I’ve stopped myself from always having to have the last word. I’ve become content with being the bigger person when tense situations arise.
Working on my patience has contributed to less anxiety in my life. I’ve learned that things don’t always have to be done right this very minute for me to be calm. I’ve discovered that good things come to those who wait patiently.
My thinking and regulating from negative to positive has changed my world. I no longer wish the days away, rather I cherish each and every minute I’m breathing on this earth. When I catch myself being negative, I counteract it with something positive that can come out of that current situation.
I’ve realized that I am deserving of happiness. I used to never believe this due to all the horrible decisions I’ve made in my past, but I truly believe it now. I no longer question whether I am worthy of being happy. I know that everyone deserves a second chance to get things right. My guilt has diminished because I now know I am worthy of a beautiful second chapter of my life. I’ve regulated my decision making processes. I’m now making decisions based on what I want and what’s best for me instead of basing my decisions on what everyone else wants for me. I only have this one life to live. It isn’t living if I’m choosing to live by the opinions of everyone else. My new way of living is choosing what I think is the best for me because I’m the only one living my life. No one else is living it for me.
The greatest lesson in self-regulation I’ve taken from my time at Brookhaven Retreat is that honesty is not only a precious gift to yourself, but to the ones you love. I’ve discovered that being 100 percent honest about myself, my feelings, and my thoughts, has made me such a raw and real woman. My thoughts and feelings do matter. The only way people will know this is if I express them genuinely. Pride definitely got in the way of me being honest with my family about my drug abuse and depression. How could they have ever known I was in as deep as I was if I wasn’t being honest with them? No one can read my mind. If I want help or I need to express myself, honesty is the best policy. Being honest has saved my relationships with my loved ones and ultimately saved my life.
My journey at Brookhaven Retreat has taught me many valuable life lessons. This experience has humbled me and mede me such a grateful woman. I realized what was at stake, my life, my family, and my future were not worth losing. I’ve gained the skills to not only get well, but to stay well on this journey. This venture has not only changed me, but every member of my family for the better. We listen harder. We understand more easily. We talk slower. And most of all, we love deeper.
I will be forever grateful to all of you for your compassion and understanding. You’ve made me realized that there are good people in this world who care and want to help. You’ve given me the most priceless gift anyone could give – my life back.
