"If you do not like the way you are walking, build another one." - Dolly Parton
In the 50's, Steve Bishop realized that it was time to make a difference. His life was ruined bit by bit: He had lost the driver's license, was abandoned by his son and faced daily with loneliness. He knew that alcohol was destroying life, but he was afraid of thinking to leave. "The truth is, I prefer to die than I was sober," said Bishop.
He remained addicted to alcohol for 35 years. He drank to rest, to be entertained and to escape from reality. You wondered if it was beautiful sober life. "Most of my life I've been drinking. I have not been talking to kids for years. They would forgive me. What does it mean to give up drinks now? "
With these thoughts, Bishop was tempted to live the only life he had ever known-as a drunkard.
Luckily, a glimmer of hope managed to wipe out the fear and make it reflect. Days went weeks. The weeks became months. At 54, Stebe went to meetings, not to drink. He learned to live differently.
"I had food in the fridge. I began to read again and realized how much I had lost. I was able to save money. The boy, once away from me, was inspired by my example and the new way of life. "
Lindsay Cooke, a licensed mental health adviser, besides Steve's case, has also been taken with many other people who at certain times have been hesitant about their quality of life. According to him, if you want to change your life for good, you need to follow the 4 steps.
~ Acceptance Practice ~
To fully acknowledge the state of your being, first identify what you can and what you can not change. Do not justify, do not complain. Write your thoughts and read aloud. Remind yourself that no emotion will change your circumstances. Then, take a deep breath and make a significant decision. Practice this every day depending on the situation.
~ Forget the age ~
Age is simply a number, not an excuse. If you want to make a tattoo, do it. Whatever you do, do not allow yourself or others to say "you are too big for these things." When age becomes an excuse, it is indicative that you are stuck in the past or in the future. Age is irrelevant. Focus here, at the present.
~ Think positively and ask yourself "What if ...?" ~
Pay attention to thoughts and write them somewhere. Then, imagine. Mind has power. It seems as if we sometimes have no control over our thoughts, but we actually have. Ask yourself the kind of question "What if ...?". Try negative thoughts, find some positive things.
~ Make a Plan ~
Cooke says it's absolutely essential to create a plan and apply it strictly. Ask for help from family members, friends, experts who can help. Do not think about yesterday, do not even think about the future. Think about it now. Make a plan and dedicate just today.
- Adapted from Woman's Worls
