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one should **remember the newcomer** and always try and carry a positive message. this morning, i think that this will be a bit more than my usual two cents, in fact as indicated be the title i am going for an additional dollar ninety-eight. there are all sorts of things and behaviors that can set me off in meetings and i have been known to participate in more than one of them, myself. none of them, in my opinion, as egregious as the holier than thou, “sharing for the newcomer” shtick that some members seem to be caught up in. in fact i never liked it, even when i was a newcomer myself. it felt as if i was being patronized and coddled, like some sort of baby, who could not handle the truth about life in recovery. that truth?
life sucks and life rocks, but most of all life goes on.
most of all life goes on. it is true, that after some clean time, life does get a bit monotonous, but after the wild ride of active addiction and the emotional roller-coaster of early recovery, that monotony could be seen as a gift and not a curse. what i truly believe that most newcomers want to hear, is that no matter what happens, i am resolved not to use, and best of all, i am well-equipped to do so. sure the trappings of a life that resembles of the other 85% is great, but my greatest accomplishment is the fact that i could wake up this morning and CHOOSE not to use, just for today. yes there is suffering in my life today. over the next three weeks, i will be seeing the dentist to clean up the malignant neglect that perpetrated upon my teeth and gums. am i thrilled to be going for drilling, extractions, cleaning and eventually some teeth i store in a cup overnight? not really, BUT i understand, that is part of my life today. this is part of who i am and if i wanted to change this outcome, i could have chosen to do so, several years back when it was suggested by my dentist. well my new dentist and i, will work on what needs to be done, and i accept that it is not my genes, not my culture nor anyone else's fault, that it has come to this. it is just life on life's terms,
how would i share about this in a meeting? well if it came down to it, i would whine about the money, pain and time it will cost me. then i would look assign blame, which would fall squarely on my shoulders. finally, i would talk about the acceptance, that this is part of my life today, and whining and complaining will not change anything, so i might as well accept it and move on. most of all, no matter what, i will not pick up today!
simple, direct and more importantly an honest slice of a day in the life of a recovering addict. which does remind me, i need to get showered and shaved, as no one will pay me, if i do not show up for work this morning. that too, is a part of being clean, taking responsibility for my life. by working and paying my way in the world. no bon-bons and reality TV for me today! it is a great day to be on this side of the dirt.

∞ DT ∞