Saturday, November 23rd
I worked and hoped for a spiritual awakening, and without realizing it, I had changed.
In recovery, we hear about how spiritual growth can enable behavioral change. At first, such a transformation might seem beyond our understanding. Yet, as we work through the Steps and use the Tools, we may gradually experience changes in our behaviors and outlook.
Rather than “white-knuckling” to stay sober on our Sexual Recovery Plan, we may discover that our desperate needs have lessened — that we can now make better choices. We can more easily commit to staying sober today and not fret about tomorrow. We may learn to forgive our past and focus on living in the present.
We find compassion for ourselves and others and strengthen our sobriety through acts of service. We may lose our shame and humiliation about the harm we did and rejoice in the healing we now experience.
We may acknowledge that our lives have noticeably changed, but we cannot explain how this happened. Instead of trying to rationalize these changes, we can find grace in our humility and become willing to carry the message of recovery to others. This newfound freedom from the burdens of our compulsion enables us to accept a new sense of purpose in our lives.
By living my recovery and helping others, I am graced with a daily reprieve.