We rise to great heights by a winding staircase of small steps.
Francis Bacon
The Road to Recovery
Whenever we face a significant challenge in life, it can feel overwhelming and stressful. It can be difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel or hold onto hope in trying times. But, like any difficulty, we can rise above. one step at a time.
Recently on Positive Recovery MD, Dr. Jason Powers and Julie DeNofa are joined by Dow Hickam, Owner of Top Drawer Lingerie. Dow’s journey to sobriety is a cautionary tale involving getting sober when he was 19 years old and working in a recovery program for several years.
In this episode, Dow also shares his recovery journey and how connecting with a Higher Power through yoga and prayer has allowed him to find a deeper meaning in life.
Dr. Jason Powers, Julie, and Dow also discuss how sobriety creates space for self-awareness and confidence in who we are.
One of the beautiful things Dow equates to the ability to make significant life decisions is through praying for small, daily choices. By focusing on the small steps day by day, we have the confidence to face major challenges.
If you’re facing hardships, whether it’s a financial decision, mending a broken relationship, or the road to recovery, here are a few small steps you can take to lessen the heavy load.
Acknowledge the Challenge (Admitting Difficulty)
Whatever you may be facing today, the first thing you must do is acknowledge the challenge. It’s impossible to overcome life’s greatest challenges by ignoring the elephant in the room. If there’s a conflict with a relationship you may have, it’s essential to acknowledge the issue. If you’re struggling with addiction, it’s vital that you’re honest with yourself. When we first admit difficulty, we immediately lessen the heavy burden.
By admitting our hardships, we give ourselves room to breathe. We’re not walking on eggshells or holding our breath and ignoring the problem in hopes of it going away. The quicker we accept the pressing issue, the quicker we’re able to overcome it. Acknowledging the various challenges we may face allows us to be honest with ourselves and those around us.
Shift Your Focus Inward (Finding the Root of the Problem)
Once you have acknowledged the difficulty at hand, it’s easier to shift your focus inward and find the underlying issue. Most challenges are deeper than they appear at face value. There is almost always a deeper-rooted issue. If you struggle with alcohol addiction and find yourself drinking to numb the pain, it’s easy to see the immediate problem. But if you take a closer look, you’ll most likely find the deeper, underlying cause of your addiction.
You may cope with drinking alcohol, but the real pain may be losing a loved one. Maybe you had a guardian tragically pass away as a young child, and you were never able to heal from the sudden loss. Or perhaps a close childhood friend completely shuts you out of their lives and cuts off all contact with you for no apparent reason. When we take a deep dive into the underlying issue, we recognize that our current challenges are commonly masked by unresolved difficulties from our past.
Understand the Big Picture (Seeking Resolution)
Once we shift our focus inward and realize the underlying problems, we can understand the Big Picture. By working on the root cause, we can retrace the steps leading to our current difficulties. We can use the tools and resources available to overcome our hardships and seek resolution. No matter what challenge you may be facing today, you can get through it. You can overcome.
By admitting difficulty, we recognize that though it may feel lonely, we are indeed never alone. When we shift our focus inward, we are able to find the root cause of our issues. And when we understand the big picture, we realize that there is hope and healing.
The good news is that we aren’t the only ones facing these hardships and that there are communities dedicated to helping people through life’s toughest challenges. Not only do we gift ourselves with honesty, but we also encourage and empower others to do the same.
The Road to Recovery: Taking One Step at a Time
At Positive Recovery Centers, we understand that recovery is a daily journey. Living a meaningful life free from drugs and alcohol takes time, dedication, a healthy community, helpful resources, and a focus on what matters most.
If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, please call us at (877) 697-1383. We have a full continuum of care from Detox through Aftercare and have various convenient locations from Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and Austin’s Hill Country.
Recovery may be a journey, but it’s not one you have to face alone. We are here for you every step of the way.