Thought for the Week

Timothy D. Stein, MFT, CSAT

May 29, 2017

“It’s not that I’m so smart, it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” –Albert Einstein

Wouldn’t it be nice if sobriety and recovery were simple?  If a successful response to every situation was obvious?  If the steps we take toward sobriety yielded immediate change?  Sadly, reality does not work like this.  Our job is to stick with the process as long as it takes.  We must continue to work the steps even when it feels like the same struggles are following us.  We must continue to be rigorously honest even when that means those around us (often those closest to us) become upset.  We must be patient and stick with the process of sobriety and recovery because there is no immediate solution.  The solution comes to us gradually, over time.

When have I focused on the quick solution?  Have the results been different when patience is exercised?  What gifts await me as I stay with the process of sobriety and recovery?