Sober Living Takes Discipline

I am an alcoholic and I can tell you that I am sorely laking in discipline. I have been sober for five years now, and I am very happy that I have come this far, but I have had a difficult time like many others with living a disciplined life.

Sober living environments are great for adding much needed discipline, but I'll get to that later. I want to talk about me. Five years ago I walked into an AA meeting and began my journey in sobriety. It was a rocky start, but then new habits kicked in and alcohol became more and more a thing of the past. However, I had a difficult time, and still do, settling down into something. What I mean is that I didn't have much stick-to-it-ness. Difficulty making commitments, getting bored easily, avoiding routine. That was me.

I know what being undisciplined is, so what is the opposite? A disciplined person makes a commitment and sticks with it, stays focused and determined, and is driven and dependable. The dictionary has a variety of definitions for disciple. The one we are interested in is the one about a set of rules that create moral character. This is essential for the sober life.

How do the undisciplined get some discipline? Well, there are a variety of ways. First, you need to recognized that this is something you want. If you don't want it, you are not going to make much effort to get it. So, please, recognize right now, that discipline is good and you want it in your life. Then, know that it is difficult to acquire and you may need some help. Simple things help. Have a post-it note on your refrigerator that says, "Stay Focused," or "One thing at a time," something similar. I have a note on my computer that says "Don't get distracted".

Another thing you ca do is to get some help from your friends. Get involved in some activity that requires or encourages the positive characteristics of good discipline. Then, also, you can live in a place that has some structure to it. A place where you are not always required to do the motivating yourself. A place that helps you with the little nudge into the disciplined life. A sober living environment can be exactly the right ticket for a little added discipline.

When you start your personal sober living experience, please look at getting some discipline as an aid to staying sober. Without it, sobriety will be more difficult in the long run and you may miss out on opportunities that naturally come to someone who is moving forward in a focused in disciplined way.

Kris