Acknowledgement. Acceptance. Action. Those are three steps that are crucial in making a change. Some language from recovery and addiction treatment leaks its way from anonymous into the public sphere – and this is one of the very good examples of how practical some of it can be. It’s simple, but not at all easy.

Let’s start with Acknowledgement. We’ve heard this one: The first step to recovery is admitting that there’s a problem. For our purposes, “recovery” can apply to Depression, Anxiety, isolation or any other psychosocial issue. The idea is simple enough. But, again, not at all easy. So much stigma comes with admitting the problem is a problem as opposed to a quirk, preference, or just part of one’s personality. To say “IT” is real, prevalent, and a problem is a huge step. So many people live in denial of the most basic truths about themselves because they’d simply rather not. Rather not what? They’d simply rather not. Raise your hand if you’ve been stuck in that loop before.

Acceptance. This is so tricky. Because the quick desire from finally acknowledging a thing can be to say, “Action!” then go bounding off. But if you haven’t accepted the truth of that which you’ve acknowledged, there’s a good chance you’ll be headed off in the wrong direction. Seeing a thing, let’s say an issue like isolation, for what it is as opposed to what’s on the surface takes time. It almost certainly requires support from someone else so you can bounce what you’re seeing off each other. Sometimes it requires multiple people over a time period to really see “IT” for what it is. This is where the old proverb fits, if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. 

Action! This is crucial – once acknowledgement and action have taken place, you’ve got to do something. How many people think that because they’ve identified their health issue, and know how to lift weights and do cardio, they are in shape? I mean, knowing how to do it is enough, right? Not so much. This isn’t denial so much as lack of alignment. Once again, support is key for accountability and to remind ourselves of our why. This fits another well known quote – this one from Viktor Frankl: “A man who…knows the 'why' for his existence, and will be able to bear almost any 'how.'”

Another example of the power of action: when a film Director starts a scene, what does she call out? “Think about it!” “Consider the circumstances!” “Ruminate for a week!” No. She calls “Action!” Why? Because it’s time to do something. So it goes after acknowledgement and acceptance. 

Audiences demand Clarity and action. The opposites are distinct signs of sickness: confusion and boredom. 

So my call for mental health and wellness goes out with this call to action: Do not just talk about your feelings. Do not just think about them. Do something. Here’s a great safe and very brave space to start: Write. Not just for yourself, but with others. And with the intention of sharing it broadly. You won’t know what you really think until you put it on the page. You won’t know what the audience thinks until they get a chance to read it. They’ll let you know. Fear not! They will let you know. And when you speak your truth, with clarity and engagement, you'll find out how not alone you really are.

We have the safe, brave and fun space to do this work: the Day One program. Based on Cinema Therapy, we watch and study films like The Shawshank Redemption, Inside Out and Field of Dreams to help people understand why those particular stories resonate with them. There’s more than we see on the surface – and all of that lights the path not only for ourselves, but all those who follow. 

Join us for our next online class,

The Shawshank Hero’s Journey,

starting on Monday, September 2. 

Originally Published on https://www.yesandexercise.org/

Robert Cochrane, PhD Yes, And...eXercise!

Dr. Robert Cochrane is a graduate of UNLV's Integrated Health Sciences department. He's researching the effect of improvisation and storytelling on Parkinson’s disease. He received grants from the Parkinson's Foundation and support from the Davis Phinney Foundation along the way. He is a popular, unique and high energy Keynote speaker, bringing joy, optimism and practical tools for people in the PD community to thrive today.

He has a background in filmmaking, with the Artisan Entertainment release, The Playaz Court, and two Stephen King-based short films among his credits. His father, Dan, was diagnosed with PD in 2001, which shifted Robert’s artistic lens to health. He made his first documentary, the award-winning Boys of Summer in 2004. There are two follow up films in the series with the fourth film coming in 2023.

He moved his family back to Walnut Creek, CA, where he grew up. He lives there with his beautiful wife, two teenagers who are, indeed, "all that" and is a proud care partner for his amazing parents.