Many people reprimanded me for my lifestyle and offered solutions, but I chose not to listen. Consequently, it was my tendency to violently push people away, both verbally and physically, in an effort to safeguard my habits. I simply could not hear the truth until the message was delivered in just the right way. Another addict exactly like me said, “I have found freedom from your same struggle. If you do what I did, you too will have the freedom I’ve found!”
Looking for sober living in Hollywood, FL?
During 12 Step meetings, basic suggestions are offered. Daily meeting attendance in the beginning builds discipline, as it is recommended to arrive 15 minutes early and stay 15 minutes late. Another approach to convey this same message is to remind participants that a complete meeting is from opening prayer to closing prayer. For most of us, arriving in a timely manner to any event was a rare occurrence. Moreover, learning how to sit still for the duration of the meeting was quite the challenge.
Often heard is, “Attend 90 meetings in 90 days and if that sounds like too much, go to one meeting a day and the rest will take care of itself.” This is a wise proposal as it will probably take some time to focus on the readings and speakers in recovery meetings. Notwithstanding, when a commitment of ninety days is suggested, we may wince at the prospect of such a long-term obligation. One meeting a day seems more feasible. For me, I heard the same reading for approximately eighty days before it finally resonated with me.
The longest distance is from the head to the heart. Even though I knew intellectually that my habits were destructive, inwardly I did not believe that change was possible. My last “using” boyfriend had amazing insights, but his delivery immediately put everyone on the defensive. He was perceived as a know-it-all. The truth of his message never reached a heart because the mind first heard something negative. In order to change someone’s mind and the direction of their actions, we must first capture the attention of their spirit.
Find sober living in Hollywood, FL
Did you know?
The spirit feels something the mind cannot discern. We can “know” something intellectually, but it takes some internalizing to achieve an “inner knowing” that allows change to take place. “ … the root cause of addiction is spiritual – that God-shaped hole, that feeling of brokenness and alienation … “