FINDING PEACE IN RECOVERY
Let’s face it. Early recovery can be hard. The substance you relied on and became so dependent on is gone. The drug or alcohol that acted as your crutch to deal with life is no longer there. This fact can produce an incredible amount of anxiety and fear. It takes time to learn new coping methods and as you do, you may feel like you’ll never achieve any type of peace or happiness again. The good news is that if you work at your recovery with all you’ve got, you will find the peace that you so much yearn for.
Below are some of the important things that I learned to do and still do as a part of my daily life in recovery.
Meditation
Meditation is something that is currently taught in most treatment centers. It is a wonderful way of tuning out life’s distractions, being in the moment, and accepting where you are in life. Whether it is fifteen minutes of focused attention meditation or more formal practices such as Zen or Kundalini, mediation practice can be a beautiful daily experience that greatly enhances a persons recovery. Not all meditation practices require you to be on the floor in a particular physical position and remember that meditation can be done anywhere and at any point of your day.
Spirituality
Oftentimes finding peace in recovery and in our personal lives requires us to look beyond ourselves. Incorporating spiritual practice in our lives is an excellent way to develop humility, keep our egos in line, and make us realize there is a greater power operating in our lives. Whether it is through the practice of Christianity, Buddhism or another spiritual philosophy, having a spiritual foundation can calm us during times of uncertainty and reminds us of the good things in life we have right now–no matter how big or small.
Peer Support
Whether by means of a 12 Step program or a faith based support group, peer support can be an invaluable part of a persons recovery. There is nothing like speaking with and sharing experiences with someone who has literally walked in your shoes. No one understands a recovering addict or alcoholic like another recovering addict or alcoholic. There is a special and unique understanding between such folks. I for one love speaking with my friends in AA, whether in good times or in bad. They are there for me and I am there for them through thick and thin!
Patience and Acceptance
In recovery circles or programs you will often hear the phrase, “progress not perfection”. Recovery is not a one time event. It is a process and a journey that requires time for growth. It is a process that will continue throughout an individuals lifetime. After years of not being very good to ourselves we need to learn to be patient and kind to ourselves. We must learn to truly take care of ourselves. Perhaps the most powerful way to find peace of mind in recovery is to learn to love yourself and truly accept yourself. We all have faults, but we also have many positive qualities. Focus on the positive and spend time appreciating your gifts. Every day we should look in the mirror, look into our own eyes, and say to ourselves, “I love you. I will take care of you and be kind to you today. You deserve to be happy, healthy, and at peace.”
Love and Light to You All!
