Nicole was formerly featured on True Stories of Addiction about six months ago. She shared her experience, strength, and hope with us regarding her struggles with drugs and alcohol and how she has remained clean and sober. As a result of Nicole’s recovery, she now shares with us how boundless her life is today and what she is doing to keep moving forward.
Surrendering
When Nicole spoke with us in the past, she was confused about who the God of her understanding might be. She didn’t want to give up and surrender to a power greater than herself that could restore her to sanity. Despite this, in the past few months she learned God is always looking after her and couldn’t be anymore grateful for her surrender.
She surrendered and the magic of life started to unravel before her eyes. Nicole always struggled with fear, mental health issues, and rigorous honesty. Everything and everyone besides herself was the problem. She never wanted to face herself or her mistakes but with the help of God she now has no fear because she knows he has her back. God is truly doing for Nicole what she couldn’t do for herself, she even gets to see her family today.
The Love of Family
According to Nicole, “the family connection I have now gained is spiritual, absolutely fantastic, but I definitely had to be patient.”
Nicole got to see her son and mother shortly after her first “True Stories of Addiction” was made. She believes that is what her turning point was. She never truly felt content before she saw them.
Nicole now takes full responsibility for her actions because she was able to surrender to God and understands it as no one but herself that kept her from family. She feels it was a worthwhile feeling to be able to look her mom and son in the face and feel like she deserved to see them.
“It was very rewarding when I finally got to meet my mom and son and see a smile on her face.”
Before Nicole was allowed to see her son she was told to act like a friend, not a mom. It was a big pill for her to swallow but what helped her get through it was showing up and prayer. Even though she didn’t get to treat her son the way she wanted, she felt like it was a great and worthy visit.
Though Nicole got to see her mother and son, she was still aching to see her dads side of the family. Once again, God showed up for her and just two hours after her last True Stories of Addiction her dad called and she got lunch with him and more of her family. This is proving that God truly works in the lives of those who seek him.
Being a Woman of Integrity
“When I wake up the first thing I do id thank God that I am alive.”
Nicole was used to praying and demanding something from God, things are different now. She wakes up with positive vibes asking God to point her in a direction where she can be of service to Him and her fellows. She has a different outlook on life today and knows the world doesn’t revolve around her. Life to Nicole is giving back what was so freely given to her and to be the best person she could ever be.
“Today my goals are to be a woman of integrity and when I go to sleep at night I know I was the best Nicole I could have been that day.”
No matter what life throws at Nicole she knows she tried her best. She lives her life one day at a time and knows no matter how the day went, she tried, and that’s all that truly matters.
No Problems Here!
“I do think when I struggle, I grow the most.”
She slows herself to feel today. Even if it is crying she does it because she knows it will do no harm and only make her grow. Even when she is feeling down she knows her problems are very minimal.
“Today there is no such thing as a huge problem.”
Nothing compares to being on the streets, living in active addiction, and having no hope at all. From sleeping on the cement, having a bag of clothing, and living addicted to drugs and alcohol, Nicole knows her life is always looking up.
“Today my life isn’t hard, it isn’t at all. I go home happy and I do what I need to do in order to be happy.”
Nicole knows her life isn’t hard today. She has her family back, sponsors woman, has an apartment, and has two jobs where she might be getting promoted. Life can’t get much better than that.
In order to stay clean and sober Nicole shares her experience with others hoping to help them get on the journey of recovery. She is living a life she never thought possible and has no intention of going back.
“Detox, reach out, surrender, work the steps, sponsor others, today is a very simple process and it is life or death.”
