"I came to GROW 12 years ago. A series of major life issues made me realize I needed to get my life in order. I was a wife, a mother, had a job and yet I felt totally inadequate. Ordinary things that people take for granted, like phoning to get information, caused me great fear and anxiety. I was co-dependant and I was ashamed that I'd failed others and myself. All in all, over time, this made me miserable enough to withdraw into myself and avoid all social situations.

I desperately wanted acceptance and friendship and so I let myself be "used". I often felt like I was constantly juggling the demands on my time and energy and yet I seemed unable to change the situation.

Having admitted to myself that I had a problem, which is the first of GROW's 12 steps, I came to GROW with hope that the program would help me change the long standing habits that ruled my life. I found it hard to accept at first that I needed to change by learning the GROW Program. I had to work on myself to allow change in my close relationships. In the weekly Group Meeting I began to respond to the offer of friendship, and was encouraged to offer the same to improve the relationship with my husband. I resolved to change my thinking and self-talk. I began replacing the old negative thoughts with energizing, affirming thoughts. The group's acceptance began to build my self-esteem and I started to come out of my shell.

I found I could begin to do ordinary things that had caused me anxiety in the past. I could overcome the fear of embarrassing myself and better organize myself and started to go out again. I began to think by reason instead of feelings, to thoughtfully act rather than react, which improved life at home enormously. My communication with others improved when I finally understood that feelings are not facts.

I learnt to be reasonable in my expectations and to respond in a reasonable manner to others, to govern myself, to set boundaries and allow and respect the boundaries of others. In doing these things I gradually found forgiveness. I also learnt to give and receive compliments graciously and became less self-conscious.

My life has been transformed. A great sense of freedom comes from being helped out of the rut of life. Freedom to be who we are meant to be and realize our own true potential! My life continues to present challenges and changes, but I have continued with GROW, working on myself and encouraging others. "Each person's recovery or growth aids the transformation of the world."
Winifred, Far North Coast NSW