Happy Recovery

Many people look at their past and condemn themselves for their mistakes. Those errors in judgment, behavior that hurt others, and the wrong decisions may be what consumes you now. Still, depending on how you view these experiences, these past stumbles could also be fertilizer necessary for new growth. Are you a risk taker? Will you allow your mistakes to define you? Or will you use your regrets as fertilizer for growth?

Unless people have an antisocial personality disorder, one of the hardest things we must do is to forgive ourselves.  I know it is true for me. A streak of perfectionism makes self-forgiveness even more challenging to accept.  

Stumbler’s Prayer

Praise to my Holy Father

for I have proven my humanity.

Fearing the judgment of others

I condemned myself …

failing in my quest for perfection

the oppressive weight of judgment

steadily pressing upon my soul.

And it was I who had denied

my own humanity.

Having now reclaimed my focus

I can once again

continue my search for Thee,

knowing I did not fall …

I only stumbled.

Beneath the moss-covered oaks tress of Manresa Retreat House for Men located on the Mississippi River, Stumbler’s Prayer was created. It represents a powerful lesson about self–forgiveness. Buddha said, “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” During many retreats, this has proven true for my self-discovery journey into recovery, and change.

Ahh, forgiveness, how sweet.