Suit Up & Show Up (the secret to recovery)
Blog for August 19th ,2024
When I was new in recovery my sister (whom had been clean four years already) would always tell me it’s all about “suiting up and showing up”. It’s that easy! Well, ok, maybe for her, but for me at that time, getting dressed and going somewhere, somewhere besides the connection or the liquor store, was not going to happen.
It took a lot for me to get used to going somewhere, like meetings. I would drag myself there and just wear jeans and T-shirts. At that point in my life, I was lucky to be alive, much less try to be a fashion plate! Lol.
By going to meetings on a regular basis, walking if I had to because I didn’t always have a car, or a ride, I learned how to show up, no matter what. It became a challenge, a goal, a deep desire. It was born of the desire to get well, to get better and grow in my recovery. Which quickly turned into a desire to be of service and help with meetings.
Once I learned how to show up on a regular basis for NA, I got a job and learned to put that policy into practice for working. Then, I signed up for classes at the local Community College and applied the “suit up and show up plan for going to school also. I do have to “prioritize” the places and events sometimes, but that’s ok, I know I give it my best shot. I do what I can.
I also applied it to different commitments I’ve had with school, program, church, work, local organizations. Not to mention, doctor appointments, DMV, going to pay bills (now it’s all online), and of course, step work with my sponsor and sponsees. I also attend as many celebrations with my family as possible and travel long distances to go visit friends and family, nurturing those relationships is important to me.
I learned to suit up and show up to job interviews, assessments, parent meetings, my kids and grandkids ball games, dance recitals, parades, not to mention taking them to amusement parks, carnivals, beaches, mountains, camping, lakes and sight seeing trips. Why? Because I said I would. Because I love them.
Likewise, I believe in supporting my local area, friends and sponsees. I especially believe in supporting my husband and children in all their endeavours and celebration. We’ve thrown a few surprise parties in our time. It’s a celebration of life, goals and dreams come true. We never take a birthday for granted, because we’ve lost so many. Funerals and memorials are yet another occasion where suiting up and showing up is most important.
And this all started with getting clean and being in recovery. My program showed me how to do that and for that, I will be eternally grateful. And as long as I am able to dress myself and get to the destination, I will continue to always do so, it is my pleasure, my honor and love. I am grateful to be a person who has grown into caring if I suit up and show or not.
Question of the Week: What do you suit up and show up for?
