Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Psalm‬ ‭100‬:‭3

I’ve often said I’m a quick learner. And I believe I am. But I’m also a very fast forgetter.

If I’m not actively using what I’ve just read and learned then it decays quickly.

I find that my ability to pick things up fast or on the fly is bred partly at least through the necessity of having to relearn things so often.

After reading a book, even a great one that I loved, it does not take long for the details to atrophy.

After barreling through a class or tutorial, I’ll forget the basics of the skills I just learned after a short time.

And yes, after getting sober, I forget the bitterness and despair of only a few days ago.

I must surround myself with recovery. I must insulate my life with the practices it encourages. I must feed myself the spiritual food needed for the relief that I seek. I must establish new habits, routines and practices.

There’s a lot to do, yes. But if we don’t grab hold of the truth of the situation and take strides toward God’s will, forgetting becomes not only easy, but likely.

To keep our head above water, we remember often where we came from. In remembering we turn to prayers of thanksgiving for a way out. And in prayer we seek also direction for the day ahead of us.

God, help me never forget and never go back.