December 31, 2010
My 12th Sober Birthday
Another year in recovery and now I am 12 years sober. It is hard work. The last year has been a year in which I was challenged and tested by many situations, again and again. I know had I not been sober I would have not known how to handle these situations. By following metaphysical principles of my religious beliefs and keeping those who love me close to me, I knew how to find my emotional grounding.
One extraordinary gift of my recovery was that Five Years From Now got national and even international exposure last year, spreading the message of recovery from state to state and country to country.
It goes to show that being sober is a true and valued gift of life that no matter which walk of life we are from, we are able to achieve. It is a journey worth taking, regardless of the odds. The mistakes we make in our addiction become lessons for others to find their way. It is our job to give that message freely so that others can gain strength and guidance.
In recovery we must be resilient, we must protect our soul.
In my 12th year of recovery, God willing, I will keep passing on the message that no matter how far gone we think we are, there is a way back for us. We can regain the health and clarity that was taken away from us by drugs and alcohol, one day at a time, for years to come.
Though they should not have to be, the first few years will be incredibly hard and they will seem like the darkest days of life and in some cases they are. Over time we realize that in reality they are the days where we regain and become who we were supposed to be. Healthy and happy human beings with a purpose.
Alexandra