Monday Thoughts 11.13.23

“Growth and comfort do not coexist.”

Ginni Rometty

“Allow yourself to be proud of yourself and all the progress you’ve made. Especially the progress no one else can see.”

Unknown

“Change is painful, but nothing is as painful as staying stuck somewhere you don’t belong.”
Mandy Hale

#8 The fundamental object of life is emotional and spiritual growth.

Daily I put my life into a proper order, knowing which are the priorities.

Sobriety and Statement #8 in action provide a portal for continuing growth. In our WFS Program booklet our founder, Jean Kirkpatrick, Ph.D. writes “Perhaps this could be two Statements, but it is my belief that with emotional growth, spiritual growth follows. We grow in mind and heart.”  But what exactly is growth in recovery all about anyway?

One of my favorite quotes about growth in recovery comes from an insightful and inspiring guest speaker from one of our past WFS Conferences “O.” She said, “Recovery is hard work, but it is also heart work.” This sentence feels like the basis of Statement #8 and alludes to the individual nature of growth in recovery. It is important, it is worthwhile, and essential for continuing recovery. It is heart work.

This week take yourself on an adventure; go on an exploration of –yourself. First, take a moment and see how far you have come. You are here, right now and are moving forward. Congratulate yourself on reaching this moment. What was the biggest hurdle that you overcame? How did you overcome the fear? Now that you’ve noted your strength, examine where you need to do the heart work to grow next. Remember it’s a process, growth ebbs and flows like the tides and is as individual as you are.

Hugzzz

Karen

Dear 4C Women,                        

When I think of my own emotional growth, it reminds me of becoming mature in my thinking. My immature thinking led me to believe that alcohol was the answer to coping with my life, my fears, my disappointments, rejection, feeling invisible and so much more. While alcohol did prevent me from “temporarily” experiencing those feelings, it also prevented me from a life I yearned for, that my heart ached for. Alcohol took away any ability to learn how to cope, and to change in a positive direction, keeping me living a fake, unfulfilling life. This Statement pushed me to do some very deep soul-searching for why I chose to keep myself a prisoner while I was holding the key to freedom right in my hand. I needed to find a way to put the key in the lock and open it so that I could spread my wings to the emotional and spiritual growth that WFS and sobriety offered.  

It’s been quite a journey and the soul searching, the desire to understand my needs and how to empower myself, has led me to the woman I am grateful to be today. The beauty of recovery is that the lessons continue, and the emotional and spiritual growth increases and changes as our lives do. I never thought I’d have to face the loss of my precious daughter and remain sober yet I have and it is due to the inside changes I have made over the years. It is not easy and most days I wake up in tears and cry at a moment’s notice, yet because I have done a lot of Statement #8 work, I am confident in my remaining sober to honor my daughter. WFS has taught me to accept my authentic feelings, and not be ashamed or apologize for the tears. It’s been such a relief to be myself and be accepted for the space I am in now. I hope my sharing of this encourages you to keep working on your emotional and spiritual growth. It is my strong foundation that I have relied on during my divorce, losing both my parents, moving many times, leaving a job I loved, taking care of and then losing my daughter, and maintaining my spiritual faith. It has given me the courage to express my feelings in these Monday Thoughts and to be a facilitator for so many years. I am grateful for the gift of my sobriety through the WFS 13 Statements for a New Life and the loving support I have received through all my life changes. I’ve thought a lot about what my daily priority is and in reflecting on Karen’s message about heart work, I will say it is to keep honoring my daughter, say I can to myself when I feel the thoughts start turning to, I don’t want to (that’s my immature thinking coming back) and be grateful I am still here and sober for my son and granddaughter who just celebrated her 27^th birthday without her mom. My heart work is being grateful for my sobriety and authentic in expressing my feelings. Please think about the questions Karen asked and share with those you feel safe with and most of all, keep working on what matters most to you. You are worth it!

Bonded in setting empowering priorities, loving yourself, and growing emotionally and spiritually through all life’s changes, Dee

🌟 Announcing the WFS Conference 2024: “Nourishing Our Roots” 🌟

Join us for a return to Pennsylvania for the 2024 in-person conference! We will provide opportunities for connection, learning, and personal growth! 

Date: June 21-23  
Location: DeSales University in Center Valley, Pennsylvania

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