While going to college I have seen first hand how a 12 step campus can benefit an individual. While not an alcoholic myself, I have addicts in my family, and my group of friends. One very close friend of mine joined a twelve step programon campus ninety days ago and the results have been phenomenal. She has made a commitment to herself, and surrendered her decisions to a higher power alongside a group of supporters. This has enabled her to stay in control one day at a time. The anonymous group for students she is a member of gives her the courage to stand tall in tough situations where her addiction could normally get the better of her. Within ninety days she has improved her metabolism, her energy level, her exercise pattern, and most of all, her enjoyment of life. She writes in her journal every evening after doing her homework and before going to bed, about the challenges she overcame that day. She calls her sponsor at 6:45 every morning before class to discuss her plan for the day. The amount of commitment she has to this 12 step program is admirable and makes me think about what I’m missing out on. I claim no addiction of my own, but is that the truth?
Her newfound pattern of life brings me to question my own habits while living on campus. I started to think that there may be an habit or two in my life that could use some support I decided to do some research. What I found surprised There is literally a anonymous group at my school for nearly everything! From cluttering to overeating! And if there isn’t one, then surely it could be brought up with the campus administration and arranged. I have yet to figure out which program would be right for me. I think sometimes anger management may do me some good, or procrastinators anonymous. If there is a twelve step program for manic depressiveness, that would certainly be my program. But I’m curious to know if a bunch of us manic depressives gather twelve times a month in the same place, would their cycles align? I can see it now. One day everyone in the room is ready to give up on everything, and then next week we decide to throw a party with a banner that says, “Nothing Can Stop Us!!!!” I don’t know. There are certainly things that I can change, and maybe I need some sort of intervention to find out what my main problem is. I suppose that if the problem is big enough, it will find me. But until then I continue to draw inspiration from watching this brave college student change her life one day at a time.
But as well as making me question my own habits, her new ways have influenced me in the same positive manner as they have her. Because we are so close her lifestyle has a profound effect on my own and we tend to mirror each other’s habits. In this case, because her lifestyle has changed for the positive and I am entirely supportive, I no longer eat as much. All said and done, I have an enormous respect for my school for providing 12 step programs to help people gain control over the things they do not have the strength to overcome alone. I have seen first hand the positive changes that are possible as a result.
No comments yet.