“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one’s courage.”

When we get stuck in the lifestyle of use, our world tends to shrink. As our use progresses, people, places and things take on less and less meaning, and we have a tendency to give up on things that get in the way of our use. Part of the job in recovery is to expand our worlds back out again- to be inclusive of healthy family and interpersonal relationships; to have a job and keep a job etc. To make the leap from shrinking to expansion takes courage, and it takes asking for help. Recognizing that you aren’t perfect, and knowing that you can’t do it on your own is a sign of strength and courage, not weakness. Today, I will reflect on how my world has shrunk as a result of my use, and I will identify one thing I can do to expand my world and do it. Today, I will find courage, and be encouraged by taking the steps to expand my life within this world.