Change is hard—very hard sometimes. Often, we don't want to change. We dig our heels in and try to resist. The problem is--change is not an option. Things will change whether we like it or not. Look at the picture on the right. This is an example of how change works. The person pushing this boulder up a hill is working very hard to make upward progress. Imagine trying to stop and just hold the boulder where it is. It will take almost as much effort to prevent the boulder from rolling back down the hill as it will to move it up the hill. You would not be able to hold it there for long.
This is how change works. Change is not an option—it will happen whether we want it to or not. Sometimes in life we try to keep things the way they are which takes a lot of effort and energy. We need to learn how to not only work hard but also to work smart. Things will change. In recovery we need to take the lead and change in the direction that is for our best interest. We do this with guidance from our Higher Power, Sponsor, Home Group, and others who give us good advice. If you reach out to the people in your support network you will probably find someone who has been through similar experiences. Listen to what they have to say and learn what has worked for them and what has not worked.
Change will happen. Like the boulder on a hill you can't hold it in one place forever. The key is to learn from those who have gone before and to learn from your own experiences and make sure you are leading the change rather than being a victim of change that is beyond your control.
Some specific things you should do to help with this: pray (talking and listening), speak with sponsor and other people who are stable in their recovery, journal some about your situation and your wants and desires or possibly the pros and cons of the situation.
One final thought. Don't try to do it all by yourself. We need others in our life to help us and give us support. If nothing else, we need others to be a sounding board to bounce ideas and thoughts off of.
Be sure to leave a comment about your experiences with change and recovery. You might help others by sharing.
Blessings
Tim
