In my work with people who have issues with substance abuse I've learned to expect a common illusion. This illusion interferes mightily with one's ability to move forward unemcumbered with the old 'habit'. That common illusion is that once one is 'clean and sober' life will be easy--in other words, bye, bye, problems. What really happens in ridding oneself of the substance abuse burden is an acknowledgement that life continues to present us with obstacles. A bonus that can come for people who persist and succeed in achieving their desired sobriety is a greater connection to an abundant universe.

Feeling abundant can be one of the direct consequences that grow out of learning to embrace adversity as opportunity. Here's some recent evidence from my own experience.

I promised I'd be more diligent in my blogging. In fact, my last words to you were "back soon. I promise." I hadn't intended that to mean it would be more than a week between blog entries! So what happened? Well, 3 situations that showed up on my radar as Big Problems.

Today I'll tell you about Big Problem Number 1:

Last blog entry was a Monday. Tuesday I woke up with a toothache & swollen gums and made a dental appointment for Wednesday. Two appointments later it was apparent Wednesday evening that my virgin tooth was soon going to be replaced by a gaping hole between two lower teeth. On Friday, in fact, like a beautiful specimen from the ancient old-growth rainforest it was to be sawn in two, gripped between the jaws of dental 'pliers', then ripped out of its half-century home in my jawbone, leaving behind--for all the world to see--the gaping space and black stitches. And on top of that.......... Pain!

"Abundant universe indeed!", I harrumphed. ........"but it is", said another 'me'.  And how was I to heal and thrive if not with a prosperous attitude? "What is the opportunity currently hiding in this adversity?" I asked myself. My healing depends on it. It was, fortunately for me, relatively easy to find. First, I would have new bone with a bone graft that if I hadn't been afraid of in the first place, wouldn't have left me with the present dilemma. Oh sigh........better late than never for awareness! Then, with the new bone I would have a strong jaw to carry a new 'tooth' that would fill up the gaping space, give me back a confident grin, and put an end to the ghastly look of a badly receeding gumline, terrible pain from recurring infections, and a sense of renewed resilience and a happy future with a healthy mouth. That helped. It was the beginning of an upward trend.

Then came Friday and the surgery itself. Owie! and I was Hungry. Soooooo I had a milkshake for dinner. Now abundance mentality really started to kick in big time. I was on a mission--determined to find the world's best ice-cream. In truth the next few days found me feeling really happy. I was managing adversity in three areas simultaneously--I'll tell you about the other two tomorrow--feeling empowered and happy. I was busily engaged savoring flavoring and somewhat nutritionally sustained--with every type of vanilla and french vanilla ice-cream and gelato that I could get my tongue around. Yum-Yum! My world is abundantly rich with ice-cream.

What opportunity can you find in your current adversity?

More tomorrow................I promise.