“Sounds like you are feeling better.”

Those were the words uttered by my sponsor when I called in despair over a financial predicament I was working through during a career transition.

I thought to myself, “This guy is crazy! Didn’t he hear what I just said about being so fearful and overwhelmed that I came home and cried after dropping my children off at school?”

Then he went on to explain. He said, “It’s normal. That is a blessing of recovery. You feel fear better. You feel anger better. And you’ll feel joy better too, when it comes.”

I realize how isolating it can be at times to experience my emotions fully. For someone who never wanted to swim there, the water is terrifying, especially if I am fully immersed in it. I feel as though I am trapped, alone, and I can lose hope and sight of reality. Although my emotional climate tries to convince me otherwise, I know that storms pass.