gesture, however small, is often better than words. When you smile at someone, it is a small act of kindness. It is quite likely that those who are happiest are those who do the most for others; it is certainly worth a try. Am I ready to offer help to others today?

In my father’s house there are many rooms. New Testament, St John.

I should imagine the world as my father’s house and people I meet, as his guests whom I should treat with care and respect. Of course, this requires humility and non-judgmental service. Have I considered treating others in the same way as I would like to be treated, if I were in need? Like it or not, I am a part of mankind, and I cannot stay detached, I must be involved. Today I ask God that I will not stay detached but instead that I will find opportunities to help others.

Daily Reading of Recovery Days June 23rd by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – relax your whole body

Today matters Nothing is worth more than this day. Wolfgang Von Goethe.

Sometimes we allow a day to pass when we are so preoccupied with trivial worries that we never consider what a wonderful gift we have. We should seize every day as if it is our last, but seize it gently. A lot of the time we are held back from doing what we really want to do through fear – of failure or fear of the unknown. It’s time to reconsider – life really is short. Will I enjoy every day that is given to me?

We live in a flash of light; evening comes and it’s night forever. Spiritual teacher Anthony de Mello’s writing also points out that all mystics, whatever their religion or theological views, are united in telling us: All is well, and all will be well. They say this in spite of the apparent mess that the world is in. It is up to me to have faith in creation and the Higher Power that gives me today. Sometimes it seems hard to be optimistic but if I hand things over to my Higher Power, then it shows lack of faith to think that disaster will follow. Today I ask God for the gift of faith.

Daily Reading of Recovery Days June 22nd by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – send positive thoughts

Potential for growth

If you found yourself in a wonderful museum or art gallery but you only had time to see inside one room, then you would come away feeling unfulfilled and disappointed. You wish you had been able to explore more of what was in there. Going through life without finding out everything you are capable of, is a similar wasted opportunity. Recovery from addiction gives us time to reassess ourselves. How excited would you be to discover that you can sing, paint or write a book? Am I exploring the full extent of my talents?

I wasted so much of my life in the mad maze of addiction. Do I really want to settle for the well- worn bits of me that I already know? Why not treat my recovery as the previously unnoticed doorway through which I can reach the secret garden that is the undiscovered me? My own self-realisation is good for me and for the world. I only have this life and every moment is precious. What holds me back from starting this exercise of discovery? Today I ask God to help me find all aspects of myself.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days June 21st by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – close eyes briefly

Empathy

A person with a big ego will struggle to find the empathy needed to offer true kindness. Addicted people are sick people, not bad people. They deserve to be treated the same as anyone in need of health care. When the day comes that they ask for help, it is important that they receive a good response. Most people in recovery never forget the welcome and the kindness that they received at their first meeting. The memory remains, because people remember how they felt at times of great stress. Will I show kindness and empathy when I offer help to an addicted person?

The first stages of recovery are a time of great vulnerability. It is a common experience that unites us in fellowship. The kindness and support that we all receive is a precious thing that we must keep alive by passing it on like an Olympic torch. In doing so, we are passing on our power – Higher Power. Today I ask God that I will always pass on what I receive.

Daily Reading from Recovery Days June 17th by Chris B

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Remember Mindfulness – close eyes briefly

Kindness

Kindness and compassion are important factors for people with addiction problems. The word ‘kindness’ originates from the old English word ‘kin’ for ‘family’ and ‘connection’. Showing kindness to another is sharing their trouble and pain, as we would do in any relationship we care about. Kindness is consideration and respect, not only to others but to ourselves. Am I ready today to show kindness to anyone that I see in need?

Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. The Dalai Lama.

Kindness is what binds a healthy society together. It should never be given selectively; it should be shared amongst everyone. I cannot expect to receive kindness from strangers if I am not prepared to show kindness myself. When I work the Steps and have some experience of sober living, it is then my responsibility to extend the hand of friendship and kindness to others. That is what is meant by Step Twelve. Today I ask to be ready to extend the hand of friendship and kindness to anyone in need.

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