Actively pursue authenticity (being true to yourself), contentment (acceptance of how things are), agency (control over your life), and healthy anger (the ability to set boundaries and say ’no’ to protect yourself from manipulation or disrespect) as these are core principles for healing and transformation.
Strive to be truly oneself and let go of what isn’t authentic, as this process can lead to an inner sense of peace and contentment, causing addictive tendencies to naturally fall away without direct effort to stop them.
When confronting addiction, shift focus from ‘why the addiction’ to ‘why the pain,’ as addictions are attempts to gain emotional pain relief. Understanding and addressing the root cause of pain is crucial for healing.
Instead of just setting limits on behaviors like alcohol consumption, understand what underlying needs or stresses (e.g., work stress, toxic relationships, feeling undervalued) an addictive behavior is serving, as addressing these needs is crucial for lasting change.
Understand that modern society’s materialistic, individualistic, aggressive, and competitive values often demand self-suppression, which can negatively impact physical, mental, and emotional health. This awareness helps alleviate self-blame for personal struggles.
Be critical of the cultural assumption that selfish, aggressive, or competitive behaviors are ‘just human nature,’ while selfless and kind actions are not, recognizing that these assumptions often reflect materialistic cultural values rather than our true nature.
Reframe competition not as beating others, but as striving to manifest your personal best and competing with yourself, focusing on self-improvement rather than domination or exclusion.
Engage in play for its own sake, for the sheer pleasure and process of the activity, without consequences of winning or losing, as play is essential for human and brain development and aligns with our true nature.
Recognize that healing and transformation are possible, but they require actively waking up and becoming aware of what is truly going on in your life and society, rather than working in the dark.
Honestly examine your own behaviors using the broad definition of addiction (temporary pleasure/relief, craving, continued use despite negative consequences) to recognize potential personal addictions, rather than denying your own humanity.
Consider trying AG1, a daily health drink, as it supports digestion and contains gut bacteria strains that enrich the gut microbiome and provides plant-based compounds as food sources for beneficial bacteria.
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