That may seem obvious, but in our fast-paced world people
crave the easy way out. The Internet is flooded with advertisements for pills
and potions, techniques and trainings, “guaranteed” to quickly abate nervous
symptoms.
But these problems don’t develop overnight, and they won’t
disappear that quickly, either.
However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t reason for hope. In
Recovery we continuously remind ourselves that the discipline of sticking with
the Recovery method leads to a path of wellness. Reading Dr. Low’s books or
attending a few Recovery meetings will not lead to instant symptom relief. Yet
Dr. Low reminded us that anything worth doing won’t be easy. Overcoming
distressing symptoms takes time and effort—if it didn’t, we wouldn’t have these
problems in the first place.
Recovery is about continuous practice—endorsing along the
way no matter what the outcomes. After a short time, things will get better—any
sort of cognitive training will have the same result. Recovery’s focus on a continuously
applied method, regular attendance at meetings, and frequent spotting builds
the character and discipline needed to face and overcome our fears. In many
ways, the mechanics of the Recovery method, just going through the motions so
to speak, can lead to improvements.
When I started this blog years ago, I was at a point in my
life where I felt I “couldn’t take anymore” and that I needed instant relief
from my distressing symptoms. Recovery taught me that such thinking, on both
counts, is unrealistic, and that with continuous practice I will get better. Recovery
may not be the quickest way to a better life, but I believe it is the surest.
