The Sunday round up, 14th March 2010

Now what is it about the number one? Why is it so important in the grand scheme of things? We seem to crave some sort of oneness. When people get married they become one – which is a bit sci-fi if you think about it. There is one true god, one true faith, only one Alan Shearer. One love according to Bono and a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush (not if you’re a bird it isn’t).

There’s my way or the highway, only one top banana and we can’t both be first past the post (unless it’s a three-legged race). Single cream is better for you than double cream (OK, I made that up) but there often seems to be that need and desire for one answer, one definition, one way.

And maybe that is why the concept of Recovery can be challenging for some people. Instead of an answer, it gives us as many answers as there are questions. Instead of one path, it gives us a multiplicity of different routes. My Recovery is not your Recovery, is not his Recovery is not her’s.

Many of the blogs this week have been about these very individual journeys, and it is really interesting to look at how people describe their Recovery.

If it is good in the hood, it’s good for David – and a word from his sponsor, a pair of shades and a passing compliment helps him regain his Recovery swagger. Paveitwithgold is lovingly tending a Recovery garden and learning to wait patiently for flowers to bloom. Mark Holder’s Recovery is somehow solid and hard won, with the much needed blast of sea air to refresh his duracells.

Mark B’s journey is a (non-alcoholic) cocktail of serenity and fears which he is facing head on and (see Ann Marie’s blog for a version of the serenity prayer). Kane sees just how far he has come by looking back to the time he started searching for his “Recovery identity” – great phrase Kane! Louis straps on her rucksack, escapes from the animal house and climbs towards daylight while Tony joins Johnny Cash in walking the line and resisting the attractions of quick fix solutions.

And speaking of walking (so seamless it hurts!), why do it? Well because it gets you somewhere that’s why, and in this case it’s destination Recovery. Take a meander through So why walk? part one and part two for a quick march through the recent history of advocacy and numerous reasons why your boots are made for walkin’ (and that’s just what they’ll do, on September 25th 2010, they’re gonna walk through Glasgow too!).Poetry in motion – oh yes.

And while I am on UK Recovery Federation stuff, do reserve a place soon if you would like to attend the conference on 7th May, as it is nearly full. In the spirit of multiplicity – and hearing as many voices as possible – we may be able to organise further workshop-based conferences in other regions if there is a demand.

Choice – now there’s another thing that it not just one (unless you are a stable owner called Hobson) and for a little word (well in comparison to supercalafragilisticexpealidocius – spell check meltdown) it cause a great deal of peskiness about the place, and often on these very pages.

Had a look at a few definitions of choice and have settled on this one, ‘the right, power, or opportunity to choose’. Carl was spending last week looking for a suitable rehab for a friend. Now, according to the Lancashire service users meeting that Tony attended, this should be a proverbial walk in the park – except it isn’t. Ho hum.

And is how we feel a choice? Sue continues to try and work this out in choice 2, confusion and analysis paralysis.

Wynford suggests we have the choice to try and avoid knee jerk reactions and that taking a step back and having a good old guffaw at ourselves is not a bad way to get through some of life’s bad bits. He also notes that there’s a lot to be said for acceptance, particularly on a shitty day. Didn’t know that chief execs. of the Welsh Council were allowed to use the poo-word – we live and learn. Living and learning life’s lessons is what Matthew has been up to this week and I like his view that “ultimately, the person who seeks to solve each and every problem succeeds in solving none”.

So next week I will be limiting my sudoku habit, while keeping my knees still and laughing loudly. Sorry, couldn’t resist that.

On a more serious note I continue to feel honoured to be part of a community that offers so much support to others. Sue shows how important your comments are in a passing thought and also how the blogs you write can be uplifting at some of the most difficult and emotionally numbing times.

Those of you who have been part of the Wired In community for a while, will probably know what I’m going say next – but I am going to say it anyway, so there. Feedback is incredibly important when individuals have put themselves out there. Comments do not need to be incisive, witty or ground-breaking (I mean,just look at some of mine!). Great if they are and start a great debate, but there is so much value in honouring those who have taken the time to write, and it doesn’t cost much for you to say you dropped by.

So back to choice. Amazing how one choice can start a whole domino effect. I was particularly struck by the final sentence in Shell’s story, “From the minute I had my first line, my life had started to change for the worst….”

I have just watched The Matrix Reloaded which has left me somewhat bemused. Much as Paps is about some aspects of shared care. Splendidly wonders why following guidelines is an anathema to some and it’s worth having a look at Dave’s blog for something a bit different in the treatment field.

Jo is blowing away the cobwebs and looking forward to an exciting time ahead – as I hope we all are – change is happening right here, right now, resistance is futile.

A very happy Mother’s Day to all mother’s out there, and for those of you who will find today difficult our thoughts are very much with you. Linda reminds us how important it is to tell others how you feel about them – so….

And finally back to where I started – I think that this round up shows that there is true value in the diversity that Recovery offers. PeaPod’s blog, and the subsequent comments, underline the importance of a UK Recovery movement built on choice and mutual respect.

“Other people may be there to help us, teach us, guide us along our path, but the lesson to be learned is always ours.” (unknown).

Onwards and upwards (or sideways and diagonally if you prefer).

p.s. Don’t forget that Shed your tears and walk away is being screened at Hebden Bridge Picture House as part of Bradford International Film Festival on 28th March.

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