In a drug and alcohol rehab center it is very easy to get totally focused on the job at hand.  Attending all the classes.  Getting back into shape physically.  Dealing with past legal issues.  Mending past relationships.  There is a large amount of foward focus.  There is one problem with this.  It tend to lead to the "I'll be happy when syndrome." 

I'll be happy when I finish rehab.  I'll be happy when I get a job.  I'll be happy when my girlfriend forgives me.  Positive change and moving past drug and alcohol abuse is a wonderful amazing thing.  However don't let your knew focus and direction keep you from being happy today.

There is one step we often all miss.  It is gratitude.  Sometimes we just do not want to fel grateful.  If you are in the middle of detoxing and feeling rather poorly sometimes it is hard to be grateful.  However there is very little peace and joy without gratitude.  In every situation there are many, many things to be grateful for.  You can always be grateful for the people around you.  The ones who want to move past addiction.  Be thankful for the rehab center,no matter how humble it may be.  Be thankful you are still alive.  Be thankful for the love you have had in your life.  Be thankful for the country you live in.  Spending 10 minutes when you get up and repeatly ask yourself, "What am I grateful for today?"  Do the same exercise just before you go to bed at night.  Don't put off happiness for one more day!

This entry was posted on Monday, July 2nd, 2007 at 3:39 pm and is filed under Drug Rehab. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.