Its funny to remember how reluctant we once were to surrender to recovery. We seemed to think we had wonderful, fulfilling lives as using addicts and that giving up our drugs would be worse than serving a life sentence at hard labor. In reality, the opposite was true: Our lives were miserable, but we were afraid to trade that familiar misery for the uncertainties of recovery.
Its possible to be miserable in recovery, too, though its not necessary. No one will force us to work the steps, go to meetings, or work with a sponsor. There is no NA militia that will force us to do the things that will free us from pain. But we do have a choice. Weve already chosen to give up the misery of active addiction for the sanity of recovery. Now, if were ready to exchange todays misery for even greater peace, we have a means to do just thatif we really want to.
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Just for today: I dont have to be miserable unless I really want to be. Today, I will trade in my misery for the benefits of recovery.
oh i remember it well...giving up drugs was the end of my life as i knew it. turns out i was right i was giving up that painfuland yes very misersble life, only i believed it was the only life for me. until i met the life of recovery life still has ups and downs but its all changed in i handle things different. now im not living that empty misery that i lived in for so long. i loved this just for today passage. it took me back but today im a whole new level because im clean.
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kelly lofquist
Dont stress over what couldve been, chances are if it shouldve been, it wouldve been...
This is a concept that can take years to understand and accept. Surrender and acceptance is the key, in all things.
Couple months ago I chose Misery is Optional as the topic chairing a meeting. The vast majority who shared during that meeting said to one extent or another they disagreed that Misery was optional. And went on to talk about various challenges they were facing now Clean and equated it with misery. The why me poor me syndrom. Loss of jobs, loss of driving priviledges, relationship issues, illness, deaths of loved ones the litany goes on and on. Reality is Doo-doo Occurs whether in active addiction or Clean. Life is a bed of roses, and those roses have lots of thorns!
The more my spritual life is in order, the less Misery has room to dwell.
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Work the Steps or Die MF. (My Friend :) Clean One Day At a Time by The Grace of God through The Power of NA
