I saw a bumper sticker that posed this question recently. I've been thinking about it ever since...
I don't care who you are or what you do, everybody with a heartbeat on this planet has an addiction. Here's what I mean. No, we're not all drunks & dopeheads. Usually when we think of the word "Addiction" we think of things that are considered "bad". However, too much of a good thing or misuse of it is also harmful. Here are some thing people are commonly addicted to: food, coffee, accomplishment, chocolate, sex, power, football, porn, shopping, television, jewelry, exercise, religiousity, etc. One of my biggest struggles in life has been overcoming approval addiction. Okay, I'm addicted to chewing gum- gotta have it or I bite my nails. (Plus, I like having sweet, kissable breath)
Face it, life has a lot of heartache to offer, so we go around self-medicating through the tantalizing power of addiction. However, addiction can be deceiving. If you go overboard, before you know it, the addiction controls every aspect of your existence and your quality of life can decrease. So do a reality check and see how you're doing. Don't get me wrong, just because we enjoy something doesn't mean it's an addiction. For example, I really like to soak in my big tub, but I don't stay in it all day long- I don't get angry when somebody else interferes with my bathtime, I don't sacrifice time with my friends in order to lounge in my tub. I enjoy Breyer's Mint-Chocolate chip ice cream, but I don't eat it for every meal... get the picture??
My daughter described some little girls in her 5th grade class who had boyfriends. As soon as one boyfriend broke up with them, they were distraught & desparate to find another. (I wish these girls knew they are special and can enjoy life without a boyfriend.) Don't get me wrong, I'm not against relationships by any means- I think they are wonderful, but it is possible to be addicted to them. Some people form unhealthy ties simply because they are insecure and must have somebody- anybody in their lives.
Who knew that a single phrase bumper sticker offered so much food for thought..... what's your addiction?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
11 comments:
I am addicted to regretting mistakes I've made. I'm addicted to regretting decisions that might not even be mistakes at all.
wow, other than a relative who raised me that I don't want to name so specifically, I didn't know anyone else was addicted to being a martyr. Any words of wisdom for helping someone with this addiciton Brian??
Lets count the phases
approval in my pre-teens
alcohol in my teens
various chemicals through my teens and 20's
now after 20 years i actually have a healthy addiction KETTLEBELLS.
Of course I am just coming off an injury so maybe not so healthy of an addiction (LOL)
My addiction? Playing the piano. There were so many times where I would go into the practice room at Southern and tell myself, "Ok, Jonathan, just 15 min. no more, just 15 min." After 3 hours would pass I would feel like I defeated myself and I had a lack of self-control. I even made myself late to a few classes. But as always, knowing that more practice would never hurt me kept me from breaking the habit :) Now that I've been without a decent piano for 4 months now, it's easier for me to see that playing as much as I did was not only pure enjoyment but a kind of mask to cope with internal struggles I was going through.
I never would have seperated myself from that instrument alone but now that it's gone I'm thankful for the chance to refocus and figure out what is really defining me.
Trailady, thanks for your encouraging posts. I hope everything works out with you guys and Jeremy! That's great. I'll keep you in my prayers.
right now .. I think it's cigarettes .. but i don't smoke that much .. won't call it an addiction ..
Another thing .. dont know if it will fall under addiction is that i love hard .. not just mere love .. but i love to the extreme if I do.
i think blogging is my latest addiction :)
anyways, its good to have a few harmless addictions ;)
5th grade children seeking BF and GF!?!? I've always found that sick!
I am addicted to cigerettes. I must admit, and I am trying to quit. Another addiction is business...or used to be..somewhere I am losing connection with the motivation.
latest addiction is a computer games: Counter Strike:Source. :-\
I do recall the BF/GF fiasco of elementary school. I was in love- OBSESSED- with this boy Marshall for 3 years, even after he dumped me right before 5th grade. Tragic. Our fifth grade teacher yelled at our class about people "going out" because we were "way too young!!!" We ignored her as usual. We were all addicted to each other as status symbols.
I am completely addicted to sweets. I can't go a day without them. Scary.
You can't really stop kids that age from seeking out the opposite . It happens to the best of them - that's how God made us. It's just our job as parents to closely monitor their relationships and intervene when necessary.
Wow- great feedback!! I love it!!!!
I can relate to several of the addictions mentioned here.
Playing the piano as well as playing the martyr. ;o)
Thanks for sharing!!
Well, Dr. Trail, you really got us going again!
Post a Comment