WEEKLY MEDITATION
Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.
-Proverb
Recovery does not need to be perfect. In whatever way one defines recovery from their addictions, perfection should never be part of the requirements. Granted, in the beginning of the process, it is a good idea to create a temporary set of circumstances that minimizes disruptions and unforeseen obstacles. Total safety, however, should not be sought as a prerequisite for success. It is important that our recovery not rely on our lives being totally predictable and stable because this is not the nature of life. While it is a good idea to create a structure for our lives that can stand to encourage functional navigation, we should simultaneously be developing the ability to remain flexible in the face of unforeseen adversity. And whatever philosophy we employ to teach ourselves this flexibility, there is no way to truly learn other than to experience the parts of life that necessitate its application. So while we can benefit from developing a functional lifestyle, we should still allow the inevitable storms that blow through our lives, using them to hone our skills and improve our ability to deal with whatever unfolds before us without a reliance on our addictions.
