You are not broken,
You are not damaged,
Despite whatever led you to addiction there is a pathway to hope and freedom available to you.
Welcome to this series of Reflection Tracks.
In this series I'll talk about habits and addictions in a different way,
To create space for insight and reflection for you,
So that you can see something new from within.
Believe me,
I understand how debilitating habits and addictions can be and I want you to know that there is a way through,
Because a quiet mind is your default state and your habits are an innocent way of helping you,
That you can let go of.
So make yourself a little more comfortable,
Leave everything behind,
Let go of expectations,
Let go of judgment,
There's nowhere to go,
Nowhere you need to be.
Allow yourself the gift of these few moments.
If you feel comfortable to do so,
Close your eyes or lower your gaze,
Let your breathing fall into a deep rhythmic pattern.
There's nothing to attend to,
Nothing to do,
Nowhere to be.
I invite you to listen to today's quote again.
You are not broken,
You are not damaged,
Despite whatever led you to addiction,
There is a pathway of hope and freedom available to you.
What does this quote mean to you?
How does it resonate within your heart and mind?
Let the words flow through your consciousness,
Allowing any initial thoughts and feelings to come to the surface.
As you reflect on this,
Notice any feelings that arise.
Do you feel a sense of calm,
Longing or perhaps a bit of attention?
Allow yourself to fully experience these emotions without judgment.
Sometimes,
Merely acknowledging how we feel can be the first step toward inner peace.
Think about where in your life this quote holds true.
Are there moments or areas where you have experienced that connection to freedom and hope?
Reflect on these instances,
Bringing them to your awareness.
Perhaps there were times when you felt more at peace and free from your addiction.
Now consider any resistance you might have towards this idea.
Are there thoughts or habits that make it challenging for you to find inner tranquility?
Acknowledge these barriers without criticism,
Simply observe them.
It's normal to encounter resistance and recognizing it is a powerful step towards going deeper within yourself.
If it pleases you,
Take some time to journal your thoughts.
It is also valid just to relax and listen to the music.
Your aim is to a calmer mind.
I'll give you a few moments.
Let me share a personal story with you.
There was a time when I had a dependency on alcohol.
I didn't drink for many years because of the addiction of my parents and what I saw as a child.
One day I discovered alcohol and how it would take me away from that feeling of not being good enough.
I leapt straight into the lifestyle of drinking to forget.
I was functioning.
I still did my daily work.
I still got up in the morning.
It looked like my life was perfect.
I would drink to allow myself freedom from the thoughts that plagued me about not being good enough.
I found that I could escape that inner world of pain and torture and so I became more and more dependent on that drink to give me my freedom.
One day a mentor of mine told me you are not broken and you are not damaged.
For some reason on that day I heard that deeper than I'd ever heard it before and I realized that all my life I believed I was broken.
I believed that my childhood damaged me and that I tried to paper over those cracks through distracting myself with alcohol because it would make me forget that I thought I was broken.
When I realized that I in fact wasn't broken in the first place I no longer needed to forget I was broken because I wasn't.
As you reflect on this story think about your own life.
Do you see the quote in a new light?
Has your understanding deepened or shifted?
Allow yourself to explore any new thoughts or insights.
Sometimes hearing how others have navigated similar challenges can spark new perspectives.
Take time to allow these insights to sit within your mind.
Your perception will change without you doing anything to it.
Please don't worry if you can't see anything new right now.
You've already opened your mind to new possibilities and insight will follow in time.
If you feel called to go deeper into this practice consider exploring the playlist in my profile called Addictions and my course on Overcoming Habits and Addictions.
This course provides a deeper look at the nature of addiction and how you can create sustainable recovery and clarity.
As we conclude this reflection remember you were born whole and perfect and that is still within you.
Allow yourself grace and patience needed for this journey.
Freedom and hope starts within.
Lots of love.
