Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Today’s Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is:
Nothing in life is to be feared. It is only to be understood.
— Marie Curie
Fear usually comes from ignorance, and it paralyzes usually only as long as we remain in the dark. For addicts, fear is often free-floating anxiety that overtakes us inexplicably and pushes us toward unaccountable actions.
Anxiety and fear have causes, and if we are brave enough we can explore them and put the bogeymen to rest. We can’t always do it alone, though, because we need to hear some reaction to our insights and hunches about where our fear comes from. We can often find our true selves in the shared struggles of another person or in the words given back to us as we tell others about our fears and hopes. Most of us have been alone too long with our feelings trapped inside.
We are striving toward understanding, however long and painful the journey may be. We need to remember as we go that we are accompanied by good and loyal companions. Every step we take can be a yard won back from fear as we become familiar with the new and uncharted territory.
I will think and speak my way out of ignorance and fear, accepting the companionship of others along the way.
Hazelden Foundation
