Misty is a 33-year-old electrical engineer. Misty describes The Big Book of Recovery In These Rooms as a family heirloom. “…I come from a family of alcoholics.” Her uncle was an alcoholic and passed the book to her grandmother. Her grandmother passed it to Misty’s mother. Misty says the book has all kinds of notes in the margins from family who have used it over the years. “…I earned my seat In These Rooms. I came by my problems with alcohol honestly. I started drinking at age 12. It helped calm my mind after being sexually assaulted by my cousin. I had three DUIs by 17 and entered my first detox center on my eighteenth birthday. I’ve been in and out of treatment centers since then. Old thinking moves me to old behaviors. I think it’s true something I heard said In These Rooms that sometimes you have to leave behind what you were born into to become what God wants of you…”
I can relate to Misty’s Share. I was having a conversation with my life partner Lucy about family drama shit. She told me to remember “…revenge is a dish best served cold…” I told her I don’t have time for people who mean me no good. This ain’t the season for dealing with people I don’t and can’t trust. I have no bandwidth for backwards thinking or living up to other people’s expectations and that includes those of family. My focus is on maximizing my potential to get done what I can get done in this damn life before they put my black ass in the ground. I’m about living my best life and being my best version of me. That may look like family estrangement shit to some; that shit’s about Leaving Behind for me.
Step 3 of the Big Book In These Rooms states “…made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of a Higher Power as we understood this Power…”
I believe Leaving Behind is key to repurposing the shit of our past and walking in the Empowering Promises of Recovery.
“…What matters in life is not what happens to you, but what you remember and how you tell it…” –Gabriel Garcia Marquez
That means Leaving Behind in life the shit that don’t matter. That means leaving behind the people, places and things that don’t and can’t make a difference in our lives today and telling a different fucking story about what fucking does matter…
“…I come from a pretty close-knit family on the surface, Maan. That is the surface. I have learned the hard way family is one book that should not be judged by its cover. Family drama can be some of the most hurtful and painful drama. This fact is particularly true if and when money is involved…”
Sean Anderson
“…I wonder sometimes if the blame for my being sexually abused falls at the feet of the individual perpetrator or a family who set me up for it by instilling in me the pursuit of success at all costs. It’s said in the rooms of recovery that the reason our family can push our buttons is because they helped install them. Pretty Much…”
Yalie
“…People say blood is thicker than water. Not when them Negroes is tore up from the floor and don’t mean my black ass a bit of fucking good. Give my ass some water every day of the week and twice on Sunday when it comes to that family shit. Yea, you shall know and live the truth and the truth will help set your blackass free….”
Fr. Esteban
“…Adventures don’t begin until we get in the forest. That first step is an act of faith…”
Mickey Hart, Grateful Dead Drummer
The Empowering Promises of Recovery can be ours when we not only decide but act on Leaving Behind. Leaving Behind is taking the next step towards our true north. Leaving Behind is a process of learning how to trust in God in order to see a future that exceeds our dreams and only our Higher Power can purpose for us.
“…I didn’t get where I am today without learning the value and importance of Leaving Behind. I had to Leave Behind the family and friends of the community of my origins to pursue my academic dreams and aspirations. I have an advanced degree and an Ivy League Education today because I was willing and able to Leave Behind…”
The Professor
“…I learned the hard way, and have the scars to show for it, that people, places and things closest to me don’t always mean me good. It’s said that when the enemy comes for us, he always comes to us and at us thru those closest to us. Ain’t that the damn truth…”
X
“…Every story needs a Hero. The presence of a suitable antagonist can enrich the conflict. Unfortunately, sometimes the best antagonist to enrich the conflict and move us and our story forward come from those closest to us. Sometimes they mean us the most harm and do us the dirtiest. This shit hurts but it makes for one hell of damn good story…”
Hunter
Misty, you have the choice we all have. “…One does not discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time…” —Andre Gide
Get the fuck in the damn forest. That is the road less traveled. That is the uncharted course into your future. This choice requires Leaving Behind. To achieve all our Higher Power has purposed for us, we must Leave Behind that which is comfortable, convenient and custom for us. We don’t must. We have the choice to stay the fuck where we are. Leaving Behind is acknowledging the past but moving forward no matter what the fuck has gone down and despite who is or who ain’t the fuck onboard. Leaving Behind is pursuing even a glimpse of our true north. We have the choice, Misty. We can stay stuck on stupid and trapped in the familiar environs we have always known. Hunter above is right in this matter. Every story needs a hero. The hero is us from the future. The hero is us willing to go thru hell to reach our God-given potential and refusing to give up or fucking turn back. We have the choice. That’s it. Leaving Behind is a choice. It’s a powerful fucking choice. That choice is yours, Misty.
Read more about X, Yalie, Fr. Esteban, the Professor, Sean Anderson and Hunter and tell your story. Listen to Hunter’s Podcast. All on wreckedamerica.com. In Wrecked America, #TheLeavingBehindMatters
The Struggle Continues….
