Wisdom Of The Rooms - 2024

[bluidkiti]

January 15

Quote of the Week

"Those who laugh—last."

I remember hearing the phrase “We are not a glum lot” when I was new in recovery. But I didn’t believe it. I mean, here I was sentenced to attend meetings, prohibited from partying, and forced to develop a faith in God. Things looked pretty glum to me. If it wasn’t for the laughter I heard in the rooms, I may not have stuck around.

At first, I couldn’t understand what they found so funny. People would share embarrassing, demoralizing, and even tragic experiences, and the room would burst into laughter. Some of the things they shared I wouldn’t even admit to myself. “I don’t get it,” I finally said to my sponsor. “Those who can laugh at themselves tend to last,” he told me. It took a while, but I sure did find that to be true.

One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned in recovery is not to take myself so seriously. Once I cleared away the wreckage of my past, I was free. Today, I allow myself to make mistakes, and if I step on someone’s toes, I’m quick to make amends. Because of this, my life is lighter today, and I find it easy to laugh at myself. This not only makes the journey more enjoyable, but it’s what’s made it last so long, too.