What I Learned From An Addict About Building A Meaningful Life

I’ve always had so much admiration for people who were doing what I perceived as amazing things with their lives.

I had one friend who was a mother of four and also a marathoner, and I thought she was so kick-ass. I wanted to be like her someday. Another friend of mine was a woman of what seemed like a dozen talents. She was a baker, a florist, a vocalist, a friend to what seemed like hundreds and was always hosting dozens of people at her house for elaborate meals.

meaningful-life
Photo Credit: player_pleasure, Creative Commons

Then there was my friend who wrote a book (something I had always wanted to do) and it turned out to be a really good book—good enough he could support himself with his writing alone.

In a way, I wanted to be like these friends, but I  also wasn’t sure that was possible.

Where did they come up with the strength and the talent to do the things they did? Where did they find the energy? I was just an average single girl with a simple 9-5 job and sometimes my life felt exhausting.

I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to add a bunch of books or marathons or children to it.

Then, I heard the serenity prayer.

Actually, I’m sure I had probably heard this prayer before, but until recently, I don’t know that I was paying much attention.

But now that I live in Nashville, every Wednesday morning I’m here, I make it a point to visit a place called Thistle Farms; a non-profit and social enterprise that employs women who have come out of addiction or prostitution. The women spend two years in The Magdeline House, getting clean from their addictions and getting their lives back on track.

Then, they can build their skills and earn a living making all natural soaps, candles and body products.

Members of the community who want to visit or volunteer are invited to their morning meditation on Wednesdays, after which, they always recite the serenity prayer. You may know the prayer: “God, give me the grace to accept the things that cannot be changed, the courage to change the things that can, and the wisdom to know the difference…”

They always end the prayer with this line: “Just for today…”

The idea is this: When it comes to creating a life of meaning, weather that means overcoming addiction, learning a new skill, growing a family, turning a relationship around, building character, finishing a project or something else entirely—it does take a ton of strength.

It takes more than we can probably muster or fathom.

But the prayer doesn’t ask for all the strength, all at once, to accomplish the task. The prayer only asks for enough strength to get through today.

And I thought that was really powerful.

In fact, it helped me to see how I wasn’t any different than my friends who I perceived as so awesomely successful. I could run a marathon if I wanted to. So I did. I had no idea what I was doing, but I printed a schedule off the internet, and just started running—one day at a time.

I could write a book, I realized. So I did.

It wasn’t as good as my friend’s book, but that’s okay. I didn’t need it to be. I just needed it to be the best book I had ever written, and the first of many more to come. I didn’t need all the strength in the world to do it. I just needed enough strength to get up early one morning, and start writing.

I’m not sure what a meaningful life looks like for you.

But whatever it is, don’t get stuck thinking you don’t have the strength to do it. Don’t get caught looking at the people around you, assuming they are stronger or more talented than you.

They aren’t. The only difference between them and you is they took the first step.

They focused on the strength they needed just for that day, and got started.

There is no reason to feel inadequate or overwhelmed. Focus on what I learned from the women at Thistle Farms (who are living some of the most meaningful lives I’ve ever seen).

God, give me strength: Just for today…

LET'S BE FRIENDS!

No, seriously, we can be friends...we can email back and forth and everything! :) 

Please enter your name.
Please enter a valid email address.
Something went wrong. Please check your entries and try again.
Posted in
mm

Allison Fallon

I write books. I help people write books. I believe a regular practice of writing can change your life.

18 thoughts on “What I Learned From An Addict About Building A Meaningful Life”

  1. Beautiful Ally, I heard about Thistle Farms for the first time at Storyline in October. So very cool. AND nothing beats one day at a time living. Several years into recovery, I learned that there were more lines to the Serenity Prayer. I like the whole thing…

    God, give me grace to accept with serenity
    the things that cannot be changed,
    Courage to change the things
    which should be changed,
    and the Wisdom to distinguish
    the one from the other.
    Living one day at a time,
    Enjoying one moment at a time,
    Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
    Taking, as Jesus did,
    This sinful world as it is,
    Not as I would have it,
    Trusting that You will make all things right,
    If I surrender to Your will,
    So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
    And supremely happy with You forever in the next.

  2. I love this. And for the record, your book freaking changed my life and is significantly shaping my choices and faith as a 22-year-old in transition. Thank you 🙂

  3. Hi Allison,

    That’s a great idea! I shall recite the serenity prayer everyday from now on.. And add just for today.

