Come with me. . . Let's dream
Peace use to sound like a far-fetched fairy tale. I didn't think it was possible to feel peace. But, I do.
Take a little trip with me. . .
A big goal of Rise Up Mission is to help people that love someone with addiction and/or mental health concerns find peace. If you've loved someone with addiction, you know how extravagant the word "peace" sounds. But, if you really want peace, I promise you can have it.
Find a comfy place to sit or lay down. Put on some relaxing music or just enjoy the silence. Close your eyes. Take some deep breaths, in and out. When you are ready, think about what your future looks like right now. Where are you headed?
Who's there with you?
What are you doing?
Do you like what you see?
Take some time to reflect on what you saw. This is where you are heading. Did you like what you saw?
If yes, that's great! You are on your path.
If not, why? What did you see that you didn't like?
Were you upset with WHO was there?
Were you disappointed with WHAT was happening?
What didn't you like?
Why?
The truth is, for years, I didn't like where I was heading. I was scared of it. It didn't feel good. And, for a long time, I didn't change course. I assumed (never assume, by the way) that I had to accept what was in my life.
But once I learned that I didn't have to accept any of it, I made lots of changes: my habits changed, the people I was surrounding myself with changed, and I made the big hard decisions from divorce to work. Not a single one of these changes was easy. In fact, keeping things the way they were would've been much easier. I know I wouldn't be as happy, but it would've been easier. If I had known how hard it would be, I'm not sure I would've had the courage to push through all the pain.
But I didn't choose easy. I chose happy. I chose peace. I chose a life I could be proud of.
Let's go on a trip again. Find your calm, peaceful spot and close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths, in and out. When you are ready, think about what you want in the future. Envision it. It can be anything: from the people in your life to the toes on your feet (I like pink toenail polish on my trip!).
Who's there with you?
Who's NOT there with you?
What are you doing?
What are you NOT doing?
Do you like what you see?
Take some time to reflect on what you saw. This is the life you can have. If you chose. It will not be easy. You will need to chose this daily if it is what you want. And, if you want it, you have the power to create it.
I speak to people all the time who are struggling. With their own addiction and mental health issues or with a loved one's addiction. It's incredibly hard on both sides. Sometimes we need to make really hard decisions to find our own peace. And it is so much easier said than done. We are humans with emotions and ties to things and people that we can't undo in a day. But, each and every day, we can make small steps toward the life we want.
"When things change inside you, things change around you." —Unknown
Simply knowing what you want is a great first step. Follow that knowing and when you are faced with a difficult choice, ask yourself if it brings you closer to the life you want or further away. Then, choose the dream. Choose the life that brings you peace. You deserve it.
If you enjoyed this post, I would appreciate it if you would share it on social media. My goal here at Rise Up Mission is to change mental health and addiction, one hand at a time. Take my hand, let's #RiseUp!