ठाट फर्स्ट STEP

THAT FIRST STEP
Maybe it's the time of year, maybe it's my receptors, but I have read a lot over the last few days about taking the first step. This first step has many applications.
I read that every journey of 1000 miles starts with that first small step, and reflecting back on my own life, how true that is.
I found myself years ago at a point where on the outside to others things looked good. Smoke going up the chimney of a lovely home, three cars, a job, no financial debt and so on.
Inside I was a mess and my behaviour in what I thought was a "private" world was shameful. My wife had announced she was leaving me, I was depressed and an emotional wreck had no conscious spiritual life, relationships with my kids were strained....you get the picture. I hid this part of life as best I could from others. I was full of fear.
That first step for me was getting professional help to deal with a marriage break up that I did not want to see happen. That professional passed me on to a professional who was very knowledgeable about living issues that included addictive behaviour. I kept a relationship- professional- with this coach for three years, and he quarterbacked my recovery. Recovery for me involved far more than addictions, it involved a whole new personal approach to life.
My coach introduced me to the 12 steps and recommended meetings, after a period of time; he suggested a rehab program that was right for me. He coached me, through questioning, to look at several areas of my life, including life balance. He helped me to realise what was really important to me. Along the trail, I have had occasion to engage a couple of other "coaches" in specialised areas. While my fellowship keeps me grounded in the area of its expertise, to keep the journey on a positive track, I do call on experts in specialised areas when required. I do it because it works. I am worth investing in.
That first step in my journey and in my working the 12 steps started with accepting I was in trouble, and taking that first step on the journey. For me it was getting help, and this required action on my part.
Today, I read from Hazelden, the following:

"Taking the first step helps bridge the gulf between our dreams and our accomplishments.

Whether the project is cleaning the garage, building a cathedral, or recovering from an addiction, plans must be translated into action. In order to arrive at our destination, we must begin the trip. We can read hundreds of college catalogs, but it's when we register for a course, buy a textbook, and begin to study that we are on our way to a degree.

Two factors inhibit our beginning a project. The first is lack of clear motivation, and the second is fear of failure. If we don't really want to do something, it's hard to get started. So, if motivation is a problem, we may need to reconsider our choice of projects.

As for fear of failure, this may be something that we step over and around as we move forward. It is not a good reason for aborting a dream. If, in spite of fear of failure, we make a beginning, we will find that the fear shrinks with every step we take. Action is the catalyst. We learn how to do something by doing it."

I know today what held me back from taking that first step, and am abundantly grateful that I was pushed and motivated to take it. It has made a profound positive change in the life I live today. What is holding you back from taking that first step? You are worth it!! (www.coached-to-success.com or www.hopeserenity.ca)