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By Dean P
There are times in my life where I have felt like I’m in a rut, like I just don’t know how to get going. Have you ever felt this? Taking the first step towards change can be challenging, but with the right mindset and approach, it is absolutely possible. Here are six steps to help you start making healthy changes in your life:
Self-Awareness: To make lasting changes, it's important to have a deep understanding of yourself. Take your the time to reflect on your strengths, weaknesses, values, and goals. By being self-aware, you can identify areas in your life that need improvement and determine the changes you want to make. In the recovery world it often said the first step is “admitting you have a problem” I love how step one says it like this: “We admitted we were powerless…” Admitting I need to make a change is a great start, but if you’re not willing to do something about it, admittance is again puts us back in the powerless mode.
Willingness: The next and one of, if not the most crucial step towards making changes in your life is having the willingness to do so. Recognize that change is necessary and be open to the idea of stepping out of your comfort zone. Embrace the fact that change can lead to personal growth and a more fulfilling life. In our program of recovery we need look no further than our third step to see this is critical in making a change with our own addictions and struggles. Step three read. “we made a decision to turn our lives in our will over to the care of God…”
Self-Care: Prioritizing self-care is essential when embarking on a journey of change. Take care of your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Engage in activities that bring you joy, practice self-reflection, and surround yourself with positive influences. You’ve heard the phrase “Put you’re own oxygen mask on, before you try to help others.” While not the “reason” I practice self-care, it is a factor for me, I am not an effective Husband, Father, Friend, Minister, or even a productive member of society if I am not taking care of myself first. When you take care of yourself, you are better equipped to make positive changes in your life.
Commitment: Making changes requires commitment and dedication. Set clear goals and create a plan to achieve them. Break down your goals into smaller, manageable steps and track your progress along the way. We use a slogan in our program, “Sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly.” It’s easy to be committed when the change you want to see happens quickly, but when it moves slowly, it can be harder to maintain commitment. Most of the real important changes we need to implement in our lives are slow, in fact I propose a new change, “Most of the time slowly, rarely quickly” as it seems more fitting. If you will stay focused on your objectives and be prepared to put in the necessary effort and time, you will see results.
Community: Surrounding yourself with a supportive community can greatly enhance your ability to make changes. Seek out like-minded individuals who share similar goals or are also on a journey of personal development. Join groups, attend workshops, or engage in online communities where you can find support, encouragement, and accountability. With a recovery journey we have in a previous article spoke about how Connection is the Enemy of addiction. A community is so vital to so many aspects of our lives.
God: Lastly, embrace the power of faith and a strong relationship with God. Having a connection with my Lord and Savior has provided me with guidance, strength, and purpose through all of my own mountains and valleys. I have found great solace in not only prayer but also using meditation on a regular basis. Now I know some people hear the word meditation and they immediately tune me out, write me off as some new age spiritualist. But here is reality, meditation for me is just setting aside deliberate time to bring about calmness. I personally like to focus on the beauty of the canvas God has around me in nature and then take deep breaths. Sometimes nature is the sound of birds chirping, wind rustling through the trees, or a sunset. Whatever you can use to find those moments of serenity, it will help you. Incorporating them into your life can foster personal growth and help you navigate through change.
Remember, making changes in your life is a process that takes time and commitment. Be patient with yourself, celebrate small victories along the way, and stay focused on the positive outcomes that await you. The list above is not complete, but a start, with self-awareness, willingness, self-care, commitment, community, and faith, you can start making positive changes and create a life that brings you joy and fulfillment.
Take what you like, and leave the rest.
Dean grateful believer in Jesus Christ, striving and fighting for moral and sexual purity.
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