In the state of Minnesota, September is Recovery Month. Perhaps it is in other states too. If so, maybe some one will write and educate me about that. In any case, in Minnesota it’s a big deal. There are breakfasts with special speakers, fairs, social events of myriad kinds; and the last day of the month included a Twins Baseball Game with a local celebrity, Don Shelby, hosting the event. A few hundred of us were sprinkled in the upper decks. The seats weren’t great but the atmosphere was fabulous.
I have not been a regular at Twins games since first moving to MN in 1964. Back then the Twins were a hot team; I had never lived where a major league team played and I loved drinking beer, three superb reasons for being a fan. A lot has changed since then. I never quit rooting for the Twins whenever they were doing well but the beer went by the wayside many years ago and my life is much the better for it.
What an amazing journey any one of us has been on if alcohol has been “traded in” for a life of recovery, service, hope and the simplicity of living one day at a time. You would not have been able to convince me in the 60’s or even the early 70’s that I’d choose to even be alive if I couldn’t drink. Alcohol was why I got up in the mornings. That, along with the first cigarette of the day, settled my nerves and grounded me for what was to come. How very normal that seemed. The insanity of that way of life astounds me even today, 35 years later.
Unfortunately there are millions of men and women who still need what we have discovered and most of them will never find it. And some who have found it, will lose it once again. I ran into a man at the game last night, in fact, who had had many decades “with us” and then he slipped away. He has returned but his way has been rocky. Is he here temporarily or for good? One can’t know. That’s why vigilance is so mandatory. Not only vigilance about meetings but about maintaining a fit, spiritual condition. For me that means connecting with others and talking to God. Every day! Every single day.
Recovery can be forever. Are you making sure you are doing what’s necessary to insure you will have it forever?
Penny Mary Hauser
In my book “Broken by addiction, Blessed by God- a woman’s path to sustained recovery” issues and transformation for women in recovery is framed within a spiritual conversation with God. This transformation is unique for women because of personal and cultural prespectives. Long term-sustained recovery is framed in a willingness to be open to a new awareness of God working in our lives-wanting us to have the peace and joy of recovery. Please take a look at the description on amazon.com
Blessings-Penny
Matthew C. Kriner
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mark
Yes, Karen recovery month is a national event sponsored by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, a federal government organization. When I hear about people with long term recovery choosing to use again it makes me realize just how diligent I must be. The last, just over three years, have been taken seriously by me but, I can see how easy it would be to let a meeting go here, a meditation there, to start thinking I’m smarter than that or better than that. I’m blessed to be surrounded by good long and short term recovery. I’m blessed to have the family I have and I’m blessed to still be horrified by my last five or so years of using. I know some don’t like to hear how it was and would rather hear about how one’s recovery is. Well a huge part of my recovery includes a healthy dose of remembering the pain and horror of being spiritually cut off from everything, nothing is worth that price. When I am alone and facing that choice, its that knowing, where I was, that keeps me on the narrow path. Thank you again for leading me to a place where I see these things. Love to you and yours, Mark.
karencasey
markHi Mark,
You so consistently reply and I love that. I am so glad that you have stayed on the path. You are a great example to others.
Love to you,
Karen