THE IMPORTANCE OF OPEN-MINDEDNESS

One important thing I have learned since coming back into recovery is that humility has made me much more open-minded. I knew that I had to open to new ideas and advice from others or my road to recovery would not progress – in fact, I could become “stuck.”

I am not saying that today I blindly accept what others say – I may question whether someone’s opinion or advice is valid, but I have learned it is possible that they might just be right.

Having an open mind means that I am able to accept and cope with my own limitations without the usual accompanying feelings of being “less than”. I also look at the world now, not in black and white the way I used to, but in a way that keeps things in perspective.

For me, the danger in being close-minded is that my behaviours won’t change and I can choose to ignore any relapse signs that may come up instead of seeking help.

I have to be willing to try new things or life in recovery will become boring and I can easily become complacent. If I allow my self-will and delusions to make me resistant to suggestions from others, my grasp on recovery becomes tenuous at best.

Being open-minded has given me the chance to question my own values and beliefs, and to strengthen my recovery by accepting help from others.