HABITS

[janbear]

HABITS

”A habit cannot be tossed out the window;
it must be coaxed down the stairs a step at a time.”
Mark Twain




How grateful I was when I read that quote – even though I had to translate it a bit. It has always been difficult for me to start good habits. I've heard all kinds of things about that – that it takes 21 days, 40 days, or an x-number of weeks to start a habit. It always made me feel bad and different because I swear for me, it probably takes at least two years. Until then I’d be biting my nails, knowing that even if I did practice good habits, they might disappear at any time. It was supposed to be so much faster, so much easier! A few weeks of eating healthy, and magically I would be cured! Well, that never happened.

Now I can look at good habits – like eating healthy, exercising, meditating, paying my bills on time – as tender, shy little animals that need a long time before they can be coaxed up the stairs of my life. They need patience, a lot of quiet time, and a willingness to be understood and studied. How do I feed, nurture and care for this habit?

I cannot do it alone. I do not have the patience, the willingness, nor the nurturing to do this by myself. I need the help of the fellowship and the help of my Higher Power. This help is freely given to me ~ all I need to do is accept it, and together we can make my habits more and more comfortable in the house of my life.

One day at a time...
With the help of my Higher Power and the program, I can patiently learn to practice healthy habits.


~ Isabella

[fibiray]

Some habits I was able to change quite quickly in early recovery and others I am still working on. I remember the old timers use to instil in the newcomer that if you say that you will be somewhere at a certain time then be prompt. This was for those who struggled with tardiness. If laziness was a problem then be productive even if it meant doing the yards of doing volunteer work. If you worked then do an honest days work for an honest days pay. Even when it came to the traditions it was always instilled about anonymity and that if you see an aa member in their place of work or in the streets use diplomacy. This was not just to protect those in the fellowship that had careers but was also to instil self respect, respect for others and to set up boundaries which were all often trampled on when we were drinking and using. Other such habits have required more work on and develop over time. There are still some habits that I am trying to overcome on a daily basis, but slowly I am overcoming.

[Doraine]

I recently changed my habit of drinking soda and lost 24lbs. I started lifting weights after being a couch potatoe and plan on adding walking to my routine. It feels so good to be exchanging my bad habits for good ones. I'm doing it a little at a time which has been managable.