Recently, I sat with a young man who has been in and out of Addiction Recovery Centers for over 15 years. He recently stepped off the streets of the Tenderloin in San Francisco and is two weeks sober.
In his story, I heard my own story reflected, and the story of so many impacted by the steam of losses accompanying substance abuse and mental health challenges. Rather than take a position of counselor, which I could have done, I consciously sat in the most open state I could manage and let him teach me about resilience and the continued fight to live a free life. And it is a fight! Not with right and wrong, or good or bad, but with conditions that will always tug on us to go in unwholesome directions.
During our time together, what guided me was a tremendous desire to acknowledge his goodness and the steps he’s taking to reclaim his life. The nearest word I can use to describe how I felt and what was present—is awe. Rather than sadness, despair, or pain, I felt a great tenderness, a pure connection, an expression of love beyond this individual, my own story and the wider world. Awe at what he carries, the loads we all carry.
What can we do to lighten the load for ourselves, one another and our communities? What do we do when the ground drops out from under us? When we begin talking to those around us with sincerity, we discover, this young man is not unusual. Everyone struggles, especially in the last five years of illness, wars and economic downfall
“What Do I Do Now?” Is a question seeking to be answered because it’s entirely relevant to our personal lives, our relationships with our loved ones and the health of our communities. Won’t you join me in taking the dive this September 12-17 at Samish Retreat Center to explore our retreat theme— “What Do I Do Now?” As a community we will take a deep and contemplative dive into this question. You are invited, honored, and held as we step into 5 days of exploration. REGISTRATION INFORMATION.
