Be Purposeful

There is an acronym in the addiction recovery world known as BLAST. This acronym highlights five of the most common triggers for addicts. These triggers are Bored, Lonely, Angry, Stressed, and Tired. With my addiction, I have answered each one of these triggers, I have inappropriately used technology to address my trigger. As you can imagine, this ultimately led to more anxiety, depression, and relapse.

I want to give a recent example of how I was triggered and chose to hide in technology. Tax season can be stressful for everyone. I don’t necessarily like finances or talking about them. They can stress me out. During one such financial talk between myself, my wife, and an accountant, I found myself scrolling social media instead of participating in the conversation. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was stressed and answered the trigger with technology. Later, my wife asked me some questions and stated she felt alone because I hid in social media. It was an eye-opening experience and one I hope to never repeat.

Over the last few weeks and months, I have watched myself retreat back into technology when a BLAST trigger occurs. Did I relapse? No. Did I waste the commodity of time? Yes, and it hurts to say it that way. In review, I’m realizing and learning the value of being purposeful with the use of technology, and anything else I’m doing. I’m pretty good about being purposeful with my laptops and computers. I’m less purposeful with my phone. That is a blind spot I’m trying to address and know it will take a long time.

The idea of being purposeful reminds me of something the Lord taught Edward Partridge in the Doctrine and Covenants: “For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is complled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward. Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness.” (D&C 58:26-27) When we are anxiously engaged in a good cause, we are being purposeful with our time, talents, and everything we have. This is one of the many ways we can serve God more fully.

I know that by being purposeful we can find hope and peace in this life. Being purposeful puts us in a place we can listen to and hear the Holy Ghost teach us (John 14:26). Being purposeful is one of the many tools we have to repent and overcome addiction through the Savior, Jesus Christ.