As many of you probably know at this point, the American Southwest is experiencing a massive heatwave. Temperatures skyrocketing upwards of 115 degrees this past week in California and Arizona have been commonplace. The dry, bracingly hot wind that whips against your face as you step outside can be breathtaking. Even walking to the entrance of your local grocery store from your car can be fatigue inducing. It can quite literally be a miserable experience in every conceivable way.

So, it might seem odd that, upon awakening today, I thought to myself: I’d like to get out and do some exercise, go for a run.  As I laced my shoes up and stepped out my backdoor onto the pavement, radiating heat already, I briefly thought of my choice as odd too. As I set about the task, warming up, and hitting the road, I reminded myself why I make the choices I do, in this case regarding intense physical activity: the answer, quite simply is that it makes me feel good. It gets me outside of my comfort zone. It helps my mental health, wellness, and awareness, even though the process itself can be less than fun at times.

It draws an interesting analogue to the problems centered in our minds: sometimes the hardest choices, the most difficult and painful tasks we face are the most beneficial in our lives: as learning experiences, growth, and change.

I resisted change for years. Mired in my disease I remained determined to stay stuck in my comfortable ways: viewing the world through the hazy lens of a chemically altered state of mind. It was all I knew how to do. It was the only way I felt that I could deal with the harsh realities of my situation, and the terribly negative way in which I felt about myself, internally. Through my own making, I created a safe haven with drugs that I thought could carry me through my life forever. But as we all know – using illicit substances in a heavily consistent manner on a daily basis is not a sustainable lifestyle. Many people, unfortunately, meet their demise in pursuit of this very thing.

It came to a point where I knew that I’d have to step outside that comfort zone or succumb to the ultimate fate substance use disorder will always lead to. And by the grace of God, I was placed in a position where I was able to see the benefit of stepping out. Small steps at first, followed by ones larger still. Things like asking for help. Things like admitting myself to a facility where trained professionals could help. Things like acknowledging my self-pity, my selfishness, and becoming willing to learn how to ask God to relieve me of those character defects that dragged me down for so many years. Things like getting involved in community-based recovery groups such as 12-step; even when I didn’t want to. Like listening to what other people had to say for once in my life and taking their words and wisdom to heart.

It was tough! It was uncomfortable. It was an extreme challenge at times for me to get outside of myself and try something different. Just like taking a run in Arizona in the middle of a heatwave. It might sound extreme, but there were honestly times where it felt that difficult. There will most likely be times in your life where you feel like you’re up against something as intense as this example too – and it’s only natural that our inclination may be to back off, take the easier softer way, or even cower. But just as a diamond forms under extreme pressure and heat from carbon – so to do our personal hardships and challenges polish us into well-rounded, brave, helpful, resourceful, insightful, and successful individuals: Those who overcome.

Think of these things the next time the opportunity to step outside your comfort zone presents itself. Think of them when you find yourself in the middle of adversity. Getting sober was the most difficult thing I’ve ever walked through. It was painful on a daily basis. It rocked me to my core – but I wouldn’t trade my life today that was borne of it for all the riches in the world.

Sean – In Recovery

PS: I am by no means suggesting here that it is in any way, shape or form a good idea to run in the middle of the afternoon in Arizona during an excessive heat advisory. I am actually a crazy person. I simply mean to illustrate this concept, provide a metaphor if you will. If you do decide to take a run, make sure you take triple the amount of water and sports drinks that you would normally carry – wear long sleeve UV protective clothing and a hat – seek out shade whenever possible – and carry your cell in case of emergency. That or just go at nighttime. Or in October. Or move to someplace more reasonable.

Stay free my friends.

You can read, comment and ask questions for Sean to address in his blog on the PAL website, home page – www.Palgroup.org