How is acceptance a gift of recovery for me?

In March, 2021, I gave a talk at an online conference. I tried to follow this outline.

What is acceptance?  What is it not? 

• Not “giving up”
• Not saying “this is ok”
• Recognizing reality

How do I use acceptance?

• Not “crying against the night”
• Opening possibilities for change.
• Doing the “next right thing”
• Reduce expectations & resentments

Early acceptance: Step 1: Powerless over my loved one’s alcoholism.         

Recently: accepting my parents’ aging and illness.

Dementia: triggering because memory problems reminded me of the active drinking days.

Grief: losing the parents I had known for decades (all my life!)

Denial: it’s not that bad.

Actions:

• Wanting them to move into assisted living.
• OK, now what?
• Learning to enjoy the time I had with the people they were becoming.
• Photo albums & videos
• Caring for them physically

Feedback

How have you experienced the gift of acceptance? Please call us at 734-707-8795 or email feedback@therecovery.show with your questions or experience, strength and hope. Or just leave a comment right here.