Battling alcohol addiction is one of the hardest things anyone can do. You should feel proud that you have made the decision to move forward with your life in a healthier, more authentic way. For those days when it feels like the struggle is harder than normal, here are ten quotes that you won’t find on any bumper stickers to help you stay the course.
Taking One Day at a Time
The concept of taking one day at a time is integral to addiction recovery, but it is also part of any difficult achievement. Marathon runners don’t focus on the finish line when they start a race; they simply give their energy and attention to making the next mile marker. Then they do this 26 times. It’s the same thing with recovery.
“Forever is just too darn long. Never is just too hard. But today? Anyone can do today.” -M.J. Ryan, This Year I Will… How to Finally Change a Habit, Keep a Resolution, or Make a Dream Come True
Being in Transition
Being in recovery is really a lifelong process. But there can be a period of time in the beginning when you are not your old drinking self, but you are not necessarily where you want to be either. This transition period is crucial, as the cocoon between the caterpillar and the butterfly.
“We must understand that liminality (a period of being in between) is essential to the revitalization of life and the transformation of Fate into Destiny. It’s the bridge without which we couldn’t transition from one mode of consciousness to a new one or one way of life to another.” -Robert Ohotto, Transforming Fate into Destiny, A New Dialogue with Your Soul
“Take responsibility for your situation without blaming anything or anyone, including yourself. Every problem is an opportunity to take this moment and transform it into a greater benefit.” -Deepak Chopra, The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success
Examining Your Life
Recovery also calls for great introspection and examination of our relationships with others which can be painful but ultimately another way towards the life you really desire.
“A warrior begins to take responsibility for the direction of her life. It’s as if we are lugging around unnecessary baggage. Our training encourages us to open the bags and look closely at what we are carrying. In doing this we begin to understand that much of it isn’t needed anymore.” -Pema Chodron, The Places That Scare You, A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times
“Forgiveness is totally awesome. When you connect to light within others, you can see them as equal and release your resentments.” -Gabrielle Bernstein, Spirit Junkie, A Radical Road to Self-Love and Miracles
Learning to React Differently
Once you start to recognize and release patterns that have not served you well in the past, you start making decisions that propel you towards your new goals. You learn how to turn away from drinking as a solution and find new sources of respite.
“We all get our buttons pushed. It’s just part of life. But the growth lies in our ability to make better choices.” -Cheryl Richardson, The Art of Extreme Self-Care
“Good books are your perpetual silent friends. When you are worried or grieved, take a book and bury yourself in it. Listen to the comforting and inspiring words of the great minds of the ages.” -Paramhansa Yogananda, How to Be Happy All the Time
Facing Fear
The bravest people are not those who pretend fear doesn’t exist but those who acknowledge it and strive for achievement anyway, whether that’s staying sober, repairing old relationships or creating new pathways in life.
“The only way to The Place Beyond Fear is to do the thing you fear most. This is how to surrender to your best destiny.” -Martha Beck, Steering by Starlight, Find Your Right Life No Matter What!
Choosing Positivity
As your recovery progresses you will find that everything in life is a choice, and you have the power to make the choices to serve you best. It starts with attitude.
“You have the ability to direct your own thoughts; you have the option of observing things as they are, or of imagining them as you want them to be–and whichever option you choose, whether you are imagining or observing, is equally powerful.” -Esther and Jerry Hicks, Ask and It Is Given, Learning to Manifest Your Desires
It won’t always be easy, and there will be some failures. Don’t let those failures deter you.
“Fall seven times, get up eight.” -Japanese proverb
