Joel Christiansen Writes About Addiction, Recovery and Choice
The following is a guest post by Joel Christiansen, national speaker and author of the books, “Out of the Ashes the Resurrection of an Addict” and “Stop Whining and Start Winning: The Power of Life’s Choices.”
It could be argued that addiction is a choice. It cannot be argued that recovery is a choice. Zig Ziglar said, “You are free to choose, but the choice you make today will determine what you have, be, and do in the tomorrow of your life.” Every day begins and ends with choices. Your attitude and life become the sum total of what you choose, think, and who and what you attract. Addicts and alcoholics do not choose good or attract good when they are being held hostage to their addiction. It is only in their recovery that they become enlightened and empowered to make better choices.
Iyanla Vanzant, in her book, “One Day My Soul Just Opened Up”, said that learning happens by force, by choice, and by being forced to make a choice. During my 30 years of recovery, I have never met an addict or alcoholic who wasn’t forced to make a choice. Addiction wears you out. It wears everyone around you out. Worn out doesn’t work. When you are worn out, you must stop doing what wears you out. Surviving is not thriving. An addict or alcoholic can only thrive in recovery. And that only happens when they are willing to make a choice to change their viewing, thinking and doing.
Everyone sits down to a banquet of consequences for the choices they make. There is a slogan in AA that reminds us to keep it simple. It is simple. Good choices, good outcomes. Bad choices, bad outcomes. Addiction is a bad choice.
Every transformation begins from the right now of your life; not from your past. There is a reason the rearview mirror is smaller than the windshield. If you don’t like where you are, you can choose to change that. Change can be better than a holiday.
None of us in life is spared a setback, disappointment or loss. Those can be used to blame, be a victim, and as an excuse to give up or give in. Or, they can be used as motivation to persevere, overcome and thrive. Blame always finds its way back to its rightful owner, and no one should get used to being a victim or suffering. The choice is yours to get and stay straight and sober, or to stay attached to the passionate love affair with your addiction. Choice is never neutral.
Joel Christiansen is President of Joel Christiansen Speaking Services and can be reached at: speakerjoel@ymail.com.
Lisa Frederiksen
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