My Friend...

Hello my friend...

I know that sometimes it is very hard to understand why things are happening the way they are. We tend to think that once we stop drinking or drugging, that life is going to be wonderful, and everything will be perfect...and life is pretty wonderful, but then when life continues to hit us hard, we get discourgaged, confused, and frustrated...sometimes we can even give up...but i guarantee you...that if you just don't use...things will get better...

When the hard times come, and they will, cause this is life on its own terms...but when they hit you in the face...remember that 'this too shall pass'. You might recall that saying when the good times come too! LOL...

The ninth step promises tell us that there will come a time when we will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it...that we will understand happiness and we will know peace...i can tell you that these things do come to pass...one moment at a time...

It is very important to remember that just not using is not emotional sobriety...emotional sobriety takes a lot of work...and that is what those steps are for...and it is a continuing process...but there is never a time, that we can just stop using those steps...they are our stairway to freedom, and a way of life that is happy and filled with joy...

When i am uncomfortable, or confronted with a serious problem, i always go back to step one...then i have to ask myself, what i can logically do about whatever it is that i am facing...can i change it? if i cannot, then i have to turn it over and go on about my buisness...doing something different...other than worrying about it...worst comes to worse...i can always, always find another to work with...but if i can change it, then i must step up to the challenge...and just do it...this is a program of action...

Sobriety is more about facing lifes difficulties with courage and willingness to change as the situation presents itself then it is about anything else...my problem was never alcohol and drugs...those were just symptoms...my problem was that i did not know how to live life as a responsible, emotionally healthy adult...i wanted what i wanted...and i wanted it right now...i was controlled by my emotions, and it is very painful to 'grow up'...but that is the very heart of recovery...growing up, owning our feelings, and walking through whatever we have to walk through...

I am still learning how to do this one day at a time...sometimes, one moment at a time...so remember, dear one...that someone else somewhere is on this journey with you...and that everything is unfolding exactly as it should...or it would be different! Haha...

be filled with your own joy dear friend...and remember to take care of you...

starlightjustfortoday...