When people seek help they are generally in some type of crisis and, more than anything, just want that problem to go away. Depending on the severity of the current crisis, he or she will do just about anything. At this point, recovery is easy.
But what happens in three months? Three weeks? Or sometimes even overnight? The pain lessens. The crisis subsides. Suddenly that commitment to “go to any lengths” starts to wane. And there is a return to the same old behavior.
This pattern applies not only to chemical dependency and process addictions, but also to family members of those with dependency issues. Those suffering from severe depression or anxiety also go through this process. Simply put, it’s easier for our lives to return to the status quo than to pursue the daunting task of change.
One of the keys of achieving change is discovering a source of motivation that continues past the initial crisis. Pain can only take us so far. Once that has subsided we must find a positive goal to provide the energy for the next leg of our journey.
So … the question is: Where do you find that energy? What is the shining light that keeps you motivated to change? When you have those moments of challenge and you chose change, what is it in your mind that allows you to make that choice? The awareness of our motivator is a powerful ally in our effort to change. It moves this strength from an unconscious tool we sometimes stumble across to a tool we can consciously use in times of stress and challenge.
John
But what happens in three months? Three weeks? Or sometimes even overnight? The pain lessens. The crisis subsides. Suddenly that commitment to “go to any lengths” starts to wane. And there is a return to the same old behavior.
This pattern applies not only to chemical dependency and process addictions, but also to family members of those with dependency issues. Those suffering from severe depression or anxiety also go through this process. Simply put, it’s easier for our lives to return to the status quo than to pursue the daunting task of change.
One of the keys of achieving change is discovering a source of motivation that continues past the initial crisis. Pain can only take us so far. Once that has subsided we must find a positive goal to provide the energy for the next leg of our journey.
So … the question is: Where do you find that energy? What is the shining light that keeps you motivated to change? When you have those moments of challenge and you chose change, what is it in your mind that allows you to make that choice? The awareness of our motivator is a powerful ally in our effort to change. It moves this strength from an unconscious tool we sometimes stumble across to a tool we can consciously use in times of stress and challenge.
John
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