May 22

”Gratitude is the most exquisite form of courtesy.” Jacques Maritain

I am thankful for the pain of my recovery. There are certainly at least two aspects. The first is the simple fact that I hurt is proof that I am once again connected to my heart. I am truly grateful to be in that numb, unfeeling state of my acting out. The second reason is that pain is now my teacher…pain comes mostly from situations where I need to change, to find a new way to cope with life. Pain is a way of showing me the balance of life. The past few months of my recovery have been one storm after another. Each has been emotionally challenging, and some days it feels each one has been more difficult than previous. Through separation, albeit temporary, and some other challenges in my relationships I have somehow managed to weather the assaults, keep my sanity and sobriety and have come out the other side mostly unscathed. As the saying goes, what does not kill you makes you stronger. All these tests continue to make it clearer what is most important in my life. I am grateful for have rediscovered myself and getting back on track to be the person I was meant to be. I feel more connected to the world and more present for the people in my life who matter the most.

Affirmation I can acknowledge my pain today and look for ways to help it improve the person I am rediscovering within me.