Discipline Directed at this Disease
Today I am grateful for our dog Oliver and how he joyfully takes off running sometimes. (Though this morning he may have just wanted to get back in the house out of the cold.) I am also grateful for good actors in good TV shows. (In this case I am referring to "Mom.")
As far as diseases go, I do believe I am powerless over alcohol, but I do have some say in whether or not my alcoholism is active or in remission. Active alcoholism or active recovery? I can influence which is active with my choices, thoughts, and actions. But I need help too. Plenty of it.
It takes daily discipline directed at the disease, and daily guidance and direction from recovery friends, spiritual advisors, the Great Spirit in my life. And also from those closest to me who aren't on this recovery path, but who support me on mine.
Day in and day out diligence and vigilance. Practices. Prayers. Exercises of the mind and soul. Spiritual growth. Writing. Working. Sharing. Serving.
It is different in ways than the other disease that has impacted my life--cancer. Yet, they are similar as well. And the discipline I direct at recovery from alcoholism also helps me as a cancer patient currently NED (no evidence of disease).
This is an op-ed piece I wrote in the summer of 2011 and that was published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune. It is one of my writings that I am most proud of. And it captures many of my thoughts and views about these two diseases.
Nothing can fully capture the depth of my gratitude though; for health, help, and hope in looking these two diseases in the eye, facing them daily. Discipline clears the path so I can move forward, so I can be present today. The only day any of us get.
As far as diseases go, I do believe I am powerless over alcohol, but I do have some say in whether or not my alcoholism is active or in remission. Active alcoholism or active recovery? I can influence which is active with my choices, thoughts, and actions. But I need help too. Plenty of it.
It takes daily discipline directed at the disease, and daily guidance and direction from recovery friends, spiritual advisors, the Great Spirit in my life. And also from those closest to me who aren't on this recovery path, but who support me on mine.
Day in and day out diligence and vigilance. Practices. Prayers. Exercises of the mind and soul. Spiritual growth. Writing. Working. Sharing. Serving.
It is different in ways than the other disease that has impacted my life--cancer. Yet, they are similar as well. And the discipline I direct at recovery from alcoholism also helps me as a cancer patient currently NED (no evidence of disease).
This is an op-ed piece I wrote in the summer of 2011 and that was published in the Minneapolis Star Tribune. It is one of my writings that I am most proud of. And it captures many of my thoughts and views about these two diseases.
Nothing can fully capture the depth of my gratitude though; for health, help, and hope in looking these two diseases in the eye, facing them daily. Discipline clears the path so I can move forward, so I can be present today. The only day any of us get.
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