power and choices

We attended a lecture last evening that focused on developmental stages. The presenter made the point that we have no choice about the fact that we proceed from infancy, to adulthood, to what he called elder status. Ongoing development is the reality of our lives. He also made the point that when we reach elder status our American culture does not do a good job of honoring that stage. Culture and we,as individuals, try to hold on to adulthood. His point was that again, we, as individuals need to accept the inevitability of that development and enjoy and honor the stage of elder status.

During the question and answer session one man asked,"When do you know it's time to accept that you have moved into the elder status?"
The presenter responded, "When you say to yourself, 'I don't have to do that anymore.' "
We don't have power over whether we move in to elder status but we do have choices how we enjoy and honor that stage.

This response reminded me of the power and choices we have in recovery. Yes, recovery is very very hard, but when we finally "get" that we "don't have to do this anymore," we really begin to move into recovery. We begin to realize the drug is powerful but we are not powerless over our choices and decisions. "We don't have to do that anymore."

We always have choices. Do we ask God daily to lead us in those choices?

Blessings-Penny