‘We Learned to Think By Reason Rather than Feelings and Imagination’

The following pieces on Step 8 of the GROW Program: ‘We learned to think by reason rather than by feelings and imagination’ have been kindly submitted as Limerick and Cork papers.

If we live only by feelings then we are seeking constant self-gratification and dwell in an irrational headspace. We have to realise that all our actions have positive or negative outcomes and require logical consideration prior to execution.

For this to happen, we have to ‘see things as they really are’ and not entertain ‘stinking thinking’ and to ‘manage our disturbed thinking’. When we think by reason we look at the ‘whole picture’ and have ‘regard for others’.

We seek not only to ‘feel good’ or ‘look good’ but to ‘be good’.

We aspire to have ‘a true mind, a strong character, a loving heart’. We come to this reality through learning that there is a better way of living and that ‘mental health cannot be taught but has to be learned together.’

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“YOU CAN’T SOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH THE SAME
MIND THAT CREATED IT.”
ALBERT EINSTEIN

Step 8 is by far the most challenging of the twelve steps. However, it is also the step that can bring about the most change in our lives. It challenges us to question our thinking.

Children and young adults are influenced by the messages, belief systems, and attitudes of their families and peer groups. They are therefore limited by their thinking, and can
become narrow-minded or stuck.

Step 8 challenges us to re-examine our thinking and move outside the box. The group supports us through the transformation that takes place as a result of practicing this step. In step two we were asked to co-operate with help. Change of thinking comes before change of behaviour, and this naturally brings about change of relationships.

Whether people suffer from depression or bi-polar, the thinking can  become faulty. Someone who is elated can believe they can do things which are unhealthy and dangerous. e. g. they think they can do without sleep and drive perfectly the following day.

Depressed people, on the other hand, believe themselves incapable of achieving various goals. Many do not reach their full potential because their faulty thinking  is limiting their lives. Practicing step 8 can help to bring about the change necessary to fulfill many goals and confidence is improved as a result.

Step 8 asks us to think by reason rather than by feelings and imagination. In other words, it tells us to go by what we know and not by how we feel.  When people are unwell their feelings and imagination can dictate their behaviour. The challenge is to bring reason into the equation.

The four stabilising questions are a great way to do this, most especially  being rational – is it certain, probable or only possible?

Isolation is a perfect recipe for being taken over by feelings and imagination.  Most fears, paranoia and fantasies are the result of being carried away  by feelings and imagination.

The solution is to bring problems to the group and often your  perspective will change through discussion. Step 8 needs to be practiced on a daily basis.

Recovery comes about in the first instance by changing our thinking.