Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022
Today’s Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is:
Safety is all well and good; I prefer freedom. — E. B. White
Addiction seduced us into believing we were safe. We had problems, and we ran to the bottle or our pills. We calmed down and felt safe, at least at first. It was only later into our illness that we learned we were trapped. We had exchanged our freedom for dependence. Addiction is the loss of freedom. Addicts can’t say no. This is the nature of our illness.
Recovery is about freedom. But all freedom comes at a price. We must work to create freedom for ourselves and to help others get free. With freedom comes choice, and with choice comes responsibility. Until confronted, we often don’t realize that we’re avoiding responsibility with excuses and blame. And we’re not alone. Dependent people don’t like responsibility. We want others — our families, our friends — to take care of us. To keep from slipping into old behaviors, we need to confront ourselves and avoid retreating into old, “safe” habits.
Prayer for the Day
Higher Power, you gave me free will, and I exchanged it for dependence. Help me to accept your gift and all the responsibilities that come with it. Give me the power to do your will.
Today’s Action
Today I will list the different ways I’ve avoided responsibilities. Then I will ask myself, “Am I still avoiding becoming a responsible person?”
Hazelden Foundation
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