Oft times we see the new year portrayed as a newborn child. Reflect for a moment on the wonder that a newborn instills in all of us. Think about the sense of hope and renewal that stirs within you when you see a newborn babe. Who isn’t moved by the site of a newborn resting peacefully within the arms of its loving parent?
Recovery is much like a newborn. As a newborn child is filled with wonder and amazement at the world around her, so too our newcomer is filled with hope and wonder at his new found way of life. As a newborn looks to its parents for nourishment, guidance and love, so too does our newcomer look to those already in recovery to teach and mold him into health.
The 12th Step of the program of Alcoholics Anonymous echoes this idea of rebirth. “Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps…”. Here the 12th Step seems to suggest that prior to recovery we were in a state of spiritual gestation. Or, as the 12&12 suggests on page 107, prior to recovery we were physically, morally, and spiritually bankrupt.
However, the 12th Step goes on to say, “we tried to carry this message to others and practice these principles in all of our affairs.”. “Carrying the message to others…” harkens back to this imagery of a parent providing love, guidance and nourishment to the newborn. It conjures up imagery of Father Time, glowing in hope passing the baton of recovery to a newcomer.
May your 2022 be filled with hope, renewal and rebirth. May you find peace and prosperity in this gift of a new year.
Kind Regards,
JD