DISCIPLINE MONTH: DAY 21: “It is time to reverse this prejudice against conscious effort and to see the powers we gain through practice and discipline as eminently inspiring and even miraculous.” ― Robert Greene
The balance of recovery is interesting. We are told we are powerless over alcohol and that we must decide to turn our will and our lives over to the care of a Higher Power; then we must set about a rigorous course of action to ensure we can comfortably live without substances one day at a time.
This is a balance that can be thrown off when we do not understand where we have a part to play in the return to active addiction. So, we get to do these things and our lives become unrecognizable to us in the process, because we are unfamiliar with the idea that we are not the ones who are driving the bus down this particular road.
BUT, we do have a hand in how that bus runs, the conditions of the road itself, and the WAY in which we see the journey overall. This is where the steps come in. Getting on the bus in the first place is important. That comes with making that decision.
Then we are on board and riding the bus down the highway and get into an accident. For me, Step 10 is like having insurance that covers all the mess that occurs in an accident. We get to clean it up and get on with the journey.
That wreck may have caused some permanent damage to the vehicle of another, or just their wellbeing and trust in us. But it can be restored and repaired, if we are persistent with amending the situation and staying on the bus.
These things truly are inspiring and miraculous. Healing the broken lives we lived in our addiction is the goal of getting on this bus to begin with. Then we begin to maintain the bus in optimal running operation by working the cleanup steps of 4-9.
This is a great way of life. Surely we have been inspired and seen miraculous events at this point. The work is well worth the time and effort we have engaged in the process. Now we get to continue the process into Step 10 and make sure the bus continues to run as well as possible. When something happens, we are quick to repair and restore that condition with the action indicated.
If this were truly a bus, that would mean changing oil, adding fuel, maintaining inflated tires, checking the brakes, etc. In our lives of recovery, this is what Steps 10, 11 and 12 give us. Maintenance of a healthy condition as seen through the lens of what we have achieved in the first 9 steps. How cool is that?
We have a new bus, a new driver, a new set of directions for new roads, and a set of tools that allow us to maintain the whole things in miraculous working condition. The most important factor is to remain active in using the tools, because they do not work without our effort and footwork.
Dolphin Hug 