Twelve and beyond!

Twelve- “Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs” The Steps. After many years of working to understand my issues and character flaws, I now can help others to work past theirs. Every day we make changes in our lives some good and some of them not so good. Those changes lead us down the paths of life. Every day of sobriety is a mile stone. For some that day may be small but good, but for others it is as a climb to the top of a 28,000 foot mountain. Each minute, hour, and day that someone is clean and sober is a victorious day in the battle with the dragons we face. I have learned much about the ins and outs of how addictions work and what it takes to beat it at every turn. Addictions stem far deeper than Drugs, Food, Sex, Porn, Gaming, Etc. You have to find the deep rooted core issue and pain and turn it around first. Some would say that”oh it is just in your head”, or “just snap out of it, duh” and yes you are part right. The pain that drives it and the effects of THIQ are in the head. I also know that it is a relationship issue also. It is how a person feels about themselves, others, and their Higher Power. I have seen addiction described as a deep dark old well with where the bottom changes continually. Some people holding on to the rope and bucket for all they can but never hitting rock bottom. Floundering with the rope needing to let go and trust in a power beyond them to help them back from the darkness. Those that flounder day after day without change are those that very well will be those that remain active in their plight or pass with death as the dragon takes them. Often those that flounder are expecting an instant fix or someone else to rescue them from their plight. It isn’t until they find the bottom and learn their core issues that they can work to rebuild and recover. Finding the courage to be open and honest about issues is by far one of the hardest things we face in life but once we do we can move forward. Some of the most difficult workings of the heart is inventorying our lives and coming to know the core issues of why we are what we are and how to change our path. Yes I would say that there are a great many times that this process can loyally suck to say the least but it can be done. When we do find recovery we must remind ourselves “just for today”....I will make every day count, even if I have to take it “One day at a time.” Finding that relationship with our God and realizing that in spite of the flaws we have and the mistakes we make we have his love to hold us. When have found peace with our lives. We can then help others to look inside of themselves and to the love of god to change their hearts and lives. It is by helping others that we then come to know that we are not alone in our lives and struggles. I will not say that I do not at times doubt in my thinking and live and that I still do not have fear at some point. There are still many things that bring me discomfort and things I don’t do to make that discomfort less but I try daily to fight my insecurities. God is great!