Northwoods Recovery

Editor’s Note: This is the latest in a series of columns on recovery in the Northwoods.

Okay, I’ll admit it.

Until very recently, my summer’s been a welcome season of retirement indolence, carelessly ruled by casual procrastination. Only a negative cash-flow situation finally —grudgingly — prompted me to seek the bare minimum of part-time employment. 

Even in a good recovery, bad fiscal planning will catch up with you.

Since appointing myself print media spokesperson for recovery in the Northwoods, I should have felt obliged to make appearances at two or three meetings a week, and blitz the many summer functions our local recovery culture offers. 

Seems too much like work. Apostasy? Probably. Meetings are critical to staying grounded in recovery. But this summer, rather than working my recovery, I’m letting my recovery do the work for me. Trying a more hands-off approach.

Taking time to stop and smell the roses, and feeling no guilt at all.

Recovery offers opportunities to do what we couldn’t while hobbled by addiction. Taking that a step further, I believe a good recovery carries the obligation to live our newly unfettered life to the fullest. Serving as sober role models, we owe at least that much to those who remain trapped in addiction. Openly, unabashedly pursuing the good life now, provides to them evidence a better way beckons.

Acquaintances are forgiven for assuming my life is fully occupied with recovery. One friend (bless her heart) once assured me staying sober should keep me busy enough, but this summer, recovery’s more saturnine aspects aren't my primary focus. The more pleasurable pursuits summertime sober living offers are, and those leave me room for little else. 

The artwork magneted to my refrigerator door  — courtesy of granddaughter Ruby — exemplifies my current holistic picture of recovery. Wildly colorful and eye-pleasing, her best efforts employ every crayon in the box.

In the final analysis, recovery is simply a means to a good end. A recovery lived well must evolve into more than just attending meetings and staving off relapse. Yes, those are vital to a personal recovery program, but so is recapturing those magical moments lost in addiction. Watching the grandkids splashing in Buck Lake, hearing loons greet another sunrise over Hodag Park; fending off a Northwoods evening chill with a backyard campfire. Relaxing with the simple joys neglected while pursuing substance abuse is living recovery the way I want it lived; a Northwoods way. 

The way that says to my Rhinelander community, when given the means, we do recover.

Do you think you may have a problem with alcohol? Alcoholics Anonymous can help. Call our Hotline at (715)360-4637 or visit our website at www.northwoodsaa.org for questions or to find a meeting in your area.