Seeking Advice From Yourself

[caressa]

An Exercise In Self
Seeking Advice From Yourself

Since we probably know ourselves better than anyone else does, then we may very well be the best person to ask for advice when we are in a quandary. One interesting exercise is to try asking for advice from your past and future selves. There is the younger self that you used to be and the older, more mature self that you will become. You can gain a different perspective when you view present situations through your younger self’s eyes or your mature self’s more experienced point of view. Perhaps, your younger self would view a current dilemma in a more innocent, less cynical way. Likewise, your older, hopefully wiser, self may offer advice from a more compassionate, experienced perspective.

Think back to how you viewed the world when you were younger. What were your thoughts on happiness, love, and injustice? Think about how you would have reacted to a dilemma you are currently facing. The perspective may shed a different light on relationships, money matters, or life decisions. Likewise, think about the person you will become. A more mature version of you might mull a problem or conflict over carefully before taking action right away… or perhaps not. Maybe your older self would be more willing to take risks, care less about what other people think, and want to enjoy life more.

You can even set up an advisory panel of your past, present, and future selves. You might even want to try to have a written dialogue with your selves to record the thoughts, feelings, and advice that your younger and older selves might have for your present self regarding a current situation. Your different selves can give you some invaluable answers. After all, no one can know you better than your selves. You are your wisest guide.

What do you think?

Not sure this is wise counsel for an alcoholic? I had to learn to trust that Inner Self. If I learned from my mistakes, I wouldn't have needed Step Two.

The person who is today, is not the person who walked through the doors of recovery. It is my hope that I will continue to grow and heal for many years yet.

[caressa222]

My sponsor told me to go with, that I had the answers. Smart mouth that I was, said, "Yes, but I don't know the questions." In truth, this was denial. I didn't trust myself, but my learning to trust the program, I learned to build a new connection to my God, and through trust in Him, I learned to trust myself.