A client with heart problems shared in group that he hasn’t been showing up for medical appointments. When he told his doctor he was worried about losing his job if he missed work the doctor asked if he wanted to die. He said no, that he wanted to stay healthy. But those in the group looked skeptical.
"Have you ever owned a car?" The group leader asked.
"Yes I have," the client responded. "More than one."
"What was the most expensive one worth?"
"Maybe twenty-five or thirty thousand," the client responded.
"Did you change your oil, get it tuned up, wash and wax it?"
"Of course," the client said. "I took good care of that car."
"So is your life for more than 30,000?"
"Of course," replied the client. "I can't put a price on my life."
The dialogue went this way for a few moments. But the point is that this man spent money, time and energy to take care of a $30,000 car. However, he doesn’t take the time and energy necessary to care for his health – something he said was priceless to him.
And what really made his story hard to believe is that he has no-cost state insurance and doesn’t get penalized for the time he spends on medical appointments.
We often encounter clients who won’t prioritize their health. Once sober, they continue smoking, being sedentary, and eating junk food.
Is it lack of self-esteem? Is it fear of bad news? Whatever keeps us from living life to the fullest runs counter to freedom and joy we’re promised in the 12-step programs.
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