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Walk the Line

Location: Outdoors (an area where people can spread out)

Time: 30 minutes

Materials: A platform where the facilitator can be seen by the group (steps, picnic table, or chair)

Line on the ground with space on each side (use chalk or a string)

Walk the Line Handout (for facilitator)

Objectives

• To provide an opportunity to reflect upon different areas in life.

• To evaluate how these areas can enhance success or pose additional challenges to recovery.

Directions

1. Read aloud the following directions:

The purpose of this activity is to provide an opportunity to reflect upon different areas in each of our lives and how these areas can enhance success or pose additional challenges to recovery. There are no right or wrong answers in this activity. It is a self-inventory of how things are for each one of us, here and now. If you are blessed with a lot of positive factors that help your recovery, use them well. If you are faced with a lot of challenges, be aware that you will need to work hard to overcome difficulties. Self-awareness is one of the things that helps you make wise decisions. Find pride in your own awareness and in your own ability to take positive strides, despite challenges.

2. Draw a line on a sidewalk or other flat area that everyone can stand next to in a single-file line.

3. Identify one side of the line as Strengths and the other side as a Challenges.

4. Read aloud one of the attributes from the Walk the Line Handout. Each time an attribute is called out, direct participants to take one step in the direction of strengths or challenges. It is up to each person to decide if something is a strength or a challenge for him or her. It may not be the same for everyone.

5. At the conclusion of this activity, have participants take inventory of their relative position of strengths or challenges. Encourage them to discuss what they have learned; some may notice that many share the same experiences.

Observations

This activity was done in beautiful weather on the basketball court as part of a series of outdoor activities. Twenty-seven group members participated, and the activity maintained full attention for longer than thirty minutes. The enthusiasm of the group was genuine and contagious. The spread on each side of the line was unexpectedly vast. Some women took giant steps to represent major strengths or challenges, and one woman took twenty-five steps to represent each of her grandchildren. Several took very large steps to represent their anger management challenges. A few women seemed to have setbacks each time they approached a position of strength. After going through the list, a large group had hit the fence on the strengths side, and a small group remained on the challenges side. One woman had never left the challenge side and was counseled afterward. She was aware, philosophical, and expressed that it showed what she already knew—she was going to have to work extra hard. Most of the participants expressed surprise at the way others shared similar struggles.

Inspired by: Johnny Cash’s song and a popular children’s party game.

Walk the Line HANDOUT

Attributes: Do you have a strength or a challenge?

Do you have a high school diploma?

Do you have family members that use alcohol or other drugs?

Do you have children to love?

Do you have job skills?

Do you have a home waiting for you?

Do you have health problems?

Is there food in your pantry?

Do you have a bank account?

Do you have money in the bank?

Do you have a car?

Do you have a driver’s license?

Do you know your social security number?

Do you know where your social security card is?

Do you belong to a church?

Do you have a copy of your birth certificate?

Do you have a sponsor?

Do you have a sponsor who you have talked to in the last week?

Do you have a home group?

Do you have friends who don’t use?

Have you been in recovery for thirty days?

Have you been in recovery for ten days?

Have you been in recovery for five days?

Do you think you might have anger management problems?

Do you know how to smile?

Do you believe in yourself?

Are you honest with yourself?

Are you loyal to yourself?

Do you have spirituality?

Do you have a role model?

Do you know where you want to be next month?

Can you picture yourself successful?

Are you worried about something?

Do you have dental problems?

Do you have clothes suitable for a job interview?

Have you written a good-bye letter to your addiction?

Have you done a good deed today?

Is your room clean?

Have you learned something about yourself today?

Have you completed your first step?

Have you created a relapse prevention plan?

Do you know your triggers?

Can you control your cravings?

Have you ever faced your cravings and successfully overcome them without using?

Have you written a letter to a friend or loved one within the last year?

Can you look in the mirror and feel good about what you see?

Have you taken a shower within the last twenty-four hours?

Do you smoke cigarettes?

Do you borrow or steal cigarettes to keep up the habit?

Have you told someone you love them within the last thirty days?

Have you done treatment work that wasn’t required?

Have you cleaned up after someone else?

Have you done a chore without complaint?

Have you smelled a flower this week?

Have you done a morning meditation?

Have you given someone a compliment?

Have you had a good dream that you remember?

Have you been late to group?

Do you wake up in the morning feeling happy?

Do you cross talk in groups?

Do you look forward to tomorrow?

Have you set a good example for someone else this week?

Have you ever had a bad hair day?

Do you know how to have a good relationship with another person?

Is someone you care about in a gang?

Have you ever been in a gang?

Do you think you are over or under weight?

Have people told you that you are over or under weight?

Do you care about someone who has HIV or AIDS?

Did someone insult you and it hurt you?

Have you given someone a compliment?

Have you said “thank you” this week?