World’s #1 Addiction
by Daryl Daughtry, Publisher
– Listen to article here.
Isn’t it ironic that your brain says it wants to get rid of problems, but also finds identity in problems. This is very common in most people. In fact, it’s the world’s number one (#1) addiction today.
Addiction is a frustrating thing where you know something is bad for you but you also don’t want to let it go. This is how your brain is with your problems. It doesn’t want the problems, but it becomes insecure at the thought of letting them go. If you aren’t regularly thinking about your problems, you begin to feel strangely insecure. Have you ever noticed this thinking habit in you?
It’s very natural for your brain to see a problem and want to come up with a solution. In fact, your brain is programmed to eagerly chase after a solution. It’s kinda like throwing a ball for a dog to fetch. But, even though you’re anxious togo after the solution, you still want it to be easy. In fact, if it isn’t within easy reach, your first response is almost always to say… “I don’t know.”
A common occurrence in your brain is its tendency to attach self-identify to a problem. So, losing that problem is like losing part of your identity. And this sense of loss causes you to want to keep the problem around. Then, you find yourself recreating it in one form or another in order not to lose that part of your identity.
I’m quite sure you have seen people who have abusive relationships, problems with their health, employment problems, and more who negatively create an identity around their problems. Even though they talk about being free of their problems, they seem to base everything around their problem-based identity. There are different levels of problem-addicted people, but all of us are guilty in our own way.
Unfortunately, people tend to focus on what’s wrong versus what’s right in the world and in their life. They dwell on what’s missing, lacking, or broken. Most of us are never obsessed about what’s going right and what we’re thankful for.
I want to challenge you to consciously be aware when your brain is attempting to create an identity out of a problem. If you find yourself in the habit of complaining, blaming, and venting about your problems, it’s a symptom of your brain’s attachment to a problem-based identity. The world’s number one (#1) addiction.
Believe it or not, your brain will even make you feel guilty about not obsessing on your problems. Why, you ask? It’s because ruminating about your troubles has become a life-long habit and habits have some sort of payoff that you think you need. Addiction to problem-based thinking is difficult to reverse. The more you are aware this state of mind the easier it is for you to detect it and stop reinforcing it.
In simple terms, the best way to get rid of darkness is to turn on some light. So, prepare positive affirmations to counter your stinky thinking. Wake up every morning and remind yourself of what you’re grateful for in your life. Guess what? After a while, you will begin to create healthy thinking habits that create a new identity that will serve you much better.
Who knew that self-identity with your problems was the world’s number one (#1) addiction?
