Post
102
The beginning of three very different days and nights began abruptly last Thursday. We had just returned from an out-of-town visit. Immediately, I went to the kitchen sink and turned on the faucet … water streamed out normally. I sighed a big sigh of relief as we began unloading the car. While we were gone, the temperatures had fallen – unexpectedly – below zero; and I was concerned about frozen pipes since we had forgotten to keep a drip going and the lower cupboard doors open. However, half an hour later my relief came to a halt: there was nary a drop from any of the faucets. Quickly, before the stores closed, we bought water jugs to get us through until the morning.
The way-below normal temperatures continued the next
two-plus days. Wet-wipes, hand
sanitizers, deliberately speedy hand washing, and keeping an eye on our bottled
water supply took priority. The ground
had become so frozen any possible rain on the third day was forecasted to turn
to ice. Predictions for warmer weather estimated two to three more days
following Day 3. We bought paper plates
and cups (the dishwasher had become quite full) – and more water. I kept thinking
about those mission projects where wells are built in otherwise waterless
communities … and the lead-in-the-water crisis experienced by the folks in
Flint, Michigan, as well as victims of violent natural disasters. How blessed we are who have safe potable –
and hot - water at our fingertips, my
mind exclaimed repeatedly.
With these rambles, I was reminded how essential the bare basics truly are to
our thoughts and actions. Indeed,
the world of recovery – elementally – is impacted: one’s opportunities for healing and wholeness
are based on the essentials of life. SAMHSA’s
(Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Services Administration) working definition of recovery defines recovery as
such:
·
“a process of change through which
individuals improve their health and wellness
·
live self-directed lives
Breaking down this definition, SAMHSA further describes recovery.
1.
“HEALTH: overcoming or managing
one’s disease(s) or symptoms, for example, abstaining from use of alcohol,
illicit drugs, and non-prescribed medications if one has an addiction problem –
and for everyone in recovery, making informed healthy choices that support
physical and emotional well being
2.
HOME: having a stable and safe place to live
3.
PURPOSE: conducting meaningful daily activities, such
as a job, school, volunteerism, family caretaking, or creative endeavors, and
the independence, income, and resources to participate in society
4.
COMMUNITY:
having relationships and social networks that provide support, friendship,
love, and hope” ( www.samhsa.gov/recovery
)
As I review my thoughts and actions – which immediately took place once I knew we
were in a water crisis - the above essentials of recovery (especially #2) seemed
even more intertwined and dependent upon each other. Moreover, how we respond to our life
circumstances counts as an essential
in defining recovery. healing, wholeness, and stability.
A recent TV documentary followed the experience
of an imprisoned inmate who had agreed to work with the staff psychiatrist with
regard to committing to a faithful regimen of mental health medicines. As he began to stabilize, he started to make
a practice of finding things/people/circumstances for which to be
thankful. In turn, this helped him to
respond more healthfully to his self-deprecating feelings of shame and guilt. He grew to appreciate how having this daily giving-thanks goal - and truly being thankful - was an essential to
his own mental health.
At the beginning of this new year, there will be
countless numbers of people who will make resolutions and/or set goals. Often by mid-February, those aspirations are
cast aside or simply ignored. One of the
most realistic suggestions I have come
across is to set mini-goals … for
each day, week, month, etc. Working toward a better – not necessarily the best or perfect –situation seems more
doable ... and better can become better and better and even better!
This morning the hot shower felt heavenly! Yes, the water crisis became solved (if only
such crises had so quick a resolution) – last night around 10:30. I noticed a drip-drip noise coming (on its
own) from the kitchen sink. Surely, the
air temperatures had not been that warm
to effect a thaw. The warmer weather was
still two days away. Timidly, I opened
wide the faucet - and out the water poured! No sputtering, no hesitancy, just smooth,
normal running water. We checked the
other faucets – all now with running water. We looked for leaks: nothing in the
house, garage, or yard. I ran my hands
under warm, strong running water … and said a prayer of thanksgiving … for this very essential element in life.
Blessings,
Rev. Janet Jacobs, CCGSOFounding Director
Gambling Recovery Ministries
www.grmumc.org
For
more information on problem gambling and recovery issues, visit:
www.ipgap.indiana.edu
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