Milestones
Brother of the Wolf
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Walking With Giants
Posts: 436
Milestones
This Saturday will be my one year sobriety anniversary. Also, on Saturday I leave for my next two week meditation retreat with my graduate program. This is as big, if not a bigger, milestone for me. This time last year, I had left graduate school because I was drowning in my addiction. So while my year of sobriety is huge for me, it also represents my returning to my graduate program, and surpassing where I left last year.
At the time, I felt a huge sense of relief to be out of school, but I was not really sure if I had another recovery in me. I had huge black clouds over my head from labeling myself as a failure both because of my relapse, and also because I left school. With a little distance, I am able to see that my behavior does not dictate my identity. In fact, it was probably the smartest thing that I could have done. Had I tried to stay in school and "fake it," I seriously doubt that I would have been able to get sober, finish graduate school, or save my marriage. Through the work that began a year ago, I am proud to say that I have all three. And because of the fact that I actually found the support that I needed to return to my recovery, I developed the confidence and self esteem to face whatever new challenges come my way.
So now, while I am reflecting back on the huge strides that I have taken over the past year, I genuinely have the strength and determination to keep moving forward, whatever may be waiting for me.
At the time, I felt a huge sense of relief to be out of school, but I was not really sure if I had another recovery in me. I had huge black clouds over my head from labeling myself as a failure both because of my relapse, and also because I left school. With a little distance, I am able to see that my behavior does not dictate my identity. In fact, it was probably the smartest thing that I could have done. Had I tried to stay in school and "fake it," I seriously doubt that I would have been able to get sober, finish graduate school, or save my marriage. Through the work that began a year ago, I am proud to say that I have all three. And because of the fact that I actually found the support that I needed to return to my recovery, I developed the confidence and self esteem to face whatever new challenges come my way.
So now, while I am reflecting back on the huge strides that I have taken over the past year, I genuinely have the strength and determination to keep moving forward, whatever may be waiting for me.
Brother of the Wolf
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Walking With Giants
Posts: 436
Originally Posted by SueDenim 
That was lovely to read 
.
Well done, and all the best for the future. What are you reading at graduate school?
. Well done, and all the best for the future. What are you reading at graduate school?
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Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: California
Posts: 13,040
Congrats on your upcoming year, that is an incredible milestone, and for me it was a really emotional day!!
You must feel such pride in all you have accomplished this past year. Enjoy the retreat, can't wait to hear about it!!!
You must feel such pride in all you have accomplished this past year. Enjoy the retreat, can't wait to hear about it!!!
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