~ IMPULSIVENESS ~
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It is especially important not to make major life changes when you are guided by emotions. If you are emotionally excited (either in the positive or negative), wait until you calm down before taking action.
Rabbi Zelig Pliskin
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When I first entered into recovery this
was one of my main character
defects. Since my life was out of
control and spiraling downward, I acted
impulsively and rarely did any thinking
before acting. I wouldn't even admit
that my actions were impulsive. I would
get so mad at people if they said I was
impulsive.
Thanks to the steps I now have the tools
that allow me to look at my actions in a
new light - one of sanity and
direction. Step One allowed me to admit
that I was addicted to food and my life
was unmanageable. Step Two allowed me to
let others in to help with my problem. I
was not in this alone. Step Three gave
me a loving God to take care of growing
me up and helping me with all my
problems. Step Four brought things into
perspective, Step Five brought healing
from the shame of making those
irreparable mistakes. Steps Six and
Seven helped me look at what in me could
be prayed about and improved. They
taught me that this character defect was
just a character asset being used
improperly. Steps Eight and Nine brought
me back into a right relationship with
others. Step Ten keeps me focused in the
now not the "what if's" or "you need
to's" of the past. Sanity seemed to be
coming from that awareness of living in
today. Step Eleven gave me the gift of a
God that is ever caring and always
present to help me if I just do my side
of the work. As a result I have a spirit
of love today rather than a spirit of
resentment and self-pity. Step Twelve
might be the most important one because
it is what keeps me in recovery and
living a productive life.
Today I do not have to react immediately
to every thing that happens, I can even
go to my sponsor and ask for
guidance. If my sponsor doesn't have
experience in that area I have a world
full of people like me to go to who
understand what I am experiencing. The
tools give me a way to handle life on
life's terms.
ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .
I will chose to live and recover in the 12 steps.