When we have gratitude, we’re afforded perspective. With that perspective comes appreciation, and with that appreciation, we are afforded peace of mind. It truly is a sort of miracle.

In my last column, titled “The journey into a new lifestyle is rough,” I spoke to you about the awkward, sometimes exhausting transition into the world of the recovery community. Those of us who have experience in chronic, active addiction will tell you that when we hit our respective bottoms, when that lifestyle had truly the best from us, and we found ourselves feeling utterly hopeless, literally any change was acceptable. Not only that, but nearly any change was welcomed and seen as a positive.

As we grow into our newfound shoes in the world of recovery, of course, there are going to be growing pains, but through every course of action, as action is our goal, rather than the common reactionary style of active addiction, we find ourselves walking taller, with confidence, and a clearer understanding of the path we follow. Whereas before, we spent most of our concentrating too hard on our painful pasts, obsessing at all times on how and what we could do to “apathize” ourselves, in an attempt at coping with our agonizing thoughts and feelings about a life we often viewed as unlivable.

For nearly a decade I have been telling my story to closed groups, thinking that anonymity was hanging in the balance, only to realize that by opening myself up and speaking out to a greater number could and I work toward positively influencing more lives. In the world of recovery, information on how to live is gold for those seek it and hope the tender that supplies us with our provisions.

I am grateful for the life I live. I express that in many ways, but most importantly, I wish to guide people who, like me, throughout my descent into heroin addiction, thinking there’s no hope, find their way to feeling like life is worth living again.

I know that nothing I say can fill the void where loved ones once lived, but please know that, as the son of a mom who tried to remain close to me, oftentimes despite her better judgment, that nothing she could or could not have done brought me out of the path in which addiction was taking me; it was something beyond our control and understanding. The most important thing to convey to any addict, ever, clean or using, is your love and reassurance that they matter, especially when they don not believe you, because it is in those final moments of each person’s life, in the thoughts and feelings felt from the love of others that fills our heads and hearts, and it is that that allows us the comfort and courage to cross over without fear.

Knowing we are loved is perhaps as close to heaven as we will ever get, but when it comes down to it, if that is all there is, maybe that’s enough. Still, we are all worth saving, and more so, worthy of a happy, healthy life. We just need to know that we can, be shown how to walk again, and realize that community support is available for us whenever we need it.

Namaste.