2008 newly sober, one of my last times in SBS, CO, and at my old house.
Closure
Thanks GOD!
A friend of mine shared a meme which read,
“Dear God, I want to take a minute not to ask for anything from you, but to simply say, Thank you for all I have.” [Read more…]
Share:
Pay Attention
Yesterday was my first day pain-free and I felt like a human. Spiritually, mentally, physically, and even visually. This whole process of having a miscarriage has been tough in all aspects. I realize this isn’t a subject most speak of. I also am grateful that I am who I am because I’ve apparently helped a few by sharing my story. Yesterday I was just so happy to feel like me again.
Then it dawned on me. Yesterday, April 7th was my due date for our son Tanner. My happy, healthy, love of my life, almost 3-year-old boy!
Waiting for our miracle
You see for me, one of the greatest gifts is awareness. I would miss so much, so many daily miracles, blessings, and moments of gratitude if I don’t just get out of my own way, stop, and pay attention. It is really easy for me to feel sorry for myself and focus on the negative. I am notoriously a classic victim in my own mind. But!… If I slow this overactive brain of mine down, take a few deep breaths, and listen, watch, feel, be open, be willing, and admit there is something so much bigger than me out there…I just get smacked in the face with all the good shit in life. You know, the really really good shit that just makes you smile, your heart skip a beat, that feeling of overwhelming peace and serenity that engulf your being. That is when I find my happy place. That place where I am content in the moment. No sweating the past, no regrets. No anxious moments of the what ifs, future tripping, and filing myself with worry. That is when I am what the Great Spirit, God, The Universe, Mother Mature and the rest of the gang intended me to be. That Clairey is what I’ve spent days, months, years searching for. The happy, content, authentic Clairey.
Just living in love
So today, if you are anything like me and so busy, so wrapped up in a the day has ahead, all the insignificant bullshit really….STOP! Stop and take a deep breath! Stop and just be! Stop and pay attention, there is always gratitude to be found. ALWAYS! We just have to have the willingness to be aware! You will see it, you will find it…I promise. And when you do, all will be right. If only for a brief moment. But without those moments, I would not survive. Quite frankly, without those moments I don’t think any of us would.
So in the words of my sponsor, my friend, and a truly wise woman who I love with all my being, “pay the fuck attention people!”
You might just need that moment to make “it” all better.
Live-Love-Laugh-And HUG a lot. Life will take on new meaning.
The present is the gift
Share:
Pray about difficulties – ???
- The Tetons and Jackson Lake
- 5/14
Hello all,
I’ve not written in some time. I can’t believe I actually thought my life would be boring without drinking and using! That being said, I’ve been soaking up the sun, finally, here in Wyoming. I’ve been busy enjoying life, trying to go to more meetings, loving my 2-year-old son, loving my husband, working with sponsees, calling my sponsor, and trying to balance it all!
Feeling as if I’ve unwillingly put my blog on hold I thought, “Why not include some different perspectives on life in recovery?”
So…I did one of the things I’ve learned to do in recovery… I ASKED FOR HELP!
I’d like to introduce you to my friend, Ashley B. She and my husband actually went to school together and used together in Washington (state). Ashley even pierced his ears when they were teenagers. I met Ashley on a road trip to Washington, prior to marrying my now husband. He was showing me all the places he had lived and played growing up. In the truck while driving we stopped to look at a house. Lo & behold he gets out as this gal is walking from behind the house. It was Ashley! She just happened to be at her folks house doing some gardening! After introductions and after her and Cody played catch up we arrived at the fact that we were all in recovery! She and I instantly bonded. The god shots, multiple visits from them, phone calls, and a deep understanding between two women and their families can not be described by anything but maybe MIRACULOUS. And again, I thought my life was going to be over after getting sober! It had only just begun.
I am truly blessed in so many ways. The following is written by one of these blessings, a friend, and partner in recovery, Ashley Bell.
I love you Ashley. Thank you for your willingness to write a blog for us & not only talking the talk… but walking, hiking, singing, and living it as well.
You have what I want…..-
- The Bell’s and Us-Labor Day 2010
When I first arrived they had me under watch because they were afraid I would ‘off’ myself in the shower. By the end they were putting bad kids in my room because I caught the buzz, to be had here in the rooms, as a result of the steps. Result of the prayer I prayed at the beginning, I think so. Fast forward, many 4th steps, step 9’s and endless hours on the phone with my people and I’m in the car in Yellowstone National park and from the back seat comes my 4 year olds voice, “pray about difficulties”.God, I offer myself to Thee, to
Build with me and to do with my as Thou wilt.
Relieve me of the bondage of self,
That I may better do Thy will.
Take away my difficulties,
That victory over them may bear witness to
Those I would help of Thy power,
Thy love, and Thy way of life.
May I do thy will always!”(BB page 63)
My husband, who is also sober, and I start deciphering what that means. Asking many questions my husband realizes he’s talking about the 3rd step prayer. “Take away my difficulties”. You see my husband and I had been praying that prayer every morning in the car on our way to the adventure of the day all week we were on vacation and many times before that. We had no idea he was listening.
Raising kids sober is about as real as it gets. This is the time in my life I have had to work the hardest on my program out side of meetings. I don’t get to as many as I want to, I don’t go to as many functions as I used to and I don’t remember to do my daily inventory as much as I could. What do I get in exchange? I get the spiritual assignment of raising another human being while I stay clean and sober.
My victories over my difficulties are shown every day when I make a mistake. I get to own up to them in front of these little people who watch my every move and demonstrate what true humility is. And also what true happiness is. I don’t have to pretend things are not happening.I don’t have lie to them. I answer their questions honestly and treat them with the respect they deserve.
The third step prayer started me off to a pretty good start, kept me sober from that day to this, connected my husband and I on more than one occasion, and has now brought our son into the realm of a solution greater than himself. He has asked us to pray for him many times over the last 4 years, at least since he’s been able to talk. This was the first time he’s used our tools directly. What a gift to raise a family in a home based on the 12 steps and 12 traditions.
That day I prayed this prayer for the first time all I wanted was the pain to stop. I had no idea what was waiting for me down the road. If I got what I deserve I would be dead. If I got what I wanted I would have sold myself short. Today I have a life that is filled with relentless service, but as they say you have to give it away to keep it right?
- The Bell’s
Share:
The present IS the gift
As I look out the window into the cold night sky
I can’t help but wonder, “who am I ?”
I feel so small beneath the Milky Way
Then remember to give thanks for another day
I repeat ‘in with God’s will and out with mine’
Trying to stay present and not worry all the time
Cause you see all I have is this breath
Worry won’t do anything but bring me death
A physical or a spiritual death to me is the same
I didn’t get sober so my life would stay lame
I got sober cause I knew there was more to my life
I wanted to be a mom and of course a wife
So there are things that I must do from day to day
I must remember to meditate and to pray
Without my higher power I get all outta whack
God know’s I never want to go back on the crack!
So I do a few things every day at a time
In order for me to maintain a straight line
I am grateful for the tools I’ve picked up in program
But I still can not answer,without a title, who I am
I know I am a wife, mom, friend, daughter, sister, and niece
But gosh darn it I feel like I’m still missing a piece
I have a general idea and of course I have my story
I know I’m blessed with God and his glory
So maybe I should just practice what I preach
Let go and remain willing & open for god to teach
Cause today I know I am not running the show
Today I can choose to just go with the flow
Well then, I have my answer for now
Oh yeah, I forgot I was looking at stars…wow!
Ok I’m back in the present of this beautiful night
What a gift, I’m blessed and filled with delight
Share:
Siri or Divine intervention!?
