Most of us are addicted to something, aren’t we? Something that gives us that immediate gratification that makes us feel good? Here is a list of addictions:
illegal drugs
prescription drugs
alcohol
cigarettes
sex
money
power
work
pornography
gambling
fame
gossip
TV
food
texting
social networking sites
exercise
tanning
attention
relationships
religion
politics
I’m sure I’ve left out plenty. Many people pass judgment on others with an addiction, not realizing that they themselves have an addiction! Of course some addictions are more harmful than others. The bottom line is this- when you are unhappy in your life, there is a hole in your soul. You try to fill that hole with quick fixes- anything you think will make you feel good. The problem with this approach is that these quick fixes never fill that hole. Your soul’s thirst is never quenched this way. Quick fixes are only a temporary escape. You have to get to the root of the problem. Society and the media have conditioned us to treat the symptom, not the cause of a problem.
For example:
Having trouble sleeping? – Take a pill every night.
Overweight? – Take a pill, buy a gimmick product, or drink a miracle juice!
Is your kid a little too hyper for you? – Give ‘em a pill every day.
Do you get headaches every day? – Take a pill every day.
Are you depressed? – Take a pill every day.
Has it ever occurred to you that none of these problems are found in our body and mind’s healthy, natural state? I believe all addictions are simply a form of procrastination. You are filling your time with one of your addictions, at the same time avoiding some real issues that you don’t want to deal with. If we really want to solve the problems in our lives, whether they are mental or physical, we need to stop and take an honest assessment of ourselves. There is a reason these problems exist in our lives. Take notice! They are an indication of a greater problem that can’t be solved with pills or magic elixirs. The root problem can almost always be traced back to an unhealthy mindset. So ask yourself:
1) What am I addicted to?
2) What is it that’s missing in my life that I’m trying to compensate for?
3) What healthy/constructive habit can I substitute for my addiction?
If you do have one (or even several) of these addictions, don’t beat yourself up. Just be honest with yourself, recognize that something is missing in your life, and do something about it. If you need help overcoming an addiction, don’t be embarrassed. There is no shame in this. Just get the help you need and improve your life. Maybe it’s a Life Coach. Maybe it’s a treatment center or a therapist. Which path you choose isn’t so important. Just take action. Remember, the only person ultimately responsible for your current situation in life is you.