I used to be confused by all of the sayings in meetings. One of them was “First Thought Wrong.”
Now, I get it. Slow learner. If you are having an urge to drink, or you are having a sudden bad feeling—pause. Your first thought on what to do next is usually wrong.
I always try to test my first thought by thinking of its consequences—Try and think of other alternative actions and walk them through to their conclusion. In our addictive-thinking minds, our first thoughts tend to be harmful to ourselves and others. For example, usually my first thought when feeling stressed, angry, or helpless is to lash out or escape by picking up a drink. This only causes more conflict, stress, anger and resentment.
In recent years, my thoughts don’t go to picking up a drink because I have retrained my brain. But I DO often go straight to anger! Hmmm…I am still working on that.
Acting on my first thought is a reaction. In recovery, I learned to respond, not react, and this makes my life much easier. I make better decisions when I pause and respond, and do the next right thing—rather than instantaneously react.
So what is my go-to?
To-do: Move on to the second thought. Seek counsel from others. Do the next right thing.
Try it. It really does work.
“Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.” (Lamentations 3:40)
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