Misery Is Optional

Just for Today - December 11

No one is forcing us to give up our misery.

Basic Text, p. 29

It’s funny to remember how reluctant we once were to surrender to recovery.  We seemed to think we had wonderful, fulfilling lives as using addicts and that giving up our drugs would be worse than serving a life sentence at hard labor.  In reality, the opposite was true:  Our lives were miserable, but we were afraid to trade that familiar misery for the uncertainties of recovery.

It’s possible to be miserable in recovery, too, though its not necessary.  No one will force us to work the steps, go to meetings, or work with a sponsor.  There is no NA militia that will force us to do the things that will free us from pain.  But we do have a choice.  We've already chosen to give up the misery of active addiction for the sanity of recovery.  Now, if were ready to exchange today's misery for even greater peace, we have a means to do just that if we really want to.

Just for today:  I don't have to be miserable unless I really want to be.  Today, I will trade in my misery for the benefits of recovery.