This morning, my virtual 12-step group had as one of its topics, “How to stay motivated in recovery, especially when you’re not.” It is a wonderful topic about a struggle that I have almost all the time.
Of course, it is not just in the arena of addiction-recovery that I struggle with motivation. This is a battle in every area of my life. Let me list a few areas where I am frequently about as motivated as dirty dishwater:
Now, I hate to say it, but this is only a partial list. This is not an isolated thunderstorm in my life. It is a massive hurricane.
However, I have discovered some things that work when I choose to do them. Here is a much shorter list of good practices:
I’m sure that there are more things that help with motivation, and I hope to hear from some of you about what works for you. However, I need to warn you: The good practices I’ve listed above only work when I actually do them. And I don’t always do them. Far too often, I marinate in my own lack of motivation.
I am reminded of the old joke about the tourist who was visiting New York city for the first time. He stopped a stranger, and asked, “How do you get to get Carnegie Hall?”
The New Yorker replied, “Practice! Practice! Practice!”
Motivation is a muscle. You have to regularly exercise it if you want it to grow. Neglect it, and it will atrophy more quickly than you can say, “Nah, I don’t feel like doing that.”
Today, my bride and I celebrate forty-five years of being married. I am more in love with her than ever, more than I ever thought I could be.
I am still a beginner at this love business, but beginners can teach a lot. So, here are some rather random thoughts about love and marriage from this beginner.
Happy anniversary, dearest. I hope that we have many more.
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