From Sharing Experience, Strength and Hope, September 5:
“I have learned that addiction is a disease. It may never go away, but with the help of my Higher Power, I can learn to accept it and then try to live with it. I once heard that addicts need special help when they were ready for recovery. Immediately, I agreed because this is what I wanted to hear, so I enabled, paid her debts, and manipulated her through her crises, thinking that this would keep her clean. What I did not realize is that I was doing this with expectations. When it did not work, I became angry.
Going to Nar-Anon meetings, I learned about the effects of manipulating and enabling. Thanks to the program, I am able to make decisions and set boundaries in my own way, and in my own time. I believe that by dealing with the suffering and challenges in my life, with dignity and courage, ultimately good will come from it, even though it may not always be apparent to me.”
“All will be revealed,” they say in one of the programs. I don’t know what will come to me in the future, but I do know that living “with dignity and courage,” something I was never able to do before I came to the rooms, has helped me to grow and expand in my understanding of the world and the people in it.
I will appreciate all that I have in my life and enjoy it, one day at a time. I will do my best to live well. I “won’t leave before the miracle happens.”
Good good good reminders:
~I too can fall into doing things with expectations
~to make decisions and set boundaries in my own way, and in my own time. 🙂
~won’t leave before the miracle happens
Thanks my friend!
Miracles aren’t always what we think they are. They come in all shapes and sizes. I wasn’t expecting mine, but I’m glad I hung around! Hugs, Bevi
Thank you for this wonderful post. So true and uplifting.
You’re welcome. Keep reading. There’s great strength in recovery. Lifted me right up out of depression. And I would wish that for all of us on this difficult journey. Many hugs to you!
Deanna, my prayers are with you.
Jackie