Journey for Beginning Growers
A new member is warmly welcomed by other members of the group. Initially you are expected to do nothing but observe and allow yourself to experience being fully accepted and valued just for being yourself.
During this period, you will experience the care of the group in many ways. Soon you yourself will become part of that care by participating in the meeting and by performing small acts of friendship for others. You will learn how the weekly meeting works and commit yourself to The Program. You will be invited into leadership in small ways, by being regular at meetings, by learning pieces of The Program, doing suggested tasks, comforting others or even leading a meeting.
Below you can find samples of wisdom from Part One of our Grow Journey:
GETTING BACK ON TRACK
THE 12 STEPS OF RECOVERY AND GROWTH
We admitted we had lost our way and needed
direction.
We took our courage in our hands and asked for help.
We trusted the Greater Power of life, love and the
world around us.
We acknowledged our gifts and our strengths.
We tackled our weaknesses and failures.
We committed to the journey even through the tough times.
We took care and control of our bodies.
We learned to think by reason rather than by feelings and imagination.
We developed will power to do the right thing in spite of our feelings.
We took our responsible and caring place in society.
We grew daily closer to maturity.
We carried Grow’s message to others in need.
Click on the arrows to see all 12 steps
GROW’S DESTINATION: WELLBEING
Maturity or Mental Health is the goal of The Grow Program. It is the vigour and peace of a person who is wholly attuned to reality.
We describe a mature person as having:
- A true mind.
- A strong character.
- A loving heart.
Based on the Five Foundations of Maturity:
- Understanding
- Acceptance
- Confidence
- Control
- Love
“May I have the
courage today
to live the life
that I love.”
Some keys for wellbeing
- Overall Key to Mental Health
A simple practical key to calm and healthy living:“Settle for disorder in lesser things for the sake of order in greater things, and therefore be content to be discontent in many things.”
- The Comforting Paradox If you feel your whole life is going wrong just because so much of it is going wrong, of course it feels wrong. However, sometimes when things happen to go wrong, it can be an opportunity to outgrow what we need to outgrow. Every setback is an opportunity for growth.
- Connection Acknowledging that we are not alone can strengthen our purpose and enhance meaning in our lives. It can affirm our connection to ourselves, to others, to the community, to nature or to the significant or sacred in our lives. This connection is vital to recovery and to our overall sense of wellbeing.
- Spirituality With the uncertainties of life, my faith in God – or a Greater Power – can enable me to have more control over my thoughts, feelings and actions. In this way, a Greater Power can be trusted.
Essentials for the Journey
“If the rough road
gets you there and
the smooth one
doesn’t, which one
will you take?”
Three Convictions (to steady our thinking and keep our minds set on the way of growth).
- I am never on my own. A Greater Power can help me. Trustworthy and friendly help is always available to me through community.
All I have to do is cooperate. - I can compel my muscles and limbs to act rightly in spite of my feelings.
- My feelings will get better as my habits of thinking and acting get better.
Five Determinations (to steady our behaviour and keep our wills set on the way of growth).
- I will go by what I know and not by how I feel.
- I will learn more and understand better how to live my life.
- I will live one day at a time.
- I will accept setbacks and faults as normal on the journey to Mental Health and wellbeing.
- I will challenge my disturbing feelings and thoughts and gradually overcome them with help.
The challenge to change
“To live is to change and to live fully is to have changed often.”
The chrysalis changes into the butterfly, the tadpole changes into the frog, the seed becomes the flower, and the baby grows to become the adult. Growth to maturity involves the challenge of:The Three Basic Changes
- Change of thinking and talking From ‘I am useless, ugly, a failure’ to ‘I am valuable. I have a unique place in life’. ‘I will never get well’ to ‘I can and ultimately will become completely well’. ‘Others are to blame for my illness’ to ‘It is my responsibility to get well’. Instead of talking about problems get help in dealing with them. Don’t complain. Emphasise what is, not what isn’t.
- Change of acting From avoiding everyday situations to doing the ordinary thing I fear. Over/under eating to taking care and control of my body. Isolating myself from family and friends to avoiding isolation. Staying in bed all day to compelling my muscles and limbs to act rightly, in spite of my feelings.
- Change of relationships From accepting bad behaviour from others to aiding others to be reasonable. Focusing only on my own needs and problems to listening to and helping others. Relationships based on anger/fear to relationships based on love and trust.
On Changing
Do I want to be right or do I want to heal?If we are called to put our creative energies into helping and healing others, and our planet, we must first heal ourselves by attending to the fractured parts of our self. We need to commit to the cultivation of our self-care. We must create a space for self-awareness and quiet. From this space, decisions get made without force or intellect, and opportunities and experiences can unfold with ease.
“Change your losing game, don’t change your winning game.”