Hey.... it feels awful, hopeless, the end of the world...
 

And I know that feeling.

All of us do.

Oh, we could compare stories and we could try to point out who's situation is "worse", whose story clearly a deeper "bottom".

But all that would be missing the point.

We have felt awful, hopeless, the end of the world was crashing down upon us.

Yet despite all that awful hopelessness at the end of the world - many of us have built happy, free, rewarding, respected, honorable, giving, compassionate, positive lives.

We left behind shame and ugliness and broken trust.

We left behind anger and bitterness and self-loathing.

We healed wounds and righted wrongs and came to see ourselves as the beautiful humans, the beautiful souls we are.

We moved on, we created another world - for ourselves and for those we love.

It began with a choice, with change and with faith.

A choice that we would live our lives differently and that we would put down alcohol and drugs and pick up absolutely everything and anything necessary to be all that we were meant to be. A choice to be happy, joyous and free. A choice to be of service and of use in the world. Change - in support of those choices - every day. And faith, that despite the challenges, if we would stick to those choices and make those changes, we would shine.

There are many paths and many combinations of choices and changes. There are many faces of faith.

But it really comes down to being that simple.

With choice, change and faith - it is not hopeless. It is not the end of the world. The awfulness will never haunt you again.

:grouphug:

Beautiful. Thank you!

Great post, and this particular part was well said! I often talk about "changing everything" when I offer support. I think that often scares people. It's easy to confuse the words "change" and "abandon", and I can totally see why that would make a newcomer uneasy.

The fact that you phrase this transformation as a "creation" for both the recovering alcoholic AND their loved ones, is great way to phrase it.

Giving up the 'alcoholic lifestyle' does not mean that you're giving up your friends, family, and relationships. It means embarking on a new path, altering your course and heading towards a healthier and happier destination. Those you'd like to keep aboard will happily join you.

Powerful truths. Well put!

[QUOTE=FreeOwl;5668377]And I know that feeling.


We left behind anger and bitterness and self-loathing.

We healed wounds and righted wrongs and came to see ourselves as the beautiful humans, the beautiful souls we are.

Fantastic post, FreeOwl.

Thanks.

FO, I really enjoy your perspectives. But what I've quoted is something that I pour a lot of thought into. And you have summed it up well, it doesn't matter, we'd be missing the point. Thank you.

Thanks FreeOwl. That was great.

Beautiful - thanks.

Wise words - thanks for that

I feel that way almost every day. I will be reading this post, daily, for the foreseeable future.

:grouphug: Well said FO

Great post FO!! :scoregood