A life-changing condition forced this member to embrace self-care and God’s peace more fully, giving her more to offer others.

My journey through recovery has been a joy and a great challenge, because I have a number of medical conditions. I’d like to write from my heart about what positive sobriety looks like to me today.

I am accustomed to being around on WhatsApp for many hours. I was asked about this by an oldtimer whom I respect greatly. I’ve been chewing over her question ever since. One reason for my behavior has been the whole service and connection ethic.

When I read in AA literature that a kindly act once in a while isn’t enough, that I have to play the Good Samaritan day and night if need be, I translated that into answering questions and offering experience, strength, and hope as much as possible in the only medium available to me, which is WhatsApp. I really believed my life was positive sobriety. I have three years sobriety. I’ve been asked to speak at meetings. I’m being sponsored and sponsoring.

Then I got whacked between the eyes with the proverbial two-by-four. In addition to sleep disturbance, my Higher Power has given me a severe case of chronic tendonitis in my right arm. My medics ordered exercise and rest. Given that this is a permanent weakness, I have to overhaul my lifestyle.

This initially caused fear, resentment, and bargaining. This has led to my being forced to practice self-care and set up boundaries in communication, which will no doubt positively astonish my fantastic sponsor, who has tried to get me to do this for four years. This is exactly what the oldtimer meant back in the autumn.

My medical conditions are actually gifts from God, precipitating me into the Fourth Dimension: life-giving recovery and maximizing my health, and so my fulfillment and joy. Which in turn means that I have real experience to share, and this has to be good for me and for my sponsees and friends, and other fellows.

They said don’t leave before the miracle happens. It’s never failed me yet. I don’t think it ever will.