A slip is an accident. I have nothing to do with it. It comes across my path like a discarded banana peel. Before I know it, I’ve taken a terrific fall.
On the other hand, when a temptation to act out on my addiction comes along, my response is not an accident. I can choose the path to recovery. I can choose to surrender and release the temptation and walk free. Or if I like, I can choose to act in a manner contrary to my recovery. I can choose to deliberately act against myself. If I do, I am responsible for my fall. My intent and my choices will have led to that fall.
In program, I learn that I have a choice. No, I can’t control temptations. But I can choose to not fall into them. Let’s call it what it is. It is not just a “slip”. It’s an “ASD”, an Act of Self Destruction.
4 comments:
Thank you Nancy - it helps me so much to remember that I always have a choice in every situation - not always about the situation, but in the way I choose to respond. God bless you for your work in reaching out and supporting us all.
Very well said, Nancy. Nice blog! I'll add it to my RSS feeds.
Paul
Nancy,
I really appreciate your words on Act of Self Destruction. I agree. I remember in my diseased thinking, I was convinced I had no choice but to act out on my addiction. The temptation arrived and I had to respond. This is the great lie of the enemy. Today, I know I can chose to say no. I can and will chose life and freedom instead of death and bondage. For me, I need to set my boundary at the mere thought of acting out rather than the act itself. If I began to drink in a trigger or temptation, I've already entered the slippery slop of an Act of Self Destruction. Thanks for reminding me of my ability to chose by asking for help from my Higher Power and connecting with "safe" people in the program.
C.G.
This reading today helped me remember that slips are acts of self destruction. I have been choosing to self destruct. Please God, help me to stop choosing things that will not give me peace.
L.F.
Today's thought from Hazelden is:
I am responsible for myself; my recovery, my well-being, my happiness, all these things are, ultimately, my own responsibility.
--Anonymous
Our Higher Power does not lay claim to our free will. We can choose not to be responsible and make ourselves more miserable by going to new levels of despair and depression. Or we can seize every opportunity for a better life. We are responsible.
When we were newcomers and just getting started, we were generally very confused. We welcomed the support. Many of us were fed up with our lives and would have freely turned them in for a different model. But we learned to put into action what we were learning. We are responsible.
Our sponsors give us good advice and sound instructions. We can choose to listen to the advice or not. We are responsible.
Although we will always be dependent on God for our strength, it is up to us to ask God, for that strength and do the necessary work to receive it. We are responsible.
Today, I'll remember my Higher Power has given me free will to accept or reject responsibility. My life is better when I act responsibly.
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