Feelings

To perceive is to suffer.
--Aristotle

As men in this program, we have given up our compulsive escapes from life. Our escapes may have been through dependent relationships with others, or with money, sex, food, drugs, work, or emotional binges. But now we are learning to live without them, and this has brought us in touch with our feelings. We feel more joy and more pain in recovery. Often the first feelings in recovery are painful or frightening.

We learn we can deal with life - all of it, a little at a time. We accept pain as part of life. Because of our escapes, our growing up was delayed. We didn't learn how to deal with our pain because we escaped into an anesthetic, a high, and a relief.

Our spiritual recovery program brings us together with other men and women who have pledged to set aside these escapes. Among the many rewards is a reawakening to all of life. No longer will we filter out the suffering because that, too, is part of being aware.

Today, I am thankful for all the life that I perceive and pray for the strength to meet the pain.

[Time2Surrender]

Originally Posted by Doug

We learn we can deal with life - all of it, a little at a time. We accept pain as part of life.

This is true and a very big part of recovery.

[ChrisMan]

Thanks Doug. And thanks for the very many words of wisdom you share with us every day on SR!

[woodchip]

thanks doug, this may be a stupid, or even mis-directed question but as a new memeber and recently clean off vicodin's..My wife & I want my sex drive back..it used to be great & hope No permanent damage was done in 18 months of way overabusing. It is mildly recovering slowly along with the rest of me. Glad to be sober & clean today and facing pain head on refreshing ahhh