Early in my recovery from substance use, I heard that I would have a spiritual awakening if I worked the Steps in my Twelve Step program. I was all over that idea.
Who wouldn't want a spiritual awakening? I got to work on those Steps almost immediately.
I'm happy to report that I have had more than my fair share of awakenings over the course of my recovery, some because of "working the Steps" and some as a result of doing other recovery work. The awakenings have all been different, and most of them have presented subtly but with profound impact.
One of the earliest awakenings came when I realized that I could be loved just for being me. Being accepted by other women in recovery was the catalyst for that awakening.
Still is. Some years later, my spirit was blown open again when I realized that I could forgive people for not loving me the way that I deserved and needed to be loved.