Thought for the Week

Timothy D. Stein, MFT, CSAT

December 4, 2017

“In the final third, try things. It’s OK if you lose the ball in the final third as long as you apply some immediate pressure and try to win it back.” -Brian Schmetzer

In soccer, there is a time and a place to take chances and try new things.  Likewise, there is a time and a place to not take chances and try new things.  Teams and players that understand this tend to be more successful.  Teams and player that do not understand this tend to fail.  This is true in recovery as well.  The time and place to take a chance and try something new is when you have 1) solid sobriety, 2) consistent recovery balance, 3) a recovery community that holds you accountable, and, if you are in a relationship, 4) you have earned some tolerance for missteps.  If, following an honest assessment, all of these qualities apply to you, take a chance and try something new (within reason).  If you succeed, great!  If you fail, be honest, learn from it, appreciate the tolerance of others, and immediately work to make amends as well as get yourself back on track.  If any of these qualities do not apply to you right now, it is better to follow the established game plan: keep your recovery routine in place, follow your sobriety plan, be appropriately transparent, stay in contact and live in consultation with your recovery community, and, if you are in a relationship, embrace and express empathy for you partner and their experience.

When have I taken a chance when it was the wrong time and place?  What were the consequences?  What gifts await me as I learn to recognize when it is an appropriate time or place to take a chance and when it is not?