Congratulations!!! You are exactly where you need to be, and you are right on time.
It is National Recovery Month, which is a time to reflect on your own recovery, acknowledge accomplishments and growth, bask in gratitude, spread the joy to others and to raise awareness about addiction! It is important to recognize others’ accomplishments and also your own! It is not selfish to be proud of yourself for your accomplishments and to want to share the excitement. It is so easy to make high expectations about where you “should be”, but I am here to tell you that it is ok to not meet them.
“We Seek Progress not Perfection”
Your effort is enough, remember that. This month I am feeling an overwhelming presence of gratitude and serenity; however, it is difficult to not get stuck in the past. I entered recovery because I was desperate and hopeless. My life today is beyond my wildest dreams, yet it is still difficult to not get swept up in reflection. So, if you are reminiscing this month you are not alone. Instead of focusing on who I was before recovery and getting stuck in a negative mindset I am focusing on using those experiences to show others that they are not alone. Everything that we have been through happened for a reason and in my experience, it is often to be useful to another person.
“Live and Let Live”
This month is also reminding me how lucky I am to be in recovery and that every day is a blessing. That I have been restored. Also, that in order to maintain this feeling of gratitude and serenity I need to continue to let go. Every day I need to let go of my expectations, my fears, and resentments. Recovery is not always magical and fun. It is hard work and daily provisions, yet I can happily say my worst day in recovery is way better than my best day in addiction. It is also important during September to raise awareness and to reach your hand out.
There are numerous events going on in NYC to raise awareness for addictions. Check out https://recoverymonth.gov/events to find events near you! If you are struggling with addiction and thinking about entering recovery/just need to talk, feel free to call The PILLARS. You can also call 1-800-662-HELP which is SAMHAS’s National Helpline and is free, confidential and open 24/7. The PILLARS will be hosting a Recovery Bingo Night on September 28th at 8:00-10:30 in honor of National Recovery month. Please RSVP HERE (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/national-recovery-month-recovery-bingo-tickets-50173937598) for more details and come on by! Come join the fellowship, grab some food, and play some Recovery bingo!
Member of The PILLARS