THE HEZEKIAH MOVEMENT

LIVING RECOVERY

Often we speak of recovery as primarily a matter of working a program. While there is much truth to this, especially in the early days of recover, it is far from an adequate description of what recovry from addiction is all about. The fact is if recovery is real, it is a dynamic process of restoring and renewing life. But even this does not reveal a through understanding of what recovery is all about. For recovery is to allow one to live life as never before-with an excitement unlike any experienced previously, an enthusiassm not felt before, an eagerness not thought of in earlier days, an energy not had in that old way of living. Recovery really is about seeking to come fully alive in body, mind, and spirit. It is about deep and profound transformation so as to seek, to find, and to grasp the magnificent array of possibilities that life offers each of us every day.

True recovery brings an excitement and enthusiasm to life. Such is now possible because the senses are no longer dulled and the mind is no longer darkened. So it is that we can smell the sweet fragrance of a flower and behold the beauty of a star filled sky. Experiences like these-so simple, yet profound-can make our hearts beat faster with excitement as enlivened senses tell us of God's work. Even greater excitement awaits us as the journey of enlivened senses tell us of God's work. Even greater excitement awaits us as the journey of recovery turns into an adventure that leads us to the wonder of true love in a relationship and to more and more of the splendor of creation. As our senses grow sharper so too do our minds grow brighter. With enthusiasm, then, we can live each day with an ever increasing understanding of where we are in life and where we are going. We can look at our lives and our futures with the enthusiasm that now says - with minds clear and bright - that our gifts are real and many, and the opportunitites are right here, right now. More inortant that that, with the enthusiasm of this adventure, now we can choose to use our gifts as we embrace the opportunities.

But this is still only part of the story. With the excitement of senses coming alive and the enthusiasm of brightened minds, we now can and do embrace life with eagerness and energy. This is the eagerness born of a desire to take those newly discovered possibilities and make them a real part of life. This is the energy so locked away in the lost life of addiction. The key has been found to set that energy free. Now it is being used to join with the eagerness of new life to let amazing hings happen in a day to day unfolding of dreams come true. With that old way of life now far in the jpast, recovery beckons us to eagerly welcome each new day as one filled with possibilities. No longer people avoiding life, now we can and do run with eagerness toward visions of hope. No more counted among those just wandering through life, we now are among those energized by life and bringing energy to life. Thus it is that each day new things are happening to fill our lives with deepening growth. In this way energy no longer dissipates as in the wasteland of old, but rather renews itself in the life producing new world of recovery.

Excitement, enthusiasm, eagerness, and energy-all these now are the marks of wonderful new life of recovery. They are yours this day and everyday as each day you surrender and let God do for you what you could not do for yourself. Living this way - one day at a time- every one of those days is but a new beginning. What a life! Let it be our life! How? Do what is so simple-turn your will and life over to the care of your God. In so doing, embrace this life of excitement, enthusiasm, eagerness, and energy. Make each eay a day of discovery; make each day a day for growing.

Having worked a program of recovery well, now live a life of recovery even better!

Fr. Joe McDonough, S.T.

It is with much joy and gratitude that the Hezekiah Movement celebrates the return of summer! The past months have been a time of many blessing for us. Most important, was the opening of our first Island of Hope. It is through your great generosity and support that this has happened and now more and more people are getting help in their efforts to be free from addiction. We are most thankful to you for all the help you have given. Your help in the past has been so important for us to get this far.

Besides the blessing of our new Island of Hope, we have experienced a growth in the Hezekiah Movement retreats. These retreats are providing wonderful spiritual experiences for so many in recovery who have never had such oportunities before. In addiction, more men and women are joining in with us throughout the week for prayer and meditation and they are finding suupport and encouragement as they go forward in their new life of recovery from addiction. Again all this is possible because of your care and generosity.

Your help means so much to so many. I pray that you will be filled with Easter joy. May this Summer be a time of freedom, peace, hope and new life.

In Gratitude and Peace.

Fr. Joe