Daily Missives

When I was in early recovery, I felt lost. I was trying to figure out how to live without alcohol, which seemed impossible to me. I thought that sooner or later I would wind up drunk, so why bother? I met people who were living a sober life, who cared enough to listen to me…

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Sometimes I feel God’s Presence during the course of my day and other times not so much. Sometimes I can go days without really feeling it. It’s kind of a “spiritual funk” that happens where I’m just not feeling it.  It doesn’t mean that God has taken a break. God is always with me. The…

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Not only has my life been spared and my self-imposed suffering stopped, but I have been given a life worth living. It didn’t happen by accident. It didn’t happen overnight. It started with desperation. It started with a belief and a trust in God to save me. It continues for me by seeking God’s Protection…

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After a long period of time without abusing substances, I can get the sense that “I’m good. I got this.” If I actually believe that, I will become complacent and forget how I got here. I need to remember the life I used to live and the suffering that comes with it. If I forget…

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The heaviest burden I have ever carried was living as a hopeless drunk. Every day the burden got heavier, no matter what I tried to do about it. It wasn’t until I was shown a way to turn that burden over to God have I been freed. God has been doing for me what I…

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I used to think that I was “terminally unique” – that no one understood how I felt and thus I kept my pain to myself and would have to figure things out for myself. I am not so unique. When I met people with a similar affliction who had found a common solution, I realized…

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If I had been a normal drinker, I imagine that my life would be so different. I would not have tortured myself every day with guilt, shame, and remorse. I would not have lived with constant, unfounded fear. I would not have tried to escape from the reality of my life by drinking. I would…

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I know I’m getting better when I can stop being too self-involved and try to help others instead. I’m not going to solve anyone’s problems, but maybe by showing them my path I can help them get through their difficulties. We are not passing through this life single-file. Everyone needs a hand-up along the way.…

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“Relapse” in recovery is not a requirement for getting and staying sober.  I have been told that those who pick up drinking or using drugs again have either forgotten how much they suffered or they have not suffered enough. As a recovering alcoholic, relapse is a horrifying prospect which remains very real for me. I…

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My perspective dictates whether I have a good day or a bad day.  How I look at things determines what I think, how I feel, and how I act. If I look for the good, I see the good. If I look for the bad, I see the bad. If I’m happy with what I…

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