Self-Reflection Work
Break this work up over several sittings if you'd like, or take a quick pass through all at once and come back to different questions for a deeper dive as they simmer in your mind.
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"Reclaiming ownership begins with accepting that the only problem I can do anything about is ME." What was your gut reaction to this idea? How does it feel to only focus on your own issues? (Describe that feeling as thoroughly as you can.)
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What or whom are you most likely to point the finger at or assign blame to for your situation? What have been the consequences of assigning blame instead of taking ownership?
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Were you taught that specific behaviors are inherently shameful? How has that affected how you've tried to change?
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How averse are you to different types of pain? (Emotional, physical, relational, or mental.) How do you act differently when you're in pain?
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Choose one or two of the more prevalent behaviors that you wish you didn't do — ones you suspect are helping you escape or avoid something. Pay extra attention to them this week and answer these questions:
- What do you do that you wish you didn't?
- How does it help you in the moment? (What does it do FOR you?)
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What are some of the other behaviors that you think are helping you escape and avoid? Think especially about some of the more surprising ones brought up in the session — blame, anger, gossip, control, over-thinking and over-preparing, spiritual activity and busyness, serving others, work, etc.
Action Step check-in
Write down as much as you can about your physical, mental, and spiritual experience while you fasted. What did you notice about yourself or your tendencies? What do you think that behavior or substance does for you normally?