Failing Spectacularly is How Greatness is Born
I woke up and found recovery because I had failed spectacularly. I fell on my face so many times that I stopped counting. But I adjusted with each failure and learned not to make the same mistake, and when I did fail again, I readjusted and took more action.
[Sidebar]
“You don’t make mistakes. Mistakes make you.” ~ from the movie, The Last Word, starring Shirley MacLaine
Mistakes made me wiser, healthier, stronger, less fearful, and almost cost my life, but I never stopped believing I deserved better. I reached out to those who had what I wanted and needed. I asked for help and even discovered that my so-called mistakes sometimes ended up being the best decision for my spiritual evolution and recovery.
Failure was never my option, even when I didn’t believe it for myself, because I had friends who believed it for me. Today I have the wisdom to understand there is no life without risk, failure, and living without regret.
I rose out of the ashes like a phoenix. The old me died, and I woke up to my true innate self.
[Sidebar]
“It’s not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the person who is in the arena. Whose face is marred with dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly ... who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly ..." ~ Theodore Roosevelt
There were years when nothing seemed to change, even though I was working my ass off. Then there were times when remarkable changes happened all at once.
By doing the work, putting one foot in front of the other, our whole system reintegrates, reconnects, heals, and reassembles within our mind, body, and spirit. When you feel challenged, remember that there is usually a breakdown before every breakthrough. Don’t give up! Tomorrow could be the day all your hard work comes together, and BAM, the desire to use or drink or what was your addiction is lifted, and your dream of sobriety finally becomes a reality.