Be thoughtful before acting on urges.

The phrase “Think, Think Think” was the first thing I saw upon entering an Alcoholics Anonymous room. I vividly remember seeing it as I walked down the church steps into the meeting room, just before the door, “Think, Think, Think.” Interestingly, the slogan supposedly originated as an early IBM slogan, with AA using it in the 1950’s.

“Think, Think, Think” is a reminder to stop and consider the possible results of your actions. Is this a good decision? Think it through. Don’t listen to your ego or gut; apply logic and realistic expectations instead.

When I was about six months sober, I wanted to start dating again (I didn’t date the 1st year of sobriety). Expressing that I was healthy mentally and emotionally, my sponsor said, “Justin…Think, Think, Think.” He lamented that I wasn’t ready to date because my character was still defective. In addition, I hadn’t finished the 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous, which he insisted I do before dating.

He was right; dating wasn’t the right move at the time. Doing so could have put me in precarious situations, which could have tempted my sobriety. He said, “Think, Think, Think,” to drive home the point that I needed to think with my brain and not be impetuous in pursuing desires and reflexes.

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