You don’t need to go! When it comes to the holiday season get-togethers, just be careful. If you are in Early Recovery, it is not always wise to attend these functions, but I understand the pressure is high.

Maybe you missed a few of these while you were all fucked-up; maybe you just want to show everyone that you are sober and doing better; or you’re just feeling the pressure to attend out of tradition. “How would it look if you didn’t participate,” right?

Although it can be a big factor, it’s not entirely about whether or not your drug of choice might be there, but I do explain that concept in depth in my blog titled Drug-use is a Relationship, detailing a different take on why you don’t want to be around it before solidifying the healing state of truth and genuine authenticity.

Nevertheless, there are often just as many masks being used during the Holiday season as Halloween. Not to mention, unspoken resentments.

First, masking and resentment can blanket the space of celebrations with an inauthentic vibe, which is undesirable to be within while you are working in your own light. A big part of Early Recovery is finding or bringing forth your True Self.  Authenticity is like fuel for your inner fire. It doesn’t require much effort when you’re grounded in it. But masking or trying to present yourself to the world in a way other than who, how, or what you are requires a lot of energy. Energy they, or maybe you, don’t have.

These are subtle energies.  And someone who is deficient will automatically suck it out of someone else. They don’t know they are doing it, but it happens anyways. It gets shared as much as the food at the table.

Most often while someone is in early recovery, their light is small, easily blown out with the breath of a whisper.  But even if it is big, it’s most likely unprotected, and others can “accidentally” consume it.

The bottom line is, the protection of this inner light is the main goal when it comes to healing, because it’s where true healing comes from. And if entering certain places, or being around certain people jeopardizes it, you might need to find a different way to celebrate. AND THAT IS OKAY! The opinion of others is of little concern to you right now. Let them think what they want. It’s irrelevant to what is best for you, right now.

I am most definitely NOT saying that you need to isolate. There are plenty of other festivities to attend. But I am saying that your energy is most likely vulnerable, an open source for those who lack light and resort to vampirism to get it.

This type of thing can happen in any family, or with any family member. And it will catch you off guard. This is much easier to prevent than it is to rectify. Kind of like how a company will make super easy to pay a bill but trying to get that money back if you get overcharged is much more difficult.

The transaction can happen with something as simple as a hug, a handshake, an offer of a drink when they know you’re sober, an off remark about your past, or simply the frequency of the Atmosphere.

Sometimes the best way to protect your flame is to not bring it out into a winter storm.