POST 88
Whether (or not, recovery will bring fair “weather”??) Forecasts:
Part
3 in a Series of 3
Yes, eventually,
eventually, Fall has arrived in southern Indiana: forecasts of 60’s highs,
40’s lows, sunshiny days, and deep blue skies !
At last, we are seeing the turning of green leaves to orange, red,
yellow, and brown – my favorite time of year here in the Heartland!
As noted in the GRM Blog’s September edition: Recovery
can be like that too: eventually, eventually!
And still, we need goals, promises, and affirming predictions. Throughout the past two months, I have been
blogging “forecasts” of recovery for each of the Twelve Steps through Step
9. The inspiration of such Forecasts are the Affirmations and Promises
described by 12 Step Recovery folks as they share with newcomers anticipated
progress in attaining stability and wellness.
Returning again to Post 86, we are reminded that, Most
likely, recovery is a mosaic of many, mini (and at times maxi) journeys … To be
sure, affirming predictions are valuable – with timing, cautiously, an
individual matter. Accordingly,
then, we will take a look at peeks of recovery
for the last three Steps – the Maintenance
Steps.
For all of the previous Step Work accomplished, the
efforts made may only be temporary if it were not for Steps 10-12. Predictable and unpredictable challenges, recovery work evolving into routine
lifestyles –with possible patterns of boredom, and hurried over-expectations of
goals to achieve all work against the
developing signs of restoration and recovery. Thus vigilant and persistent attention to
these final three Steps assure the central binds of unifying each of the Steps
into a cohesive recovery plan and pattern.
FORCASTING
RECOVERY: STEP BY STEP
Step
10: [We] continue to take personal inventory and when
we were wrong, promptly admitted it.
Pride is getting edged out by willingness NOT to see
everything through our eyes only. We search
actively to seek additional reasons why unfair – and unrealistic – accusations
are headed our way. Anger and
stubbornness lessen as we do not always have
to be right. Then too, our willingness to be open to the possibility of
being wrong gives us, also, room to explore where we may fit into the issues
that involve us. We feel a freedom to be
both accurately wrong OR right! With this freedom, our self-esteem rises for
we are now exercising the ability to gain realistic perception and attaining
discernment! With false pride out of the
way, we find ourselves connecting more deeply and meaningfully with others.
Step
11: [We]
sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God
as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the
power to carry that out.
This step pairs our active recovery work with God’s will
for our lives along with divine
power . We are not only a recipient
of divine care; but also, we are proactively working out God’s will for our
individual lives; and we do not do this
under human power alone. Rather, God
will provide this power to carry out His plan for us. Once again, we are not
alone on our recovery journeys!
Step
12: Having
made an effort to practice these principles in all our affairs, we tried to
carry this message to other compulsive gamblers.
Now, it’s about reaching out – and being the helper to others. Knowing the struggles we have already
experienced and have worked through (and to which we are still applying
recovery work), we can share suggestions, knowledge, wisdom, materials, and
listening ears in order to provide vital connection to those suffering from compulsive gambling. This connection opens the door of solitary
suffering and brings the fellow gambler into a community of recovery and
wellness. Our progress toward healing
becomes affirmed each time we extend help to others. We see our own gratitude (for recovery) in
the face of those in need. We feel encouraged,
all over again, as those seeking help are assured and affirmed. The connections grow for them and for us!
May you continue to be blessed as you work your recovery
and look ahead to forecastings of personal growth, accomplishment, and peace!
Blessings,
Rev. Janet Jacobs
Founding Director
Gambling Recovery Ministries
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