It works if you work it!
Although I am not a member of a 12 -step program such as AA, NA, OA, SAA, SA or one of the other related ones, I am a great admirer of the program and often attend open meetings to learn how the program works. If one attends meetings one will hear many catchy reminders which may seem a little trite. In time one learns to appreciate them as helpful reminders. Most, such as the above “It works if you work it!”, may seem simplistic and way too obvious to require a reminder. Yet, us humans, easily get distracted and off track. At least this human does.
It is easy for this human to get busy with life or to spend endless hours thinking or worrying about issues and people over whom I have no control instead of gently noticing that I am off center or not focused on what I can control. Then, if not careful, I wonder why I am so frustrated, worn out and vulnerable to reacting instead of acting. I now know what I did not always know or, if I knew, did not accept. Other people, places and things are not responsible for my behavior. If I am attempting to function on empty emotional, spiritual, nutritional, and physical gas tanks I am going to unconsciously retrieve and practice old behaviors. If I spending most of my time attempting to help others who have nothing left to give at this point in their journey or if I am spending my free time hanging out in unhealthy places I will soon be on empty.
It is not surprising that those who survive combat situations, abusive relationships or other trauma scarred but relatively healthy are good at asking for support and taking every available free moment to refuel even if refueling is as simple as enjoying a sunset, appreciating a moment with a healthy friend/colleague, or enjoying a treat from a loved one.
Those recovering from an addictive illness know that old, unhealthy behavior is just waiting for an opening. They know that practicing healthy habits, intentionally returning to one’s spiritual center - one’s core good self - takes daily work. Often humans start to feel better and decide “I’ve got this!” and quit taking time to feed oneself emotionally, spiritually, nutritionally and physically. Soon they find themselves engaging in unhealthy behavior. Their sponsor, therapist or other mentor will probably gently remind them: “It only works if you work it.” One cannot get complacent or “too busy” to take care of oneself. All of us know that as Heraclitus reminds us: “You cannot step into the same river twice.” The stream, river or ocean is constantly changing. The bed, water, and banks are ever changing. This is a metaphor for our life journey. Change is inevitable. We are either moving forward or backward. There is no standing still.
We know how to stay healthy. We know healthy equates to actor and not reactor. It works if you work it.
Written November 4, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
Although I am not a member of a 12 -step program such as AA, NA, OA, SAA, SA or one of the other related ones, I am a great admirer of the program and often attend open meetings to learn how the program works. If one attends meetings one will hear many catchy reminders which may seem a little trite. In time one learns to appreciate them as helpful reminders. Most, such as the above “It works if you work it!”, may seem simplistic and way too obvious to require a reminder. Yet, us humans, easily get distracted and off track. At least this human does.
It is easy for this human to get busy with life or to spend endless hours thinking or worrying about issues and people over whom I have no control instead of gently noticing that I am off center or not focused on what I can control. Then, if not careful, I wonder why I am so frustrated, worn out and vulnerable to reacting instead of acting. I now know what I did not always know or, if I knew, did not accept. Other people, places and things are not responsible for my behavior. If I am attempting to function on empty emotional, spiritual, nutritional, and physical gas tanks I am going to unconsciously retrieve and practice old behaviors. If I spending most of my time attempting to help others who have nothing left to give at this point in their journey or if I am spending my free time hanging out in unhealthy places I will soon be on empty.
It is not surprising that those who survive combat situations, abusive relationships or other trauma scarred but relatively healthy are good at asking for support and taking every available free moment to refuel even if refueling is as simple as enjoying a sunset, appreciating a moment with a healthy friend/colleague, or enjoying a treat from a loved one.
Those recovering from an addictive illness know that old, unhealthy behavior is just waiting for an opening. They know that practicing healthy habits, intentionally returning to one’s spiritual center - one’s core good self - takes daily work. Often humans start to feel better and decide “I’ve got this!” and quit taking time to feed oneself emotionally, spiritually, nutritionally and physically. Soon they find themselves engaging in unhealthy behavior. Their sponsor, therapist or other mentor will probably gently remind them: “It only works if you work it.” One cannot get complacent or “too busy” to take care of oneself. All of us know that as Heraclitus reminds us: “You cannot step into the same river twice.” The stream, river or ocean is constantly changing. The bed, water, and banks are ever changing. This is a metaphor for our life journey. Change is inevitable. We are either moving forward or backward. There is no standing still.
We know how to stay healthy. We know healthy equates to actor and not reactor. It works if you work it.
Written November 4, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
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