Thought for the Week

Timothy D. Stein, MFT, CSAT

December 8, 2014

What we resist persists.

There are many things in life that we dislike.  When we resist these experiences or situations, however, we give them more attention and, consequently, more power.  For addicts, fighting the urge to act out and trying to force this urge to go away typically makes it more difficult.  However, when we accept the experience or situation and simply recognize the urge, it often loses its power.  Addicts have experienced this when they call others to acknowledge an addictive urge, share their plan for self care, and ask for guidance and, later, realize that the urge has passed.

What does it look like when I resist?  How does acceptance and focusing on my part look different?  What might change for me if I started accepting and focusing on my part?