. The President Of America, The Holy Pope, and some other guy! My Point Made…
Thanks to my good recovery pal *Dave J* who is always sending me funny stuff to use along with my recovery posts!
But I think you get the idea from the picture above. You can’t convince me that the ‘POPE’ really isn’t thinking that, but he puts on a brave face to make it look like he is enjoying this visit.
Well many times as I sit in a’ Gamblers Anonymous’ meeting, and I look around the room and see all these people with plastic ‘Smiles’ on their faces, when I know inside, some of these people in my meeting have just gambled away their rent money, mortgage payment, or even their whole PAYCHECK! But in our addiction, our diseased mind makes us put this ‘HAPPY MASK’ on to make it look like were just fine…
How many of you know what I’m talking about? We hide the turmoil and the rage we have going on inside us, the head spinning with all the ‘cycle’ garbage of hiding, lie, and sneaking of what we have done, the money spent and wasted because we where chasing our gambling loss, or some life disappointment came along and triggered us with anger that we used the excuse to go gamble to blow off some steam. Am I hitting close to home yet? We all have done it many times. But here’s the catch, “Your NOT Fooling Anybody”! WHY? Because like myself, those of us who have long-term recovery can pick up on that mask you’re wearing as soon as you open your mouth to share.
Those of us who made the commitment to turn our lives over to a power greater than ourselves, who took STEP ONE to heart as we admitted to ourselves and to another that ‘Gambling Addiction & Alcohol’ had us whooped, we then begin our journey with hard work, working the steps, going to meetings, meeting other recovering gamblers and alcoholics, sharing unity and fellowship within the ‘rooms’, getting a sponsor, and making a good, early in recovery Relapse Prevention Guide! We learned in treatment, rehab, or where ever you chose to go get your life back from addiction, and learned how to use tools and skills to become healthy and happy again. Free from the bonds of addiction.|
That’s how you just get started! We need to stay diligent, and not get complacent in our recovery. Because I can tell you, that ‘Happy Fake Mask’ is only going to work for you for a short time. People can see through it. Don’t wait until you get yourself in a crisis. Because when crisis hits? There is only one option, DEATH, and you are worth way more than that option!
We also have to learn to walk through all our fears of the unknown, as it’s OK to not know what will come tomorrow. As addicts we want everything ‘Right Now’, but I can tell you recovery won’t happen that way. Your going to really learn the meaning of having patients, and that’s where your Higher Power is going to be of most help to you. Your going to go through feelings and emotions that will come out of no where, and all kinds, but it’s OK. You need to do this in order to become stronger, not hide behind that damn mask anymore, and know it’s ok to have those up and down feelings. How long have you been escaping those hurts, pains, life disappointments, and using gambling, drinking, drugs until you feel nothing but blackness?
HOW LONG? Well, then it may take even longer to go through that wall of fear and unknown, but YOU will be better for it in the long run. So come on and take that dumb, funny, and ridiculous ‘ FAKE HAPPY MASK OFF, and go fight to get your life back from addiction! Your Worth It, You Deserve It, YOU GOT THIS! ODAAT…
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Happiness And Blessings,
Author, Catherine Townsend-Lyon
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0984478485
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