In the first article in this series, “Our Addictive Culture,” we looked at the basis and cycle of addiction – and how it permeates every aspect of our culture. In fact, addiction is so rampant that it has become integrated into to our economy. Yet it is also destructive, not only to our economy, but to our freedom and way of life.
We can stop this cycle. Everyone who has gone through the rigors of turning from addiction to recovery knows that it can be done. But it is not easy. It requires radical changes in thinking and action, a real shift in our paradigm. Those who have recovered also know, however, that it is worth the effort it takes to succeed.
This is not a rant – I don’t see much value in making shopping lists of who or what is to blame. Blame serves little purpose, because it does not change anything. Instead, if each of us – from individual to corporation to government – simply hold ourselves accountable for our own part of the problem, and if each do our part to be responsible for the solution, the shift would occur on its own.
I’m an unapologetic optimist – I believe in positive possibility. But I’m not naïve. Not everyone is going to commit to the work of radical change. However, little shifts lead to big differences, and recovery from addiction happens just that way. Incremental, progressive changes tend to be more lasting than splashy, flashy dramatic events, and they build on the momentum of intentional action.
I created this formula for clients who are committed to making positive changes in their lives:
Inspiration – what changes you want to make
+ Motivation – why you want those changes
+ Perspiration – how you will make the changes
+ Integration – who you will be as a result
Transformation – happens automatically as a result
I believe this same formula can work in the macrocosm of the culture as it does in the microcosm of the individual, and that is my dream and my challenge.
The big question, of course, is why change? Well if the economic instability, unemployment, chronic war, poor health, inadequate education, socioeconomic inequality, poor trade relations, political turmoil and all the other problems we create for ourselves are not reason enough, then perhaps we have become hopeless. I do not believe we have; I believe we are simply in denial that there is something we can do about it.
We do not need to get defensive or self-deprecating about what we have done to ourselves and our nation – we are human and we have individually and collectively made mistakes. But when we find that our habits are hurting us more than they are helping us, we have the capacity to change them.
Shifting the Paradigm
To begin both a personal and a cultural shift from our addictive habits and mindsets to a viable, practical recovery lifestyle, the process is simple yet challenging. We need to get HIGH:
Honesty – to tell the truth, without agenda or manipulation;
Integrity – to act with honesty, respect and sincerity;
Gratitude – to appreciate all of life as either a blessing or an opportunity to learn;
Humility – to be teachable and willing to grow and evolve.
Here is my challenge to you:
1. Commit to living those four principles to the best of your ability for a month;
2. Hold yourself accountable by telling at least one other person of your commitment and asking them to join you. Then support each other throughout the month.
3. Deepen your commitment by choosing not to do business with or spend your time with businesses, people, experiences, etc. that derail or interrupt you from this commitment.
I can hear the balking! “You’re joking, right? That is way too much to ask!!!” There is no question that this is a challenge, and will sometimes feel very uncomfortable, perhaps triggering feelings of fear or isolation. But those feelings will pass and the discomfort will ease with perseverance. You already have the capability to do it – the question is do you have the willingness to face temporary discomfort on behalf of long-term joy and freedom? This is doable, because people in recovery do it every day.
Those who have practiced this have seen remarkable results, with varying degrees of transformation from stress, overwhelm and “stuckness” to greater ease, serenity and vitality. The reason is simple: addiction thrives on denial, manipulation, dissatisfaction and closed-mindedness, whereas recovery thrives on honesty, integrity, gratitude and humility!
I hope you will accept the challenge, and if you do you can count on me to be available to support you, answer questions and encourage you. Just contact me at georgeherrick.com and let me know how you are doing.
This ends the series that began in April, “National Recovery Month,” but from time to time I will post follow-up articles to keep the momentum alive and the information current. Thank you for following the series, and for your participation – to whatever degree – in recovery. The world, and each of us in it, deserves to Live the Soul of Recovery, but it will not just happen, we must create it.
Until next time,
Keep your mind open to what is possible for you;
Keep your heart open to what is meaningful to you;
Keep your hands open to what is doable by you;
And keep your soul open to what makes you come joyfully alive.