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February 22, 2009
The Phoenix of Recovery
I used to think the Phoenix of ancient Greek lore was just a tale told around a roaring fire full of fantasy and whimsy. A story of a mythical bird with a tail of beautiful gold and red plumage and a life span of 500 to 1,000 years. Near the end of its time it builds a nest of myrrh twigs that it then ignites; both nest and bird burn fiercely and are reduced to ashes, from which a new, young phoenix or phoenix egg arises, reborn anew to live again. But today I know that it is true.
Recovering addicts and alcoholics know the tale of the Phoenix by heart, because it is our story, we have lived it....some of us more times than others. We build our lives around drugs and alcohol then destroy ourselves in a conflagration as we spiral down out of control, out of reason and out of hope.
But if we find recovery and follow those who have been down this path of recovery before us, we can rise from the ashes and be reborn.
February 22, 2009 at 06:00 AM in The Odyssey | Permalink
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Comments
To Mr. Manlove,
I recently began a position as a prevention specialist, which entails education and increased awareness of the negative consequences of drugs and alcohol, in addition to empowerment of choice, peer pressure refusal skills, healthy communication, and positive self esteem among middle school students. My lesson tomorrow is on marijuana. In an effort not to become "stumped" by a 7th grader, like I experienced last week, I came online to educate myself. I found David's story through my search and I just wanted to reach out and let you know how powerful his story is. I watched the gala 2005 clip and was moved to tears by your words. I am sorry for your loss, but am proud to be touched by your hardship. Please know that I will carry your story with me in my mission to prevent students from taking the same path as David. Thank you for allowing that to happen.
Sincerely,
Amanda Dubinsky
Posted by: Amanda Dubinsky | Mar 9, 2009 1:51:18 PM
