“Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”

– Life with Hope, first edition, page 5

When I first got clean and began working the Steps, I got stuck for quite awhile on the Second Step. Because I am an addict, because of actions I had taken in the past, the harm I had caused and my shame concerning those actions, I believed I was defective or broken in some way. I thought my insanity was how I had been created, that it was my basic nature.

Over time, I kept meditating on the words and meaning of the Second Step. I heard in a meeting one day that a key to this Step was the concept of restoration. I realized my healing as an addict was about restoration. I had not been created as a defective human, rather, I had experienced wounding and caused wounding in others. Indeed, the wounding I had caused others, also created wounding in myself. I was not broken or defective. I was wounded and had an opportunity for restorative healing.

My natural state is one of wholeness; within this wholeness is my healing potential. My Higher Power’s limitlessness can restore any insanity, wounding, or imbalance in me. The compassion and gentleness of the availability of restoration is a healing balm for me. Over time, I have returned again and again to the idea of restoration. This opens a space of compassion for myself. It helps me have compassion for others who may have been, or might be, currently acting out of their wounds.

Final thought: Today, as I embrace the idea of restoration, I begin a healing process that helps me and my community. We heal.