A mom sent me this quote by Pema Chödrön: We think that the point is to pass the test or overcome the problem, but the truth is that things don’t really get solved. They come together and they fall apart. Then they come together again and fall apart again. It’s just like that. The healing comes from letting there be room for all of this to happen: room for grief, for relief, for misery, for joy.
My reflection: Life’s problems can throw us into a state of confusion and despair. When Jeff was in active addiction, things came together for a moment and I felt such hope, only to be followed by things falling apart again, and worse. Even now, with Jeff healthy and drug free, there are many painful moments in life.
Today’s Promise to consider: Life is about us maintaining personal peace in the face of its constant challenges and finding comfort in the uncomfortable feelings. Instead of running from the pain, today I’ll work to be like the ocean – deep and stable, anchored in God – and not like the waves above me, tossing about, sometimes jarring, sometimes quiet.
Thank you for this mornings reading reminding me about the meaning of serenity. It’s exactly what I needed before starting my day.
God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change
To courage to change the things I can
And the wisdom to know the difference
Amen.
Exactly what I needed today as well. Truly.
Thank YOU, Libby.
Wow…this was a tough one yet so incredibly helpful. ‘Deep and stable.’ I like this and I sincerely thank you for this meditation.
Libby, you and Jeff help me find comfort in the uncomfortable feelings…not an easy thing to do. I have read this meditation over and over again. It is such a tremendous help to me as I continue in my personal recovery.
Love to all, Nanci
What a post! Oh yes, I can so relate and agree. Thank you for this Libby, as it has truly been my experience. Things come together and fall apart. Yes. Sums it up completely!
I love the analogy of the ocean! Deep and stable. I love the ocean. It reminds me there is a very stong force in this world, powerful, sometimes destructive, sometimes serene, and always beautiful. I know when I fight the waves and try to control it I usually get knocked over , eventually. When I accept that I will get fully wet while navigating waves, I enjoy it more and enjoy the swim! Let go….accept it…..learn to dance in the rain.
Jane
Thanks for this.
So important to understand where to put the focus on.
Finding my space of personal peace is hard for me. I’m plagued with ‘monkey mind,’ where my thoughts are rarely still. Like Jane, I often feel like a small ship tossing and turning on the open ocean. That’s the main reason I went to Camaldoli – because I need to find my anchor, my God inside me, who will help me find strength and stability.
Jane, I’m with you….learning to dance in the rain!
Love you all,
L
Finding comfort in discomfort is a daily prayer for me. And, the people who come to this forum, have been a Godsend to me.
Jane, I so love your posting. I agree with you. Life is like the ocean, and I, also, love the ocean. I only live two miles from the Atlantic. I worked all my life to live here. I have much to be grateful for.
Thank you all for being such caring and kind people. Thank you Libby and Jeff for allowing us into your lives.
God Bless you all,
Barbara
My dearest Barbara,
Jeff and I thank you for allowing us into your life. You are a woman of strength and faith, and we’re grateful you are here. Stay close.
With love,
L
I too, like you Libby have worked hard and continue to do so to find some personal peace. It is a hard task, never complete. My mind continues to go back to a time when all was so right in my life. But time does not stand still, it marches on, and with it comes change…..not always what we expected. I am still trying to find my personal peace with this .
Hello Barbara
I too love the ocean and would love to live close to it one day. One day maybe.
Be well all
Jane
I also like the idea of being like the ocean, deep and stable and anchored in God. I experienced this today and was able to find comfort in the uncomfortable feelings after finding out my debit card had been blocked after someone tried to use it at the ATM numerous times this past weekend. After I talked to the bank I realized that the only person who could have taken it from my purse and put it back was my son Joe. He is living with me on a contract after being in rehab for heroin. I was able to stay calm when I told him the story. The calm has stayed with me all day. The comfort I find has been in prayer and I am pretty sure I used my alanon tools today. Life is nothing like I thought it wlil be at this age but I feel grounded for now. This feeling could change tomorrow. I will ask God for the words when I talk to Joe about this. Very likely that I will ask him to honor our contract and go back to rehab like his counselor suggested or I will have to ask him to leave. This sucks but I am going to remind myself to be anchored in God… like the ocean.
Karen
Dear Karen,
GOOD FOR YOU!!! You feel grounded – for now. Try to hold on to the feeling. God is with you, as are we. None of us expected life to turn out as it has, and the suffering and trauma are suffocating. Dig deep and pray. We are with you, staying close.
With love,
L
Thanks Libby 🙂
Hello,
My name is Laura and I am a certified drug/alcohol counselor. I would like to say thank you for writing a wonderful book that I have been recommending to the parents of my addict clients. I also facilitate a parent group every Thursday from 7 to 9PM in Port Jefferson, New York. I was wondering if you go and speak and if you would be interested in speaking to us (You? Jeff? or both?). Addiction and heroin especially is wiping out our youth. Will continue to keep you and your family in my prayers…
Sincerely,
Laura Soviero
Dear Laura,
Thank you for your support and compassion.
Yes, Jeff and I do speak and have presented our story of hope across the US and even in Italy. It’s difficult to find a time since he works full-time and I live most of the year in Italy, but we can discuss it.
Thanks for all you do for families like mine,
L
🙂 I meet the most beautiful families and my mission is to do whatever I can to aid in the recovery process. If I didn’t LOVE the addict, I could never do what I do. I will email you and forward people to these blogs and your website. I tried emailing you from the emails on this website, however, they did not go through…
Thanks again,
Laura