My son said to me: I heard an Al-Anon quote that I really liked: I’m not responsible for my first thought, but I am responsible for my first action. To me, this means that the mind will react as it does. I don’t have control over its racing thoughts, but I do have control over my behavior in response to them.
My reflection: This saying reminded me of my son’s many years in active addiction when I felt compelled to respond immediately. When he’d call and make demands for money or to be bailed out of jail, I felt a grip in my heart to answer on the spot. It took me years to realize that even though my mind went into overdrive, I could give myself the dignity of time before making a decision.
Today’s Promise to consider: Addiction wants attention and our immediate response. It thrives on fear, chaos and disruption, but we don’t have to comply. When our minds begin to race with confusion, I will take the time to breathe and pray before I act. Today, I won’t allow addiction to dictate my behavior.
Great advice❤️
Addiction had incredible power over me. Even when I felt my strongest Addiction would find a way back into my home, my life, eventually destroying everything I had rebuilt. It wasn’t my fault………Addiction’s ability to convince me that everything would be just the way I always dreamed it would be was all too convincing. I held on to Addiction’s lies!!!
And then it happened, that moment, a spiritual transformation that lead me out of the insanity and into a parent support program. A new life of recovery for ME, one guided by my God, my alcohol/drug counselor and my 12 step sponsor. I’m so grateful for the amazing recovery support that I received. Libby’d blog and her book, “Stay Close” played an important part in freeing me from Addiction’s hold. Very grateful! Continued prayers for all who suffer from this disease.
Dearest Pat, You are so right — just as our addicted loved ones have a spiritual transformation, so do we. Yes, we embark on a new life of recovery with the help of our God, our counselor, and our 12 step program. The only way I was able to ‘stay close, but out of the chaos’ was to ‘let go and let God.’
I join you in prayer for all this who continue to suffer from this disease. Thanks for sharing your hard-fought wisdom.