Un-Natural

Today’s Reflection

“Keep it simple.” This is a popular slogan in recovery.

Soon after achieving physical sobriety—whether willingly or not—thoughts typically began to swarm.

My mind was a mess when I was at this point. Thoughts darted from one wrong thing to the next, threatening to quiet down but never managing to.

I began to be told to keep it simple. This little statement held a lot of power and could be brought out in almost any circumstance so it’s no surprise it became one of the most memorable slogans.

I’m convinced that the mind of the addicted is bent in confusion through misdirection with the intent to rile me up in whatever way possible. It is self-focused at the very times we ought to be other-focused.

We hear mention of light burdens and rest and peace. And it’s hard to imagine.

This wall of mental resistance is the last bastion of letting go. We fear an uncertain free fall, but letting go is the means by which we enter the flow of God’s purpose for us.

It is in this process of letting go, of conceding that to hold on means to stunt our recovery, that we can begin to experience the lightness of dying to self.

The threat of returning to our addiction falls away as we take steps toward Him. But it is through concerted effort.

We do have a part to play. The practices of our faith and the tenants of recovery exist to walk us in tandem with our Creator.

God, help me keep things simple.

Tuesday Deep Dives into the Big Book of AA

My good friend John and I have begun a deep dive into and through the Big Book of AA.

We’ll release our conversations every Tuesday on the regular Progress and Perfection podcast feed which you can find wherever you get your podcasts.

We’re on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and all the major podcast players.