Defying Gravity

I feast on shame and guilt, and worst of all, inner torment, while being starved of the freedom that would propel me to greater heights, not the ones on the highest mountain ranges, but the skies…

Smartphone

独家优惠奖金 100% 高达 1 BTC + 180 免费旋转




The utter defeat of addiction

While sharing her story, Megan said that “utter defeat” moved her to direct her life toward healing. That’s right, not just defeat, but utter defeat. Time had run out. The game was over. There was no possibility of triumph in her scenario of life.

Everybody’s defeat moment is different. Some could be physical. Some could be financial. Some could be relational. Some can be court-ordered.

Those who have a deep-rooted struggle with their addiction will ultimately come to the point of utter defeat. The foe, drugs and alcohol, are too powerful and persistent in stopping until they gain victory. It is not a matter of if — it is a matter of when.

In sports, there is always a chance, even if very small, to pull out a victory as long as the game is not declared over. So, as bleak as it might look, if there is still time on the clock, there is still a chance to pull victory from the hands of defeat.

If we are breathing, there is still hope for change.

We have found that those who have succeeded in their quest for victory over addiction have started by admitting that the regulation clock had run out in the way of life they were accustomed to. The game was over, and they were absolutely defeated. The admission needed to include the fact that there was no human way over addiction. We would have to put our hope in their next phase of life, a new game, if you will.

Overtime!

This new game (life) will demand a new playbook. In Megan’s case, her new life playbook includes necessary executables like; taking suggestions, living life simply, a spiritual connection that provides for daily readings, balance, and working with others early in recovery.

Let’s review her new life strategies:

Taking suggestions

Megan fired her old coaches (the marketing executives at Stoli) and replaced them with a sponsor who had experience winning the battle against addiction. Megan picked up a new detailed playbook: the big book of Alcoholics Anonymous. She also surrounded herself with those with the same experiences and life goals as in her newfound desired direction– she took up new “teammates” from the fellowship of AA.

She attended regular team meetings. She listened and engaged.

Living life simply

Trick plays were abandoned for simple fundamental high-percentage actions.

Once the cloud of grandiose thinking was lifted, it was time to get down to basic life living. Learning to appreciate and accept the small, simple things; family members and dear friends who had been abandoned, bills that had not been paid, and jobs that had been less than fulfilling.

A spiritual connection

Here we go with the spirituality thing again. Think of it this way, Megan’s old team was owned and managed by her. All she has done is give up the management of that same life to a more powerful, omnipotent, omnipresent supernatural being.

She did not have to buy into anybody’s concept of their superpower. She just had to give up ownership of her life to concentrate on executing the next play. Since she was a free agent, she picked the organization that she felt would best support her desire to be victorious, a champion in sobriety.

She defined her new owner, her higher power, in whatever way worked for her.

Balance

With so much work to do, bad habits to break, and new learning, Megan maintained a balanced nonaddictive life flow. This goes hand-in-hand with keeping life simple. She found that balance was essential and that her priorities needed to be led by sobriety, her relationship with our higher power, and her family. (Which includes the cutest little young lady, by the way)

Working with others

As part of her newfound balanced approach, Megan has found great value in passing along her experience, strength, and hope to newcomers looking to join a winning team in her role as a coach to others — a sponsor in sobriety.

This exercise and the associated effort get her out of herself. It is just like encouraging a teammate during the game, which enhances their performance, increasing your chance of victory — simply by passing along all that you’ve learned. It’s simple and has so much meaning and purpose, as it becomes about the journey and not the end.

The big book of Alcoholics Anonymous makes a bold claim:

Megan is following the path, and it is working for her.

Will you take the first step today in your new life?

Will you write a new playbook supporting victory in this new game?

BLOG DISCLAIMER:

Alcoholics Anonymous and AA are registered trademarks of Alcoholics World Service. Inc. References to AA, the 12 steps, and 12 traditions does not mean that AA has reviewed or approved the contents of this publication nor that AA agrees with the views expressed herein. This publication is intended to support personal growth and should not be considered a substitute for healthcare professionals’ advice. The author’s advice and viewpoints are their own.

Add a comment

Related posts:

The Illumination of Social Justice

I have seen the gestures of hope emerge over the past week. No one gets to not be a part of this revolution. You only get to choose a side. When you don’t choose a side, well, the abstention always…

Childhood Influences and Mystical Visions

Childhood dreams and mystical visions may seem like an unlikely foundation for a career in the tech industry. But for me, they were the keys that unlocked the secrets to success, thanks to an…

Taking a lorry off the road with some code

No one would get their delicious Gousto meals if it wasn’t for the box that carries them so safely across the country. One of the first priorities for my team is making sure every Gousto box is…