Blog for New Years Day: January 1st, 2024
A New Year:
Happy New Year! I would be remiss not to say that today. And I hope and pray, it will indeed be a happy new year. How to help make it so? First, stay clean no matter what, no matter the politics, the insanity of the world around me. No matter the other people, the ones that come and go. No matter what my loved ones choose. It is not all up to me, I have no say in their affairs, but I can do as much as is possible for myself to live in accordance with a joyful and happy life.
What a week it’s been, a month, heck, a year! I do not talk too much about politics here, but I have mixed feelings about 2024, an election year. You might ask what that would have to do with my recovery? My family? A lot for sure. If we cannot eat, work, or live in a decent home or move about freely, or afford to go visit our family, our sponsors and friends, or go to meetings, then yes, politics plays a serious role in our recovery. Without these God given rights, we may turn to drugs or alcohol so that we do not feel the sting of it all. We may be thinking, “what’s the point of staying clean if I cannot live a simple, free life?”
Of course, I do not expect every day to be all sunshine and roses, but I do have some say in my day-to-day existence. I can choose to stay clean (& sober), to seek God’s will and serve Him. To serve humankind, especially recovering women. I can live within God’s will as much as possible. I can maintain my mental, spiritual, and physical health. I can eat right; I can nurture my relationships. I can explore my creativity and pursue my dreams and goals. One day at a time, I can indeed live a life with these ideals.
I can be kind to others out in the world and be a blessing, not a curse in my community. I can love. I can love others as God would have me do. I personally like to take care of my husband. Make sure he has what he needs to stay healthy and strong. To also be living his life as happy as possible. I know it’s not easy when you have chronic pain, but he is amazing and tries to rise above his pain.
I have several people in my life that suffer daily chronic pain and I hurt for them. But somehow, they all stay clean, they push through the pain and give life the best they can. We all try to carry on through difficult times and hardships. I sure hope and pray we don’t have too too much of that in 2024! Yet, it would be unreasonable to think we wouldn’t.
I hope and pray that you all find your happy place, the thing that brings you joy. Staying clean brings me joy, helping others, being with my Love, my kids and grandkids, my family and friends. Life is short, so this year, follow those dreams, make it happen, make it real and remember, that God is good- all the time. PS- get out and vote!
Question of the Week: What brings you joy?
