Due to a computer programming issue, I could not post a blog on January 19th and 20th. I rectified the problem and all is right with the world again.
When I was a senior in high school I had a great opportunity given to me by a faculty member of the Catholic High School I was a student of. I was able to work as a counselor when prospective 6th, 7th, and 8th graders came for a 3-day retreat. Let’s face it I was 17 and they were between 12, 13, and 14 years old. They probably looked at me with grins on their faces.
I had to decide how to manage a group of boys as a counselor. We remember when we joined activities like this. Do we recall entering a classroom where we had a substitute teacher or a college student coaching our basketball, baseball, or other sports teams?
I asked some faculty members how I should act and manage the group of boys I was assigned to. The best response I received was, “To just be myself and don’t try to be something I was not”. It worked and I was forever grateful because the exercise allowed me to create a group of high-functioning boys.
To be a counselor is to be an agent to release the potential that is in people and be an empowering agent. There is a connection to Recovery here. Recovery offers us the 12 steps encouraging us to join in activities and making us well again. People on my treatment team do not wield corrosive authority over me. They do invite me to follow them.
What are some of the supportive characteristics we want to look for in people who serve our Recovery?
- People are hopeful, and encouraging, breathe life into us, and desire to serve us.
- Lead us into full development of who we can become and meant to be.
- Willing to be with us during a time when our mental health and substance misuse issues increase.
- Willing to assist with some of the activities of daily living which include preparing a meal, doing the laundry, cleaning our home, and a host of other activities based on people’s needs.
Recovery allows us to decide to follow the road of love or go our own way. As healing progresses maybe it is about being ourselves and allowing Recovery to shine through us and truly inspire our transformation which allows us to serve the Recovery community. Remember, “Being Perfect is Being Imperfect” is the subtitle of my book. https://superhumanbeing.net/
SuperHuman Being
Peace
Larry
email:ljw@superhumanbeing.net
website: https://superhumanbeing.net
