Thought for the Week

Timothy D. Stein, MFT, CSAT

September 25, 2017

“If his decision is correct, he will win the battle, even if it lasts longer than expected.  If his decision is wrong, he will be defeated and he will have to start all over again – only this time with more wisdom.” –Paulo Coelho

Progress not perfection is a common and well-known recovery saying because it expresses the truth that change happens over time as we learn from our mistakes.  To create change, we must try something new, whether that is following advice from others or following our own intuition.  If we give up on this new tactic too quickly, we may not give it a chance to produce results.  However, if we blindly and stubbornly hold onto this new tactic, we run the risk of defeat and then having “to start all over again.”  There is a balance between these two extremes and, in this balance, our recovery thrives.

Have I given up on new strategies for sobriety and recovery too easily?  Have I stuck to strategies for sobriety and recovery that consistently failed?  What gifts await me as I find balance between determination and acceptance?