Reckon
- by Jessica Cleveland, LPC
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in Individuals

The word “reckon” is most often heard when someone has contemplated a situation and made a decision. In the Greek language this word is broken down more specifically to mean “to take and inventory, or to draw a conclusion.”
As human beings, how often to we take inventory of our behavior and draw conclusions based on the desired outcome? Let’s consider the behavior of people for a moment.
An addict will repeatedly participate in a negative behavior despite setting positive goals to change because so many times the gain from a high, trumps the heartache that comes with the consequences.
Individuals who suffer from anxiety may cling to their ritualistic behaviors to calm their fear, but in reality, they are not calming nor controlling the fear, instead it is controlling them.
In essence, these types of behaviors become self-defeating. If you have ever desired to change your behavior you must first name the “thing” to change it. Identify your goal, make plans, define obstacles (thing or things) that are preventing you from reaching your goal, and take small steps to change.
Small steps will allow for gradual success and will increase motivation. Here are some things to think about in regard to reckoning:
- What obstacles are in the way of achieving your freedom?
- What triggers you to participate in the self-defeating behavior?
- How do you present yourself to the “thing” that is interfering with you having an abundant and fulfilling life?
- What are you gaining by continuing to participate in this behavior?
- What have you believed concerning your relationship to this “thing”?
After you have considered these questions, take inventory and draw a conclusion. What is blocking you and what steps do you need to take to be free?