We humans are like sponges; we soak up all the ideas, impressions, prejudices, and affirmations of those around us. Consequently, it is our perceptions that form our reality, not what is or has happened. Given our environment is critically important in shaping who we are, we may need to change our people, places, and things if we are to recover and flourish.
We develop deep habits of thought, and it is our thought habits that develop our approach to life. Our attitudes have a great deal to do with how happy or unhappy, sick or miserable we are. The good news is that we can change our attitudes, discard our prejudices, and choose more positive ways of approaching life. Here are some interesting questions to ponder: However, they will be only as helpful as you are able to be honest with yourself.
1. Am I a glass-half-empty or a glass-half-full person?
2. How do I view failure? Am I successful if I try but still don’t succeed, or do I fail when I am unwilling to try at all?
3. Do I feel helpless and stuck, or do I feel as if I can do things to help myself?
4. Am I able to forgive others and myself, or do I cling to my hurts and resentments?
5. Am I able to see good in myself and others?
6. Do I believe happiness is a matter of chance, or can I be just as happy as I make up my mind to be?
7. Do I think developing a relationship with a Higher Power could help me, or do I blame God for many of my problems?
8. Do I see my emotional problems as unique and beyond help, or am I open to change?
9. Who is responsible for my feelings and reactions?
10. Do I feel as if I’m too old to change? Am I afraid to change because without all of my emotional baggage, I wouldn’t know who I am?
11. Am I willing to do the work needed to get well, create healthy boundaries, and develop more positive thoughts by using affirmations and practicing gratitude?
12. Am I willing to spend at least 15 minutes each day doing a daily inventory of myself, Writing down the day’s small victories? Reframing the day’s mistakes and failures as important learning experiences? Acknowledging successes, giving ourselves credit for sincere efforts to make positive changes.
13. Am I willing to make the 12 steps and the serenity prayer a part of my daily routine?
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Living one day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time, accepting hardship as the pathway to peace. Taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it. Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His will so that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him in the next. Amen