Solve Problems
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.
SOLVE PROBLEMS
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: Let's share with the group something you finished last week that has been hard for you. Write your thoughts.
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Think: What are some of the problems I need to solve? Write your thoughts.
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Read: Practice being hopeful. Maybe you have had a lot of disappointments that led to moments in your life when you felt helpless. Find a practice, such as meditation/prayer, or reading inspirational books, and do it regularly. When we have problems, we can get closer to others and our higher power by asking for ideas and help. Christian scripture teaches, "Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you." (Matthew). We can courageously ask for help and know that our higher power and others do hear us and will help us.
Discuss: Can you share a story of how you or someone you know worked with their higher power and others to solve a problem? Write your thoughts.
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Think: What did you learn from that story? Write your thoughts.
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Discuss: How have others and your higher power helped you solve problems in the past? Write your thoughts.
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Problem Solving Activity
Choose a specific problem you have and use the following steps to help solve it.
Step 1: Define the problem. What is the real problem you are trying to solve? Look for the cause of the problem.
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Step 2: List your ideas. Write different ways to solve the problem.
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Step 3: Decide. Choose one or two of your best ideas for solving the real problem.
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Step 4: Try your ideas. Did it help solve the problem?
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Step 5: Review. What worked? What didn’t? Do you need help? Should you try a new idea?
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Discuss: Share what you wrote with the group. Ask for ideas and feedback.
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Commit: This week I will:
___ Try your ideas (Step 4) to solve the problem you choose in Step 1 of the Problem Solving Activity
___ Share what I am learning with my community, friends and family.