Over time, not overnight
“We found that we do not recover physically, mentally, or spiritually overnight.”
Basic Text, p.27
Have you ever approached a recovery celebration with the feeling that you should be
further along in your recovery than you are? Maybe you have listened to newcomers
sharing in meetings, members with much less clean time, and thought, “But I’m just
barely beginning to understand what they’re talking about!”
It’s odd that we should come into recovery thinking that we will feel wonderful right
away or no longer have any difficulty handling life’s twists and turns. We expect our
physical problems to correct themselves, our thinking to become rational, and a fully
developed spiritual life to manifest itself overnight. We forget that we spent years
abusing our bodies, numbing our minds, and suppressing our awareness of a Higher
Power. We cannot undo the damage in a day. We can, however, apply the next step,
go to the next meeting, help the next newcomer. We heal and recover bit by bit-not
overnight, but over time.
Just for today: My body will heal a little, my mind will become a little clearer, and my
relationship with my Higher Power will strengthen.