GROUP EXPECTATIONS: 

  • You are expected to attend consistently and to participate in a constructive manner.
  • Group runs 9:00 AM through 12:00PM, there are two 10 minute breaks.
  • Maintain Confidentiality. It is essential that everything said in group therapy is kept private by all group members and leaders.
  • Be Respectful to the other Group Members.  Listen attentively, refrain from disruptive behavior, and tolerate differences in personal opinion and opposing value systems.
  • No Cellphone Use.

ICE BREAKER

If you could talk to anyone in the world (alive or dead), who would it be? Why?

What does SPIRITUALITY means to you?

Look at these definitions of spirituality. Which ones describe what spirituality means to you?
Spirituality is:

  1.  A person’s relationship with God.
  2. The deepest level from which a human being operates.
  3. The philosophical context of a person’s life (values, rules, attitudes, and views).
  4. The same as religion.
  5. Other: _________________________________________________________ 

The second and third definitions describe spirituality in a broad sense. When it comes to recovery, these broad definitions are the most useful way to think of spirituality. They describe being spiritual as having to do with a person’s spirit or soul, as distinguished from his or her physical being. Some people believe the level and degree of spirituality in a person’s life help determine the quality of life. ​To live an abstinent life, the person in recovery has to be comfortable within himself or herself. Gaining a sense of spirituality gives many people the inner peace that makes abusing substances unnecessary.

One way to assess the quality of your spirituality is by answering the following questions: 

  • What do you want from life? Are you getting it?
  • Who do you have to be before you approve of yourself? (What qualities are 
    most important to you?) 
  • What does success mean to you? (What does “making it” mean?)

This Week's Character Strength Spotlight is on SPIRITUALITY

WHAT DOES SPIRITUALITY/CONNECTION/PURPOSE MEAN? You have beliefs about the meaning of life and your life’s purpose. You seek to be part of something greater than yourself.

Connection/purpose gives individuals the sense that they are put on this earth for a reason and that they are somehow connected with humanity or the universe. People who possess a sense of purpose believe that they were put on earth for a reason. That reason can have all kinds of variety. It could be to create a unique invention, to bring joy through art or music, or to raise their children to become good people. These people have a true calling.

One of the most insightful and impactful researchers of this strength was Viktor Frankl, the author of Man’s Search for Meaning. Frankl analyzed and wrote about his experiences in Auschwitz concentration camp during World War II. Frankl’s experiences taught him that purpose provides strength and that “Those who have a ‘why’ to life, can bear with almost any ‘how’.”

WHY DOES 'IT' MATTER? 

Having a clear sense of purpose in life, and a belief that you’re connected to a larger meaning, gives individuals strength. It allows them to persevere and find courage in trying circumstances, or lead with kindness and love even when it’s not reciprocated. Those with a sense of purpose have more meaning in their life – and are more fulfilled.

On a group level, purpose can be a powerful aligning element. It gives people a reason to continue on in hope and optimism, despite difficult circumstances. The sense of connection between people further strengthens their individual resolve and focus, which fortifies the group. When a group of individuals believe in something higher than themselves, their work can be exponentially greater.

Individuals with this strength are likely to think, feel, or behave in the following ways:

  • I have a definite purpose in life.
  • I feel connected to the world at a larger level.
  • Even in difficult situations, I am able to cope because I know why I’m persevering.
  • It’s vital to know why you’re doing something.
  • I know why I’m here.
  • My life has meaning and what I do matters.
  • Life expects something from eachand every person.


​QUOTES ON CONNECTION/PURPOSE

  • “Your purpose in life is to find your purpose and give your whole heart and soul to it.”
    — GUATAMA BUDDHA
  • “Align your personality with your purpose and no one can touch you.”
    — OPRAH WINFREY
  • “Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose.”
    — VIKTOR FRANKL
  • “Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.”
    — JOHN F. KENNEDY

​This week’s example is Malala Yousafzai — the youngest Nobel Prize laureate. A native of Pakistan’s Swat Valley, she bravely stood up against the Taliban — and survived their vicious attack — for girls’ right to education. Her fight for children’s education worldwide exemplifies her sense of purpose. As she told the audience in her Nobel Lecture, “It is not time to tell the world leaders to realize how important education is – they already know it – their own children are in good schools. Now it is time to call them to take action for the rest of the world’s children.”

 

This Week's Prompt

How do you define spirituality for yourself? Find a way to embrace spirituality before next group and post it to the feed.