Letters of RECOVERY

There are so many words that come to my mind when I think about Recovery and what it means to me. How relieved I am, the empathy I feel for my peers and others, the challenges I’ve faced and have overcome, and how I can shout YES!! I shout this for the victory over my substance use disorder as I embark on my new life of real freedom.

In our toolbox recovery group, I am grateful for the privilege to be flexible with the curriculum and learning material we use in group. It allows me to be creative in my approach to equip the Individuals with tools to sustain them in their recovery. The challenge these past weeks in our toolbox group was, each day all were given a short list of words that started with each letter in the word recovery. They added words of their own as well. The first day was the letter R. The next day we did the letter E, until we had done each letter in the word ‘Recovery.” The session was named “The Letters of R-E-C-O-V-E-R-Y. The title is sort of a play on words.

Each day the challenge was for them to write the letters to themselves about what their recovery means to them, what they have gained from it and how they have developed in their recovery journey; and finally, how they plan to use it once completing treatment. I asked that they reach deep inside and allow their use of the letters from the words speak to the reader. Write what they feel. They were allowed to use as many or as few words from the list. What I wanted them to seek most is something they felt passionate about or if they chose to use just a few words, make a bold statement or say something heat-felt.

They loved it and most all of them welcomed the challenge and were so engaged, we decided to select a few participants who wanted to submit their letters to share with others.

Submitted by Yolanda James

Dear Ryan Morris,

Your visage thus far has consumed your spirit in a vicarious manner. Your perseverance lends itself to long-term victory. You have vehemently stood your spiritual ground. View your progressive battle as verily ongoing for your future existence. Do not be vexed by any hiccups along the way, vindicate your spirit of this vermin of a disease. Sometimes the journey is more valuable than the destination. You shall rise up as the valiant victor of this everlasting battle.

Yours truly,

You

Dear George,

The vices you’ve been using to get you by in life have been dangerous, uncontrolled and at time violent. I have a vision for you to become victorious, and to find value in your life. It is not that I want you to change those parts of you that are funny and vibrant, but I desire for you to find the vitality and zeal to ant to change. Today is the start of a voyage called recovery. As you visit different areas of your past that have given you a sense of being victimized, that you will become one who finds victory and joy. As you start this journey, don’t be afraid to vocalize what you are feeling, doing, or dreaming of; If you do these simple, but vital things victory will come.

Your friend,

George

Dear Life,

Just for today, I will honestly voice my addictions

Just for today, I will recognize that I am victorious over my life

Just for today, I will understand the vision of staying clean, happy, & free

Just for today, I will no longer allow my past to validate my future

Just for today, I will understand the true value of my life, love & peace.

Just for today, I will see the value of love around me

Just for today, I will have the victory over my mind & heart

Just for today, I will learn to fill empty voids with power and love

Just for today, I know I’m very understanding, caring and loving

Just for today, I will be visible to my pain and process it

Just for today; today is not like yesterday nor tomorrow,

so I must live in my today.

So, Larry, continue to love on you and process today with peace, love, and happiness. Please find the new you in the journey and don’t be scared to embrace it.

Love always,

Yourself - Larry D.