Introduction

My name is Greg and I am an addict.
My name is Greg and I also call myself a Christian.

This is a blog about my own journey of recovery from addiction, but also one that will undoubtedly reflect my own interests in theology, philosophy, religion, existentialism, and so forth.  It is not a blog about the political divisions of our day, but instead one that turns inward into the human heart since, ultimately, I have become convinced that each individual human heart can contain a universe of good or evil, and almost all contain both in various proportions.  If you are a spiritual seeker or an addict in recovery or a nihilist or a depressive or an uncertain, half-believing, semi-agnostic Christian then this blog might benefit you.  For I have been in each of those places.  It might also interest those who are enduring the pain of a particular loss since I have experienced that as well this year.  Spectators of all kinds are welcome in this online, virtual meeting forum.

I don't know a lot about addiction, but I want to at least share in this first entry a list of thoughts and insights or short prayers -- almost all of which were given to me basically against my own will by other addicts who cared too much about me to let me die -- which have guided my own journey from addiction to sobriety.  Not all of these will work for each person, but maybe one or two of them will.  Not in order of importance:

• Progress, not perfection
• One day at a time
• "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."
• "Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner."
• Don't listen to the "itty bitty shitty committee" inside of your brain.
• Never underestimate the power of incremental change.
• Let love be your guide.
• Pray the Psalms.
• "Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us."
• Choose gratitude rather than resentment.
• Clean your own side of the street.

Over the next days I intend to write a bit on each of these and how such practices and thoughts have sustained me through my recovery process thus far.  I believe I have been given a "stay of execution," as one AA old-timer put it.