Our lives are made up of a series of moments. In sobriety, we are finally able to let go of the anxieties, despair, and internal conflicts that were always present in our lives during active addiction. We are finally able to “stop and smell the roses,” appreciating the simple moments in our lives that we would have otherwise missed. Famed writer and poet Kahlil Gibran said, “In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.” Although recovery is often a life-or-death mission, there will always be moments of true joy and laughter that we would never have been able to experience if we were still actively using drugs or drinking. These are the moments that inspire gratitude and serve to show us just how far we have come on our journey of recovery, and how much happier our lives have become when we are free from the chains of addiction and alcoholism. Taking the time to appreciate the present moment can be what we need to stay on track and recognize the gifts of sobriety. Dr. Cynthia Thalk, in a 2013 Huffington Post article entitled Appreciate the Moment, explains, “Appreciation is one of the simplest foods for the soul, but one that many people neglect. We get so wrapped up in things like work, school, relationships and social obligations that we often take the good things in life for granted. Appreciation is about recognizing the beauty around you and the significance and value of things, no matter how small they may be. It is about noticing scents, smells, sounds, sights and tastes and recognizing how valuable each moment of your life actually is. Once you take the time to appreciate the things around you, you begin to live a more satisfying existence, one that is richer, deeper and more meaningful.” The small and simple moments that we either ignored or did not experience during our time in addiction become more significant in sobriety. We come to recognize that happiness, joyousness, and freedom are possible at any given moment, so long as we don’t have the chains of addiction holding us back from the experience.
Your story can become one of hope, faith, and courage in sobriety. You can make the decision to seek help now and embark upon the rewarding journey of recovery. Oceanfront Recovery, a treatment facility in beautiful Laguna Beach, offers a modern, safe, and comfortable Residential Treatment program that allows clients to relearn how to function without substances in an environment free from and stressors or triggers. For information about Residential Treatment and other individualized treatment options, please call today: (877) 279-1777
