The Seven Stages of Development
by Bradley Quick
1. Denial (Not me) Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorders are the only afflictions I know that will allow you to believe that you're not afflicted at all and to deny it if ever confronted, even if help is being offered to you gently with genuine kindness and concern. "Don't confuse me with the facts, my mind is made up," is how this phenomenon of denial expresses itself. Denial is the enemy, it prevents growth of any kind. Denying this issue in your life is the same as if you had cancer and the medical community told you that there was a cure. With that information in mind, you just continued along like there was no problem, when all you had to do is to follow a simple process to the best of your ability-just for right now, in this moment-to be free from cancer. Why would you not surrender to the cure? Substance Abuse and/or Behavioral Disorders is your cancer, and this is your cure. If you'll do what it takes, just in this moment, with this Quick Fix INSIGHT process, you will be free. Stay out of denial!
2. Acceptance (I'm alright) Acceptance is the key to all of our problems today. Acknowledging this is to accept ourselves, our current circumstances and conditions. In order to move on, we must first acknowledge the problem, then accept what is. Total acceptance is always accompanied with a sigh of relief as the weight of the world is lifted off our shoulders and we finally realize we're free to begin again. Acceptance is the key.
3. Surrender (I give up) You have now made a decision to relinquish control. To give it back to the Universe and all its inhabitants and to let what is, be what it is, at any given moment. With this surrender comes a newfound freedom and as long as you continue this process daily you will remain on top of the proverbial "pink cloud". Enjoy letting go!
4. Willingness (Positive action) You now have a new found willingness to do whatever it takes to enhance positive change in your life, your situation, the lives of others and in this, your new growth process. The more efforts you put forth then the more profound the growth. The more profound your growth, the more you benefit yourself and the world. Just be willing to be willing and let the Universe do its' thing.
5. Depression (Complacency) After a time we once again start to participate in life and we tend to forget from where we came. As we resume our life we find ourselves with more important things to do than what has been required thus far to get us to this point of recovery. As life gets more comfortable and we get more complacent we start to compare ourselves to those that have what we want or think we should have. Reality sets in as to who we are and who we are not, often much to our surprise. The complications of life begin to mount and again we forget what we did to get here. The shit hits the fan! Don't get discouraged. This is only part of your natural evolution and with the proper action this too will pass (P.A.C.E.). I promise. Remember, it's easier to act yourself into positive thinking, than to think yourself into positive action.
6. More Willingness (Positive action resumes) Being in so much pain at this point you'll realize you've got only two choices. The first is to go back to substances or behavioral disorders, hoping to relieve the pain. The second choice is to immediately resume the actions that brought you freedom and comfort when you first started working this process. One's an option and the other a death sentence. Good luck, and don't forget to seek, ask for, then follow direction.
7. Maturity (Self-acceptance) It's been a long hard road up to this point. Growing up is never easy to do, but it's starting to pay off. You know more or less who you are. You pretty much know who you want to be when you grow up. You now realize you never have to do this thing called life alone and that you have an active role in the lives of many. Helen Keller once wrote, "Through my greatest handicap I have found my God, my work, and my purpose." At this point, maybe you feel the same way. If not, stay focused on this process and it will come. For more information about this process go to www.bradleyquick.com. Remember, the closer you stay to this process the better you will feel and the better life will be. The further you drift away the rougher the road gets and the harder the climb back. My first hand experience dictates that there is generally no time schedule associated with these stages of recovery. They are all related to your current efforts, perceptions and frame of mind. Let these stages, 1 through 7, act as your guide to get from where you are to where you want to be. Naturally, the more profound your experience in each stage, the more impact and long-lasting experience will be taken from, and into, the next stage of your evolution.
Cool Change Radio & TV with Bradley Quick
Life Coach, Author, and Motivational Speaker
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