Memorial day, May 31st, 2021
Bravery is one of those words that is thrown around as if, anybody, anywhere, anytime can have it. Well, I think that could quite possibly be true. There are different levels of bravery as well.
For instance, it may take a little child a whole lot of courage and bravery to admit to something they did that could get them in a lot of trouble, possibly a spanking. It also takes courage to move. To leave your home and go to another town, state of country. It may take courage for
some to travel, try new things, like jumping out of a plane! Who does that? Well, I know people who have done it, just to be doing it and say they did it.
It’s brave sometimes to help a stranger, give something of ourselves with no reward or payment. It’s very courageous to speak your mind and go your path when it’s against the gain of the majority. But it takes just as much bravery to know when to quit fighting everyone and let majority rule.
Why am I talking about bravery? Well, first and foremost because today is Memorial Day and we honor the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice and given their lives so that we may have freedom. To them, I pay homage, love and respect, thank-you to all of them. Words are not enough.
I’ve watched friends and family battle cancer and terminal illness so bravely it blows my mind. I’ve watched women leave abusive mates with their children so that they will all be safer, this takes a great amount of courage. Fear has been their every waking moment for longer than they can remember and to break free from the control of it is more than brave, more than courageous. It’s a miracle.
For some of us, the act of getting clean and sober was the hardest, scariest, bravest thing we ever did. I mean after all, there’s not much to it right? Just facing all your fears and feelings and admitting all your wrongs and screw ups and feeling the physical, mental and emotional pain that you’ve been trying to mask for all your using time. Simple right?
Not so much, it may not be up there with defending our country or going through cancer treatments, but it is, nevertheless scary and causes great amounts of anxiety to reach out for help and change everything about you and your life. The “war” on drugs felt like a personal attack and I was in a war of my own, losing my personal battle. Addiction is no joke folks.
The thing that helped me to stop and turn my will and life over to the care of a power greater than myself- God, is that I knew other people, family members, that had gone before me on this journey and as I watched them from afar, they seemed to be getting so much healthier and happier. Life was coming together for them. I wanted that.
I was tired of the pain and insanity, the chasing of the illusive high that would “set me free” or whatever, what a bunch of crap that is right? So, how brave do you have to be to get help? As brave as necessary, give it up, the war is over, quit struggling every single day of your life, let it go. It may take more courage to surrender and wave the white flag on your addiction, than to keep up the never-ending battle that is slowly killing you and causing pain to everyone you love and care about.
Then there’s the courage you’ll need to stay clean. To go through life’s ups and downs, joys and sorrows without the use of drugs. The death and pain of loved ones, the disappointments and defeats, and believe me, there will be many, but you don’t have to use over it. Keep that same courage you got clean with and hold on!
Hopefully, faith will have kicked in by then. Working the steps will help you to navigate through hard times as well as the good. Build a strong support team, starting with a sponsor.
Sometimes “good times” can be a challenge as well. When the family is partying and drinking all around you, or when you feel like you “got this” now, uh huh, sure, whatever. It doesn’t really work like that.
It’s ok to surrender, it takes courage, it is not the coward’s way out, it is the courageous and kind thing to do for yourself and those you love. Be brave, save yourself- so you can be here for your loved ones and your home will the home of the brave!
Question of the Week: Do you have the courage to get clean? And to stay clean?
