LWL07. Strengthen Others
CHECK-IN section – Maximum time 20 minutes.
Mindfulness: Take a break from what you have been doing, breathe deeply, relax and recharge.
Step 1: Find a comfortable seated position with both feet grounded on the floor. Put a hand on your stomach. Close your eyes.
Step 2: Take a deep breath in through your nose and out through your mouth. Notice your thoughts and feelings and any tensions in your body.
Step 3: As you inhale and exhale, breathe deeply so your belly fills and empties with air. The hand on your stomach helps you practice belly – not chest breathing.
Step 4: For the next two minutes make breathing in and out your only focus. Let your thoughts come and go without trying to control them. If you find an area of tension in your body, relax it and let the tension go.
Step 5: At the end of the two minutes slowly open your eyes. Gently bring your presence back to your surroundings.
Gratitude: Taking time every day to be grateful can help our health, relationships, emotions and happiness. What is something you are grateful for this week? (Everyone in group shares.)
Review “How Are We Doing?” worksheet. (Led by loved one with behavioral health disorder.)
· Past week’s recovery activities.
· Goals for next week.
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SKILL FOR A LIFE WORTH LIVING section – Maximum time 20 minutes
Discuss: How did you benefit from working on last week’s commitments? (Everyone in group shares.)
Think: How do you feel when you forget yourself and reach out to others?
We live in a world that believes when you give something away, you have less. There are common myths we sometimes believe about helping others. As you read through the following myths, evaluate whether or not you have ever felt this way by circling either Yes or No and answer Why you felt that way.
MYTH #1: I am 100% responsible for providing others the help they need. Have you ever felt this way (Yes or No) and Why? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Reality: You can become part of a healing community. You have unique strengths and perspectives to offer, and, by giving when you can, you can help others.
MYTH #2: I should be the expert on solving others' problems. Have you ever felt this way (Yes or No) and Why? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Reality: Your role is to love and help people. Many people consider their role to be helping a person make his or her own changes, rather than providing an instruction manual.
MYTH #3: There are quick fixes to life's problems. Have you ever felt this way (Yes or No) and Why? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Reality: Working through change is a process, and nearly always takes longer than we think. There are rarely quick fixes to most problems. We live in a culture of instant gratification, and we are promised that there are quick solutions to nearly anything. Real change is a refinement process that the person has to go through.
MYTH #4: I don’t know how to respond. Have you ever felt this way (Yes or No) and Why? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Reality: The good news is that our most effective responses to those in need are usually very simple. The greatest gift we can give others is to show interest in them, ask questions, listen with love, and help people feel safe in sharing with us.
MYTH #5: If I help, they will become dependent on me. Have you ever felt this way (Yes or No) and Why? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Reality: It’s true that helping others takes time and effort—we may have to sacrifice some things to help others. However, never underestimate the power that small and simple acts of love can have in people’s lives, and don't be afraid of making an investment in someone. (adapted from Foster, M., How to Help Hurting People)
Discuss: Which myths are especially hard for you? How can being aware of these myths help us when providing strength to others?______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Some of us feel we don't have anything to give back. Every one of us talents and gifts that can help our families, friends and community.
PLAN TO HELP ACTIVITY
Step 1: Think of an individual, family or organization who needs your group’s help. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Step 2: List the skills and abilities you group could use to care for them. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Step 3: Make a plan to help. For example, you could:
--Volunteer to clean up a park, church, or school.
--Visit an elderly person who may be lonely or someone with poor health.
--Help someone who needs extra support, like a single mother.
--Help a child or teenager who needs support or mentoring.
--Other ideas ___________________________________________________________________________________________
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COMMIT & CELEBRATE section
Commitments. This week I will:
Work on a plan to help others.
Reinforce and celebrate recovery by sharing a pleasant recreational activity with members of my family/CSOs group. (See “Celebrate Recovery Handout” for ideas.)
Benefits from keeping commitments:
Helping others improves social interaction, distracts people from their own problems, and improves self-esteem and competence.
Sharing pleasant recreational activities helps keep us close and can become a buffer for negative interactions that can be part of any relationship.
Watch: Lyric video. (Video that reinforces this week’s topic.)