Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021
Today’s Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is:
Second thoughts are always wiser. — Euripides
We may pride ourselves on being spontaneous; we may like to act on the spur of the moment; we may even enjoy the thrill of taking risks. And there is much to be said for acting in this way, without too much thought or self-criticism.
But such actions may be part of our addiction. Perhaps there are times when out of anger or hurt or frustration, we act on impulse and find ourselves back on the same old slide toward shame and even danger. We say, “To heck with it, things couldn’t be worse,” and off we go to act out.
Let’s resolve to sit back at such moments and think a while. Why not try to find out what we really want at these times of high intensity? Is the pleasure or the relief that we seek worth the hurt it may do to us and to those we love? Do we even find the pleasure that our fantasy bids us to seek?
When we think again, we discover that what we really want is to be at peace with ourselves and the world.
I am learning to reflect before acting to be sure it isn’t my addiction that is making the decisions.
Hazelden Foundation
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