Return To Joy

SOZO Salvation, Healing and Wholeness Lesson One – Healing and Maturity

If we are going to stop “medicating” to regulate our emotions then we need to learn how to return to Joy from emotional stress. Being able to share authentic stories with a loving caring group is one way we can learn this. You will not make your sobriety stick in isolation. You need a group you can trust. This blog will give you things you can do together to help you all heal and be whole.

 When we share with a caring group we are able to articulate our history. There is a sense that our story is significant, and it is! To you, to God and to this group. It is also a way to develop insight. As we share our story in a authentic way we are able to see others reactions. We pick up on thier happiness to be with us, even as we share a deeply personal story. This helps us to see our self worth. When we listen to other people’s stories, we can create authentic bonds by looking intently into their face and listen with our ears and eyes. This is called “mindfulness”. We are in the moment, focused on the other person. We are “mindful” of them and their story. As they share emotions and visceral body reactions, we can actually get into their experience. As we watch and listen, our mirror neurons start to fire, allowing us to mimic their feelings. They in turn can see we are truly listening and are attuned with them. This begins the social “dance” of attachment and creates true fellowship. Tonight, think of a story when you were sad and were able to return to joy. Make the story of a above moderate level but not over bearing to those listening. Instead of telling a story, open up your right brain by drawing your experience. It could be literal picture of the person or thing you are thinking of. It could be part of the story. It could be a symbolic drawing that reminds you of the object of your sorrow. Express it in drawing and then share with the group.

Sharing authentic stories with others will help you build joy and peace.

SOZO is a one year small group recovery program with phenomenal results.