And, depending on family values, this usually includes education, hard work and achievement. Even though positive goals, these pressures can create stress in our lives.
But no matter what our culture, few of us learned how to deal with stress in an effective manner. Many of us have all this stuff thrown at us without the tools to decompress.
We see evidence of this with our clients. Often the first thing out of their mouths when they're in trouble is that they're "stressed out."
And many remember the blissful feeling of that first drink or drug. How they had - all of a sudden - found the promised land. How they suddenly were freed of the pressure to perform and live up to the expectations of others. A feeling they like to replicate when they face challenges.
As a result, much of our job at TLC is to teach addicts that the stress they feel is a normal part of life. That they can deal it with it by accepting it as something they can live with. That they can deal with pain without resorting to painkillers or mood enhancers.
But wouldn’t it be nice if our youngsters were taught that they can enjoy life as they go? That they don't have to hurry to get to the next great thing. That the pot of gold they’re seeking is not at the end of the rainbow? That it's in the present moment?
That right now is okay, that it's the only moment they have in which to enjoy life.
