Positive Paperwork

I enjoyed another day of as I head into the marathon which meant there wasn’t a need to go to the gym this morning. Instead I had to take a drive to a very familiar place so I could pick up my “permission slip” in order to travel to the marathon. Yes, I still need permission to leave the state; however; unlike my first attempt to travel this was very easy. I had to marvel as to how far I have come over the past year. Early on I was hoping to travel to New Jersey for my daughter’s communion which didn’t happen; however; I was allowed to travel to New Jersey in order to drive back here to California with my family. After that everything seemed to change for the better and today my meeting was very pleasurable.

I was able to obtain the necessary paperwork to travel to Phoenix this weekend and the interaction was remarkable. I was told that I am approaching the one year mark of my parole and all has gone very well. This was very good because my discharge will be forthcoming since there hasn’t been any “drama” with me. This is exactly how I envisioned everything to go and it truly is amazing how incredible my life has become all because of recovery. I may have gotten off to a rocky start but as usual everything has worked out as it should which is again for the very best.

I had to marvel as I saw the word “outstanding” on the travel pass and this was meant in the positive manner as opposed to the negative. I have seen my share of “official” paperwork over the past few years and none of it has contained a positive description until today. I take this to be a good sign and a sign that life in recovery is the only way to proceed. Without a life in recovery none of this exists and living with a positive purpose certainly changes life for the better. This was a very good morning.

As I sat in the very familiar office I just watched many people filter into and out of the office. It is strange how my brain does conveniently forget the past. I did forget that there was a different language while I served my sentence and I was reintroduced to this language as I waited in the office. It didn’t take long but I did remember and had to smile. The world is made up of all types of people and I realize in the past I would have turned up my big nose at certain types of people but I have learned to only take inventory of myself and not others.

I drove back to the office with the paperwork in hand knowing I can now officially head off to Phoenix for the marathon this weekend. Yes, I drove back to the office and lately I am spending more time in the office as my responsibilities continue to grow. I do enjoy the diversity of my job and today was no exception. My responsibilities range from marketing to development to administrative and everything in between. I am learning a great deal about this business and really it is a business that operates just like most other businesses. Thankfully one of the advantages of this business is helping people rebuild their lives. Unfortunately not everyone is successful in rebuilding their lives but the people who do makes it all worthwhile.