“We are all unique examples of how this program works, each of us with our distinct gifts to share. We take these steps for ourselves, not by ourselves. Others have gone before; others will follow. We recover.”

– Life with Hope, first edition, page 69

There is no one way to work the program. There is no perfect recovery, no gleaming example of how to be the best fellow on earth. All one must do to be a part of our program is to not use, come to meetings, and take the Steps in one’s own open, honest, and willing way. These are the lights that shine in our meetings; the ones that are just doing their absolute best with exactly what they have. Some days, that means crying through an entire speaker’s share. Sometimes that means hitting a milestone with a grin. Sometimes that means being angry at our HP for being an addict in the first place. Sometimes, it’s just showing up to the room in person or on Zoom, and melting in every word spoken, sitting in gratitude. We were unique in our addiction, and unique in the ways we experience our program, and every single day we get to recover just as we are, together.

Final thought: Today, I remember that the way I work the program is the way I’m meant to. One day at a time, one tear at a time, one mistake and inventory at a time. Today, I remember that I recover. Always.