  |
|
|
|
Four Important Concepts for Recovery
2. We Can Turn Our Lives Over to a Power Greater Than Ourselves. 3. We Need to Change Both Our Attitude and Our Actions. 4. We Keep Recovery's Gifts by Sharing Them with Others. I borrowed these concepts from the Al Anon program, but they can apply to any recovery program. The first two concepts have to do with the first three steps of AA: that we are powerless over a situation, that a power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity, and that we became willing to turn our lives and our will over to the care of the Higher Power. Put more simply, I can't do it, my Higher Power can, I think I'll let him or her. We need to change both our attitudes and our actions, yes. But which do we change first? Some say if we change the way we think, our actions will follow. But others in recovery say, "Fake it till you make it." That means to me, to change my actions, whether my attitude is following suit. Eventually, if I change the way I behave, I'll begin to think differently about a situation. This method has worked for me in the past. I think it's much more difficult to change the way I think, even if I don't like it myself! But if I change my behavior, make it more like I'd ideally like it, I often find that the situation I have such an aversion to isn't so bad after all. Then it's easier for me to change not only my behavior for next time, but my attitude about the whole thing, as well! The fourth concept outlines the irony of this program. It's one of the few things in life that we can give away and not lose out ourselves. In fact, we gain by giving away. It's like the concept of surrendering to win. Some people just don't get that one. It's in those first two concepts outlined here. When I accept my powerlessness, I am set free. To cling to that person, place or thing makes it a nightmare that consumes me! Another way we can look at the steps is to break them down into concepts is this way: The first three steps: Give Up Aren't familiar with the steps or think they don't have any application to the real world? Try looking at them via the four concepts, or the "UP" slogan. Go To Page: 1 2
The copyright of the article Four Important Concepts for Recovery in Substance Abuse/Recovery is owned by . Permission to republish Four Important Concepts for Recovery in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
|
|
|
|
