“What often takes place in a few months could seldom have been accomplished by years of self discipline.” -Alcoholics Anonymous Appendix II
There’s an old saying at the AA meetings I attend: I don’t stay clean from yesterday’s shower and I don’t stay sober from yesterday’s meeting. I find that these are both equally important clauses and actually work quite well together for consistency in our self-care.
Taking a shower daily and taking the time and effort to care for our appearance by dressing in a clean and becoming outfit, brushing our hair and brushing our teeth are all important parts of daily self-care. I actually had to be told to do these things when I was new in Al-Anon. I was so devastated by the alcoholic’s drinking that I completely stopped taking care of myself. The discipline of taking a shower every day has stayed with me, whether I am going somewhere or not. This simple habit adds to my sense of integrity and self-worth. I am worthy of being a clean and well-dressed person, even if the outfit I am choosing is a nice warm-up suit of sweatpants, t-shirt, and hooded jacket.
The same is true for my meeting attendance. Meeting attendance is really another form of self-care that can become a positive habit if practiced enough. Attending meetings on a regular basis keeps me fresh and clean in my sobriety. I feel the weight of the day rinse off me as I sit and listen to others share. I get to see other people on days when I might not have left the house. Going to meetings gives me back what alcoholism took from me, just as taking a daily shower does. I have a sense of purpose and integrity when I practice this self-care.
Today’s Prayer
God, I need some help today. I don’t really want to take good care of myself even though I know it will make me feel better. Please, Higher Power, lift me out of the bed and into the shower. Please walk me out the door and into a meeting. I will trust you today and I will do the foot work.
To my readers: Thank you for your constant support. I could not write and publish without you. Alcoholism is truly a devastating disease, and I have seen both sides of it both then and now. I hope that something in my writing will enable you to better take care of yourself for this twenty-four hours. Godspeed. -Jamey M.