All,

Last night at my face-to-face meeting, the leader read a passage from "Courage to Change" that spoke about the power of ES&H (Experience, Strength, and Hope). This reading held real power for me.  For so long, I've thought of my experience growing up in an alcoholic househould as overwhelmingly shameful. I've felt badly about myself, about the skills that I don't have, and the struggles that I continue to face in the aftermath of growing up with this disease.

Last night I realized that for sooo long I've thought of my experience as a liability and a handicap. Now, I'm beginning to see that out of that experience, I have something to share about recovery that could be meaningful. And that sharing, from a first-person perspective is powerful beyond measure. It allows me to own my own experience, which I've often found so tough to do, to come to terms with what has happened and its impact on me, and to share the light of hope with others.

I do not have to be perfect to be god's vessel. I can begin to see real beauty and strength in what I previously thought was just brokenness. I can honor my  own experience and I gain soooo much from hearing all of you do the same!

BlueCloud