It’s not often that someone makes it a habit to expose their insecurities and vulnerabilities on a regular basis. Yet, here I am. I’ve baked that into my life’s mission – to help others understand that they are not alone, especially in their darkest days.
Still, I sometimes question if that’s right. Should I be putting myself and my story out there like I do? At times it seems egotistical, other times it feels outright embarrassing. I continue to do it because I believe that, as a result, at least one person will be served, at least one person might feel seen. And I’m always looking for a sign from above that I’m walking the right path.
So, I was on The Dopey podcast recently (a podcase on recovery) where I shared my story of recovery. At the end of every show, Dave, the host, shares a letter from one of his listeners. I wasn’t aware of this when we recorded my episode. Each chosen letter is picked at total random.
To give a bit of context, Dave’s co-host, Chris, passed away from an overdose and many of the letters that people send in are about the struggle with addiction. The letter that Dave randomly chose and read on air written by a gentleman named Nash. He wrote about the experience of losing his best friend, Ben, to addiction. Nash and Ben met at Transcend Recovery Community.
I can assure you that Ben’s death hit us all extremely hard. By all measures, he was happy and healthy. We could not have predicted his untimely passing.
Many will say that choosing Nashs’ letter was a coincidence. I say it’s a sign from above. A sign to keep sharing my vulnerabilities and insecurities. To reject a culture of isolation and secrecy. To remind others that it’s OK to express our feelings. That there people who will be there to listen without judgment. Because they’ve gone through it, too.
Pain is a feature of living. Our journeys can be quite painful, but there is always a lesson wrapped inside. The question is if are we paying attention to the lesson. I have found in my life that God has given me small taps on the shoulder to move me in the correct direction. It’s only when I don’t listen that the message gets louder and louder and usually more and more painful until I have no choice but to listen.
This week, I urge us to choose to pay close attention. To look for the signs and opportunities to push ourselves out of the comfort zone so that we can live the lives we were meant to.
Accountability, Love, Unconditional Love

Asher

Posted in Thought of the Week, Uncategorized