Doug

The last of the human freedoms — to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way.
— Victor Frank

There are days when life in recovery seems like a bad play that we're unable to walk out on. It would be wonderful if, after we bottomed out, we started recovery and made nothing but progress for the rest of our lives. Recovery, however, isn't like that. It's a day at a time, a step at a time, a problem at a time. We struggle, sometimes with no idea of where we're going. We discover that our brothers and sisters in recovery are fallible, just as we are. Sometimes we want to throw up our hands and say, "Is this what recovery is like?"

The answer is yes and no. To learn to modify our unrealistic expectations, change our attitudes, and work humbly on our character defects teaches us how to live life beyond powerlessness. Yes, we will sometimes run out of patience with the process of recovery. But we can never go back to how we lived before; we know too much. We can feel the feelings, yes, but despair and give up for good? Never.

If today is a difficult day, I will still be hopeful. I'll act as if and have faith that things will get better.


Answers in the Heart