People, Places, and Things: The Influence We Don’t Always See
People, Places, and Things: The Influence We Don’t Always See
By Courtney Morgan
We hear the phrase “people, places, and things” often, especially in recovery. But this isn’t just about avoiding triggers or changing habits. It’s about understanding how deeply our environments shape who we are and how that impact extends into our families.
Because whether we realize it or not, everything around us is influencing something within us. The people we spend time with. The places we go. The things we do, touch, and repeat every day. None of it is neutral.
People Matter More Than We Think
People can either support whom we’re becoming or keep us tied to whom we used to be. Sometimes it’s obvious. Sometimes it’s not. Sometimes it looks like encouragement, accountability, and growth. Other times, it looks like comfort that quietly keeps us stuck.
The truth is, not everyone is meant to go where you’re going. And that doesn’t make anyone a bad person. It just means not everyone is aligned with your direction. For families, this matters even more.
Children don’t just listen to what we say—they watch what we allow. They learn what relationships look like by watching ours.
Places Hold More Than Just Space
Places carry memories. They carry energy. They carry patterns. A house, a street, even a room can pull us back into old versions of ourselves without us even realizing it. Not because we want to go backward—but because it’s familiar. And familiarity is powerful.
That’s why creating safe, intentional spaces matters. It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to feel different. A place where people can breathe. A place where conversations happen. A place where peace is practiced.Because healing doesn’t just happen in people it happens in places.
Things Become Patterns
“Things” aren’t always obvious. It’s not just substances. It’s routines. It’s habits. It’s what we reach for when we’re overwhelmed, bored, or trying to cope. Some things help us move forward. Some quietly pull us backward. And over time, those things become patterns.
For families, those patterns become normal. What we do every day becomes what our children understand as life. So the question becomes—what are we showing them?
It’s All Connected
People, places, and things don’t exist separately. They work together. A certain person, in a certain place, doing a certain thing—can either support growth or reinforce cycles. That’s why change can feel overwhelming. Because it’s not just one thing. It’s everything connected to it.
The Impact on Family
What affects us doesn’t stop with us. It shows up in our homes. In our conversations. In the way we respond to stress. In the way we connect—or don’t.
But the same is true for growth. When we start making different choices, our families feel that too. They see it. They learn from it. They benefit from it. Even when it’s uncomfortable. Even when it requires change.
Choosing Differently
We don’t always get to choose to what we’ve been exposed. But we do get to choose what we continue. We can choose:
Who we keep close
Where we spend our time
What we bring into our daily lives
And those choices matter. Because small changes in people, places, and things don’t stay small. They change direction.
A Final Thought
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about awareness. It’s about intention. It’s about recognizing what’s influencing us and deciding what we want to carry forward.
Because the truth is simple: What surrounds us shapes us. And what shapes us… shapes our families. And that’s where real change begins.
Save A Life Recovery Resource Center
Location:19 VFW Street, Lincoln, ME
Phone: 207-403-9100
Open Hours:
Monday: 10:00 – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM
Friday: 2:00 – 6:00 PM
Upcoming Events:
New Beginnings Brunch: April 11th & April 25th, 10:00-12:00pm.
Earth Day Greenhouse Clean Up: April 22nd at 1:00pm
Maine Speaks: Wendy Allen April 25th at 12:00pm
Prom Hair: We will be offering to do hair at no cost on May16th from 12:00-6:00pm
World No Tobacco Day Concert: May 31st at 6:00pm
Battle of the Bands: June 27th at 3:00pm
Loon Festival: July 17th, 18th, 19th at the Square
Recovery Block Party: September 4th at 5:00pm
Schedule Updates:
Please check our Facebook page for the most up-to-date schedule information. While we strive for consistency, occasional cancellations may occur. Facebook is the fastest way to see changes: facebook.com/SaveALifeRecoveryNetwork
Ways to Donate
Support our work in the following ways:
PayPal: director@salrecovery.org
Venmo: @thecenter207 Checks:
Save A Life Recovery Resource Center, P.O. Box 12, Lincoln, ME 04457
Secondary Prevention Services (Free & Open to All)Available during all open hours:-Free Narcan -Wound care and hygiene kits -Locked medication storage containers -Medication disposal kits -Harm Reduction
Weekly Schedule
Monday
• (NEW)Forgotten Mourners: Siblings Survivor Group- 5:00pm (available in person and via zoom)
• Welcome Home NA* – 6:00pm
Tuesday
• AA* – 12:00 PM • (NEW)Women of Divorce Peer Support Group- 1:30pm (available in person and via zoom)
• Mental Health Peer Support Group- 5:00 pm (available in person and via zoom)
• Recovery in Color- 5:30pm
Wednesday• (NEW) All Recovery Family Meeting-1:30pm
• Teen Hive- 2:00-5:00pm
• Creative Writing^ – 5:30pm
• Teen Recovery Coach Available 2:00-6:00pm
Thursday
• Book Club-4:00pm
• Knitting for Wellness – 5:00pm
• Welcome Home NA* – 6:00pm
• Teen Recovery Coach Available 2:00-6:00pm
Friday
• Adulting 101- 4:00pm
• AA* – 7:00pm
Saturday
• New Beginnings Brunch: 2nd and 4th Saturdays, 10:00am. Upcoming Dates: 4/11 & 4/25
• Music Club^ – 5:00pm until finished. Instruments provided or bring your own Sunday
• AA* – 1:00pm
^ Free childcare available • NA and AA groups are independent and not affiliated with Save A Life Recovery Resource Center
Recovery Coach Services (Free of Charge): If you are seeking recovery from substance use or unhealthy lifestyle patterns, or are an affected loved one, we offer one-on-one support from Peer Recovery Coaches at no cost. We are also proud to offer support through our volunteer Teen Recovery Coach.
Recovery Coach Training: Interested in becoming a volunteer Recovery Coach? We partner with local organizations that offer free virtual Recovery Coach training that holds day classes throughout the year. Call 207-403-9100 to learn more.
Stay Connected
• Facebook: facebook.com/SaveALifeRecoveryNetwork
• Website: thecenter207.org
• Instagram: @TheCenter207
• LinkedIn: TheCenter207
• YouTube: @thecenter.207
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