Experience, Strength And Hope

    It is not an easy road, sharing one's experience, strength and hope with those who still suffer. Often it is fraught with the sense of failure and ostracization. All too often, those who still suffer are not finished with their suffering, and are unwilling to part with their need to blame others for their piteous condition. All too often it is with a very heavy heart that the recovering individual must watch others continue on their paths of self destruction, powerless to make any appreciable difference. Nevertheless, if one is steadfast in their recovery, offering love, where there is hate and derision, acceptance where there is belligerence, and a living example of their new found convictions they will discover many will want what they have and become willing to go to any lengths to get it. In this truth lies the strength through which to carry on with recovery, the capacity to learn from mistakes and the birth of an undying hope that all who desire to do so can, indeed, recover.
    I have gained much from sharing on this forum this past year. One of the most important things that I have gained is self esteem. For once in my life I am giving back, what was so freely offered to me and it feels very good indeed. I have learned patience as well as the capacity to accept the position of others. I no longer need to convince anyone of the veracity of those things which I choose to share, for I realize from my own experience that my words will only appeal to those who are ready to hear and understand, and that those who take umbrage from my statements are still caught in their shame and are unable to connect with the hope and the freedom that comes from real personal honesty and personal responsibility. They are not at fault. After all, most of their relationships and role models have only reinforced their shame, their lack of trust and their self destructiveness. Why should they believe what I say? They don't know me. They can not see how these principles, these steps have changed me. They have no way of knowing what a miracle my life has become. They can not see how the pain has completely left me and how excited and happy I am to face each new day, each new challenge.
    Nevertheless, my life has changed, tremendously. My life is no longer fraught with shame and self degradation for I can now see that I am a worthwhile person capable of honesty, personal responsibility

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