“It’s a good thing we’re not all sick on the same day!” This is a great quote I heard at one of my 12 Step recovery home groups the other day and it’s very true. Why? Because recovery is all about us helping each other, yet if each of us had problems every single day, no one would be able to help anyone else.
I’ve learned in recovery that when I’m feeling good, it’s my responsibility to reach out and help someone else who’s not. And I’ve learned in recovery that when I’m not feeling good, it’s my responsibility to reach out and ask for help. Generally, I’m pretty good with the first one, but sometimes I struggle with the second.
Regardless, all 12 Step recoveries are considered programs of “we, us, and our”. When we’re out engaging in our addictions though, it’s really all about “I and me”. This is definitely one of the reasons why so many have found hope, health, and healing through a 12 Step program for their addiction, because they’ve learned how not to be alone anymore, especially when they’re new and just learning how to get well from their disease.
Unfortunately, life in recovery isn’t always rosy, even after considerable time sober. I can attest as I’ve been going through an extended period where I haven’t felt that well on most days. Yet I still continue to try my best to help another though, especially on those days when I’m feeling more up than down. But on those days when it’s the opposite, I know there’s someone out there in recovery I can call or get together with who can help. That’s why it’s such a good thing we really aren’t all sick on the same day!
The main point here I’m making is quite simple. We come to recovery to get help and there are plenty of people who are well on any given day who can provide some of that for each of us. But when we are feeling well ourselves, it’s just as important to give back and help another because recovery is all that, us helping each other.
Sometimes I wish life was a lot more like this in general, with all of us in this world reaching out to help each other through all our ups and downs. But alas, we still have a ways to go to get there. In the meantime, I remain grateful for those who do understand this humble principle by continuing to help another when they can and by continuing to ask for help when they find they can’t…
Peace, love, light, and joy,
Andrew Arthur Dawson