Victim & the Blah's

A very important lesson in recovery is to remember at all times that all painful emotions have a life span. They pass. When your longing in triggered, or your passion, or your anger, or your sadness, or your anxiety, you can sometimes dissipate it with positive thinking and sometimes not.

Recovering people need to learn to sit with their feelings. Do nothing but the 11th step (prayer & meditation). Wait patiently and bravely for them to pass. While you are waiting be hopeful. Look at the light at the end of the tunnel, take care of yourself, find someone to help who is in worse shape than you (12th step work). This really works if you embrace a positive attitude.

Also while waiting write out a gratitude list. Put down everything you are grateful for in your life. Gratitude is an antidote for self-pity which we can easily slip in. This is another thing. Find the middle ground between self-pity and stoicism. That middle ground is "appropriate self concern." Feel your pain but don't get stuck there. Keep your head above water. Reach out for solace. Love yourself the way nobody else can except your Higher Power.