    By the way, I got your book “Packing Light” from story cartel and downloaded your book “the chase”. I love them! Keep on inspiring people.

    God Bless you even more!

    Divine

  4. Allison- I share your articles nearly daily. Yet again, I want to say- EVERYONE needs to read this. To my core, this impacted me, was exactly what I needed to hear, read, see, and know. Thank you for your boldness and vulnerability, God uses you in amazing ways.

  5. Today, I went to the beach with my kids. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She
    placed the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a
    hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never
    wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely off topic but I had to tell
    someone!

  6. I’m very pleased to discover this site. I need to to thank you for ones time
    for this particularly fantastic read!! I definitely loved every bit of it and i also have you book marked to see new stuff in your blog.

  7. Please let me know if you’re looking for a author for your site.
    You have some really great posts and I believe I would be a good asset.
    If you ever want to take some of the load off, I’d love to write some content for your
    blog in exchange for a link back to mine.
    Please blast me an email if interested. Cheers!

  8. First of all I would like to say excellent blog! I had a quick question in which I’d like to ask if you do not
    mind. I was interested to know how you center yourself and clear
    your mind before writing. I’ve had a tough time clearing
    my mind in getting my ideas out. I do take pleasure in writing but it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are
    usually wasted simply just trying to figure out how to begin.
    Any ideas or tips? Kudos!

  9. I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here.
    The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish.
    nonetheless, you command get got an shakiness over that
    you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again since
    exactly the same nearly very often inside case you
    shield this increase.

  10. Thanks a lot for sharing this with all people you actually recognize what you are talking approximately!
    Bookmarked. Please additionally seek advice from my
    website =). We may have a hyperlink alternate agreement between us

  11. You really make it seem so easy with your presentation however I in finding this
    matter to be really one thing which I feel I would never understand.
    It seems too complicated and extremely vast for me. I am looking forward
    in your next put up, I’ll attempt to get the dangle of it!

  12. DR EMU WHO HELP PEOPLE IN ANY TYPE OF LOTTERY NUMBERS
    It is a very hard situation when playing the lottery and never won, or keep winning low fund not up to 100 bucks, i have been a victim of such a tough life, the biggest fund i have ever won was 100 bucks, and i have been playing lottery for almost 12 years now, things suddenly change the moment i came across a secret online, a testimony of a spell caster called dr emu, who help people in any type of lottery numbers, i was not easily convinced, but i decided to give try, now i am a proud lottery winner with the help of dr emu, i won $1,000.0000.00 and i am making this known to every one out there who have been trying all day to win the lottery, believe me this is the only way to win the lottery.

    Contact him on email Emutemple@gmail.com
    What’s app +2347012841542

  13. Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but
    after browsing through a few of the posts I realized it’s new to me.
    Nonetheless, I’m certainly delighted I stumbled upon it and I’ll be bookmarking it and
    checking back often!

  14. EFFECTIVE LOVE SPELL TO GET EX HUSBAND/BOYFRIEND OR EX WIFE/GIRLFRIEND AND CURE HERPES AND INFERTILITY THAT WORKS WITHIN 24 HOURS. WIN LOTTERY POWERBALL/MEGAMILLIONS 100% GUARANTEED

    Contact Dr. Odunga at odungaspelltemple@gmail.com OR Whats App/CALL +2348167159012

    I got my ex husband back to me and also got fertile and gave birth to twin girls after 12 years of marriage.
    When I came online last year, I saw a testimony about Doctor ODUNGA and how he has been helping people with marriage issues and I decided to contact him. We spoke on email at odungaspelltemple@gmail.com and later he gave me his WhatsApp number which is +2348167159012. He assured me he would help me get my ex husband back after 3 years of no contact. Doctor Odunga is the best spell caster I must say. My husband called me after 24 hours of contact. The third day, I received natural herbs for fertility and after using it, I became fertile and conceived. I and my husband reconnected, had sex and I was pregnant. Presently I am happy to say I am the mother of twin girls and this is ALL THANKS TO DOCTOR ODUNGA. I came online to say this If you need help, I believe you are saved with this man.

    Contact his email at odungaspelltemple@gmail.com

    OR Whats App/Call +2348167159012 and you too will give a testimony too to help others

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

7 − 1 =

Scroll to Top

My new book is available for pre-order!

Discover the power of (finally) getting unstuck, claiming your clarity, and becoming the person whose life you want to live—all through a simple self-care practice you can build into your daily routine.