It didn't take me long to hear the most powerful message in recovery , connection is the opposite of addiction.
When I heard that I remembered thinking, well I've got that ticked. Tens of thousands of connections on social media, 100s of friends and a big family but was I ever present and truly connected.
I remember, not through purpose, one day in the first month of finally surrendering, buying a coffee and talking to the person who took the order. I walked away thinking that was strange, not something I've really done meaningfully before but it felt good. She smiled and interacted in the conversation so it wasn't just idle chat. From that point onwards I started saying hello to people in the street when walking, commenting to people. I had already opened up to everyone and connected that way but the more I did it, I started to connect with my feelings. The good characteristics buried for years through addiction. I started to gain pride and knowledge that the non addict side of my brain had always been growing and now was winning the war Vs the Dark side. The dark side would try and come.nack, but recovery work would keep it quiet.Â
That connection with the simple things in life, lead to a connection with nature and the environment. I could hear birds singing, notice nature, feel the sun, feel the air, feel my breath, notice buildings that I once walked past with headphones on looking at my phone.
Connection is amazing. What does connection mean to you as I would love to hearÂ
Connection thinking about it is actually one of my best strengths....... Ive allways been full of confidence when talking to people,,,,,,,,, ive allways done well in interviews,,,,,,,, im just naturally a big chatterbox....... I allways spek to rndom people during everyday....... i make an effort to find out everyones names who i meet each day and im very good at remembering them...... some nurses at work say that as one of the first people they meet im allways very welcoming to the hospital, put them at ease, and remember their name the next time i see them...... i like to meet every different type of person and can see strengths and relate to people whatever their background....... Its funny how we react to different people our manerisms change depending on the person........ just today i talked to three patients for quite a while......
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Like u say connection is soo important in life........however i feel that some forms of connection online for instance can be harmful like on social media i struggle with as i allways look at my phone and wait for responses and say things and over react and leave groups and also see gambling ads,,,,,,,
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so i believe in person connection to be the best form of therapy.....
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If anyone struggles with it....... dont worry its just the person ur talking to not relating well to ur charactor and manerisms....... everyone deserves to have connection whatever their charactor......just wait for the right person and response........Â
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If anyone has seen the film the accountant the lead character had learning difficulties and diffictulties communicating with people but he manages to overcome all of this to lead a remarkable life and find love.
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Everyone can find connection xx
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Wow Adam, what a post and I agree with every single word mate. Without connection, honesty, opened and vulnerability we lose our soul as humans leading back to isolation where the addiction lives and thrives
Connection is a way out of isolation, but more than that it is something grounding when just a simple conversation actually holds meaning. It gives you ability to help others, help yourself and connect back to the version of yourself you want to be, I think often people look at connection as just with others but connecting with the version of yourself you want to be is equally as important and alien without basic connection to others also.Â
Hi Jake
You absolutely nailed it there. What a post. I agree with you that connection is the opposite of addiction and it's an accelerator on the road to recoveryÂ
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