Hello everyone! My name is Bianka. I would like to give you another warm welcome to Detox to Rehab’s Recovery Reflections. Please join us and listen to the experience, strength and hope shared by Corey, Madison, and Brandon.
We will pre-record readings from Narcotics Anonymous: Just for Today and Alcoholics Anonymous: Daily Reflections. We express how this reading has helped our recovery or how it has impacted us. We thank you and hope we can inspire your recovery journey!
Narcotics Anonymous
January 30, 2017: Giving It Away
“We must give freely and gratefully that which has been freely and gratefully given to us.”
Basic Text p. 47
In recovery, we receive many gifts. Perhaps one of the greatest of these gifts is the spiritual awakening that begins when we stop using, growing that grows stronger each day we apply the steps in our lives. The new spark of life within is a direct result of our new relationship with a Higher Power, a relationship initiated and developed by living the Twelve Steps. Slowly, as we pursue our program, the radiance of recovery dispels the darkness of our disease.
One of the ways we express our gratitude for the gifts of recovery is to help others find what we’ve found. We can do this in any number of ways: by sharing in meetings, making Twelfth Step calls, accepting a commitment to sponsorship, or volunteering for H&I or phoneline duty. The spiritual life given to us in recovery asks for expression, because,” “we can only keep what we have by giving it away.”
Just for Today: The gift of recovery grows when I share it. I will find someone with whom to share it.
Just for Today: http://www.justfortodaymeditations.com/daily-recovery-readings-january-30/
Gratitude
“I’m grateful for the life I am given so I have to give back to that life,” Corey said.
Being grateful requires action. You can say you are grateful for something but do you truly mean it? Let’s say you are grateful for your car. If you are grateful for it, would you would take care of it? You would assume so. It’s the same with recovery; if you are grateful for your recovery you must maintain it by working with others, prayer, meditation, sponsorship, and meetings.
“Actions speak much louder than words,” Madison said.
When you are maintaining your recovery by doing what is suggested by a 12-step fellowship, others are going to notice. They will also notice when you are just saying, not doing. It will reflect on your attitude towards life.
“To show you are grateful you got to do something,” Madison said.
When something gives you a negative attitude towards life, you will eventually get high. Your mind will trick you into thinking there is no way out of misery unless you get high or drunk. If you ever feel this way, go to a friend in recovery and let them know how you are feeling.
“This is a ‘we’ program. ‘We’ have to do it together,” Brandon said.
When you go to a friend in recovery they can help you. The 12-step fellowship is designed for people who are willing to fight this fight battle together. You do not have to be alone in your recovery; there is no reason you should turn back to drugs or alcohol. Call a clean and sober friend if you are feeling down- they can pick you back up! Share your recovery with another. It will save a life.
AA and NA
The NA: Just for Today focuses on the gift of recovery AA: Daily reflections puts attention on living life without drugs and alcohol. While each reading is somewhat different, they share the same importance. They give me confidence and guide me in the right direction. Also, it reminds me of how lucky I am to be living a life of recovery.
Alcoholics Anonymous
January 30, 2017: FREEDOM FROM … FREEDOM TO
We are going to know a new freedom… Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 83
Freedom for me is both freedom from and freedom to. The first freedom I enjoy is freedom from the slavery of alcohol. What a relief! Then I begin to experience freedom from fear – fear of people, of economic insecurity, of commitment, of failure, of rejection. Then I begin to enjoy freedom to – freedom to choose sobriety for today, freedom to be myself, freedom to express my opinion, to experience peace of mind, to love and be loved, and freedom to grow spiritually. But how can I achieve these freedoms? The Big Book clearly says that before I am halfway through making amends, I will begin to know a “new” freedom; not the old freedom of doing what I pleased, without regard to others, but the new freedom that allows fulfillment of the promises in my life. What a joy to be free!
Daily Reflections: http://www.justfortodaymeditations.com/daily-recovery-readings-january-30/
Freedom in Recovery
“Today I don’t have to drink,” Brandon said.
You have freedom in recovery. There is no other way to describe it. You are free from the enslavement of drugs and alcohol. When you wake up the first thing on your mind isn’t that first hit or sip anymore. You can actually live a life how other people do.
“I get to be okay and comfortable in my own skin,” Brandon said.
Not only are you free from drugs and alcohol- you have your self-confidence back. You can truly enjoy life without relying on a substance to get you through the next hour.
“My life centered around alcohol,” Madison said.
It is a beautiful transformation what can happen in recovery. You can be like me and go from being a homeless dope fiend to having a car, a beautiful home, and a wonderful job. Drugs and alcohol aren’t the center of my life anymore. Recovery is.
No matter what has happened in the past, doesn’t matter- I am free today. I don’t have to drink or do drugs to be okay. I can be myself and absolutely insist on enjoying life. Recovery has given me a second chance. I shouldn’t be where I am today, but thanks to my Higher Power I am alive and well and free.
