Acceptance

Well, hello there!!! 😊 It seems like it's been awhile since I posted and indeed it's been almost a month! I am doing extremely well in case you couldn't tell by my labels! I have continued to maintain my sobriety and grow in my recovery by taking one day at a time. I have been sober for 712 days and it's true what "they" say: not only does abstaining get easier with time, it also becomes more rewarding. I think something else that has enhanced my recovery is the fact that I now work in the addictions field. Although my job can be difficult and painful, it is also extremely rewarding and fulfilling.

In a few weeks, I will reach my 2 year sober mark for addiction to love and sex. I am particularly excited about my celibacy anniversary which sounds funny but makes sense if you know much about love addiction. When I started this blog, my hope and plan was that I would remain sober but no one can predict the future. I am so proud of myself for never giving up and taking my life back.

It is so wonderful to actually be present in my life rather than in a prison created by my addiction. Everything in my life has improved due to my commitment including: self-esteem, self-worth, self-respect, relationship with my son, relationships with family and friends, physical health, mental health, work performance, school performance, finances, etc. The list is endless. 

I wanted to post my thoughts on acceptance because that is my newest goal. I am working to accept situations, people, and everything else just as they are. For so many years, I thought I could control different aspects of my life including people that I had relationships with. It has only been in the past 2 years that I have realized everything I thought I knew was wrong; I had to create the person I am because I did not have a sense of self or who I was during my active addiction. In working to accept others, I am also learning to accept myself which is a wonderful gift!

Many times I struggle with acceptance because quite honestly it's scary not knowing what will happen and being aware that you have no control over the outcome. However I am approaching it like I did with my addiction which is taking it one day at a time. I have also decided to adopt the Serenity Prayer to help me remember that it's all in God's hands and I need to give all the power and control to him. I know I have posted this before but I think it would be apropos to do it once again.

Serenity Prayer

By: Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971)

God grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;

enjoying one moment at a time;

accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

taking, as He did, this sinful world

as it is, not as I would have it;

trusting that He will make all things right

if I surrender to His Will;

that I may be reasonably happy in this life

and supremely happy with Him

forever in the next.

Amen.