I started creating walking experiences for myself in unique places that prompted nostalgic thinking. The walk through the neighborhood that I grew up in as a child—while listening to the big book and Christian sermons—and sitting down in scenery to read and study the scriptures sparked a unique reward and peace that told me things were going to be okay. After reading, and while further walking, I would REFLECT on the DOING (reading and walking). Then, CONCEPTS from God’s still, small voice would flow into my mind on how I could make further changes to my character and its defects. Then I would DEVISE a plan on what to work on next or where to take my next walking and reading experience.
You see, such an experience that was intentionally done in an effort to invoke nostalgia and spiritual learning became a platform for God to coach me on. Think about it: I’m moving in familiar scenery while talking to God and listening to His words; therefore, my thoughts get elevated to levels that feel good, which creates a new spiritual reward that motivates me to create further walking experiences. A spiritual habit starts to form that is in the opposite direction of my substance-abuse habits. I’m starting to remove myself from the six-lane freeway of substance abuse and onto the grass path that leads to God’s foundation of health and happiness. Here’s how it flows:
DOING: A walking experience while listening to uplifting music/ audiobooks, then reading the word of God in scenery to then have a prayer experience.
REFLECTION: Reflect on the DOING. Reflect on the walking—how I felt from the music, walking movement, audiobook/ sermons, reading, scenery, and prayer.
CONCEPTUALIZE: Take note of the concepts being dropped into your mind from God; new ideas on how to capture the spiritual lifestyle.
DEVISE: Devise a plan on what to do next. What character defect do you want to improve on? How are you going to get closer to God? How can you put yourself in a position to have more spiritual experiences?
These four intervals of doing, reflecting, conceptualizing, and devising will help you recognize the rewards that come from living the simple life of a believer.
Remember, the pills, smokes, drinks, and pornography are rewards that are easily visible, which means they are highly addictive because they take no work and attack our pleasure center.
Therefore, these four intervals of learning are harder and do take effort, but they become a pondering and deep reflection practice that helps us see the rewards inside the spiritual life. The hope is that your mind will learn to habitually work inside this new framework while you seek to change your habits. If so, you will have a better chance of seeing the beautiful highs that take place inside the sober life.
