“I’m about to go on a wonderful trip with an old friend, I should be excited and grateful, but instead I’m just worried about how I will function as a cheerful and entertaining travel companion.” I’m grateful for this share. I learned over the weekend, at a wedding for an old friend, that this attempt to be cheerful and entertaining and not myself leads to misery and isolation. Luckily after a couple days of not doing so, I was able to take down the mask and share the full spectrum of my emotions and be met with a whole lot of “me too”
I took had a similar experience recently when I attended a baby shower for my brother's first child. As I reflected upon my feelings and behavior I realized that my thoughts going in had kinda set the stage for how the day was going to transpire. In the rooms where I am from they have a saying that "our first thoughts are usually wrong",and in this case that was sooo on point. What's great is that these are learning opportunities that perhaps were missed while in active addiction,and I am grateful for the growth that is possible simply because of a choice made.(Not to pick up no matter what)I've learned to embrace these "new"feelings/emotions,and to explore their roots. I don't know about you but I spent so many years doing anything to avoid feeling so when these moments arise I try to remain grateful for the ability to deal with them in a healthy manner. And the best part is that we get to be COMPLETELY there for the ones we love and care about. I'm so grateful that I get to be a participant to love rather than destruction,and for people to reach out that "get it".
I'm new to this (substack and TSB)and have been clean for almost 3yrs. I have been looking for ways to connect with others in recovery,in addition to the rooms. I like how TSB seems to include all of the various things we can become addicted to,and to me that is great. Different perspectives help keep it fresh in my mind that I am NEVER alone on this journey. Thank you so much.
Thank you TSB for sharing very real recovery journeys. By the grace of God I celebrated 18 years on 4/28/24. I try really hard to stay grateful and recognize all the abundance in my life.
Thank you and a deep bow to the orchestra. I could have listened to you all morning. Your humanity makes me feel like I can do this day and make it through. Each of you is a gem💜
“To live with and love a person who entirely misses the point of personal pain is a blessing.” … the other night I finished re-reading Franny and Zooey all weepy-eyed and so my husband picked it up out of curiosity. He thinks it’s boring and I knew he would. It can be disappointing sometimes. I feel this share, and thank you.
"I thought I was going to Al-Anon because of my son. I was, but now I know I’m also there for myself and all the many fucked up relationships in my life. Sometimes I get impatient with all the navel-gazing in Al-Anon. I don’t want to hear about your qualifier, dammit! But there’s no denying the gentle power of that program is transforming me." Amen, says this militant agnostic. Strong words, good issue. Thanks!
“I’m about to go on a wonderful trip with an old friend, I should be excited and grateful, but instead I’m just worried about how I will function as a cheerful and entertaining travel companion.” I’m grateful for this share. I learned over the weekend, at a wedding for an old friend, that this attempt to be cheerful and entertaining and not myself leads to misery and isolation. Luckily after a couple days of not doing so, I was able to take down the mask and share the full spectrum of my emotions and be met with a whole lot of “me too”
I took had a similar experience recently when I attended a baby shower for my brother's first child. As I reflected upon my feelings and behavior I realized that my thoughts going in had kinda set the stage for how the day was going to transpire. In the rooms where I am from they have a saying that "our first thoughts are usually wrong",and in this case that was sooo on point. What's great is that these are learning opportunities that perhaps were missed while in active addiction,and I am grateful for the growth that is possible simply because of a choice made.(Not to pick up no matter what)I've learned to embrace these "new"feelings/emotions,and to explore their roots. I don't know about you but I spent so many years doing anything to avoid feeling so when these moments arise I try to remain grateful for the ability to deal with them in a healthy manner. And the best part is that we get to be COMPLETELY there for the ones we love and care about. I'm so grateful that I get to be a participant to love rather than destruction,and for people to reach out that "get it".
I'm new to this (substack and TSB)and have been clean for almost 3yrs. I have been looking for ways to connect with others in recovery,in addition to the rooms. I like how TSB seems to include all of the various things we can become addicted to,and to me that is great. Different perspectives help keep it fresh in my mind that I am NEVER alone on this journey. Thank you so much.
Thank you TSB for sharing very real recovery journeys. By the grace of God I celebrated 18 years on 4/28/24. I try really hard to stay grateful and recognize all the abundance in my life.
Thank you and a deep bow to the orchestra. I could have listened to you all morning. Your humanity makes me feel like I can do this day and make it through. Each of you is a gem💜
“To live with and love a person who entirely misses the point of personal pain is a blessing.” … the other night I finished re-reading Franny and Zooey all weepy-eyed and so my husband picked it up out of curiosity. He thinks it’s boring and I knew he would. It can be disappointing sometimes. I feel this share, and thank you.
Thank you, Audrey. Gotta check out Franny and Zooey!
(It is boring though ;)
Okay then I will ignore it forever!
Wow. I love all of those. And I absolutely get the John Lennon story!
"I thought I was going to Al-Anon because of my son. I was, but now I know I’m also there for myself and all the many fucked up relationships in my life. Sometimes I get impatient with all the navel-gazing in Al-Anon. I don’t want to hear about your qualifier, dammit! But there’s no denying the gentle power of that program is transforming me." Amen, says this militant agnostic. Strong words, good issue. Thanks!