Without the purposeful determination of a person in Recovery, we can easily become distracted by the world around us.
Henry David Thoreau left Concord, Massachusetts, because he believed life had become too noisy, busy, and distracting. He went to Walden Pond to reconnect with himself and with nature. Early in his writing, he concluded that, “Most people lead lives of quiet desperation.”
Today, many of us live distracted lives. Dedicating ourselves to Recovery changes that. Recovery helps us name what matters most. It encourages us to place healing and growth at the center of our daily lives. It frees us from the distractions that often control our culture.
Many of us struggle with FOMO — the fear of missing out. We may believe that if we become more efficient or try to do everything, we will not miss anything. But that is not true. It is impossible to experience everything in life. We will always miss out on some things.
FOMO also has a close cousin called “settling.” The internet often tells us we should never settle in life, especially in relationships or careers. But the truth is, every meaningful choice requires us to let go of other possibilities.
To become a successful social worker, I had to let go of other career paths and fully commit to that calling. If I had constantly jumped from one career to another, I never would have grown deeply in any of them.
Every decision means saying yes to one thing and no to another. Every choice to follow one path means leaving other paths behind. So what are we really missing out on when we choose Recovery?
Dedicating our lives to Recovery is serious and sacred work. At times, it will feel uncomfortable. There will be moments of struggle, sacrifice, and surrender. But Recovery also brings deep spiritual peace and lasting joy.
We will never have more joy than discipline. When we choose discipline, we suffer less and cause less suffering for others. Recovery teaches us how to live with purpose, compassion, and peace.
What steps do you need to take to dedicate your deepest self to Recovery?
