The Catalyst

Hello All,

When one thinks about the word “addiction”, drugs or alcohol usually come to mind. It’s safe to say that we all know at least one person who has a physical and/or chemical dependency on drugs. If not, we can see them walking the streets, day or night, looking for their next fix. We give them money. We give them pity. On a bad day, we look down our noses at them. “At least, I’m not doing that bad” is what we sometimes say to our self with a slight sigh of relief. Little do we realize that we are not too different from the fiends we see on the street. Whether we admit it or not, we ALL have addictions. Don’t think so? Follow me.
You don’t have to be dependent on drugs or alcohol to be an addict. Some people are addicted to gambling. Gambling is not a drug. Some people are addicted to shopping. Clothes are not drugs. Some are addicted to pornography. However, DVDs and magazines are not drugs. In these situations, no chemicals are involved yet the addict can’t seem to get enough. Before we go any further, we have to make sure that we understand what an addiction is. This is the easiest definition for addiction: something you can’t stop. If you can’t stop smoking cigarettes, you’re addicted. If you can’t stop being in meaningless relationships, you’re addicted. I’ve given plenty of examples of different types of addictions. But there is one addiction that I want to focus on. That is your addiction to feelings.
You see, you can get addicted to your emotions just as easily as drugs. The hypothalamus is a part of your brain that produces a chemical for every emotion you feel. Happiness has a chemical. Anxiety has a completely different chemical. So does envy, anger, depression, etc. And like a junkie, you can get addicted to these chemicals (or emotions) if you expose yourself to them long enough. This is good news if you’re addicted to joy. Because the “happiness” chemical flows through your body making you feel exuberant. These chemicals make your skin radiate, it keeps your immune system strong, and it gives you that twinkle in your eye that brightens the day of everyone you come in contact with. The bad news is some of us are addicted to the wrong emotions. For example, take sadness. Some people have gotten so used to being unfulfilled that they are addicted to it. These people are so far gone that they aren’t happy unless they’re sad. If they go too long without getting the “sadness” chemical they crave, they will create a situation that will make them sad (or angry or resentful) thus getting their beloved fix. This may sound crazy but it not. It’s actually quite common. Think about it. How often do you feel overwhelmed by life? If you can’t stop feeling depressed, chances are you’re addicted. If your *bilious attitude causes you to lose friends, spouses, and/or jobs, you’re no different than a person addicted to meth or heroine.
Overcoming addictions takes work, I know more than I care to elaborate. But it’s not impossible. If you’ve ever seen someone struggle with an addiction, you know the first thing the addict has to do is admit they have a problem. Strangely enough, that’s the hardest step. Most people don’t think they have a problem. But if you have more bad days than good, you have an addiction and it’s only a matter of time before you OD. You need to seek a counselor like any other addict. Keep in mind, there is nothing wrong with admitting you have a problem. Nor is seeking help a sign of weakness. Keeping your emotions in check is pivotal to your health. And if anyone or anything tries to get you to feel bad, “Just say NO!”

“We may think there is will power involved, but more likely… change is due to want power. Wanting the new addiction more than the old one. Wanting the new me in preference to the person I am now.” – George Sheehan

Dream Big. Live Bigger.



The All-American
www.rallostyles.com
www.blestbabyproductions.com


*Word you’ve never heard…
bilious /BILL-yus/ adjective - sickeningly unpleasant