ENJOY LIFE

Oct 5, from “Strengthening My Recovery” daily reader

“We learn how to play and enjoy life in ACA.”  BRB p. 572

“Many of us who grew up in alcoholic or dysfunctional homes had little time or opportunity for play. Faced with adult chaos, much of our early life was spent in survival mode.

In ACA, we learn that living life in our rearview mirror is not really living. Letting go of the past allows us to experience the present without the blinders that keep us from joy.

But where is the joy? It’s not something that we can just sit around and wait for. Joy is to be sought. It’s everywhere, but it must be found; it will not find us. We must open our eyes, our minds, and our hearts to search it out.

Joy is giving to others with no expectation of return. It’s hugging someone who needs it or stopping at a shelter to walk a homeless dog. When we bring joy to others we bring it into our own lives.

On this day I will find the joy that is all around me that’s just waiting for me to experience it.”

My experience:

This was definitely a very difficult item for which to pursue and I still experience difficulty in the pursuit of fun.  In our meetings it is pretty easy to find someone to hug who needs it, but what about outside of the meeting.  I actually have to tell myself that I need a hug and then I go and give someone a hug, whether it is my spouse, my children, a friend, etc.  Although it is lessening, I still feel guilt when I go out and spend all day at a golf or pickleball tournament and most of the time I try to rush home right afterwards.  I am proud of myself for pursuing these things, but still have to learn to fully enjoy them by not feeling guilty about having fun.  I am interacting more with those folks that bring me joy and thus pursuing many more opportunities to enjoy life.  Pray for me on this difficult road.

Blog:  www.bkcoates.com

Instagram:  bkcoates

Facebook: A Childhood Recovered

Twitter: @cornbread182