Blog entry for:

Sun, May 27, 2007 07:57:03 AM


∞ living clean means learning to meet challenge. ∞
posted: Sun, May 27, 2007 07:57:03 AM

 

things new and unfamiliar serve as challenges, whether those things appear good or bad to me.
so once again, the reading is speaking to me about detaching judgments from events in my life. this time however it seems to be talking about the challenges i face every day as a human being. what a concept, that life’s challenges are part of the human condition and not just those of my life in recovery. there are days that i want to think that somehow, life is different for an addict in recovery, and honestly it is. when i was using i could avoid or numb challenges by a temporary moment of bliss. when i returned to reality, the situation was often different and once again i escaped facing a challenge. the part that i did not realize was that each time i did that i made myself that much less prepared for the next challenge and i lowered my opinion of myself. as time progressed i came to believe that i far to fragile to face any of life on life’s terms and did whatever i could to avoid that task.
recovery has taught me that life just is. there are many things that i do not want to face, obstacles, opposition to my plans, physical impairments, emotional and physical pain, just to name a few. honestly if there was a manner of living that allowed me that freedom, i might just decide to do so. well there is, i could withdraw into some sort of monastery and live a sheltered, cloistered life, far from the turmoil of the world. or i can live the program of recovery. recovery does not shield me from the events of life, but it does provide me the tools and the means to accept those challenges, face them, and live another moment without the use of of chemistry to dull the blow. i know today that i can face the pain in my body that has accumulated over the past two days, proceed with me task of cleaning off my garden plot, and still take care of myself and some of the business i have on my plate, and even make a meeting at the end of my day. there will be challenges throughout the day, of that i am certain, all i have to do is face them, do my best to remove the label and proceed with a bit of courage into the next moment. i accept the gift of life that recovery has given me, and with that acceptance comes the desire to accept all of the little and not so little challenges that may come my way. so off to the garden, time to battle the tall grass prairie that has taken over the pplot in which i grow vegetables. this too shall pass!

∞ DT ∞

 

djtConsulting Brand
The views expressed on this page are solely the opinion of the author.
While the author is a member of a 12 Step recovery fellowship, these writings are not intended to endorse or express the published wisdom of any fellowship.
These writings are not meant to be socially or politically correct, and if you take issue with any opinions expressed, please seek the guidance of someone wiser than me.

Another Look!

My First Entry 84 words ➥ Thursday, May 27, 2004 by: donnot
∞ facing challenges ∞ 280 words ➥ Friday, May 27, 2005 by: donnot
↔ living clean means learning to meet challenge ↔ 315 words ➥ Saturday, May 27, 2006 by: donnot
μ a challenge is anything that dares me to succeed. things new and unfamiliar serve as challenges, whether those … 494 words ➥ Tuesday, May 27, 2008 by: donnot
Δ a challenge is anything that dares me to succeed Δ 419 words ➥ Wednesday, May 27, 2009 by: donnot
∑ i was and still can be equally afraid of failure and success ∑ 525 words ➥ Thursday, May 27, 2010 by: donnot
⌈ the decision to ask for the help of a HIGHER POWER ⌋ 874 words ➥ Friday, May 27, 2011 by: donnot
℘ each time i decline the challenges i face today ℘ 590 words ➥ Sunday, May 27, 2012 by: donnot
♣ i will ask the POWER that fuels my recovery to help ♣ 732 words ➥ Monday, May 27, 2013 by: donnot
≈ each day, through working THIS program of recovery, ≈ 711 words ➥ Tuesday, May 27, 2014 by: donnot
ƒ my decision to ask for help ƒ 580 words ➥ Wednesday, May 27, 2015 by: donnot
✓ meeting the ✖ 304 words ➥ Friday, May 27, 2016 by: donnot
☲ equally afraid ☷ 724 words ➥ Saturday, May 27, 2017 by: donnot
🛡 accepting the gift 🛠 457 words ➥ Sunday, May 27, 2018 by: donnot
💃 the grace 🕺 581 words ➥ Monday, May 27, 2019 by: donnot
🚥 daring to succeed 🚦 519 words ➥ Wednesday, May 27, 2020 by: donnot
👍 dare to succeed 👌 576 words ➥ Thursday, May 27, 2021 by: donnot
🛑 obstacles and opposition, 🚧 701 words ➥ Friday, May 27, 2022 by: donnot
🤡 showing up 🤕 467 words ➥ Saturday, May 27, 2023 by: donnot
Spacer Image

☯ The Tao that can be spoken is not the eternal Tao ☯

THE TAO TEH KING, OR THE TAO AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS
by Lao-Tse
Translated by James Legge

Book 2

4) Gentleness is sure to be victorious even in battle, and firmly
to maintain its ground. Heaven will save its possessor, by his (very)
gentleness protecting him.