Sunday, August 16th
I feared I might end up hanging around acting out places for the rest of my life, full of regrets and despair.
For many of us, our sexual history is littered with failed attempts to stop harmful behaviors. Anxiety, fears, low self-esteem, resentment, shame, and the urge to escape these feelings can trigger us to act out our sexual compulsions.
We might battle with intrusive thoughts. We may relive inner dramas, compelled to repeat the same old story, hoping for a better ending each time.
Replaying our past and carrying those fears and resentments into recovery can often hinder our progress. Yet, when we hear others share their stories, we find hope that perhaps we, too, may escape from the burdens of past baggage.
Through working the Steps and using other Tools of Recovery, we find the courage to face our feelings rather than repress or escape them. In doing so, we begin to shift our negative attitudes toward more positive, affirming ones.
With the help of our Higher Power, we learn to show compassion for ourselves and others. We notice that our world expands when we are “on the beam” of recovery. This personality change can affect our lives in ways we might have scarcely believed possible.
We develop patience and trust in our lives and continue to benefit from witnessing others recover.