Thought For Today

Thursday, July 16, 2009

A Journey Worth Taking





This is an older poem I wrote for a dear friend of mine who was hitting their bottom. I am pleased to say that One Day at A Time, they've now celebrated 2 years of sobriety.




When I write I sometimes put myself in other's shoes.... I sometimes feel the pain and frustrations etc....And it comes out in my writing.... I find this allot and it ends up I switch from "I" to "you" or "you " to " I". I feel what the other person might feel and write down the emotions that they may be going through.


So here's another one for you , a friend, family member or just that person down the street....




We all know someone that has an addiction... One Day at a Time is what they say and Keep it Simple.... Let go and let God... All good words of advice with or without addictions...














A JOURNEY WORTH TAKING




Alcohol and drugs, Oh Boy we had fun!
I just wish I could remember all that I’ve done.




Me have a problem? Oh NO NOT I!
You watched what I used, unless you did spy




You couldn’t have found all my hiding places.
For I was smart and made you keep paces




I only use because of distress
Can’t you see all my troubles, my life is a mess




My life is complicated and you don’t understand
When I use I can cope, my life I command




My friends they drifted and I didn’t know why
I know now that they couldn’t watch me die




I was killing myself, I was in denial
How could you all put me on trial?




I’m in control is what I kept saying
Deep down inside I was secretly praying




My life had spun downward and out of control
My using and drinking could no longer console




My fears and beliefs all seemed to collide
I had to find someone in whom to confide




I talked to people “about someone I knew”
To test the waters, I asked only a few




Most of them knew I was talking about me
They mentioned AA and people to see




I still couldn’t face this disease that I had
I hadn’t hit bottom, I wasn’t “that bad”.




My family and friends gave me intervention
I sat, watched, and listened to all that was mentioned




I saw their concern and kind of agreed
I’d go talk to a councilor, at least that much I need




As soon as I went, my family did change
So I pretended my life to rearrange




But each time I went I silently knew
That what people had said was sad but true




My life was unmanageable, I was powerless
I still couldn’t stop, of this I confess




My bottom was close but I hadn’t yet hit
I still wanted control but had to submit




I’d picked up enough from my friends and family
And my councilor had said, from DT’s you can’t flee




Instead of that drink I always kept stashed
I picked up the phone and didn’t get smashed




On to my councilors and then to ER
Afraid as I was, I had come this far




I was were I needed to be at that time
My family and friends were waiting in line




I’ve reached my bottom, ready to start recovery
I can no longer think straight was all I could see




Into a program, now how did I get here?
No family, no friends, just me and my fear




The first days were hard and I wanted to leave
Then I remembered the past and had to believe




I was at my first step, admitting I was powerless
I honestly looked at my life, oh what a mess




I can’t do it alone. I must turn my life and my will
To a higher power and my new friend Bill




Bill W. and his steps, there are twelve
Instead of a drink, into them I must delve.




To learn how to live One Day at A Time
Keep It Simple, Turn it over, this is not a line




I’ve tools that I’m learning that help me to cope
Like cleaning out my life with water and soap




Taking care of myself, staying healthy and strong
I must change old habits and get rid of what’s wrong




There are temptations around all that I’ve known
Instead of a drink I can now pick up the phone




Help is so near I just have to give in
Quit holding back and let my new life begin




I can pick up the phone and call my sponsor
I need a meeting is what they concur




I listen and keep what I need, leaving the rest
For my friends in AA they are the best




They help keep me honest and learn not to hide
My feelings and problems deep down inside




For if I go back to my old way of life
I’ll only get back all my misery and strife




I’m still afraid for my family and friends
They won’t understand as I make my amends




But all I can do is keep doing my best
Let Go and Let God and He’ll do the rest




I wish family and friends could learn as I’ve learned
To A-lanon and Al-ateen that right they have earned.




To learn how to change and then how to cope
Co-dependent’s no fun but there’s always hope.




I learned I can’t change anyone but me
With tools they can learn, they’ll find their key




To forgive and to love without regret
For through all of this a new life I have met




I’m learning to live, be happy, have fun
For One Day at A Time, by life's just begun




I look in the mirror and like what I see
As living this program has set me free




The tools and the steps and friends that I make
Will help me survive for my life is at stake



I remember my past but on that I can’t dwell
For I no longer want to live that old hell




I can not go back to the life I once had
I must move forward and for that I am glad




If I get moody and start to offend
Remind me of AA for that’s my new friend




I must change to keep sober and straight
Each new day I do count and celebrate




I think back on my life and that first intervention
And now I can’t wait for my first AA convention




With help and humility I’m learning to cope
For instead of despair, I now have new HOPE.




Know as your reading, I wish you the best
Take what you need, and leave the rest.




Written with Love and Light and Hope
Nina P. 1/6/2006

7 comments:

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Beautiful Nina... We do all know someone with addictions. My addiction of choice is FOOD. I let food control me at times instead of controlling it... I guess we all have our 'vices'....

Great poem that you wrote. You should publish it.
Hugs,
Betsy

Beth Niquette said...

Dearest Nina,
You have been SUCH an encouragement to me and to my family. BLESS YOU. You are beloved.

Beth Niquette said...

Beautiful, insightful poetry.

((hugs))

Clytie said...

Ah Nina. You're right, we all know someone who is there, or should be there. And I say that with a deep conviction of "there but for the grace of God go I". Your poem is a wonderful inspiration you know. I only hope that the person in my life will reach that point.

Nina said...

Again Thank you everyone for your kind words.
From Smoking, to eating, to drugs and alcohol,etc... addictions touch us all in some way... The person written about here is doing well, One day at a Time... or as I sometimes told them, one moment one breath at a time... breath in breath out and reach a hand out to a friend and Up to a Higher power... Love and Light, Nina P

Caroline said...

This is beautiful. My Mom celebrated 35 years of sobriety. It was a difficult journey...but she is so happy today. It takes incredible strenght and courage to conquer this beast...

Life Potentials Network said...

This is such an insightful poem, Nina. You really captured it....
Blessings to you and your friend!
xo