Getting Out of Your Head and into Your Heart

Many people recognize the importance of service. Giving back to the community helps build a sense of pride and develop a sense of self. In recovery, service is crucial for lasting sobriety. A goal of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is to live a life of purpose, and service is a crucial part of finding meaning. It builds life skills, supports connections, and increases overall well-being.

Supporting healthy connection builds our sober network. When we serve others, we connect with those who are in need, which increases our ability to empathize. Empathy is important for all healthy relationships because it allows us to dig deeper to find meaning. We connect with those who serve alongside us. This develops a social network of like-minded individuals working on the same goal.

Service connects us on a global scale. By building a network of peers, we recognize that we all go through similar struggles. This increases our sense of social responsibility not only to our chosen community but also to humanity at large.

Our mental and physical health improves when we volunteer. Being attentive to the needs of others blocks off destructive thoughts. It helps us get out of our heads and recognize the need for gratitude. There is a saying in AA and NA: “a grateful addict will never use.” Now, this isn’t scientifically proven; however, a grateful person will recognize how far they have come and all the goodness life in recovery has offered them.

There are tons of ways to be of service. It can be a grand action like organizing a rally for a cause you support, or something smaller like calling a friend in need. No matter the scale, being of service is the key to living a life filled with purpose.