Community: Recovery

Throughout my life I have been a part of quite a few different communities.Unfortunately not all of them were positive communities but for the most part I have gained a lot of knowledge in some kind of way by being involved in them. I am choosing to spare the details about past communities I've been in, but the one I am choosing to write about today is directly connected to my past. Today I am apart of the Recovery community. For those of you that don't know what I mean when I say that, it's the community of Drug and Alcohol Recovery. I partake in this community everyday, sometimes directly and sometimes indirectly. I've been apart of this community off and on for about 2 years. There are many different aspects to this particular community. Some days I go to Anonymous Support group meetings and interact on a closer level with people that have made similar decisions as myself in their lives, and are now trying to get help. Other days I am simply a part of this community by just choosing to stay sober each and everyday. The members of this community are people of all walks of life. There is no particular race, sex, or financial status criteria that one must meet in order to be a member of my community. There is a lot of inspiration, honesty, and struggle within in this community. It is in every state, every city, and ever community. Obviously I don't interact with every person in this community everyday, that would be impossible, but I do stay connected directly to the people that have become a support system in my life. I enjoy being a part of this community because it offers me a chance to meet with people that have been through similar struggles such as I. No matter what meeting I decide to go to, I always feel a since of belonging because I know the people that are in the room know me better than some people I've known for my life due to the fact that they also struggle with addiction and everything that comes a long with it. Our community is strong in numbers, and strong in spirit. The members are changing everyday and their are some that stay the same. There is nothing one must do to become a part of this community, other than share the same goal which is to live life as a clean and sober individual. I am thankful for my community and I am thankful for my past because the things that I've done in my past are the reason I am a part of such a loving, safe environment today.