THE SLOGANS
Dec 31, from “Strengthening My Recovery” daily reader
“Keep coming back. It works!” BRB p. 565
“This is a wonderful, simple old slogan we hear in recovery, but what does it mean? For newcomers, it may just seem like a nice platitude. But those of us with some experience in ACA know that little by little, small miracles happen as we continue to show up.
Perhaps we find ourselves picking up the phone more easily, or we talk to our fellow travelers with a greater feeling of safety. We start to feel less alone or unique in the world. We feel less shame in telling our stories. We start to disbelieve and detach from the messages the family disease trained us to integrate. We come to know we are innocent children and that we each have a Higher Power of our own choosing. We start to sincerely forgive ourselves for mistakes we’ve made. In doing so we realize that even though we have made mistakes, we are not mistakes.
These are some of the miracles we start to experience simply by showing up. We do our part; our Higher Power does its part. Our efforts are accumulating. Invisible scales of compassion, not judgement, are beginning to tip in our favor. “Keep coming back. It works!” means what it says. Miracles can and do happen in this program.
On this day I will trust that my actions in recovery are cumulative, and nothing I do goes to waste. Little by little, my efforts pay off.”
My experience:
“Keep coming back” that one little slogan saved my life. I was a newcomer and as I raised my hand to say I was a newcomer, I heard this from several people. Funny thing, I believed they meant it. That was my Higher Power at work. Previously, I would have just felt like people were just saying it to be nice. But somewhere deep inside me, I believed they wanted me to keep coming back. So I kept coming back, and things have never been the same.
I WILL NEVER BE THE SAME
It never dawned on me when I walked into the room
The same for which I was, was destined for doom
As I walked into the space with my heart heavy sighing
I saw people cheerful and laughing and I saw some that were crying
This spot I entered was a wonder to me
Some place that I never thought I would be
But how could this exist without me ever knowing
A place that could truly help, my mind was blown
Smiles were freely given and even many a hug
Honestly, I was put aback, and my shoulders did shrug
Love from the entrance was given to me
But belief I deserved, dogged and eluded thee
They said that they would love and accept no matter what
They just wanted my acceptance as they already accepted me such
This initiated tears like I have never before
But like I would have in the past, I did not run for the door
I stayed to hear what more they had to say
And then like they asked, I decided to come back another day
The folks in this room have seen me weep more than any other
These people now, I consider sisters and brothers
So, back and back continue I came
I realize now that I will never be the same