Get Help: 855-342-0869
Blog > Livin’ on a Prayer…and Spiritual Principles

Livin’ on a Prayer…and Spiritual Principles

Margaret Phillips
| June 15, 2016

There are a million variations of spiritual principles to live by, whether you follow a twelve step program of recovery, a religious-based practice, or Mother Nature. Regardless of how we come to understand them I firmly believe that applying the spiritual principles in our daily lives is essential–not just for those in recovery, but everyone wanting more fulfillment out of life. We are all guilty of getting caught up in the negativity that surrounds us at times. For me, having these principles embedded in my daily life helps me not stay in the negative. They help me get outside of myself and help others which I firmly believe is the key to my recovery.

So what are these 12 Spiritual Principles?

  1. Acceptance
  2. Faith
  3. Surrender & Trust
  4. Honesty
  5. Courage
  6. Willingness
  7. Humility
  8. Forgiveness
  9. Freedom
  10. Perseverance
  11. Patience
  12. Charity & Love

I’ll tell you a little about how I came to understand these principles, but know that these are personal to each person. There is no right or wrong way to understand, believe, or practice them. Do what works for you!

Before I get into the nuts and bolts I want to share a quote I came across very early in my attempts to get clean and sober. It was in a book I was reading at the time entitled The Spirituality of Imperfection. The quote read “Religion is for people who are afraid of going to hell. Spirituality is for those who have already been there.” by Native American author Vine Deloria Jr. who summed it up perfectly!! This quote really hit home for me because it came at a time when I was struggling with having a relationship with God as I had understood God growing up. My question was always, “how can He want anything to do with me after the things I’ve done?” Somehow I was making the spiritual part of recovery all about religion when it really wasn’t.

Acceptance. That is a hard one for anybody. Trying to accept the fact that I was an alcoholic and addict seemed to be an insurmountable task. Accepting this fact meant I’d have to do something about it. It also meant that I’d have to give them (the substances) up. That was an extremely terrifying thought because I had no idea how to live life clean and sober. At some point for all of us we reach that ultimate fork in the road– can’t live with it and can’t live without it. Choice is yours.

Faith in something other than yourself is essential, but it isn’t easy though. You don’t have to believe in the same God I do. Or believe in any god for that matter. Just believe in a power greater than yourself whatever you chose to call it. Can’t find something? Believe in the higher power that I have. Believe in the higher power of others you see walking the walk. Believe that if it works for them it can work for you, too. Then gradually you can define your faith and come to a believe in something of your own understanding. Food for thought– allowing drugs and alcohol to be that higher power kept me from any kind of faith and serenity for far too long.

Surrender & Trust. Now I’m starting to see a trend. Nothing worth doing comes easy. Recovery isn’t easy, but neither is life at times for anyone. At first, surrender to me meant giving up and I NEVER GIVE UP. After I quit creating my own definitions of words this concept started to sink in. Surrender to living a different way of life. Trust that someone else may have a better solution because I certainly didn’t know how to stay sober on my own. I had to surrender to my powerlessness and trust someone else. Huge step!! This, for me, was where the true healing began.

Honesty. I’m cash register honest. But, to be honest with myself? No way! Getting honest about my feelings, my shortcomings, who I was, and who I really wanted to be was a soul-finding moment. I had done soul-searching all my life, but only found my true soul when I got honest.

Courage comes in many forms. Anyone that can say I’ve overcome a fear has courage in my mind. Facing fears, big or small, takes courage so don’t sell yourself short. If pushed into a corner most of us will tap into courage we never knew we had. Having the courage to change meant I stepped out onto the ledge knowing wouldn’t fall.

Willingness. I was willing to do a lot of things to get what I needed to feed the addiction. Today willingness for me is about stepping out of my comfort zone. I’m willing to do whatever it takes so that I don’t go back to that old life regardless of how uncomfortable I may think it is.

Humility-– be humble. I try to never forget where I came from or what I went through to get here today. Keeping an attitude of gratitude helps me stay humble. These two just seem to work hand in hand. It’s not all about me nor is it about me being better than anyone else. In the end we are all spiritual beings having that human experience and I try to appreciate someone else’s journey.

Forgiveness. Now that’s a tough one. Please tell me I can skip this one. Nope! The act of forgiving is for us to heal not the other person. That means forgiving yourself as well. It’s hard to forgive others when you are still struggling with letting go of your own baggage. Forgive, turn it over, and move on. Sounds easy, but there are times when forgiveness is a process that doesn’t happen overnight. The difference today is that I’m honest, open, and willing to see that process through.

Freedom. Freedom from the bondage of self. I could get myself so tied up with resentment, guilt, shame, remorse, hate, etc. that not even Houdini could have gotten me out. What an awesome feeling to cut loose that baggage with a little forgiveness. There is a sense of relief that comes when we realize freedom from whatever binds us.

Perseverance is having that never give up attitude no matter the obstacle. Wait– that contradicts surrender doesn’t it? Not at all. I surrendered to the understanding that I have no clue how to live sober.  You can bet your butt I stuck with it until I got it right! Overcoming your own personal obstacles through determination provides a sense of accomplishment unmatched by many external ‘things’.

Patience. Not something I was born with or acquired easily. However by working the principles into my life every day I can see improvement. It’s about the journey and making forward progress. I can’t have 20 years of sobriety overnight or get all of the answers I think I deserve when I think I deserve them. Life doesn’t work that way. My shortcomings don’t get removed overnight either. I have to work through daily challenges just like anyone else. When I do that I get an “aha” moment that takes me to another level of clarity in my recovery. It’s like finding another clue on the treasure map of life.

Charity & Love. I’m of the philosophy that I should always give back what was so freely given to me. That is how I was taught by those who had the years of recovery that I didn’t. It may seem odd to some, but I feel more love by giving and helping others than from receiving. “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Mahatma Ghandi. Compassion and love for another human being still suffering with this disease is what’s needed most. It’s hard sometimes for those unfamiliar with addiction, or any kind of circumstance really, to see that showing compassion and offering love rather than judgement can make a difference.

The longer I remain in recovery, the more I have to lose if I forget to practice these principles every single day. They are essential for me to have serenity in my life today. I can complicate a two-piece puzzle with the best of them, but applying the principles helps me stay focused on what’s important while letting go of the rest. With serenity comes hope and the faith that no matter what happens to me– good, bad, or indifferent – I’m going to be OK. There is peace and serenity embedded in each of these principles. You don’t have to be spiritual or religious. Just live each day to be a better you than you were yesterday and the rest will take care of itself.

With Hope, Faith & Love,

Margaret

Heroes in Recovery is seeking to Break The Stigma of addiction. You can help!! Join the movement by:

  1. Sharing your story of hope to inspire others. You can do this directly on the Heroes website Share Your Story. Click the ‘share yours’ link. Tell them Margaret sent you.
  2. Contact Margaret directly ( margaret@heroesinrecovery.com ) and I can help you get your story out there to show the world that recovery is possible.
  3. Sign up for a Heroes 6K run/walk near you and join thousands of others supporting the movement.
  4. Share this blog, or others of interest to you, on social media (Twitter, Facebook, Google+)

 

1581 Stories