Pain is a reality..

Suffering is an option. When I first heard this it did not make sense to me. I have come to believe it. Life throws us curves everyday. I have painful experiences just like everyone else. Today I no longer allow it to control my every waking moment. I have a program that is teaching me coping skills. Better coping skills. The ones that come naturally to me are self destructive. I can turn my back on my new skills but I know now that the results will always be the same or worse. I cannot afford to fool myself about this. Just this week I was feeling overwhelmed by the ups and downs of life.Everytime I got some balance I recieved another upsetting bit of news. I was on my way to a 12 step mtg. I had the phone in my hand and wanted to call an old friend and say. meet me at the bar. Instead I went to a meeting. I was alittle shook up at how easy it was to have using thoughts. I have had MUCH worse days. But, the fact is I am an addict so thoughts of using are perfectly normal. The important thing is that I thought it thru to the end and chose to go to the mtg and not go to the bar. Had there not been a mtg. I would have called another recovering addict. I am surely blessed to have this opportunity today.Thinking of all of you who have reached out over the last few weeks and hoping you are doing okay. Hugs, Laurie