Are Destructive Habits a Problem?

It’s challenging to imagine another way of living when this life is all you know. The roots of addiction began well before that first drink or drug and the habits acquired to cope with stress have a well-worn groove in the body and mind that seems all-too-familiar.

Look at it From a Different Angle

The best way to escape the common trap of doing the same things that led to the latest cycle of addiction and pain is to envision a new perspective and a new way of living. Recovery is a creative process and the good news is that the more you use your creativity to imagine a new reality, the more creativity begins to flow. You can never run out. Your creative dreams for yourself are very important.

Be aware that your creative ideas will be tested by society. Others may squash, make fun of, resist, criticize or belittle your dreams. This is good. It means that your creative vision has been seen and heard. So when someone else who doesn’t share your vision says “dream on!” do that.  Keep envisioning what you really want and give it nourishment, energy and a safe place to land.

Honoring the Limits While Exploring the Possibilities

My favorite phrase from a Kripalu yoga retreat is “we are all fully human and fully divine.” My interpretation is that we all have human limits which require respect so that we avoid injuring ourselves, such as the tight hamstring that lets us know when we have reached that maximum level of safe stretch. Our brains, too can comprehend only so much at one time. On the other hand, we are all unlimited in our potential to stretch our imaginations and shift our beliefs based on new information or experiences, such as a spiritual awakening that changes our worldview.  Yet we continue to walk around in a body with a brain and personality that experiences stress.

 Untangle Yourself

When your inner critic puts out excuse after excuse, assign that critic a new job. Thank it for sharing and direct it to get busy building the foundation for the new creative perspective. Complete a tiny little forward step or micro-movement to keep the momentum going and avoid procrastination. For example, a micro-movement may be as simple as finding a note you scribbled last year about that vision you had for your self-care or a picture of yourself on that great hike with the smile on your face. Keep your recovery dream alive.

Our experiences working with thousands of clients over the years who are wanting recovery, have convinced us that the following steps can promote a creative long term recovery:

1. Believe transformation is possible for YOU. If not now, when? Begin by envisioning your best version of yourself. How will you walk, what words will you choose to speak, what clothes will you wear and how will it feel to breathe and move in your healthy body? What does your day entail? Where do you live and what is your livelihood? Write it down as though it is happening right now. Have fun with this, remembering that creativity is abundant and you are unlimited potential wrapped in a body.

2. See mistakes as stepping stones. Reframe mistakes as opportunities to stop, reassess and continue on in a new way with a deeper appreciation for the difficulties we all face and a resolve to learn from that experience.

3. Find the now, often. Pause and observe this breath right now. You are in the now, in your body and in your place of power to choose wisely. If we live only in our heads, we miss the vast internal landscape of wisdom inherent in the body and breath. That’s why so many spiritual practices help guide us to the present moment.

4. Recognize that everyone is fully human and fully divine. It’s worth repeating that as long as we live in a body, we will experience limitations such as sickness, injury and aging. Simultaneously, as long as we live in a body, we will also be capable of much more than we can fully comprehend. Our own potential to inquire within, receive insights, heal and recover well all happens within that same body. Both are true.

5. Love yourself and keep going. I heard Noah Levine, American Buddhist teacher and author of books such as Refuge Recovery, Dharma Punx and Against the Stream, say “Love yourself and keep going.” I think he meant really love yourself with all the flaws and limitations right there in your face and yet, keep going toward your best version of yourself.

Recovery is ongoing and requires a creative approach as we make new choices each day that build a life of purpose and meaningful connection!