Daily Missives

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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The obstacles I encounter along my life’s journey are meant to serve a purpose, but their meaning and value often are not understood until later on. The obstacles are not intended solely to cause me pain and suffering. This life is not a punishment. It is a gift. Sometimes the hardships cause me to change…

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I can’t usually tell how someone is feeling just by looking at them. When my soul is in pain I am silent and I avoid people. I recall a certain feeling of loneliness when I’m hurting. I also recall the feeling of relief when someone reaches out with concern. Showing compassion towards others does not…

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I have heard it said that people change because of one of two motivators – inspiration or desperation. For me, I am desperate to never go back to the way I was living. I never want to feel that way again. Also, after seeing the change in others, I am inspired to try to live…

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When I was early in recovery, I was thinking “So, I stopped drinking – now what?” Stopping drinking, and then allowing myself to be led through a spiritual transformation changed me. After all this time, I have come to realize that my life in recovery does have a purpose. I am starting to see it.…

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I used to operate with a constant sense of panic inside of me. I think it was because I never felt ok and that I felt that everyone could see my uneasiness. I don’t do that anymore. Sure, I get a feeling of restlessness from time to time but I have learned to calm my…

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The burden of my fears was the toughest thing to face when I stopped drinking. I suddenly had to live each day without hiding inside of a bottle. When I was drinking, it was pretty obvious to anyone. But when I stopped, I felt like my fears were also obvious to anyone. Trusting God, identifying…

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