eggdogg1234

I was going to journal this but I am at the computer so I decided to start a thread instead.

Acceptance is the beginning of my solutions. When I accept the reality of my life, where I once saw problems I begin to see oppertunities. Through the eyes of acceptance I can see that my life is not in turmoil, but rather in a state of change. A few months ago my life as I viewed it was in utter chaos, and now as I write this I find myself very relaxed and peaceful. What changed in those few months? A freakin lot, but the most important thing is my acceptance of my life in reality versus my life as I thought it should be.
Can anyone else think of an example in their own life where acceptance opened a door to a world of possiblities and solutions that were not present before?

Learn2Live

I can't recall specifics from that early in my recovery (so long ago) but I can offer one thing that helped me to just ACCEPT (which helped to lessen my anxieties) and that is "You are EXACTLY where you need to be." It came from a book I read, but I don't remember which one or the author.

Ann

My sponsor taught me to Acknowledge, Accept and take Action...meaning that it was only after acknowledging and accepting a situation that I could take action to move myself forward.

Acceptance doesn't mean I condone or approve, it just means that I face "what is" without trying to twist it into something else.

Good thread, good food for thought.

Hugs

Learn2Live

Thanks for this. I like those three A's. I remember trying to acknowledge the truth in the beginning of my recovery. It seems that is the HARDEST part because you are so very confused in the beginning, and you just have so many deep disturbing emotions, pain and sadness when you're first trying to break free. You think and you think and you ask everyone you can, trying to make sense of what has been happening. Getting to acknowledgment through all of the smoke and mirrors, denial, emotions, etc takes a long time. You don't even know for a long time what it is you're supposed to acknowledge. Just reminiscing about the good ole' days (sarcasm).

kj3880

Accepting that I have the disease of addiction, that I am an addict, opened up a whole world of possibilities for me. It made it possible for me to accept help from NA, other addicts, my sponsor, and my higher power. My first step was all about acceptance.

Love
KJ

Thami

For me having to accept that i have a problem placed me in a position where i was able to seek help and find solutions to my problem.
I remember the first time i had to accept that i have drug problem was in hospital after i tried to take my life. Ever since then my life has made a 180 degree turn. By accepting that I had a problem allowed me to get help and start fixing my life.
I had to accept that I will not be seen in the same way I was percieved before (family, colleagues, friends etc). I always had a fear that i was going to be judged and cricified for my addiction, but after I have accepted and surrendered I stopped caring what others may think or say cos I have accepted myself for who and what i am....
Now i am a better person and life has become fairly manageable.

itisatruth

Acceptance to me was a lot like letting go....I posted a thread about my own acceptance so I don't want to rewrite it all but mostly it meant....kind of like what kj and Thami said....accepting that I need help and can't do it all on my own. As ironic as it may sound, admitting that I was powerless over addiction and needed help was a liberating moment for me. I remember it well - I was in my car and it was very clear at that moment - I had been trying to control, fix, and change it -- but all my hard work was meaningless because he was using again. AGAIN. It got worse from there....then I finally, finally, finally let it go....had to just let....it....go. "Let him go" to accept the consequences of his own actions instead of try to shield him - and accept that no matter what I have *ME* - and with him or not - I will be OK.