Keep Trying
INTRODUCTION
Recovery is a process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives, and strive to reach their full potential (SAMSHA, July 2019). Recovery is not about getting rid of our behavioral health problems but seeing beyond them, recognizing and fostering our strengths, abilities, interests and dreams. This group has come together because each of us wants to be our “best self”. Sometimes this can be a hard, lonely journey.
As a group we will work together, learn from each other and give each other support. We will combine our faith, courage and ideas to help each other. We will talk a lot about becoming our best self and living a better life in this group. When we say our "best self" we mean getting help from our community, family, friends, and a power greater than ourselves to live a strong, balanced life. When we choose to become our best self, we care for our physical needs, social emotional health and spiritual life while finding ways to expand our knowledge. We are better able to give back and help others. Being our best self doesn't mean we will be able to get and do anything we set our minds to, but we can have a life worth living.
Each session we will combine our faith and trust in the group and a higher power with learning skills that help meet practical needs. All so we can become better. Life worth living groups work best when everyone is actively present; shares their ideas; completes the activities; loves and supports each other; works on their promises during the week, and shares what they learned in the next meeting.
CHECK IN
Gratitude: Taking time every day to be grateful can help our health, relationships, emotions and happiness. Write something you are grateful for this week: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Discuss: Share what you learned when you focused on creating a Life Plan. Write your thoughts.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
KEEP TRYING
Think: Has my life changed during this group? How?
Read: The Life Worth Living group may have pushed us to try new things, learn new skills, and get to know new people. It may not have always easy or comfortable, but we stayed with the process and are better because of it. We can now use that skill to keep trying and keep believing. Jewish and Christian scriptures teach, "Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua)
Discuss: Can you share a story of how you or someone you know took small steps to change their life? What did you learn from that story? Write down your thoughts.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Discuss: What has helped you have courage and trust your higher power when life doesn't go the way you planned? Write your thoughts.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Discuss: How can you see the challenges and difficult things in your life as opportunities to grow and change? Write your thoughts.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Read: During the group you have worked hard to become your best self. You have learned how to save money, work hard and help others. You have also learned how to use gratitude and meditation/prayer to get ideas and inspiration from your higher power.
Discuss: How can you keep helping one another in the next 12 weeks? Writeyour thoughts.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Plan for the next 12 weeks Activity
Step 1: What are some changes I want to make in the next 12 weeks?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Step 2: I will start with:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Step 3: I will stay with my goal by:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Step 4: Every week I plan to talk about my progress with:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Step 5: I will give back to my family, friends or community by:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________