December 22nd Meditation: Healing Through Sharing

Sunday, December 22nd

I heard someone else tell “my” story at my first meeting. I knew I was home.

As sexual compulsives, we sought to escape negative feelings by acting out. In early recovery, we have an opportunity to face those feelings. We each bring our own histories, issues, and character traits into the rooms but are united in trying to find a solution.

We hear about and may begin to define a Higher Power of our understanding. Some view their Higher Power as the collective wisdom of the group. This concept might strengthen our sense of community. We may begin to experience a Higher Power at work while attending meetings.

We may identify with hearing some members’ shares but feel confused by others. Some will talk about their experience, strength, and hope in recovery. Others might share about resentments, fears, or a traumatic event. Perhaps a newcomer shares something that strikes a chord with us.

Some may mention outside events or refer to psychological issues unfamiliar to us. We might think that those issues or events are a distraction. But instead of judging others’ shares or taking their inventory, we can recognize how their underlying feelings and character traits may closely resemble our own.

We heal by honestly sharing what is on our minds and in our hearts.

December 21st Meditation: Families and Holidays

Saturday, December 21st

Visiting my family is stressful. I usually make excuses not to see them during the holidays.

Some of us grew up in dysfunctional or abusive families. We naturally needed affirmation, attention, and affection. When we did not receive these things in our formative years, our self-esteem frequently suffered.

We may have tried to internalize our emotional needs by isolating ourselves. We became outsiders at family events, feeling tolerated but never accepted. Many of us brought this lack of intimacy into adulthood, where it became woven into our sexual compulsion. As our compulsion intensified, the tendency to isolate pushed us further away from our families.

Upon entering SCA, we discover that the support of our fellow members can help our recovery. By gaining trust in the group, we find acceptance, safety, and community.

Yet, many of us still experience reminders of past family episodes, whether joyous or traumatic. We might experience a feeling of loss or remorse mixed with relief during a holiday season. We hear of others making plans while we somehow feel left out, even if by choice.

During times of stress and loneliness, we can stay close to the program by attending meetings, doing service, and calling other members to keep in touch.

Staying connected to this fellowship helps me overcome periods of isolation and loneliness.     

SCA Daily Meditations e-book now available

Our Journey of Recovery: SCA Daily Meditations is now available in e-book format through Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, and Google Books for $7.99. We will continue to post today’s (and tomorrow’s) meditation for free on our website each day. However, e-book users can click the “List of Titles” (an index) on each page to choose any topic or issue mentioned in any part of the book and instantly click the relevant texts. A slogan index is also linked to those texts. SCA plans to produce a print version of this book later this summer. Here are the links to the three e-book platforms.

Apple

https://books.apple.com/us/book/our-journey-of-recovery/id6503449662

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0D5N3ZFNY/ref=kinw_myk_ro_title

Google

https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=Tw4LEQAAQBAJ&pg=GBS.PT1