Thought for the Week

Timothy D. Stein, MFT, CSAT

October 29, 2018

Watch the feet not the lips.

This is a phrase we use to help partners verify that a person is safe to trust.  Addicts say all sorts of things and make lots of assurances.  Sometimes this is done with the best of intentions.  Sometimes this is done maliciously.  In the end, the words mean very little.  Positive actions make the difference and allow for trust to be rebuilt.  You may talk good sobriety but consistently relapse.  You may talk about recovery growth but be out of balance in other areas of your life.  You may talk about having patience and understanding for your partner but show little empathy and compassion during conflicts.  Partners, as well as others impacted by your addiction, will watch your feet not your lips.

When have my words not matched my actions?  How has this impacted my relationships?  What gifts await me as I focus on my actions matching my expressions of recovery?