I’m Ready to Continue Growing as a Person
As I end my stay here at Narconon and take what I’ve learned out into the world, I reflect on these lessons. I begin with what I’ve come to think of Narconon as “an achievable, linear program that transforms complex problems into simple solutions.” Put simply, Narconon works.
Beginning with the first place all students go, withdrawal, lessons start immediately. In withdrawal, I could come to terms with where I was, why I was there, and what I would be doing. I learned that I was physically healthier than I thought, making it easy to move on to the next phase.
In sauna, I had two main takeaways. First, my body’s toxicity after twenty years of hard drinking contributed to my desire to drink. Cleansing my body made me feel better and desire alcohol less. Second, the rest of the program required discipline and patience.
I think of Objectives as building a pyramid of mental fortitude. You start with a base that will eventually support the structure. You might look at the base and be confused. It isn’t easy to see what the result might be. But the base must be there. Upon that base, you continue with the bulk of the pyramid, which converges toward an increasingly apparent point. For me, the capstone of the Objectives pyramid was the realization that I am capable, comfortable, and confident. These qualities I would need for the next part of the program.
Life skills are broken down into three parts: Ups and Downs, Personal Values, and Conditions. Similarly to Objectives, these components build upon each other. My two main takeaways from Ups and Downs were prerequisites for the rest of life skills. A better and more precise understanding of what is right and wrong, and the beginning of my ability to take responsibility for what I’ve done wrong. Personal Values taught me to look at specific wrongdoings in the various aspects of my life, acknowledge them, and take responsibility for them. My biggest takeaway from Personal Values was realizing that my actions have much farther-reaching effects than I had imagined.
“I don’t know exactly what life will throw at me. But I do know, whatever it is, I can handle it.”
I will separate Conditions from the rest of life skills because my main takeaway from it is also my main takeaway from the program as a whole. I understand what I’ve done wrong. I have a good understanding of why I did it. Making these things right will be an ongoing and ever-evolving process. But I now have the tools to move forward successfully. My tool belt will grow into a toolbox, a tool chest, and so on as I continue improving.
I don’t know exactly what life will throw at me. But I do know, whatever it is, I can handle it.
R.R. Narconon Graduate
