Contributor: Martin Jackson, MA, M.Ed., LADC/Owner & Founder of the Institute of Health & Healing Sciences, LLC., for South Florida Recovery Center
During this time of year, here in the United States and other parts of the world, many are celebrating various holiday festivities and events. This time, can often-times be looked upon as a time for displaying attitudes of gratitude for the many gifts given and/or received.
But for some, in the recovery community, this time is also known as the “Bermuda Triangle.” Presumably, this is due to the multitudes of feelings and behaviors experienced, allowing individuals and families to become susceptible to loss; by way of a family member, friend or loved-one ingesting alcoholic spirits or relapsing off of other mind/mood altering chemicals.
These encounters with loss, are frequently undergone during the triangle of Thanksgiving, Christmas and the New Years’ Holidays.
The Gift of Love
Just as it is critical for pilots or navigators to have a concrete plan for traveling through the mythical and exotic triangular area of the Atlantic Ocean where ships and planes have become loss, it is imperative for those in recovery to have a plan for these times.
A plan for these times rest within the greatest gift that can be given during this time – the gift of LOVE.
Rejoicing in Truth
As it has been written: If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing…Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres…Love never fails, (1 Corinthians 13).
Anonymous Program Meetings
How does this holiday plan of LOVE given in order to efficiently work? First, give LOVE to self, for we can only give away that which we have; and as it has been often stated in the rooms of the many anonymous program meetings, whose foundations are built upon the 24 spiritual principles known as the “12 Steps & 12 Traditions”.
We can only keep what we have, by giving it away! How often must we give this gift of LOVE? Just for today – One Day at a time.
Community Discussion – Share your thoughts here!
What ways have you found to give the gift of love to yourself and others during the holidays?
The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of addiction. These are not necessarily the views of Addiction Hope, but an effort to offer discussion of various issues by different concerned individuals.
Last Updated & Reviewed By: Jacquelyn Ekern, MS, LPC on December 13th, 2014
Published on AddictionHope.com