Hi blog followers….. I still haven’t figured out the road I want to take with my blog but this was on my heart today…, Are you wondering “how can she did she get peace within”? LOL. I have been wondering the same question.
I have 21 months clean today. I have a calmness I haven’t felt in a REALLY long time. Is everything perfect in my life? NOPE! Honestly, what in life is perfect? The difference has been my daily practice of the first three NA steps .Actually, I am grateful for a strong third step which says “We made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him”.
On those moments I’m alone at home or driving in the car admiring the beauty of the sky, I think about how peaceful life has become. I am grateful for my relapse. No, I am not grateful for the pain and heartache it caused. BUT it has helped me in so many ways to really appreciate the gift of life. It has helped me to put my life with MS in perspective and not let it control me.
Over the last few weeks, I have been blessed with a clear head and vey little brain fog. I have completed physical and occupational therapy – actually graduated out because I was doing so well. YEAH!! Planning our vacation in April. Clearing out the clutter so we can put the condo on the market by early summer. Creating new angel designs. Tracking my food even though the scale doesn’t seem to be moving much. Sadly, I had to find a new sponsor which has its growing pains. LOL. I am taking it one day at a time and enjoying whatever life brings.
Whether you are in recovery or not, here are some simple steps to help you find peace within…
Stop Thinking about Your Past. …
I will admit for me this is a little easier than for most. I don’t remember a lot of things – thank you MS. I have let go of the “woulda, coulda, shoulda” kind of thinking. I have stopped beating myself up for the mistakes I made which I can’t change. Yes, I have regrets. Yes, I get sad about broken relationships. Yes, the pain and heartache I caused is in my thoughts. The difference is, I don’t focus on them. I have faith relationships will be healed. Definitely not in my time but when God sees fit to make it happen (I will be ready). I stop focusing on the past and am enjoying the moment of today.
Don’t Push Yourself Hard for Something. …
As not only a recovering addict BUT also a recovering workaholic, this can be tough. MS has taught me many things – don’t push yourself too hard because you will crash and burn (okay, not literally). Do I still have goals? Yup. The difference now is I am enjoying the journey and where it takes me. See, God has a plan for my life (and yours) so why not just let it unfold. This can be rough for a planner (an old grant writing habit). You can still set goals but don’t push so hard you forget about….
Spend Quality Time with Loved Ones.
Loved ones can be family, friends or someone who are important in your life. I am learning to enjoy the quiet times. Don’t get me wrong, I always enjoyed spending time with loved ones. The difference is NOW I am in the moment focusing on them and our time together. I no longer am thinking about the next thing I need to do. I am grateful for time with hubby – looking forward to his retirement. I am grateful for the days (not as many as I would like) I get to spend with momma. I am grateful for the time spent with my fellow women in recovery. Are there some I don’t get to spend quality time with? YUP! Do I mess them? ABSOLUTELY! Still I am at peace. I can’t control others so fix, managing and controlling everything is a quality I have learned to let go of (there are still some days – LOL). I know in time, the day will come when I will get to spend quality time with ALL my loved ones.
Lastly, focus your attention on those things you can control. …
I have always been a peacekeeper, really “a people pleaser”. I stuffed my feelings when they didn’t agree with what others thought or did. I tried to fix, manage and control things. It was how I hid my feelings as well as my addiction. If I am focusing on others, I didn’t have to think about me. YIKES! It used to scare the hell out of me. I didn’t know who I was. I didn’t like me. NOW, I am grateful for being able to look inside and see me (most days). Yes, there are still days I don’t ‘like myself. There are days the number on the scale makes me crazy despite my best efforts. The difference is now, I focus on the things I can control. I watch what I eat since eating healthier makes me feel better despite the scale. I talk to others when those inner gremlins creep in instead of stuffing them behind a closed door. I wake up asking for guidance and go to sleep being grateful for the day.
A long post but I know in my heart someone needed to hear it. Have a blessed day!
Hope Wissel 