Thursday, December 22, 2022

Dec. 22, 2022 - Readings in Recovery: Today's Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

 

Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022

Today’s Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is:

In every person, even in such that appear most reckless, there is an inherent desire to attain balance. — Jakob Wasserman

In contrast to compulsivity is inactivity. Since many of us tend toward compulsivity, do we sometimes find ourselves going to the other extreme and not doing anything? Not doing anything is one way to try to control our addiction. It can be difficult to get going once we no longer use addiction as our energizer. It can be just as difficult to slow down if we substitute mindless activity for addiction in order to dull our feelings.

What we need is the faith that life is safe, and that we are safe within it. We also need the energy that comes from a Power greater than ourselves. There is a healthy balance that is neither the activity of compulsion nor the inactivity of fear and control. When we are moving to our own internal rhythm, we feel a serenity that brings the pleasure of the present into focus and lets us enjoy it.

What do I need today? If I must get going, I can act as if. If I want to slow down, I can let myself stop and take a break.

Hazelden Foundation

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