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Many ideas accepted in today’s world are wrong. What people think “feels okay” in the moment can be wrong. And when we allow false thinking in our lives, we falter. We tend to focus only on ourselves rather than God and other people. That way of living does not lead to happiness, and there are better ways to find peace and joy.
Society encourages us to go after what we want, and it tends to ignore God’s role in our lives. Since our natural tendency is to be self-centered, many people choose to live their lives that way. But that approach doesn’t ultimately bring happiness, only frustration and angst.
“The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation.” (Henry David Thoreau)
It doesn’t have to be that way. There are proven life improvement steps that can totally change your life. And you can learn them from an unexpected source: the world of recovery.
The Step of Surrender
Surrender your will to God and make choices based on faith and courage.
What we think: I am in total control of my life, and I can do it all on my own.
What recovery teaches: There is a power greater than me, who is God, and I need his help.
God is real, and he is in control. Your life revolves around whether you choose to do everything on your own or surrender your will to him, which you do by taking a step of faith.
“There is a God. And I’m not him.” (Father Cavanaugh in the movie Rudy)
The Step of Transformation
Humbly admit your mistakes and make positive changes in your life.
What we think: I don’t have any serious problems, and I can do whatever I want to do.
What recovery teaches: We all have issues, especially me, but I accept responsibility for what I do.
You’re not perfect, none of us are, and that is okay. Simply acquiring that self-awareness is a good start. If you know you have issues and decide to change, your life will transform for the better.
“The unexamined life is not worth living.” (Socrates)
The Step of Empathy
Seek forgiveness and invest in good relationships.
What we think: It’s up to me to get what I want, and I don’t really care how other people feel.
What recovery teaches: I choose to love and forgive others; that starts by focusing on them first.
Kindness, love, and forgiveness begin with empathy. You develop empathy by building relationships with others and trying to deeply understand what is going on in their world.
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.” (Luke 6:31)
The Step of Progress
Spend time every day in prayer and meditation.
What we think: My life will never be any good, and there’s nothing I can do about it.
What recovery teaches: I can remain content if I stay in daily contact with God and take steps in the right direction.
You can change your life, one step at a time. By adopting the right habits and using prayer to maintain God as your guide, you will make positive progress.
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” (Lao-tzu)
The Step of Service
Serve as an example and add value to the lives of others.
What we think: I’m busy with all the stuff I need to do; everyone else can take care of themselves.
What recovery teaches: I understand that serving others is something we are supposed to do, and it is also a way that I find true purpose in life.
Your life will change when you stop thinking about yourself and begin to serve others. Being of service is part of your calling in life, and it will help you find true significance.
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” (Mahatma Gandhi)
Learning New Life Improvement Steps
Unfortunately, many people remain mired in self-centered, Godless lifestyles that simply don’t work. Lacking self-awareness and spiritual wisdom, they don’t know what they don’t know, so they continue running heads down on a treadmill of quiet desperation.
“Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” (attributed to Albert Einstein)
It doesn’t have to be that way, and there is hope for anyone to find peace, joy, and purpose. But it will require taking personal responsibility to choose a road of self-awareness and faith.
Help is available. Anyone can take advantage of the world’s most successful life improvement program which offers us proven principles we can apply to improve our life. And we can thank the recovery world for these wonderful life lessons.
Yes, there are things the most high-powered business person or multi-degreed educator can learn from a drug addict or an alcoholic. And when you find the humility to understand the truth in that statement, you will have taken the first step.
Question: Which of the “what we think” statements above sounds the most like you?
Action: Pick one of the life improvement steps above and commit to work on it for the next month.
