At Jaywalker Lodge, we are guided by our core values every day, in everything we do. Our entire program and every aspect of our day-to-day life is built upon the heart of our beliefs. We do things a little differently here at Jaywalker Lodge — and our values and beliefs are the reasons why. We have a strong foundation rooted in the 12-Steps, and that has inspired us to summarize our heart in 12 beliefs. These are the 12 things we believe in most strongly — the things that mold and motivate our every action, interaction, and decision. We believe in you getting to know us better, so we want to share with you the meaning behind what “We Believe.”
This week, we are discussing our fourth belief: We believe that cleanliness and immaculate order create an environment of safety, trust, and other-centered consciousness. Jaywalker Lodge is big on environment. You can look out the window and see that for yourself. The natural beauty all around us is a lovely foundation, but that’s not the kind of environment we’re talking about. We’re talking about the inner climate of Jaywalker Lodge. We have a thriving community all around us, and both our alumni and the families of those who stay with us are encouraged to be active in that community. That family-style friendliness and intimate community is a big part of who we are for many reasons. But the most obvious one is that it’s easier to incorporate recovery into your life when your life is incorporated into your recovery.
Giving and Receiving Trust
Beyond that, we are purposeful in creating an environment of truth and trust. The 12-Steps require honesty, and so do we at Jaywalker Lodge. Truth, trust, and honesty are best fostered by giving them — only then can you expect to receive them. We do a lot of therapy here at Jaywalker Lodge, both individually and as a group. Honesty in these settings can only yield better information and deeper healing. This trust leads right into the next element of our Jaywalker environment: Safety. We know we’re safe here, and we want you to know that you are as well. Jaywalker Lodge is like home to us, and home is somewhere where you’re safe to be yourself, be honest, and be real. Whether it’s the safety consciousness we utilize when we’re on outings or doing fun stuff outdoors, or the emotional and mental safety we emphasize within the Lodge and all our therapy sessions. Jaywalker Lodge never makes it difficult to instantly recognize — this is a safe place.
What It Means to Be “Other-Centered”
What about an environment of “other-centered” consciousness? What does that mean? The book of Alcoholics Anonymous explains: “Most of us sense that real tolerance of other people’s shortcomings and viewpoints and a respect for their opinions are attitudes which make us more useful to others. Our very lives, as ex-problem drinkers, depend upon our constant thought of others and how we may help meet their needs.”
Indeed, our very lives — and therefore our hopeful and happy recovery — depends upon how often we think of others and how we can help them. This isn’t some directive to do tons of thankless work. It’s literally the key to freedom from self, and a huge part of the freedom from our disease offered by the 12-Step program. Service to our community not only enriches, enlarges, and fills our lives in recovery, it makes our lives in recovery possible.
We Are Stronger Together
Now that we have our basic elements for the one-of-a-kind Jaywalker environment, let’s tie it all together. How do cleanliness and immaculate order help create that wonderful environment in which we live and recover? It’s the little things that all add up to something spectacular. We live together, we go to meetings together, and we recover together. Of course we do. But there’s more to it. We eat together. That means we cook together. We share the kitchen and feed ourselves and each other. This might seem simple, but it’s huge. We are responsible for the place where we cook and eat together every day. Keeping things clean and orderly isn’t just a good habit — it’s positive attention given to the common spaces and things we all share. Sure, it’s a good and important life skill, but more than that it informs all the bigger ways we live our lives. Practicing it now, here, in the safety of Jaywalker Lodge has a resounding ripple effect throughout life in recovery. Loving attention to the details, with our minds ever turned to how we can make things better for others, can improve and bless not just our entire lives in recovery, but the lives of everyone we interact with.
We cook together, we eat together, we clean together, we get up early and make our beds together, we climb mountains and have fun together, we heal together, and we recover together. We do it all in an environment of safety, trust, and other-centered consciousness. And we are able to do it because we stress cleanliness and immaculate order in all things big and small, on an everyday basis.
Alcoholism and addiction can devastate those who suffer to our core. There is a solution, and it can rebuild us and our lives. The 12-Steps are designed to facilitate the necessary psychic change and vital spiritual experience needed to attain freedom from alcoholism and addiction. If you have tried to achieve long-term recovery before and have not been successful, Jaywalker Lodge may be able to provide the missing pieces of the puzzle. Our unique model of recovery and our Jaywalker environment often make the difference. Call us today at (866) 529-9255.
As Chief Executive Officer Bill provides leadership and manage all day-to-day operations of Jaywalker Lodge, an extended care residential addiction treatment program for adult men.
