Recovery Connections Network

Monday, July 31, 2017

"Don't make the process harder than it is." -Jack Welch

“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated." -Confucius

“There is no greatness where there is not simplicity, goodness and truth.” -Leo Tolstoy

Sobriety and recovery need not be complicated. In the past, I made things complicated with my alcohol use, repetitive thoughts and from dwelling in fear and uncertainty. The WFS Statements provide a life affirming course to follow which can carve out beautiful simplicity from an overly complicated existence.

Statement #6 epitomizes this simplicity by providing choice. Life can be ordinary or it can be great. It is up to each woman to decide what she needs. Since my life was so drama-filled before sobriety, I wanted and needed to learn how to embrace the ordinary moments available to me. The beauty of a sunset, the clean fresh air, or chatting with a friend are all simple moments that feel great to me.

Alcohol complicates abilities, thinking and can wreak havoc on the human body, creating imbalance and confusion. Sobriety and recovery opens the door to simplicity through the WFS Statements, which can arrive slowly yet at other times at warp speed. Simplicity feels so much more comfortable, like a well-loved blanket or that favorite pair of shoes. No matter your preference, life is simply great sober!

Hugzzz, Karen

I’m not sure I agree with Confucius that life is simple; however, I have to admit that there have been times when I made situations more complicated with my reactions due to my inability to process what was really happening. I just plain reacted! I love how Karen defined life being ordinary or great. After all these years, I had not considered seeing ordinary as also being great depending on what I needed at any even given moment. It’s a relief to think about it that way. It reminds me of the positives we share at the f2f meetings. It’s not a competition, it’s how we handled a situation differently, felt differently or responded in a more positive, healthy manner. So it is with life being ordinary or life being great. Greatness can be felt in the ordinary if that is what we are experiencing at that moment or in experiencing something new, taking a risk, facing our fears. The beauty of Statement #6 is that we are able to learn and make different choices as we become aware of our recovery goals.

Questions to consider:

What was the last fear you faced and took the challenge to work through it?
How did that risk change your outlook on life being ordinary or great?
Do you know what your needs are now to create a great life, remembering that the ordinary can be great?
Have you chosen a path that will create the life you want? If not, what is the stumbling block?
If you have created your ordinary, great life, consider sharing your strategies with those who are struggling