September 11

”Don’t allow the grass to grow on the path of friendship.” Native American Proverb

Friends – here is another regret from my past. I have always complained that I have never had many. In retrospect, it was probably a lot of my own doing. True, I didn’t really fit in when I was younger, but I can’t honestly say that I didn’t find ways to isolate myself further. Fear of someone getting close, discovering my other life, certainly was cause enough to push people away. I encouraged grass to grow on my paths of friendship, no one was ever really allowed into my world. You would have needed a machete at least, most probably some heavy duty bush clearing machinery, to try to get to know the real me. So finding a group of like-minded individuals in the program, who shared openly and honestly about all aspects of life in addiction, was a game changer. What freedom the group offered, no longer did I have to hide that darker side of me. I have learned that through honesty I can make friends. I have gained confidence and trust that I can be myself the same way as I am in meetings outside the walls of our rooms. Today I am making slow progress in establishing new friendships, a skill that I had forgotten in my youth. It feels wonderful being able to connect to others and the world around me once again.

Affirmation I have the ability to turn anything in my life around. Through the steps I can turn isolation into friendship and fellowship.