A life of peace, prosperity and abundance awaits each and every person that decides the time is now to give up old negative ways of being and develop a more positive outlook. Today is the day to begin again, even if by only small steps one at a time.
Understanding Presence
Sobriety challenges people with addiction to focus on a new strategy for life. Living with addiction seems to happen one day at a time but the onus is on getting high, finding the next fix or drink and achieving the ultimate thrill. Early recovery is about focusing on healing underlying scars which led to addiction in the first place. It can take time to move from the past into the present moment.
The past holds a lot of power for people with addiction. Trauma, neglect and pain seem to form the landscape of early recovery. Worrying about past misdeeds and revisiting poor choices can feel draining. The past may be unpleasant but it is already over, the present and future are yet to unfold, which can lead to anxiety about the uncertainty of the present moment. Moving forward takes courage to face the past, the present and the future with eyes on the goal of recovery.
Lessons from Recovery
Appreciation for all the gifts a person has been given can help a person feel more grounded in recovery. Doing something food for others can feel like a monumental shift from the selfish pursuit of addiction. Developing a habit of feeling joy in the present moment trains the brain to think about recovery in new and exciting ways, which transfers to all areas of a person’s life.
Mastery of the Present
Develop a daily habit of writing a ‘to do’ list in early recovery. The simple, yet profound, concept will help outline what needs to be accomplished in the next 24 hours. Looking at a blank slate, the day can unfold in many ways. With a list, the most important items can be completed and finally short and long term goals start to feel within reach. Just a few of the following items could be part of a daily ‘to do’ list:
- Start the day in meditation or prayer, which sets the tone for the day ahead
- Attend a 12-step meeting
- Find people in recovery to speak with that day. Connect to others who share experiences, thoughts and ideas who can provide support when things are tough
- Write down personal, family and work priorities to accomplish for the day
A daily ‘to do’ list is a great tool to practice presence. Elements of self-care are woven in with elements of caring for others (family, work responsibilities, etc) and help give fullness to a day that otherwise seems empty at the beginning of the day. Focus on having a positive mindset and letting the days unfold one at a time.
Hired Power helps people in recovery focus on what needs to happen one day at a time. Each moment is precious and we want to help you recover your life. Call us if you are struggling with addiction. We can help you get back on track.
