This year my Steelers have been kind of all over the place. We were in the cat bird’s seat for the playoffs, then faltered against one of the worst teams in the league. Last night, in a winner goes on and loser goes home final game of the season we missed a great chance to win, then handed a certain victory to our arch rivals. They returned the favor and missed a fairly pedestrian field goal at the last second which gave us the win. Anything can happen. As they say, that’s why they play the games.

I was ready to give up. I had given up hope in my mind, knowing that this kick would be fairly easy for their kicker. But I kept reminding myself that our kicker had just missed an easier kick; his first miss of that kind in over two years! Anything can happen.

Recovery can feel like an uphill battle. It can feel like all the hope we had went down the drain with that last sip of booze. It can feel like there is just no possible way for us to keep on the course we have chosen. And then a kick goes wide and you’re in the playoffs! That’s why we play the games. That’s why we go to the meetings. That’s why we work our steps. That’s why we don’t give up, even if the fat lady is singing. It’s our recovery. I read the end of the book, and we win! You might need to catch your breath, but then you can…

–Rise Up!!