When reforming one’s life, whether making amends for past mistakes or just turning over a new leaf, those two letters “RE” often come into play. Change for the better is good, especially when those retributions are under your own control. In the fight against addiction, some turns are mandated for us, even if we don’t agree with them at that time. After your rebuke from the judge, probation, jail, treatment all serve to put us on a new life path. At these reversals of fortune, the character traits that best serve us are humility, mindfulness, patience and surrender. A Zen master might say, all things work out if you let them, so relax.

This last “year off” in jail and the half-way house has blessed me with ample time to read and reflect on where I’ve been and where I’m headed. Suddenly it remained to be seen how often in this journey those two letters come into play. So let’s recap and report in thusly.

When you’re out there playing, drinking, using, whatever, you’re taking a recess from an otherwise ‘normal’ life. Once you mess up, likely you’ll end up in restraints and remanded to incarceration, where, if you’re lucky, sometimes there’s time allotted for recreation. Just don’t over-react or you’ll face retribution.

Being sentenced offers the opportunity to return to outside society, but if money was involved you may have to reimburse people you hurt or make reparations. If you have any kind of conscience, certainly you should feel remorse and regret.

So now you’re in active recovery, and reflecting on how you got here. If you experience a faith revival, perhaps you’ve prayed for redemption and a chance to repent. But always remember, you’re never far away from a relapse.

Here’s a friendly reminder; when you re-direct and repurpose your life, you’ll be truly amazed by the remarkable rewards, restored by the newfound respect that revolves around you.

“…Be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove that what is good, and acceptable and the perfect will of God.” ~ Romans 12:2

“When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory.” ~ Proverbs 28:12

REally.