By Refuge Intern, Tina Goode
“We don’t see the world as it is. We see the world as we are.” From Courage to Change, One Day at a Time in Al-Anon II.
From birth we begin receiving information that writes on the slate of who we are and how we perceive the world. Holding onto this information and viewing life from this perspective we can begin feeling that things should be one way or another. The challenge arises when our perspective of the world or people collides with the reality of life. Yet, the challenge of this collision brings with it the opportunity for growth.
Change can be a challenge for many of us. Yet, change is inevitable. Each day brings new events and change: babies are born and loved ones die, relationships begin or end, we get a new job, or we lose a job, and time passes. Some changes are easy, while others feel more difficult to accept. Either way, change continues. While we learn from experience, we cannot plan for every situation. If we are willing to explore our thinking, we may find that it is our thoughts that effect how we feel about the situation. Our feelings then drive our behavior and reaction to the situation.
Exploring how we think, gives us the opportunity to challenge the thoughts that create painful or dysfunctional responses in our lives. By learning to let go of our thoughts about how things “should be”, what we “must do” or what “could have been”, we begin to see the things with greater clarity and become equipped to respond to changes with greater peace and a sense of wholeness. “Change your thoughts and you change the world.” Norman Vincent Peale
For help with change, consider The Refuge Center. Call us at (615) 591-5262 or visit our website at http://www.therefugecenter.org/.
