You might have heard the following quote from Lao Tzu:
Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habit. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.
Over time, we create our lives through our thoughts, words, actions, and habits. We form our character and eventually our destiny.
If you’re considering drug rehab and substance abuse treatment, perhaps you already realize that you’re also considering a whole new life. The life that you want to create is going to require new habits and new ways of responding to life.
This article series will explore old habits to let go of. They might be habits that you don’t even realize you have but that can be an obstacle to sober living.
The two parts of this article series provides a list of 9 habits to consider releasing so that you can replace with habits that create sobriety, fulfillment, and meaning.
Being Critical
– There’s a saying that when you’re pointing your finger at someone else, there are three fingers pointing back at you. Perhaps you can imagine yourself pointing the finger at someone; you might notice those three other fingers pointing inward.
Often, the critic inside comes out when we are fearful or uncomfortable in our surroundings. Yet, there is something freeing in remembering that everyone in the world of recovery is on various points of the path, and everyone is doing the best they can.
In fact, everyone, whether they are in recovery or not, is always doing the best they can. Given the fact that no one is perfect and no one is entirely free of struggle, we are all making our way in the world as best we can with the resources we have. Realizing this can free you from criticism, not only judging yourself but judging others as well.
Resisting Change
– In the end, resisting change is futile. The whole world is always changing. If you think about it, the earth is always turning, the planet is always circling the sun, the flowers are always blooming, and the grass is always growing.
There’s nothing but change in Nature, and the same is true for a human life too. Thoughts are always happening, the circumstances in life are always fluctuating, and even emotions, although they might be the same ones again and again, they come and go throughout the day.
There’s no point in resisting change because it’s an unstoppable force in the universe and resisting it will only lead to suffering.
Having Excuses
– Excuses are a way of preventing ourselves from making the right choice. Rather than begin the path of recovery, for example, hanging on to excuses can allow an attachment to drinking to continue. Excuses are like boomerangs that come back again and again, only revealing the right path.
Self-Limiting Beliefs
– In order to let go of beliefs that limit your progress, prosperity, or growth, you need to become aware of them first. This is a little bit light finding a black thread in a dark room. How do you do this?
Well, fortunately, your attention is sort of like a light. Just by placing your attention inward, you can begin to search. You can begin to investigate why you haven’t been able to publish that book or reach your desired income level or achieve the goals you’ve set for yourself. By asking yourself questions, by becoming exploring yourself, you can unearth those beliefs and transform them.
Often, underneath addiction there is a belief in unworthiness and that keeps an addict within a cycle of self-harm. Part of getting sober is getting out of that cycle, which requires transforming unhealthy limiting beliefs like unworthiness.
Drug rehab can include an honest look at yourself – not to be self-critical or judgmental! But rather to make the changes you need to get sober! Part two of this series will provide five more habits to consider releasing for long-term sobriety.
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