I have always disliked the term, “New Normal.”
What does that even mean? Not sure I had an old normal. I’m still trying to figure out what “Normal” means—
In our recovery program, we always say, “Normal is a setting on a washing machine.”
This pandemic-mode we’re in reminds me so much of early sobriety, when I was trying to figure out new ways of being that worked without drinking—except now, everyone is doing it with me (without the “trying not to drink” part.)
We are navigating new ways of having meetings, getting together and staying apart, right? Zoom meetings are the new format where we see our fellow recovery friends and support each other. Now, I think I see more people than before in LIVE, in-person meetings, because people who have moved away can join us on Zoom, too. So there’s a positive, right?
Not a fan of the mask.
Not because of the rule itself, but, because I find it hard to breathe with it on. It’s a functional issue. But, if we get creative, we can make it another accent piece of clothing. I also don’t like it because we don’t see the person’s smile. Now, we have to determine the person’s attitude by eyes.
Also, there’s the hiding factor with a mask. I am trying NOT to hide anymore or live in my secrets! Addiction is shrouded in secrecy and lies. I have to shift my attitude to thinking about this mask thing as not hiding, but protection—for you, and for me.
Shifted.
New.
Normal—For now.
There is also a term in our recovery program that we call people who can drink with impunity—Normies.
I guess I might have to steal that term now. I can’t drink at all anymore, let alone with
impunity, but this new way of being is my—
New Norm-ie.
My new self.
We can do this—
Together, and, a little apart.
“Can anyone hide out in a corner where I can’t see him?”
God’s Decree.
“Am I not present everywhere, whether seen or unseen?”
God’s Decree.”
Jeremiah 23:24 (The Message)
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