The 12th step of Alcoholics Anonymous states: “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs”. As men and women who have experiences the joys of sobriety, we choose to share our experience, strength, and hope with those who still suffering, and act with a spirit of love and tolerance toward other throughout our day. Not only are we providing a necessary service by carrying the message of recovery, we are also helping ourselves progress in our own journey of recovery. Dr. Harold H. Bloomfield, in his book “Healing Anxiety with Herbs”, addresses the personal benefits of altruism, explaining “Medical research indicates that self-centered individuals have a greater risk of anxiety, depression, and even coronary artery disease. Self-involvement breeds fear, loneliness, and despair. Altruism, charity, generosity, service, and kindness contribute not only to a meaningful life but to a more satisfying, healthier, and perhaps longer one as well.” Helping others and living with a code of love and tolerance improves our own well-being. It allows us to get outside ourselves and reap the rewards of spreading positivity to everyone we encounter. Developing deep, caring relationships for others allows us to “pay forward” the emotional help and support that we receive from our own support systems. Therefore, we make ourselves available to those still suffering from active alcoholism and addiction. We show them what we have gained from our decision to embrace a sober way of life. Often, we find that we have gained a new sense of joy and usefulness from each altruistic encounter, allowing us to make positive forward strides on the road toward permanent sobriety. When we feel the familiar pull of selfishness, we try to remember that the happiness we want to attain does not come from solely helping ourselves, rather it comes from putting into practice our newfound sense of responsibility to help those around us. Mother Teresa once said, “I slept and I dreamed that life is all joy. I woke and I saw that life is all service. I served and I saw that service is joy.” Through our experiences as men and women engaged in recovery services, we have found this to be true.
When we embrace love and generosity, the story of our life takes on new meaning. Oceanfront Recovery, a treatment center dedicating to providing the best possible recovery services, has all the tools you need to begin the next great chapter in your life. Call today for more information: (877) 279-1777
