I recently I branched outside my comfort zone in a yoga/wellness community environment, openly discussing using one of my many self-healing tools, which happened to be alcohol / drinking. This topic can be very "taboo", and is ripe with external (and internal) judgment. I have learned that by embracing the tools we use to find betterment in our lives, without judgment of self, can further propel us into greener pastures of life, so to speak. We are programmed to believe that any form of addiction is unhealthy, toxic, will ruin your life, etc. Two main facts that resonate still today for me are:

1. Do not take the crutch away before you are ready. i.e. if you cannot yet stand on your own two feet, the crutch is there to support you for a reason. This "crutch" can come in many forms, and even though there may be judgment, one must find grace and acceptance within oneself, that if this is the most effective path to greater healing, trust in the Divine purpose of it (have Faith) that this will illuminate the path on your treacherous way. Do not feel shame or embarrassment, as sometimes one's path can look different from the rest, and we must come to terms internally with that fact. One mantra is "I love and accept myself."

2. If you ignore or abuse an addiction or habit and its purpose, it can grow into something that can control your life. Your shadow can grow larger as the light of the sunset dims. Whether it is continuing the bad habit, or eliminating it entirely, it is still controlling your life. Once we learn to balance the "good and the bad", which is really just our perspective of how we see things, we can control "it"; not the other way around.

Once we learn to love ourselves, which I feel is a lifelong journey of (sometimes extreme) highs and lows, we have the vast potential to live a loving and fulfilling life. Sometimes in a rough patch, the only love we have for ourselves is that 10 minute shower of peace; walking a pet; watching a bird humming over a flower; finalizing a bill payment or task that you have been putting off. Learn to take those minutes and feel peace that is always within, waiting to be discovered.