Thank you for sharing a day of reflection with me on my anniversary yesterday.It was a wonderful day starting with a 100pm meeting in my Homegroup sharing and caring with others just like me,always an uplifting experience even if in pain or joy.Spent hours working on 5 cover tunes for new Band I am currently playing drums with and culminating the day with my youngest grandchild having a sleepover at Poppys house(she's just two AND TAKES MY SPOT IN BED!!!)The true blessings in our lives both young kids(4&2)
Each year I reflect back on what I see as 3 distinct parts of my journey of LIFE...
From birth to around 11(1959) my childhood where I learned about love but also remember anger and delinquency rearing its head early on(we become ill even before we pick up our first substance,) Part 1
PART 11....FROM 11 on and for the next better part of 25 years,continually progressive addiction building devastion and destuction in my life and anyone around me..
PART 111...And through the God of my understandings grace and mercy,daily work in the Solution(application of the Program in all areeas of my life) and support from so many beginning with my first sponsor ,a gruff mid 80 year old man who helped me on my early journey.The complete 100% admission and acceptance of our st Step,allowing the healing to begin and the constant drive to remain in a fit spiritual condition and understanding I could never pick up"that first one again" The joy ,trials and adventures into life on lifes terms,guided by that God of my understanding on top of all things ,in all events and first in all decisions as our 3RD step SO BEAUTIFULLY STATES(with reflection on its counterpart our 11th step WITH THAT "CONSCIOUS CONTACT" being so much apart of my awareness.And I do stumble and fall often,but I am able to get right back up..
So for me,based on my own Faith beliefs,this too is not an ending but a beginning to that next phase of being with the God of my understanding where there will be no more tears.
WE are told that "complacency is the enemy of those with substantial clean time(freedom from active alcoholism,addiction etc)and if WE are complacent for too long our recovery then ceases.This I am truly aware of. For me ,it inspires me to first get with my God each day graced with another day of life,,next sometime during the day reach out to another individual(sponsee,sponsor,Recovery forums,FTF meetings etc)and share recovery ,pray consistently and know that trials will come(there have been many)but there is never a reason to pick up any substance to take me out of myself and realize that it is the daily work guided by that Higher Power that works best for this ole hardhead(and believe me I tried many other methods of trying to trick myself.Mike has always been my problem :)
So if you are new here,new to recovery or just coming back,,again WE remember we are all "newcomers to each and everyday,,the Work begins each day.For those who have been around for a few cups of coffee,WE remember the best way we can carry the mesage of HOPE and recovery is through sharing our experience,strength and Hope,with those who are still suffering.WE have learned that through the aspect of our spiritual awakening(12thStep)our understanding of a Higher Power gets developed by sharing in anothers recovery.We do become Visions of Hope,We can become examples of the program working and the joys we share living free from active addiction is an attraction to those who still suffer.WE do recover and the STEPS DO NOT END AT OUR 12TH,they are the new beginning...In humble gratitude I bid all a blessed and productive day....
__________________
Our purpose is to remain clean,just for today,and to carry the message of recovery.