Yicrosoft Directory Girl

Every blade of grass has its angel that bends over it
and whispers, ‘Grow, grow.’

The Talmud

For most addicts, like myself, relapse is part of the recovery process.

“Relapse should not be viewed as a failure; it is part of a learning process that eventually leads to recovery,” says Susan Merle Gordon, Ph.D.”

For the most part, we addicts have a difficult time accepting life on life’s terms.

Life is oftentimes unfair and cruel. It frequently entails heartache, disappointment, despair, and moments of chaos.

We may mislead ourselves into thinking that being clean & sober is the answer to all of what ails us, when in fact, it is only the beginning of our new life.

Our coping skills are at an all-time low in the beginning.

We soon learn that our boyfriend/girlfriend still stares at other women/men, (or even cheats), our insanity/confusion still exists, our families still do not trust us and our workplace is still a pain in the *ss.

There are many symptoms, which involve our behaviors and thought patterns, that need to be addressed so we can learn to accept life on life’s terms.

Getting clean is only the first step into recovery. STAYING clean is the hard part. But we can do it if we are honest (big one), open-minded, and willing.

We need to take it easy and take it one day at a time. Sometimes, one second at a time.

Although some things are within our reach,  certain things in this crazy life are beyond that reach. We can’t have everything we want or what we think we need, and that is sometimes hard for us to tolerate. But, if we practice acceptance of life on life’s terms, not our own predetermined terms, it is less likely that we will relapse.

Intolerance oftentimes leads us to relapse. Using is our typical (’normal’) response. It’s referred to as self medicating.

Remember that you are never alone, and even if you were to relapse, it’s never too late to try again and again if that’s what it takes.

Just for today, do yourself the favor of practicing the serenity prayer. Don’t just spout the words off of your tongue, apply them with all of your might. It may just get you through another day.

Tags: recovery //