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January 7th – Me? A Derelict?
“A few of us were derelicts. In spite of all this, we still had difficulty admitting that we could no longer manage our own lives!”
– Life with Hope, second edition, page 3
The first few times I read Step One, I would see the term “derelict” and an image would pop into my mind of an unkempt, bearded vagrant, reeking of booze, cigarettes, and weed, eyes heavy from years of self-sabotage. I would confidently think “that wasn’t me.” One day though, I explored the definition of “derelict.” Indeed, a person without belongings, or a home, or job, could be described as such, but “derelict” also describes something that has been neglected, misused, or left behind. Had I not done that to myself?
Years of marijuana use led me to neglect my soul, misuse my body (and lungs!), and leave behind goals and dreams that I was fully capable of achieving. I then realized that this seemingly far-fetched term actually defined my addiction!
Final thought: Today, I am no longer a derelict. I respect myself, my body, and my life—nourish it instead of neglect it, harness it instead of misuse it, and reclaim it instead of leaving it behind.
Living Every Day with Hope – Copyright © 2025 Marijuana Anonymous World Services. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced by any means without the written permission of the publisher. Marijuana Anonymous groups have been granted limited permission to quote Living Every Day with Hope.
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