I can remember coming into recovery and in the rooms people spoke about having reservations. It was a common theme to hear of “Squashing all reservations” and I had no idea what they meant. Even after learning what a reservation was, I still was not sure how to “squash” them. I mean- how can I not have alcohol at my own wedding? How could I sit by a campfire without drinks? How do you go fishing without smoking pot? These drugs did not bring me to my knees, why is it a problem? Now mind you, I was crawling into rehab and wanted to die, but now I am setting limitations to what I was willing to do to stay clean and sober. It was taught to me, a person who has reservations on their recovery is limiting themselves from the process. The “conditions” I put on my recovery was usually what I wanted, and not what I needed! So, I started to say something to myself that would make me smile every time I considered holding on to reservations and limiting my growth.
“what would you do for a Klondike bar!”
Saying this quickly stopped my racing thoughts, since it made me giggle, then I could remove myself enough to speak to my sponsor or network. The second it made me smile, I was able to pick up the phone, not a substance. The more I shared with people, it got better and people in the rooms had their own experiences that helped me, more than I could ever help myself. It was then, I understood how to “Squash the reservation” and I was going to do anything for that Klondike bar!
Skyler N