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Hi, I’m Steve, and I’m an alcoholic.
When some people hear those words, they instantly know we share a special bond and a common experience. Perhaps their last recovery meeting comes to mind, and a smile appears. Or a memory of a good story, that friendly hug, or simply a warm feeling of peace (what we call serenity).
Very often these days, I find myself feeling amazed and thankful for what recovery is like. The problem is, most of you reading this article have no personal experience of what I’m talking about.
You haven’t learned the secret: anyone can benefit from a lifestyle of recovery!
Recovery Meetings
This morning, I enjoyed a great meeting with about 80 wonderful people. I wish you could have been there. I really do, because most of you have never been to a recovery meeting, and you have only a vague—likely distorted—view of what recovery is like.
To give you more understanding, here is a stream of consciousness view of a recovery meeting: chatting with friendly people …starting with the Serenity Prayer …reading the Twelve Steps …announcements …introduction of a topic with a short reading …people sharing on that topic …celebrating anniversaries …closing with the Lord’s Prayer …a feeling of time well-spent.
No one is called on, and anyone can sit quietly and observe. Nothing uncomfortable or weird happens. Quite the opposite; recovery meetings are the safest and most comfortable place I know.
They’re more enjoyable that normal get-togethers. People are more real, and much more caring. When they ask, “How are you doing?” they really want to know! And they are willing to meet you wherever you are and be available in a non-judgmental manner that is wonderfully attractive.
It’s all part of the lifestyle of recovery that I wish each of you could experience. You would likely enjoy it, you would certainly get a lot out of it, and it might change your life.
The Heart of Recovery
Although common in many ways, meetings vary in personality. There are options available at different days and times all over town with a variety of sizes and demographics.
You may wonder what the heart of a recovery meeting is like, that sharing part? This morning’s reading happened to be on what are called “The Promises” (short version below):
If we are painstaking about our development, we will be amazed before we are half way through. We are going to know a new freedom and a new happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace.
We will see how our experience can benefit others. We will lose interest in selfish things and gain interest in our fellows. Self-seeking will slip away. Our whole attitude and outlook upon life will change. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which used to baffle us.
We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves. Are these extravagant promises? We think not.
[As an aside, virtually everyone in these meetings truly believes in those Promises, and they clearly understand that they come as a result of pursuing a lifestyle of recovery.]
After the reading, anyone can make a comment. People share from their experience, often in an open and vulnerable way. This has proven to be an excellent form of learning: hearing different points of view about useful lifestyle techniques. Any listener can benefit from the experience.
Naturally, the comments are relevant for dealing with our compulsive substance or behavior of choice. But virtually everything said also serves another purpose: to offer wisdom for living life well. Because recovery is about much more that addiction—it is a lifestyle!
The Lifestyle of Recovery
I drank for 30 years before figuring things out, and our family went through some pretty tough times. But I don’t find myself wallowing in regret about all that. We all have our journey, and many blessings came from those trials.
Our experiences led me to write the book STEPS: A Daily Journey to a Better Life. My heartfelt desire for the book and this STEPS Journey Blog is to help people improve their lives, grow closer to God, and prevent addiction.
I learned that many of life’s most important lessons are captured in the principles of recovery. You can transform your life and find more peace, joy, and purpose if you give them a try. Your world doesn’t have to be coming apart, because these concepts are relevant and useful for everyone!
Anyone can use the principles of recovery as an invaluable tool kit to live life well. And please hear this: you don’t have to wait until you crash and burn to turn things around! You can start improving your life today, and you will be working to prevent addiction at the same time.
And if someone close to you is struggling, these principles will help you—and them—begin to take positive steps. The rest of your life can then get better, one step at a time.
People already experiencing the lifestyle of recovery know what I am talking about. And each of them has the responsibility to apply the Twelfth Step and “carry this message to others.”
When I finished writing the book, I thought a good bit about what to put as the Acknowledgement. I wound up choosing, “To those who are struggling, those who are looking to improve their lives, and those who believe they have everything together.”
I pray that those struggling will find their way and become humble enough to learn from people already experiencing a lifestyle of recovery. The rest of the world is in that third group. Frankly, and sadly, that’s the group I fear for the most.
Do you believe you have everything together?
Question: Are you willing to learn about the world’s most famous life improvement plan?
Action: Share this article with others and ask them to sign up for the STEPS Journey Blog.
