Recovery will help us resurrect from darkness into a different life, one full of compassion and kindness for ourselves and others. Susan experienced this sentiment when she began healing from a mental health and substance misuse condition. One day, she was out for a walk in the woods. Suddenly, she stops dead in her tracks and just stares at the gaping hole in the side of a hill.
She starts running in the other direction. The other Recoverees are staying inside the city of Hope, and that is where she is headed. Something strange is going on, and she needs their support. As Susan runs, all the emotions and unsorted memories of the past 30 years come upon her like a flood. The evening was devastating, and that night she never slept at all. During the next day, she attempted to observe a religious holiday. All she could do was just sit around and feel numb.
By now, she is approaching a house, and Frank and members of the Peer Recovery Support Group are just coming out of the door. Out of breath, she blurts out, “I was out for a walk when I came upon a cave in the side of a hill. I realized the hole represents the emptiness I feel in my heart and soul.” Frank and the group members applauded Susan for her revelation. Susan sits down on the doorstep. She’s confused and distraught, but ready to be filled with the spiritual blessings of Recovery.
Spend some quiet time with the 12 steps of Recovery
12 Steps
Mental Wellness
- We believe Recovery is possible, and we commit to overcoming the internal and external challenges, barriers, and obstacles confronting us.
- We are powerless over our condition and believe a spiritual presence in our lives is the pathway to freedom.
- We choose activities that support our Recovery.
- We share our Plan of Recovery with a spiritual being and at least one other person.
- We seek to educate ourselves about Recovery from the activities we participate in because it expands our capacity to heal.
- We decide to rely on the will of our Higher Power rather than going it alone.
- We humbly accept the Higher Powers’ and other persons’ unconditional love, compassion, and presence in our lives.
- We acknowledge that healing occurs through relationships and supportive peer groups. We identify these people on our Plan of Recovery. We thank people for their support due to a mental health and substance misuse event.
- We let go of past shortcomings, which include shame and unnecessary guilt. We were designed to love ourselves and form heartfelt connections with people.
- We regularly become curious about our mental wellness. We adjust our activities to reach a deeper level of Recovery.
- We recognize that Recovery is a journey. We seek wisdom through prayer, reflection, imagery, or mindfulness, improving our conscious contact with our Higher Power and having the strength to take action.
- We gain self-awareness and insight into our Recovery as a result of listening to the will of our Higher Power. We model these steps, making them real in our lives, and support the growth of our brothers and sisters in Recovery.
Adapted From 12 Steps of Alcoholics/Depressed Anonymous by Larry Winter
Revised: 02/18/2025
SuperHuman Being
Peace
Larry
email: ljw@superhumanbeing.net
website: https://superhumanbeing.net/