Start the New Year by Giving Back

Start the New Year by Giving Back

“We rise by lifting others.” —Robert Ingersoll

 

If you’re traveling the journey to recovery, you don’t need to wait for the New Year to make the most important resolution: maintain sobriety. But since we can’t help but love traditions, this is a good time to take stock. What do you want to achieve in 2017?

One of the best ways to stay on track is by sharing your story with others. How far have you come? What struggles have you overcome? How has that helped you grow?

When you share your story with other people — either through one of the outpatient or alumni programs at Olalla Recovery or out in the community — you may be changing someone’s life without even knowing. For someone who is struggling with addiction, your story may be the story they need to hear to become sober.

As alumni, attending the monthly Birthday Meeting is your chance to give back in. Take what you’ve learned throughout your journey, and let others draw strength and inspiration from your experience.

If you can’t come to the meetings, send us a note that we can share with the Olalla Recovery community. We’ll post your testimonial on the board, and someone else just starting out will get to see it.

Have you ever thought, “If that person can do it, so can I”? That’s what it’s all about!

Sharing your story is your way to give back. If you’ve ever volunteered, you know how good that makes you feel — and this is no different.

But here’s a secret. The more you share with others how you became clean and sober and the more you talk about overcoming your struggles, the more you are reinforcing your own recovery journey.

By giving back, you are helping yourself as much as you are helping someone else. Isn’t that the perfect win-win for starting the new year on the right path?