A few years ago, Tamekia Reece wrote an article for Prevention. Reece identified ten habits of people who lived to be 100. At the top of the list was one thing.
Mix and mingle.
She wrote, “People live longer and happier lives if they make new friends and keep old ones.”
Another study conducted in the United Kingdom found that people with a solid community of friends live four years longer than those who don’t.
Investing into the lives of others is good for your health, happiness, and recovery. Andrew Carnegie was right when he said, “No man can become rich without enriching others.” The Bible agrees: “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another” (1 John 1:7).
Recovery Step: Do yourself (and others) a favor by doing two things – make new friends and keep old ones.
Author: Mark Denison
Mark and Beth Denison, married for 36 years, launched There’s Still Hope as a national movement to call men and women into lives of sexual integrity. Their ministry offers 90-day recovery plans for addicts and one-on-one and group coaching for addicts and their spouses. TSH also produces resources for pastors and churches to confront the porn epidemic that is destroying so many lives.
Dr. Denison was a senior pastor for over 30 years, NBA chaplain, and board chairman at Houston Baptist University three times. With a Master’s Degree in Addiction Recovery, Mark is a certified PSAP and active member of the American Association of Christian Counselors.
Mark has written four books on recovery: Porn in the Pew, 365 Days to Sexual Integrity, A 90-Day Recovery Guide, and 40 Days to Porn-Free Living. His latest book, Jesus on the 12 Steps, will be released later this year.
