When you find yourself in times of trouble, just remember, let it be! I do quote a lot of Paul McCartney, many more times than John Lennon, though I love him too. That one is more McCartney Esque than a direct lift from the song. Some would say, let go, let God. Others might be apt to go with the flow or even not rock the boat. No matter what your metaphor is, just keep treading water…
Once upon a time, a swimmer found himself in the middle of an expansive ocean. Waves rose and fell around him, their rhythm relentless. At first, he tried to swim towards the shore he thought he could see on the horizon, but the currents pulled him back time and again. Exhausted, he began to tread water, desperate to keep his head above the surface.
In the stillness of treading water, he discovered something unexpected: space to think, to breathe, to stop fighting the waves. Though he wasn’t moving forward, he was no longer sinking—he had found a fragile but vital balance.
As the swimmer treaded water, he noticed small things he hadn’t seen in his frantic struggle before—a piece of driftwood floating nearby, a flock of birds guiding him towards calmer waters. Slowly, he realized that treading water wasn’t failure; it was survival. And survival gave him time. Time to regain strength. Time to rethink his path. Time to notice the tools around him.
Recovery, he learned, was like treading water. It wasn’t about sprinting toward the shore; it was about finding a way to stay afloat until clarity returned, until he could embrace the supports that appeared around him, until he could swim with purpose once again.
Over time, his arms grew stronger from treading water, his breaths deeper, his vision sharper. And then, when the moment was right, he reached for the driftwood, resting on it, no longer alone. Together, he and the driftwood moved toward a distant but reachable shore. Recovery was not about escaping the ocean entirely; it was about trusting in his ability to navigate its currents one deliberate stroke at a time.
- Stay Calm: Ride the Waves of Emotion
Analogy: Panic in a rip tide wastes energy. Similarly, stress can trigger addictive urges.
Action: Practice mindfulness, deep breathing, or grounding techniques (e.g., the 5-4-3-2-1 method). Acknowledge cravings without judgment—they’re like waves that pass.
- Don’t Fight Alone: Let Others Share the Current
Analogy: Struggling against the tide alone is exhausting.
Action: Lean on support systems—friends, family, therapists, or groups like NA/AA. Vulnerability isn’t weakness; it’s strategic.
- Swim Parallel: Redirect Your Energy
Analogy: Escape the rip tide by moving sideways.
Action: Shift routines or environments that enable addiction. Replace triggers with healthy habits (e.g., exercise, art, or volunteering). Small, consistent changes create new neural pathways.
- Conserve Energy: Prioritize Self-Care
Analogy: Float to rest when tired.
Action: Rest, nourish your body, and practice self-compassion. Recovery is marathon, not a sprint. Forgive setbacks—they’re part of the journey.
- Signal for Help: Wave Your Arms High
Analogy: Call for lifeguards or bystanders.
Action: Reach out openly. Use hotlines (e.g., SAMHSA’s 1-800-662-HELP), therapy, or peer support. Asking for help is a brave step, not a failure.
- Trust the Process: The Tide Always Eases
Analogy: Rip tides lose power farther from shore.
Action: Believe in incremental progress. Celebrate small wins—a day sober, a therapy session, a honest conversation. Healing isn’t linear, but persistence loosens addiction’s grip.
Bonus: If You’re Pulled Back In…
Relapse is like being caught again, but now you know the way out. Reflect, readjust, and restart. Each effort strengthens resilience.
As always… thank you for riding with me!
https://youtu.be/bxFjFZmQiWk
Visibility: Partly Cloudy
*GPS Coordinate Data Provided on bottom left corner with date and speed*
Destinations in West Virginia by appearance:
South Charleston
Dunbar (2:00)
Institute
Cross Lanes
Nitro
Charleston (1:05:00)
Malden
Rand
Dupont
Belle
Quincy (1:22:00)
Chelyan
Fields Creek
Hernshaw
Racine
Drawdy
Foster (2:35:00)
Julian
Alum Creek (3:00:00)
Listen while you ride: My Spotify Playlists
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5FI2WfzKqFIz5dD0BOA1iw?si=4f12084e12b247ec – Mix
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5IWoDtlir7k6eww0PNVdGh?si=dca253ebf4e94ac1 – Chill
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4TNiUuJHvogwtk7ZxWoOpl?si=d4594c2bf5ff4328 – Upbeat
