My Why | Angi Cooper

Finding and Remembering My Why

This story is from Angi Cooper, who works as Program Manager for Hope is Alive in Kansas City.

Recovery is a journey that requires more than just willpower—it requires purpose. For many in recovery, that purpose is what we call our “Why.” Our Why is the reason we choose this path every single day, despite the challenges and setbacks. Our Why is deeply personal, a reminder of what life in recovery can bring.

What “My Why” Means In Recovery

In recovery, having a Why goes beyond just wanting to live a sober life—it’s about understanding what we stand to gain or protect by staying on this path. Whether it’s family, personal growth, a career, or simply freedom from past struggles, having a reason gives us strength to keep moving forward. Our Why becomes our anchor, holding us steady when life gets turbulent.

My Personal Why

For over 30 years, I struggled in and out of addiction. I would build a life for myself, start doing well, and then tear it back down. This cycle of hope and despair continued until I finally chose to get the help I needed. It was only when I surrendered completely and stepped into my calling that things began to truly change.

For a long time, I felt a calling on my life—an inner knowing that I was made for something more. But instead of leaning into that calling, I ran from it. Facing the hard truths within myself felt overwhelming, so I avoided them. But through it all, God sustained me, even in my darkest days. He held me together, allowing me to reach this point where I can live fully and freely today. Now I am who God has called me to be

—living in his purpose, and not just for myself but also for those I love.

I have four children and eight grandchildren, each of them a reason for me to keep going. One of them, like me, struggles with addiction, and seeing them fight the same battle has made my Why so much clearer. I want to show them—and my other children—that change is possible, that there’s a way to break the cycle and reclaim a life that feels whole and fulfilling. My Why is to create a legacy of resilience, to be someone my kids can look up to and rely on, and to finally live up to the potential I once ran from.

Today, I share hope, Jesus, and my story every chance I get. I believe the heavens may look different if I don’t. My journey is no longer just about me; it’s about the lives I might touch and the hearts that might find healing through my story.

Challenges and Staying Connected to Your Why

Recovery isn’t a straight line, and there are days when it feels hard to stay the course. Sometimes the world seems to test my commitment! During those moments, reconnecting with my Why helps me to refocus. I remind myself why I started, why I fought so hard to get here, and what’s at stake. Each time I do, I feel a renewed sense of purpose and resilience.

So to everyone on this journey: remember, your Why doesn’t have to be monumental—it just has to be meaningful to you. Take time to reflect on what drives you and hold onto that reason tightly. In our toughest moments, it’s our Why that keeps us moving forward. I encourage you to find or revisit their Why—it’s the foundation that makes each step of this journey worthwhile.

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