Chapter 17

A DIFFERENT STREET

What annoying habit or addiction are you struggling with? What street do you continue to walk down, even though you know it’s a road that leads to the creation of a personal hell? Jesus, in Matthew 5:30 said the following:

“If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.”

In other words, if going to the strip club causes you to think about cheating on your wife or girlfriend—cut it off. If drinking alcohol causes you to become mean or violent—cut it off. If you check your Facebook account ten times per day, and it causes your work to suffer—cut it off. If betting on sporting events causes you to not have the extra money to buy copies of this book for your friends—cut it off.

I’ve had my fair share of party days. I’ve dabbled in the various types of substances that promise a change of reality. You know, an escape from your current conditions—a quick fix of happiness. I discuss these situations in detail in Chapter 10 of Your Truth Will Set You Free. Through those experiences, I’ve learned that nothing feels better than sobriety. You are in control of your life. While under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you are not in control—the substance is. You’ll never maximize your potential if something else is running “your” life.

                I’m all for a healthy balance of work and play. I think it’s essential to optimum human performance. However, it’s important to use moderation in your celebration.

                I can recall too many instances of being disappointed in myself for “over-doing” it on the weekends. It seemed like a viscous cycle of self-abuse, and the same frustrating feelings would overtake me. Every Sunday morning I would be kicking myself for my poor “partying decisions.”

                Over and over and over and over.

Every weekend, the same patterns would emerge. It took these countless “sufferings” to get me to where I am today. Trial and error followed by more trial and error.

Fall in the pit.

Climb out of the pit.

Fall in the pit.

Climb out of the pit.