Summary: Recovery is about realizing the importance of living authentically and embracing life's challenges with resilience and gratitude. By accepting people, places, and things as they are, and rejecting delusional thinking and unjustified anger, I have found peace and purpose in sobriety. This journey has empowered me to lead a meaningful life filled with empathy, patience, and a commitment to my well-being and that of others.
What Does Recovery Mean, and What Am I Recovering From? My recovery is a reprieve from the suffocating grip of delusional thinking, a liberation from the toxic cycle of self-destruction. It's the painful yet profound realization that my justified anger and resentment were merely excuses for poor behavior, for treating loved ones with less respect and compassion than they deserved. For me, recovery is not just a way of living free from substance use; it's a recognition that substance use was a symptom of years of not standing up for myself, others, or being authentic.
Faith and Acceptance: Having been blessed with a reprieve from the all-consuming obsession of using alcohol, which once devoured 8 to 12 hours of my waking day, I affirm my faith in my higher power. In my case, this is Almighty God, Lord and Savior, Sovereign of the Universe. Everyone's higher power, regardless of who or what it may be, needs to be powerful enough to shatter the decades-thick barriers isolating one from his/her inherent spirituality. This spirituality brings about peace and acceptance, allowing me to surrender my life to my higher power, and reject the toxic grip of unjustified anger, resentment, and delusional thinking.
A Journey of Authenticity: For nearly 25 years, I either consciously or unconsciously chose substances over authenticity. My daily consumption of 80 proof vodka poisoned my authenticity, suffocating my true self beneath a toxic blanket of deceit and self-loathing. Reflecting on this now, I am flabbergasted at the choices I made, horrified by the wreckage I left in my wake. The substances deluded me, or perhaps I was delusional and sought solace in them. I realize now that substance abuse was a symptom of deeper issues—anger, frustration, deceit, and injustice, whether inflicted upon me or caused by me.
The Power of Acceptance: Today, I am grateful for the clarity that acceptance is the answer to my problems. I can find peace only by accepting people, places, and things as they are, as intended by my higher power. Acceptance means recognizing people for who they truly are, accepting places whether or not they are where I want to be, and acknowledging both tangible and intangible things. Most importantly, my life circumstances only changed once I accepted them at face value. This acceptance helps me eliminate triggers that prompted substance use and harmful behaviors.
Embracing Recovery and Authenticity: Reflecting on my recovery journey, I see the value in the experiences I learned during my years of active addiction. Today, I choose authenticity, free from substances. Recovery isn't just about avoiding bars or staying home; it’s about embracing life on its terms. With the tools and community of recovery, I can attend events and enjoy life without substance. The adoration and daunting expectations from my personal, professional, and spiritual community matter less than waking up, showing up, and doing the next right thing.
Leading by Example: By following this path daily and treating my recovery as non-negotiable, my mission and vision become clear and defined. As I immerse myself publicly in recovery, I hope to carry the message, embody the possibilities, and lead by example. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for joining me on this journey.
My Recovery Revolution: How Embracing Authenticity Saved My Life | Follow LinkedIn
Editor-in-Chief | Eric Malley
