Blogging for Recovery
As an RN with a background in mental health and addiction treatment it is easy for me to use the word Recovery and know that it applies to the total picture of who we are, what we think, how we act, and interact, what we believe...all of it. Recovery is a term often associated with addiction..."I am in recovery" the addict will say; or physical rehab from something like a motor vehicle accident or a stroke that has left us with physical deficits...IE the recovery was long and slow. Even our politicians talk about recovery and apply it to our economic situation. Recovery from an event that has caused grief in our lives is like not terribly different.
Look at its components
1. It in not instantaneous. Recovery is a process not an event. Dont be discouraged when you feel great one day, and as though you never started the next. Loss is not an easy thing and we often minimize its effect on our lives. The important thing is that you recognize and practice, getting back on track when you have an off day or moment. An hour, or day, of tears, feeling helpless, believing that you will never laugh again, CAN be followed by joy, laughter and a return to a normal activity. So feel. And then get back at it.
2. It isnt always easy. Recovery can be hard work. Choosing to live again after loss is sometimes so difficult that we have to just make a decision to physically "walk the walk" and hope that our belief system and emotions will eventually get on board. It's ok. You are not being fake when you decide to just "look good" for a while and put the tears on hold. Alcoholic's use the phrase "fake it til you make it" to refer to this process. It applies here too. Sometimes its good to just put the whole process on hold and deal with it later.
3. It isnt always forward. Recovery sometimes mean we have to stop where we are, go back, look back, reenter feelings we thought were already resolved, or issues we thought we had dealt already with. Just allow yourself to do it and then go on. Forward again. At whatever pace seems right for you.
4 Finally, Recovery can be very unique. Judge your process against itself, not someone elses' journey. When I look at where I am, is it further down the road than yesterday, last week, six months ago. It's ok that it is sporatic, slow, steady or stupendeous. It's your journey and its ok to walk it your way. And if, it appears that you aren't moving forward. If you feel stuck. Talk. Talk to your pastor, a counselor, a trusted friend, someone else who has been on this journey. Some days are just like that and you are totally normal.
Where are you on your journey of recovery just now? are you on the mountain top or in the valley? Go ahead and share. It can be very healing.
Blessings, Kathy
Look at its components
1. It in not instantaneous. Recovery is a process not an event. Dont be discouraged when you feel great one day, and as though you never started the next. Loss is not an easy thing and we often minimize its effect on our lives. The important thing is that you recognize and practice, getting back on track when you have an off day or moment. An hour, or day, of tears, feeling helpless, believing that you will never laugh again, CAN be followed by joy, laughter and a return to a normal activity. So feel. And then get back at it.
2. It isnt always easy. Recovery can be hard work. Choosing to live again after loss is sometimes so difficult that we have to just make a decision to physically "walk the walk" and hope that our belief system and emotions will eventually get on board. It's ok. You are not being fake when you decide to just "look good" for a while and put the tears on hold. Alcoholic's use the phrase "fake it til you make it" to refer to this process. It applies here too. Sometimes its good to just put the whole process on hold and deal with it later.
3. It isnt always forward. Recovery sometimes mean we have to stop where we are, go back, look back, reenter feelings we thought were already resolved, or issues we thought we had dealt already with. Just allow yourself to do it and then go on. Forward again. At whatever pace seems right for you.
4 Finally, Recovery can be very unique. Judge your process against itself, not someone elses' journey. When I look at where I am, is it further down the road than yesterday, last week, six months ago. It's ok that it is sporatic, slow, steady or stupendeous. It's your journey and its ok to walk it your way. And if, it appears that you aren't moving forward. If you feel stuck. Talk. Talk to your pastor, a counselor, a trusted friend, someone else who has been on this journey. Some days are just like that and you are totally normal.
Where are you on your journey of recovery just now? are you on the mountain top or in the valley? Go ahead and share. It can be very healing.
Blessings, Kathy
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