RECOVERY
This text is credited to a pagan
journal called "Pagans in Recovery". Sadly, I have yet
been able to ascertain whether or not this journal is still in
print. I would appreciate any information the reader may have on
this serial published in Athens, Ohio.
All material is copyrighted.
This is excerpted from PIR #13
1992.
Rational
Recovery Ideas (Submitted by John C.)
- I admit that
I have become chemically dependent, and the consequences
of that dependency are unacceptable
- I accept
that, in order to get better, I will refrain from any use
of alcohol/drugs, because any use will very likely lead
to a return to my previous addiction.
- I accept that
I will likely benefit from outside help in accomplishing
this, because I have been unsuccessful in previous
attempts to resist my desire to drink/drug.
- Although I
may have serious personal problems, I still have the
capacity to learn about myself, new ideas, and how to
achieve a durable and meaningful sobriety.
- The idea that
I need something greater than myself upon which to rely
is only another dependency idea, and dependency is my
original problem.
- I surrender
all ideas of perfection, for myself and others, and my
first goal is to learn to accept myself as I am--a
fallible, yet very worthwhile, human being.
- I place a
high value on the principles of rationality, learning
objectively, self-forgiveness, and on my own
self-interest.
- I recognize
the desperate need of others for a rational recovery
plan, so I may take these ideas to them, as a way of
creating a larger society of sober, rational people.
- Recognizing
that there is much more to life than a constant struggle
to remain sober, and having gained a reasonable
expectation that I can live a meaningful life without
drugs/alcohol, I will gradually separate myself from my
RR group--with the understanding that I may return at any
time.
- I accept that
there are no perfect solutions to life's problems and
that uncertainty is the spice of life, so therefore I am
willing to take risks to achieve my own self-defined
goals.
- Now certain
of my inherent worth, I can take the risks of loving, for
loving is far better than being loved.
I need to point out that
these ideas represent John C. idea of rational recovery,
which is the alternative to the traditional "12
steps". I ventured into rational recovery around the
sixth month of my recovery process. It was a valuable
experience and I find that I have combined the philosophy
of both schools of thought along with my spiritual path
to form a continuing success story.
I am adding
this page because I want to express the fact that in believing in
BALANCE I also appreciate the God. When I first saw this image I
saw it on a boss's coffee cup. I did not like him at that time
and thought I never would. I thought him pretentious and pompous.
I was using during this time. I left for another job but we were
in the same system. Years later I found out that we had this
disease in common and that he always believed I was so
"angry". We are now friends. And he's also on my Gratitude list. As a side note; the coffee
cup had one of my favorite play on words "imagineering".
Thanks, Bill B.
I
would love to hear from anyone regarding their recovery process
please email me at Hearth@imagik.net
Terra Mir Bookstore of diversity. I am its
proprietor and selector. I am an associate of
Amazon.com. Many of the references of books made throughout the
Hearth can be found at this site.Please visit the Recovery Section. Should like to suggest
other books please email the selector at selector@imagik.net. Take some time to
browse, Amazon offers many books at least 15% below the normal
bookstore prices. Many of the reviews our original. All titles
are owned in our personal library. This satisfies the
ex-librarian in me. Thank you in advance.
Also please visit http://www.imagik.net IMAGIK ARTS EMPORIUM
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