Writing all the Wrongs Sets Us Free

Nearly all of the best people I know are in recovery from something – trauma, addiction, mental illness, and/or a million forms of self destruction. Without exception, I find within each of us an incredible capacity for empathy and a talent we hide from the world. I urge folks to write, draw, paint, sing, and otherwise bare their soul to themselves, to another human being, and to a power greater than ourselves. It changes everything.

Create something powerful that tells your story. It’s both a form of rebellion and the key to transformation.

The bravest/most determined of us sometimes bring what we create out into the world in hopes that it will speak to others and open doors for them. We are connected – not only by our pain but by our shared struggles to become happy, joyous, and free.

Most aspects of recovery are counter intuitive. Too many of us continue to fight great battles within ourselves. It takes a lot to accept the adage: Surrender to Win. This concept is illustrated perfectly in the poem below. I wish I could give credit to the writer. She shared this with me anonymously and it’s way too good not to share:

My bully:
She mocks me
stalks me
haunts me
taunts me
beats me
cheats me.
She defeats me.
Every scar and every sin and every doubt and every scar
and every hole and every loss and every fall;
her arsenal.
Beaten, bleeding, broken, whore.
Beaten, bleeding, broken, whore.
Getting up is grounds for more,
So lay there broken on the floor.

My Savior:
He loves me
Treats me
Holds me
Feeds me
Heals me
Keeps me
He redeems me
Every lie and every sin and every doubt and every scar and every hole and every loss and every fall
He cleans them all.
Beaten, bleeding, broken, whore
Beaten, bleeding, broken whore
Surrendering all my control
He mends each break
Repairs my soul

My battle.
It chains me, drains me, steals me, finds me, stains me, binds me.
It defines me.
Every lie and every sin and every doubt and every scar and every hole and every loss
And every fall – release or wall
Beaten, bleeding, broken. Me.
Beaten, bleeding, broken. Me
Choosing what I want to be.
Worthy, new or lost, unseen.

To the amazing woman who dropped these powerful words in my mailbox:
You are worthy of a life second to none.

Jim LaPierre

About Jim LaPierre

Jim LaPierre LCSW CCS is the Executive Director of Higher Ground Services in Brewer, Maine. He is a Recovery Ally, mental health therapist and addictions counselor. He specializes in facilitating recovery (whether from addiction, trauma, depression, anxiety, or past abuse) overcome obstacles, and improve their quality of life. Jim is the cofounder of Sobernow.com an online addiction recovery program that is affordable and provides complete anonymity