Today's episode is about what feels like a solitary intense effort of self-improvement and healing while those around us do not seem to be putting in the same level of effort for healing our damaged relationship.
Our sobriety program demands that we engage in daily practices of attending meetings, working the steps, and constantly evaluate our behaviors and thought patterns. The work is ceaseless, aimed at abstaining from alcohol and more-so transforming ourselves so that we don't feel like we need alcohol.
For many recovering alcoholics, there's an underlying frustration that, while we labor to rebuild our lives, those around us don't seem to be putting in the same level of effort. This can lead to feelings of isolation, fatigue, and resentment.
We must acknowledge the wreckage of our past and the impact our alcoholism had on our loved ones. While we have the structure of recovery programs and the fellowship to guide us, our loved ones are navigating their healing alone.
This brings us to the concept of living amends. It's a lifetime commitment to demonstrating through behavior the sincerity of our transformation. Embracing living amends means accepting that while the effort in recovery might seem lopsided, the work we do on ourselves benefits everyone around us.
Recovery and living amends takes a lifetime.
