For the past seven years of my life, recovery has been a constantly evolving experience. At first recovery was taking the day, minute by minute and praying that I wouldn't pick up a drink or a drug just for just that minute of that day. Then recovery slowly started to be meetings and working through the 12 steps and not having the cravings every minute but rather a fleeting thought a couple times a week. As the days added up to months, recovery became the satisfying thought that my family could sleep throughout the night and my sister wanted to spend time with me again. It became that I had real relationships with new and old friends and my family enjoyed my company once more. Recovery was the fact that my mom would pick up my phone calls and didn't have the catch in her voice when she heard my voice on the other end, like she was saying a silent prayer that it would be me and not a cop telling her that they'd found me overdosed. Now, at seven years sober, recovery is an active part of my life. It's showing up for my life and being an active participant. It's keeping my promises and helping others without the expectation of anything in return. Addiction is being lost, in the dark without navigation devices or a flashlight and recovery is the map, the compass, and the beckon of light to get you home safe.