Many of us alcoholics and addicts are finding ourselves locked in quarantine with our families. This lockdown can contribute to many negative feelings as well as added stress, anxiety, and deeper depression. Despite all this, those of us in recovery must remember to stay grounded and connected to our sponsors and our higher power. During this quarantine, we must work harder than ever to practice acceptance in our daily lives, and not allow ourselves to get wrapped up in resentments.Â
How Acceptance Can Help
We have no control over anything that happens in our surroundings. Right now, that loss of control might feel like a lot more than it used to, with curfews and laws being regulated on when we can leave, what we need to wear, and how many groceries we can buy. Although we may feel powerless, we need to remember that we always have been powerless and that the only way to feel serene about all this is by practicing acceptance.Â
Page 417 of the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous states, “When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, thing, or situation – some fact of my life – unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing, or situation as being exactly the way it’s supposed to be at this moment.” By practicing acceptance, we can continue to live our lives in serenity despite the chaos around us.Â
Simple Ways to Practice Acceptance
Practicing acceptance is something that takes time and patience. It is not in our innate nature to accept something that we disagree with, or that makes us uncomfortable. Prior to getting sober, anyone or anything that made us feel afraid was our enemy, and instantly that person or thing had to leave our life. Upon learning a new way of living, we had to begin practicing acceptance. We’ve seen several different practices from different people that all made sense. Simple ways to practice acceptance include connecting spiritually, meditating, and taking time outs during arguments. Another way to practice acceptance is actively trying to focus on the positive in everything, including other people, places, and things.Â
Remaining in AcceptanceÂ
One of the key teachings of acceptance is letting go of the idea that we can change anything or anyone around us. We can’t make the quarantine end, just like we can’t change our families, or force our jobs to give us more hours. All we can do right now is stay connected and remain in conscious contact with our higher powers. While this might sound discouraging, we can work on being in acceptance and consider this time a gift to finish projects around the house, envision what we want our futures to look like, and deepen our relationships with our fellow alcoholic.
Remember that you are not alone, and it’s okay to seek support as we navigate these uncertain times. If you find that your acceptance practice isn’t enough to keep you grounded, there is always more help available. At Avalon Malibu, we are committed to creating a safe environment where our clients can learn and practice healthy coping skills to maintain long-term recovery. Call us today to learn more about what our program has to offer at (844) 857-5992.
