By Haley Kennedy, Recovery Coach – 2.12.2021 —

“Bravery is not the absence of fear but rather action in the face of it.” — Mark Messier

People mistakenly think that bravery and courage are the opposite of fear, which means fear is the equivalent of weakness… To be fearful is to be human. To be human is not weak, but authentic, acknowledging, accepting, and appreciating all that we are. Recovery breeds authenticity.

“I am learning every day to allow the space between where I am and where I want to be to inspire me and not terrify me.” — Tracee Ellis Ross

Bravery and courage help us confront, walk through, and overcome our fears, whatever they may be. They allow us to release our self-imposed limitations. We can remove the masks we wore, pursue our lost dreams, and accomplish any and everything we set our minds to. We may trip, stumble and fall at times, but recovery isn’t about perfection, it’s about progress. The trials and tribulations are our opportunities to learn and persist with courage, all the while expressing and truly loving ourselves.

“Courage does not always roar, sometimes it’s the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, I will try again tomorrow.” — Mary Anne Radmacher

Recovery seems like an unattainable dream for anyone caught up in active addiction. Living a life free from substances, coupled with other self-destructive behaviors or problematic mindsets, IS entirely possible. Making that first move, that very first move to acknowledge that we need help with a problem that has escalated far beyond control, takes courage. Asking for help takes courage. Walking into a treatment center, turning over our life, and focusing entirely on becoming well is an act of bravery. And if we find the courage to relentlessly pursue our recovery, our lives will infinitely grow.

“F-E-A-R: has two meanings: Forget Everything And Run OR Face Everything And Rise. The choice is yours.” — Zig Ziglar

Living in recovery means the ability to be fully present without mind-altering substances. There are few fears we face in life that compare to the disease of addiction. Recognizing and confronting the totality of chaos and destruction we caused in our lives can be horrifying. Though living with substance use disorder can leave us feeling weak, cowardly, and insecure, living through addiction and walking out on the other side fills us with strength, courage, and confidence. Having lived through some of the worst, recovery makes us brave individuals; we already know how it feels to look fear in the face and we are more than capable of walking through it.

“Choose the great adventure of being brave and afraid at the exact same time.” — Brené Brown

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