Habits are not to be judged or scorned.
They're simply the lizard brain's way of helping you.
Welcome to this series of Reflection Tracks.
In this series I'll talk about habits and addictions in a different way to create space for insight and reflection for you so that you can see something new from within.
Believe me,
I understand how debilitating habits and addictions can be and I want you to know that there is a way through.
Because a quiet mind is your default state and your habits are an innocent way of helping you that you can let go of.
So make yourself a little more comfortable.
Leave everything behind.
Let go of expectations.
Let go of judgment.
There's nowhere to go.
Nowhere you need to be.
Allow yourself the gift of these few moments.
If you feel comfortable to do so,
Close your eyes or lower your gaze.
Let your breathing fall into a deep rhythmic pattern.
There's nothing to attend to.
Nothing to do.
Nowhere to be.
Let's listen to the quote again.
Habits are not to be judged or scorned.
They're simply the lizard brain's way of helping you.
Allow the words to float in your mind and permeate your thoughts and maybe find a place in your heart.
What does this quote mean to you?
How do you interpret the idea that your habits are trying to help you?
Take a moment to consider this.
Letting your thoughts flow freely.
Now turn your attention to your feelings.
How does this quote make you feel?
Are there emotions that arise as you contemplate the connection between your inner harmony and your habits or addictions?
Embrace these feelings without judgment simply by acknowledging their presence Where in your life do you find this quote to be true?
Can you identify moments when your inner state has impacted your habits either positively or negatively?
Reflect on these instances noticing any patterns or insights that emerge.
Consider any resistance you may have to this idea.
Is there a part of you that doubts the connection between your mental and emotional state and your habits and addictions?
Or perhaps you feel resistant to the concept that habits are the lizard brains attempt to help.
Whatever your resistance notice and acknowledge it with compassion.
If it pleases you take a moment to journal your thoughts and feelings.
It's also valid just to relax and take a moment to listen to the music.
Our aim is towards a quieter mind.
I'll give you some time to write and reflect.
Let me share a personal story with you.
I used to have a habit of eating sugary foods.
I didn't know it was a habit.
I believed I had an addiction to sugar.
One day one of the lads I was working with in prison said that he noticed that there was a connection between how he felt in his stomach and what was going on in his head.
In that moment I had an insight that I didn't really know the connection between my stomach and my head.
Over the next 24 hours I reflected on this thought and wondered if it could be true.
The next day I was working from home and I suddenly found myself going down looking for something to eat,
Something sugary,
Some cake or a biscuit or some chocolate.
As I rummaged in the pantry I suddenly remembered the story about the connection between the stomach and the head and I paused and I realised that I was just hungry,
That it was noon and I was ready for lunch.
In that moment I saw that I didn't notice when I was hungry I would interpret that signal as needing something sweet and there were many other signals that I interpreted as needing something sweet.
Now I have a story about why I disconnected from my body but that's not important right now.
The important thing is that the habit I developed of looking for sugary snacks was innocent.
It was just a miscommunication between my brain and my stomach and once I realised that I was just hungry or tired or emotional and that my body needed something but not necessarily something sweet,
I was able to see the addiction for what it was,
An innocent way of trying to help me.
I've been on a long journey with that new realisation and had many other insights along the way but I no longer believe that I am addicted to sugary snacks.
I see that they don't help me and if I eat them I want more but I can also see that I don't have to eat them.
Take a moment to reflect on this story and consider if it changes your perspective.
Do you see the connection between your inner state and your habits differently now?
Please don't worry if you can't see anything new right now.
You've already opened your mind to new possibilities and insight will follow in time.
If you feel called to go deeper into this practice consider exploring the playlist in my profile called Addictions and my course on Overcoming Habits and Addictions.
This course provides a deeper look at the nature of addiction and how you can create sustainable recovery and clarity.
As we conclude our reflections together I invite you to carry the insights you've gained and remember habits are not to be judged or scorned they are simply the lizard brains way of helping you.
Lots of love.
