“The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life gave light to everyone.”
-John 1:4
For about three years in my early recovery, I lived in a state of constant fear over what was happening to my alcoholic loved one. Although I faithfully went to meetings and talked and did step work with my sponsor, I didn’t really have much of a life. I completely forgot to live. All of my interests were entangled with the alcoholic’s.
That’s why the way Al-Anon teaches “Live and Let Live” is so significant to me. I was very good at the “let live,” and yet I could not really live myself. Al-Anon taught me that my life matters as much as the alcoholic’s does, and that “Live and Let Live” is really part of taking care of myself.
Today I don’t take this life for granted. I do the daily things to take care of myself like eating three meals, praying and meditating, showering and wearing a nice outfit, and taking a peaceful walk with the dog. I didn’t learn these behaviors overnight, but they came with time and lots of meetings and phone calls. I even started really living while I was still with the alcoholic. My life became a lot more full with the friendships I created and the service commitments I took in both programs. I began to realize that living a sober and sane life was actually quite joyous. It was not all the sadness and grief that living with an alcoholic once was.
Today’s Prayer
God, I have stopped living. My life really revolves around another person and their disease or obsessions. Please reveal to me how precious my own life is. Help me to really live this life.
Some of my readings just belong together! I am posting back-to-back readings on the slogan “Live and Let Live.” Another one coming tomorrow!