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Habits, Habits, Habits
A habit is an automatic, subconscious behavior developed with repetition over time
Dustin Anderson
June 01, 2024
Being in a regular small group may seem insignificant at first glance. However, the small steps we take repeatedly, form habits that dictate what our future will look like. According to author and speaker John Maxwell, “people do not decide their future; they decide their habits and their habits decide their future.” This month we will focus on the power and compounding effect that habits have in our lives and recovery! Never forget. Long-term sobriety and true freedom are possible - they are not easy, but they are possible! I pray this will be a tool that will propel you forward on your journey to lasting recovery and authentic community.
Photo by Prophsee Journals on Unsplash
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Tip of the Day: choose one action to begin doing daily.
Habits, Habits, Habits: Choose your habits wisely because…
Book of the Month: Stage II Recovery by Earnie Larsen
Around the Web: I recommend watching these podcast episodes
Tip of the Day
Choose one action to move yourself forward and begin doing it daily.
If you want to change your life, you must first change something you do daily. In other words, there is a compounding effect when we are disciplined in our behavior and thinking. Whether it’s journaling, reading, serving, or whatever, pick one thing you will commit to do daily for the next 6 months. You will be amazed at the progress you can make just by doing one daily item to move your recovery forward.
REPLY to this email and let me know what ONE thing you are committing to do daily!
“From the time you get up in the morning to the time you go to sleep at night, your habits largely control the words you say, the things you do, and the ways you react and respond.”
What habit do you need to replace?
A habit is a repeated behavior that becomes automatic and subconscious over time. Because these behaviors become automatic and subconscious, habits are incredibly powerful influences in our lives - for better or worse. For example, I have tried to stop drinking Dr. Pepper many time throughout my life. I usually start strong and after a week do not even crave it anymore. At some point, we decide to go eat at our favorite pizza place again and subconsciously order a Dr. Pepper with my pizza. After ordering it, I pause and realize, “Why did I do that?” It is because I have been in the habit of eating pizza at that restaurant while drinking my Dr. Pepper for decades. Habits are powerful forces that can guide our decision-making and thinking patterns on an automatic, subconscious level.
What automatic, subconscious behaviors are affecting your every day life? If you are not sure, take the next week to pay attention to any behaviors you repeat frequently and write them down. What is one behavior that needs to be replaced because it is not serving you well? For me, one behavior I found myself drawn to for years was to watch something on TV before bed every night. Once Netflix came along, then binge watching TV episodes became part of the new bedtime routine. Over time I began to notice I was having a hard time falling asleep and would be tired the next day. When I replaced this habit with reading a book before bedtime, I found myself falling asleep faster and waking up more energized. By changing one regular behavior - one habit - I was able to improve my sleep and increase my energy level.
What is one habit you need to replace? What will be the rewards if you are able to build a new, healthier habit? What will it cost you to continue in the bad habit? I would love to hear from you! What is one habit you are working to replace in your life?
What is one habit you are working to replace in your life?
Virtual Groups for Men
Getting connected with other men who can journey with you is imperative in your recovery. At first, I know it is frightening to think about discussing your struggles with porn. It feels easier and safer to try on your own. How is it going for you, doing it alone? For most men, if you are honest with yourself, would have to admit that doing it alone isn’t working!
It isn’t working because sin and addiction grow in secrecy and isolation. You must bring it into the light. In the light is the only place you can deal with it. In the light you can receive accountability, encouragement, and freedom to be authentically YOU. I challenge you to find a safe place to bring it into the light.
Building For Freedom (BFF for short) is a nonprofit organization committed to helping YOU overcome an addiction to porn and unwanted sexual behaviors. BFF offers virtual small groups to help YOU experience authentic community, accountability in love, and inspiration on your journey to LASTING FREEDOM!
Verse of Encouragement
I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.
1 Corinthians 9:27 (NLT)
Book of the Month:
Stage II Recovery
The premise of this book is that finding sobriety is not the end of recovery but the beginning. Stage I recovery is saving your life by finding lasting sobriety. Stage II recovery is learning to overcome the self-defeating habits that prevent us from building healthy relationships. Stage II Recovery is all about learning to function more capably in healthy, caring relationships. My AHA! moment was when I realized that I had much work left to do in recovery after finding sobriety. To find lasting freedom, I would need to learn how to build healthy relationships. I have habit patterns that prevent me from forming rewarding relationships and it will take time to overcome them, but it is possible. Pick up your copy to learn more! |  |
Around the Web
You Know You're a Sex Addict When (Best Of): Men like sex and God created us as sexual beings to be used within the context of the marriage relationship. In the New Testament, Jesus tells us that looking at woman lustfully is the same as committing adultery (Matthew 5:28). But how do you know when it becomes an addiction? Occassionally you may run across porn online, but how do you know when it has become an addiction? Watch this episode of The Faithful and True Podcast!
How Pornography Corrupts Your Mental Health: To learn more, watch this episode of the Pure Desire Ministries Podcast!
What is one habit you are working to replace in your life?
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