“As we grow in love and understanding, we gain an ability to reach out beyond ourselves.”

– Life with Hope, first edition, page 61

Responsibility always seemed like a tremendous burden to me when I was using, something heavy and arduous like discipline or commitment—both of which felt overwhelming. It wasn’t until I’d been clean for a few years that I began to cherish my “ability to respond” which means, for me now, the ability to show up (often on time!) and do what needs to be done. This includes the basics like: sleeping when I am tired, eating when I am hungry, and calling someone when I am lonely.

It also includes the more complex tasks of making and keeping good boundaries. I have learned that “response-ability” is about being present, dealing with what is here-and-now rather than anguishing over past mistakes or future tripping.

Final thought: Today, “response-ability” allows me to be a person of integrity: caring and compassionate for others while at the same time staying aligned with my own goals, needs and values.