When the fog lifts and we peek through to what becomes clear, we can get a glimpse of the truth—and not the story we made up about ourselves.
This is the H.O.W.
Honesty.
Openness.
Willingness.
First, is acknowledging that we are not looking at our lives truthfully. Then, we become open to new ways of considering what the truth might actually be for us. Then, we need the willingness to change.
Change our perspective and change our behaviors. Next, is to realize we can’t do it on our own—we need God and other people to walk this new path.
As children, we see what is right before us and respond to that. Then, we start to form opinions about things. We decide things based on our experiences. Some may be true, others not. It’s all perception. The hard part is deciding what is really true.
Sometimes, we can carry into adulthood the things we decided as children that don’t really serve us—I am not good enough, smart enough, talented enough—whatever we decided. The work becomes being able to shed those old beliefs and begin having new thoughts, new behaviors that do serve us.
This is where the 12-steps come in. Reviewing of old thinking and behaviors and deciding what to keep and what to change. The story we made up about ourselves begins to change—the old story is not working for us anymore. If we are able to be Honest, Open, and Willing, we have a chance at recovery.
That’s when transformation happens.
I have watched it happen for myself and for others that I have guided through the steps. As many say in the program, “It’s not the drinking—it’s the thinking.”
Try it. Take the steps.
One at a time.
Watch the fog lift.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2
Click on my books below to buy.
