“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” -Nelson Mandela
Men are quick to think that bravery and courage are the opposite of fear and that fear is a sign of weakness. Society puts a lot of pressure on men to be strong, brave, and courageous, but only defines these attributes as opposite to fear, which is seen as weakness. To be fearful is to be human. To be human is not to be weak, but to be authentic. Authenticity is a major goal of recovery.
Bravery and courage help men confront and walk through their fears, whatever their fears may be. Life is able to be lived without limitations. Learning to confront the limitations of the self and walk bravely through them is the start of a life lived courageously.
Walt Disney: “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.”
Sobriety can feel like a far off dream for men who are struggling at the bottom of their addiction. Living a life free of drug and alcohol addiction, along with the many problematic behaviors and mindsets which come with addiction, is entirely possible. Making that first move, that very first move in admitting to yourself that you need help with a problem which has stemmed far beyond your control, takes courage. Asking for help takes courage. Walking into a treatment center, turning over your life for a few months, and focusing entirely on becoming well is an act of bravery. If you have the courage to relentlessly pursue sobriety, your life will infinitely grow.
Eleanor Roosevelt: “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’”
Living in recovery means living in the present moment fully without the distraction or delusion of mind-altering chemicals. Few things fears in life are as horrifically faced than that of addiction. Confronting and realizing the totality of what addiction causes in your life can be horrifying. Though living with addiction can leave men feeling weak, cowardly, and insecure, living through addiction and walking out the other side is strength, courage, and confidence. Having lived through some of the worst, recovery makes you a brave individual. Any challenges life throws your way, you already know how it feels to look fear in the face and remember how capable you are of walking through it.
You have more strength when you realize in the moment you are considering reaching out for help to overcome an addiction. Don’t lose that momentum. Call Tree House Recovery today for information on our men’s treatment programs in Portland, Oregon. There is freedom from addiction. Let us show you: (503) 850-2474