Dreams that we gave up long ago can now become realities.
Basic Text, p. 71
=
All things begin with a dream. But how many of us fulfilled our dreams while using? Even if we managed to complete something we had started, our addiction usually robbed us of any pride in our accomplishment. Perhaps when we used, we dreamed of the day when we would be clean. That day has come. We can use this day to make our dreams come true.
To fulfill our dreams we must take action, but our lack of self-confidence may keep us from trying. We can begin by setting realistic goals. The success we experience when we attain our initial goals allows us to dream bigger dreams the next time around.
Some of our members share that when they compare the ambitions they had when they first got clean with what they have actually achieved in recovery, they are astounded. In recovery, we often find more dreams come true than we could ever have imagined.
=
Just for today: I will remember that all things begin with a dream. Today, I will allow myself to make my dreams come true.
This jft sounds so simple, but it actually takes alot of courage.
The 'lack of self confidence' thats talked about is really fear.
It's fear that murders dreams.
Just for today, my life will not be ruled by fear.
Whatever the mind can conceive and believe it can achieve. But I'm a failure, I'm no good, I'm worthless, I don't deserve... Fear of failure, fear of success, fear of change, fear of the unknown. All manifestations of lack of faith. To never make a mistake is to never try anything new. Failure isn't failure unless I quit trying and growing. I make mistakes all the time, and it's ok, I strive to learn from them and not make them again. I'll make new mistakes instead!
Success has many forms. Once I couldn't maintain relationships. Today going on 33 years married. Once I couldn't get or keep a job. Today a small business owner in my 6th year strong and growing after weathering the recession while countless other businesses went under. Once I couldn't stay Clean, going on 33 years Clean!
A small thing. Once in my using days I went a number of months carrying the same crisp "C" Note. Hip, slick and cool I'd pull it out and say use this for snorting that track. Of course it too soon went to drugs. When I got Clean for a long time it was tough to even keep a 20 in my pocket. Eventually keeping an emergency "C" Note on me became possible. Kind of my security blanket. Today I've gotten a bit carried away after setting a goal of keeping 10 Benjamins in my money clip. Know what, there are 13 of 'em at the moment plus some smaller bills totalling $1511. Maybe kind of dumb carrying that much cash around, but what can I say, it feels good. A far cry from once living in a cave during active addition!
__________________
Work the Steps or Die MF. (My Friend :) Clean One Day At a Time by The Grace of God through The Power of NA
I agree that in the beginning that our dreams seemed out of reach , they were just dreams. After we experienced the change recovery has given us our dream are reality now .Like I never thought I would be married to the same woman for over 20 years , although she is my 3rd wife . She tolerated me and my lost dreams . We've been through many high's and low's in life .I will not fear my dreams they might just happen.
