Faith, Family, Friends

 October 19, 2022

Day 81

As time goes on, our lives become filled with a greater peace then ever before prior to sobriety.  My true focus up to this point has been faith, family, and friends.  These were my foundations from Day 1, and I still make these my top priority each and every day. Through these 3 things, I have now accomplished 81 days of SOBRIETY! When we first get sober, you count hours, literally, that you are able to withhold from your addiction.  As this gets easier, we learn to implement strategies that can help us maintain our sobriety. We also learn that our lives were unmanageable with the substance of choice, and the thought of drinking (in my case) begins to subside over time. I questioned, "Do I really want to go back to that old life?" 

Without faith, I would not even be at Day 81, as I am today. Ever since I had my "awakening" in sobriety, God was who I turned to in my time of desperation, and continues to be who I turn to each and every day. (I highlighted the word I, in the previous sentence, because once again, I have found Christ as my Higher Power, but I am in no way to judge where someone else finds their peace.) I even questioned, "Does it take an act of desperation to improve one's overall growth mindset?" In my case, the answer was "YES!" In the Big Book, page 219, the Southern Friend describes this as the "bottom of hell." My time of desperation didn't begin until I was already at rehab.  In rehab, I got COVID, and all my worldly possessions were removed from me, except for bare essentials.  It wasn't until this time, that my desperation grew so much, that I began to pray.  I prayed for healing from this awful disease. I prayed that I would be a better person somehow/someway. I put faith first.  Why?  Because faith is what guides me.  Without guidance, I cannot be the person I wish to be for the people that matter most. 

So, through faith, came the realization that my family had been strongly neglected by this powerful and selfish disease that I had become consumed by over the years. It was my goal, upon leaving rehab, that my family would be my next priority.  I spent weeks at home, somewhat isolating myself.  Initially, I gave up my cell phone and all social media.  I didn't even turn my phone on, till days after my return.  I wanted to isolate, but WITHIN my family unit.  My husband, my daughter, James' children, my parents, and in-laws...these were all my priority those first few weeks!  I didn't reach out to anyone, unless they were my immediate family, or they reached out to me first! It sounds cruel now, but at that time, I could only commit to ONE DAY AT A TIME, and in those initial days and weeks, I knew my family needed to come first. 

Finally, my friends! I've learned in sobriety, that if you want to learn who your true friends are...then get sober! I remember reading this a few days ago, and thinking how true it was, but also how mean it sounded.  Now, I realize there is nothing wrong with learning who our true friends are at any point in our lives.  It just means that sobriety, leads you down a different path or journey.  As you journey through your next chapter, some people are willing to understand your path to recovery, and others just may not be as interested. I AM willing to accept that now.  It doesn't mean they aren't caring people, but YOUR sobriety belongs to YOU, and others just may not see it as THEIR priority.  That is ok!!! :) It's pretty simple...I've decided to hang around my friends that support MY sobriety.  Once again, doesn't mean they HAVE to be or NEED to be sober in order to be my friends.  This is MY journey, I just need support! Friends are supportive and encouraging, and can be an integral part of staying sober.  Ask yourself, "Our friendships DO NOT have to change, but are you ok if they do?" I had to be willing to say, "yes" to this question in order to stay sober. 

Prioritizing my sobriety with the foundations of faith, family and friends allows me to experience freedom in a new way!  I am no longer bound by resentment, regret, or fear.  Those who love me, will also love me sober! BUT, I also need to make them a priority too!  Through self-love, I can now LOVE again! I can love my foundations of faith, family, and friends in a new way...a SOBER way, that is stronger than ever before! J.K. Rowling once said, " Rock bottom became the solid foundation on which I rebuilt my life."  I am currently REBUILDING MY LIFE one day at a time! 

Quotes of the Day:



Pic 1:

Mornings like this, renew my faith!!! How beautiful are God's creations?


Pic 2:

This guy right here...he is my ROCK!!! End of story!

And Crystal, the puppy, she is my new therapy dog!!! LOL! 



Pic 3:

This is a pic of Kathy and I after the Wiener Races!  She is such a dear friend, and her love and support truly radiates from within!  I just adore her! She also has an amazing family too!!!







 














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