Thursday, January 9th
I was handed a copy of “The Characteristics Most of Us Seem to Have in Common.” That was my own story in print.
Many of us have described our experiences of hearing The Characteristics read at meetings. While it might have been uncomfortable listening to the unmanageability reflected in these descriptions, we also heard hope. If others understood the pain we had experienced, perhaps we were finally in the right place to get help. Many of us described our identification with The Characteristics as a feeling of belonging.
We may have felt an overwhelming sense of helplessness. Our compulsive behaviors and fantasies were so addictive that we seemed doomed to repeat them, no matter how destructive these patterns became. The feeling of shame, the absence of self-esteem, and an unquenchable thirst for validation were common denominators in the collective experience outlined by The Characteristics.
By attending meetings and working the program one day at a time, we gradually find freedom from our most destructive behaviors and toxic shame. We come to accept change and embrace spiritual growth, which gives us the courage to turn toward a new way of living. We learn to trust that, over time, the recovery process can restore our integrity, dignity, and clarity.
We will become more present in our lives and connected to the wisdom within us.