Shortcuts

When ever I do a new group, regardless of the classification of addiction or description of peoples in group. I outline the word shortcuts in big, long, letters, on the chalk board. I then peer into my audiences faces and watch their body language as I begin my opening day lecture. Now I'm not a gambling man anymore, I learned 15 years ago and change, that shortcuts were not going to enhance my own recovery. But, with that said- I observe 90% of my group participants do three things when I write the word shortcuts on my chalkboard. One, they shrug their shoulders, and their head nods down with a defeating look on their faces. Two, the eye contact from them to me quickly shifts to the floor, as I begin to describe the addicts behavior as a shortcut in life! Three, almost always there is someone in the group that is just itching to walk out of the room. My point is, shortcuts in our life do not help us balance our thoughts, achieve our goals, or improve are financial situation and lead us to healthy interpersonal relationships. Shortcuts are a waste of energy.They don't help us heal. We are leapfrogging important life skills and lessons when we skip steps. Each step, represents part of the journey you will need on your path to cross the next bridge in life. You will struggle in life, trust me, but it can be a healthy struggle where you are learning how to take each step, with each thought, one by one, making positive decisions with positive behavior. Self begins to feel positive! Self is creating balance in their life for the first time in a long time. A higher power is guiding you through struggle in a healthy way. The negative thoughts are not turning into negative behavior. You are changing the negative thought to a positive when you are not taking shortcuts. Life is becoming fun again! Self has created a healthy routine that does not take shortcuts anymore. You are slowing down your thinking and taking one thought at a time. It feels good! Journal, exercise, attend your support groups and participate in support groups. Positive energy appears within you. Stay in your health, stay in the moment.