Getting High on Recovery

The most important moment in recovery is BEFORE you make a change.

___

The moments before you make a change are the most important ones. What do you think about this?

Before you decide to quit alcohol, or reduce your substance use, or cut back on your carbs, or on your use of the internet or iPhone, or commit to working on your obsessive thinking or your controlling behavior, or your excessive gloom… whatever it is for you, that moment is crucial.

The most important moment in change is just before we make the change. This may be a Zen moment because it is so profound. (It’s not my idea, it comes from William R. Miller, the founder of Motivational Interviewing).

Change can be life-saving, important and renewing. The actions that we take are just a part of the process.

It’s not just about the action.

Doing change is only part of the process.

Reflection, timing, having support, our environment and our emotions are each important players in our change.

So what does this mean for you and me?

Take your time, because a change made in haste may be a wasted change.

Think on it, stew on it for a while, think about your values and your goals. Make a plan and talk about it. And weigh out if right now is the right time for THIS change.

Don’t rush it. You will be doing yourself a favor.

Now some people will react to the words “take your time” and “don’t rush it,” saying “But I’ve already thought about this for 6 months.”

I agree.

Sounds like you are ready. And if your health is at risk, it looks like you may not have the time that you wish, but you have enough.

Before you make a change on a deep level, think about it. A change without reflection ends up being nothing but a surface change.

Governments conduct studies, take polls and do research for years  before they make a change. You and I can take some time and not feel pressured.

How do you know when you have waited long enough? I think if you are asking the question, you are ready.

It is true that action changes you. Action changes you because you are ready. And you are ready because you have taken the time to consider.

If you like this piece, you will also like What is Addiction and What it is Not? And Addiction: A Simple Path.

I write articles about wellness, leadership, parenting and personal growth. My hope is to deliver the best content I can to inspire, to inform and to entertain.

Sign up for my blog if you want to receive the latest and best of my writing.

Keep it Real

photo by Roxanne King