Addiction and Atonement: Insights from Psychic Shira

Bright Greetings,

Welcome to my new and returning readers. It is a joy to connect with you! Thank you for subscribing and sharing!

Today's topic from Spirit is atonement.

Atonement in religious terms is coming back into alignment with God. The definition you and I are connecting with is reparation. In my work as an Ordained Reverend and as a seasoned psychic, I have worked with hundreds of clients that go from severe alcoholism/drug abuse or having a trail of destructive relationships in their lives to the desire to atone for their previous lifestyle. In some cases, they spend the rest of their lives seeking atonement and absolution, as if the past can be rewritten and the harm they caused reversed.

All too often, the behavior goes from one extreme to the other, and they lose themselves again as they strive to make up for their lack of care or empathy.

Atonement and absolution must start with you!

You must forgive yourself. You must let go of who you were, embracing your new and evolving self. You must make peace with yourself first. No amount of volunteer work, charitable donations, or philanthropy will change you unless you are willing to face yourself squarely.

You did learn more about yourself in addiction than you know! Be courageous; you will find your path and discover what you want in this life. It starts by facing your reflection; what do you see? Take a long hard look at who you are. Give yourself permission to feel whatever emotion rises to the surface.

There are no steps forward until you have done a fair and honest assessment of yourself.

One of my dearest friends, let's call her Joan (she has given her permission to share this with you), was both an alcoholic and drug addict for over ten years. She was using both when she became pregnant at 16 and after she had her baby. The baby had medical issues that needed to be addressed, so they were taken from her by CPS at the hospital. She had to go before a judge in family court to fight to get her child back.

The father had beaten, abused, and abandoned her when he found out she was pregnant. She was homeless for most of her pregnancy, with her family finally taking her in with the stipulation that she was clean and sober. Joan went through the mandated counseling while having a supervised visitation with her child. She did this for four long years.

At the end of it, she was clean and sober, regaining custody of her child with monthly home visits. In her journey to sobriety, she enrolled in a drug and alcohol counseling program, determined to assist others from a peer perspective. She completed her bachelor's and recently acquired her master's degree.

Joan had to face herself first, assess where she was in her life, and repair herself body, mind, and Spirit. She went through counseling, attended (still does!) AA meetings, and has cultivated spiritual practices (meditation, tai chi, yoga), to be in better alignment with her best self. She changed her friend list to only those living in sobriety.

Joan made amends with those she had hurt, some of them distancing themselves permanently and others welcoming the new Joan and offering forgiveness. Joan actively worked on the relationship with her child and making peace that she contributed to his drug abuse and recidivism.

She is now happily married to a wonderful man who supports, listens, and cherishes her as well as her grown child. Her adult child is still serving time, but they are sober and receiving counseling through an in-house facility. They will emerge a new person this spring. Joan has kept close contact with them and seen the alchemy of love in action. Joan freely shares this story with groups of high schoolers, encouraging them to act responsibly to have a successful future.

The impact that she had in her 20-year career as a drug and alcohol rehab counselor has been remarkable. She has influenced thousands of people to change the direction of their lives. The feedback is given to her years after her presentations are heart-warming and genuinely poignant.

But she had to forgive and offer atonement to herself first. She had to see the chaos that drugs and alcohol were bringing into her life first. She had to have her moment of painful reality first. Joan had to learn to love and respect herself first. Only then was Joan able to open others to immense and positive change.

Dear ones, Spirit asks that you take to heart and know that the path ahead (IF you do the work) holds a brighter and happier you.

Stepping into Divine Flow and personal authenticity and freely and fully feeling your life is the most significant high of all. I see the beauty and brightness of your soul; I am excited and honored to be part of your path!

If you and I only connect through the written word, it is my sincere prayer that you would find the love, support, and encouragement that you need to take bold steps.

Your objective?: To thrive as the love alchemist you are born to be.

I love you, and I believe in you.

In Divine Truth and Love,

Psychic Shira 

Shira can be reached at extension 1093 at Meet Your Psychic.