Have you taken some time to ponder on the events and ills unfolding recently in our society?
The one that caught me most is the ‘addiction issue’ – that drug addiction is more than ever so rampant, even with our teenagers.
It’s shocking that seemingly simple everyday (off- the- shelf) drugs have also become addictive substances.
This means that, we are not battling only with those substances we refer to as ‘hard drugs’, but scrupulous people make available other substances that are equally addictive, just for their own selfish reasons.
To be realistic, their are people with certain medical conditions that depend on these drugs to alleviate their situation…
… so there is dare need for governments to make effective policies guiding availability and management of addictive drugs.
The problem the society has is that, people who do not have need for these drugs are abusing them. THIS IS WHAT HAS TO STOP!
TODAY ADDICTIVE SUBSTANCES ARE ALL AROUND THE CORNER!!! (IN FACT WITHIN AND NEXT DOOR TO YOU/ME)
This trend is not totally new, but sadly more people including our youth (leaders of tomorrow) are getting hooked, and the negative effects cannot be overemphasized.
I have seen these cases first hand, and the effects are enormous…
… on the individual (drug user), family, friends and the society. This makes the future more uncertain and hazardous to all.
WHY DO INDIVIDUALS RESORT TO DRUG/SUBSTANCE ABUSE?
There are various reasons why people indulge, and eventually get entangled with addictive substances.
The hard truth – addiction contradicts possibility of getting any positive outcome in any area of life, and makes any positive accomplishment momentary. IT IS A REAL DREAM KILLER, AND FATAL TO THE ABUSER AND OTHERS.
Many of us know so much on this issue already, so I will focus on simple solutions.
We cannot do without interaction with self and others, on daily basis.
There is this tendency we have, to justify whatever we do or say – that feeling of …
– I am right
– he or she is wrong
– they are wrong
-I am justified to do or say …
– he/she/they pushed me
– I am pressured by …
*This is not just about morals…
… we owe it to ourselves to take full responsibility for our lives in all situations, and make empowering choices.
Because we are the ones affected first by our decisions, and then others.
Choose to positively direct the course of events in your life, and nature will always come to your aid.
MAKE THE SHIFTS required within – we all, as a matter of extreme urgency, need to come to the realization that our daily actions and words affect us, as well as other people (positively or negatively).
ARE YOU AWARE OF THIS?
You and I affect people daily with our actions and words.
The big question is –
What can I do to help people within my space not to indulge in substance abuse?
Be the best human being you know, and inspire others.
It is critical to come to this awareness, and then start to discipline ourselves to be mindful of our actions and words towards others.
This applies at home, work, school and business arenas.
I smile each time I give certain simple solutions to new clients, and they wonder aloud– Chinwe is this it, I should just do this?
I know we all expect one big (one- off) solution or miracle to our challenges and societal ills.
But if we desire to have effective and lasting change, then we have to be consistent with our simple positive habits (there are no quick fixes but lifelong habits).
We have to start thinking long term, and consistently add up empowering habits / moments that will give us the outcome we desire.
We can only draw from our savings or investments…
…if we are bankrupt, then there is nothing left to take from.
Keep on depositing positive vibes to your team (at home, school, work, business etc).
I teach, inspire and support individuals (that desire to make an impact), on positive personal habits that will lead to desired transformation in every area – especially in marriage and family life.
The significant bond between the family and the society cannot be wished away – the society portrays whatever the family feeds it …
… the state of our society is a reflection of families.
The encouraging thing is that, the family can also impact society positively, not only negatively.
Our daily choices will determine where it tilts (whether positive or negative..
For instance, if I abuse (verbally, physically, emotionally, sexually etc) people living or working with me or under my care – this can trigger a long chain of consequences immediately or afterwards.
What I need to do now is to make the shift in my mind, acknowledge to myself that this is negative, make possible amends, and start restraining myself deliberately from acting this way…
… the more I practice this the better I get. And the better I get, the easier it is for me to catch myself if I am slipping into same negative habits. With conscious constant practice, in no distant time the habit of treating other people with deep respect will be installed. It will become automatic and natural to me.
*Research has shown that it takes approximately sixty-six (66) days of daily practice to make a behaviour automatic, whether positive or negative.
“We cannot change any negative situation that we are not aware of, or cannot acknowledge that we are contributing directly or indirectly to its existence”.
These substance abusers are part of family units somewhere, and it’s time for family members to step up our game…
… be a conscious and committed family member.
This calls for reflection to safeguard ourselves first, and then others.
Be committed enough to make the right decisions for yourself, no matter what is thrown at you or pressure faced.
*We are not ignorant of the fact that, some of these drug users are victims of one form of abuse or another. I sincerely empathize with the abused in our society.
Please do not give up on yourself, or resort to substances that can adversely alter your mental state, and eventually lead to other severe personal and societal consequences.
No matter how challenged we are, let’s keep making simple choices that will in the long run bring about the outcomes we desire.
We can actually have the last laugh, if we keep keeping on, regardless of our challenges.
We should all be people in transition to our ‘big picture’, and whenever we ‘fall’, we learn the lessons, adjust, and forge ahead.
You and I may or may not be members of the federal or state legislative body, but each one of us truly matter in the scheme of things.
Yes we are not far from the truth, if we say that governments around the world still have a lot to do in area of addictive drug availability and management…
… but we too can contribute from wherever we are right now, to curb this drug/substance abuse menace ( and in fact other such vices).
Our wait will be endless, if we stand aloof and expect someone else to make it right for us, without our input.
*All hands should be on deck to make things right.
My encouragement to us is to make necessary shifts in our thinking and beliefs – be conscious of the fact that our actions and words affect others, directly or indirectly. Also keep making empowering choices.
We owe ourselves this duty to impact positively on one another, and this my friends, will go a long way to making the world a better place for all.
If this speaks to you, and you want to work with us concerning any aspect of your marriage, family, and life please see us on www.optimumlifecodes.com or send a mail to info@optimumlifecodes.com
Please feel free to share with others.
Much regards!