Life Line.
Over the last few years books have become some of my dearest companions. I’ve become quite the insomniac; reading helps me get out of my own head and sometimes lulls me back to sleep. Learning all I can about the disease of addiction has also eased the sting of emotions felt when realizing I am truly powerless over this disease, in myself and in other people.
I think the word powerless often gets misunderstood. Perhaps it makes people think they are weak, which can be hard to admit, especially for them fellas. From my perspective, it cracks open my ego and helps me understand that all life is pretty fragile at its core. I mean, look at how quickly storms ravage what humanity builds up. Look at how easy it’s become to overdose on narcotics...even those that are prescribed by professional doctors. Dismantling my ego allows me to become teachable and opens my eyes to a new way of living. For a long, long time I thought I had complete control of my life and my family’s lives. Of course to a fairly large degree, I do have control over my own life. God has given me free will to make hundreds of choices in each day. I’ve come to realize that without an incredibly loving, intelligent force guiding me, I can make some pretty terrible choices.
The stack of literature pictured below has played a tangible part in guiding me through day to day life, so I wanted to share it with anyone in need of some direction too. I’ve had to make a complete turn around in the way I live in order to recover from the disease of addiction. I begin each day with a prayer, then reading writings that feed my soul. This simple shift has profoundly re-wired my thoughts, daily mood, and life outlook. Don’t get me wrong, I still have dim days, especially this past year. The difference now is I have a life line to grab a hold of, even when a real life person isn’t there to help me through something.
Honestly, this massive life change wouldn’t have happened if Dominic didn’t experience all that he went through. Sometimes I think he was an under cover angel living out the transgressions of his ancestral lineage, showing us what we were too blind to see in ourselves. Was this mission assigned to him by God before his soul incarnated into a child in our family? Was part of his assignment to wake us all up, along with his circle of peers who may be in danger too? I can only speak for myself, but it’s noteworthy to mention that I’m witnessing a few other folks go through some positive, healthy, spiritual changes in their lives too since Dom’s front line battle with addiction and his passing. This reminds me of a scripture verse…
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.” -Romans 8:28
Back to the books. I like to keep a well rounded spectrum of literature in my personal library. I think it’s worthwhile to take in factual scientifically proven content, intimate experiential stories, and spiritual, thought provoking content. This helps me keep one foot here on the ground, and one foot in the higher realm. What I learn up there, I can then carry into daily life on earth. “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”. I recite that 2000+ year old prayer every morning.
I purchase a lot of books, and I’m gifted some too every now and then. For the purpose of this post, I’m only sharing some heavy hitters that have epically impacted my life for the good. Without further ado…feel free to check them out if you’re a literary junkie too.
And that’s all I have for today. If anyone out there has any book recs they’d like to share, please note them in the comments. Thanks for being here. <3
