LOVE MONTH: DAY 24: “The highest function of love is that it makes the loved one a unique and irreplaceable being.” ― Tom Robbins
We all feel this kind of love when we arrive in recovery settings. Whether we go into treatment or walk into a meeting, we will be astonished at the love and acceptance we receive.
It felt to me so amazing…and I didn’t have to buy drinks for anyone or share my drugs with them. It was a free gift of love and welcoming I had not known ever before.
I always knew there were conditions on me being allowed to arrive anywhere. I had to dress or behave in certain ways in certain settings or I had to have money or other commodities in others. There were favors or energies exchanged in others, as well.
It was such a surprise to walk into this thing and consistently feel that people cared and were happy to see me. What a gift. The love of recovery is still one of the best and highest gifts we will ever receive. It is wonderful and inspired me to remain and to do this work. I wanted to return this love to others and continue to feel it for myself.
I felt precious and beloved. Those were not the feelings I got here with. That, in and of itself, is an incredible elixir for healing. We all need it. It is too bad that we cannot give more of it in the world around us, where greed and fear seem to rule the planet and the cosmos.
We are all capable of receiving and distributing love in the world around us. It is important that we heal our souls and allow that love to flow out from us to the world. But, first, we must learn to be lovely and lovable. That is the purpose of these steps. And we are never done with the polishing of our chalice to become the most perfect vessel of loving expression we can become. May we remember this, especially, during this holiday time. Love truly IS all we need.
