What Lies Beneath

"Zowie! A fresh coat of paint and this place will
be good as new!"

Some folks feel that a fresh coat of paint and a few tweaks to
the outer shell can shine enough of a good light to distract
from the dingy and dismal greys that lie beneath such a surface.

They imagine the facade to 'be the thing,' and pour time and
money into the covering up of poor construction, rather than
the fixing of the destruction. (Image can never substitute for
substance, though some folks seem to miss that lesson time
and time again.)

There's a vast difference between repairing or replacing a
faulty foundation, and simply remodeling one.

After all, if you spread rose petals over a pile of dog shit, you
still smell dog shit, the shit didn't change into roses, and it's
only an illegitimate quick 'fix.'

You have to get to the core of things, not just cover up disasters,
destruction, and dysfunction... and hope no one digs too deeply.

A fresh coat of paint may look pretty, but the rotted wood under
it will continue to deteriorate, no matter people's impressions.

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Claiming 'Salvation' Doesn't Heal Wounds

I do feel badly for those people who are hurting--
so extremely needy and scared and pressured that
they attempt to cover their vulnerability with a flourish
of extremism and stridency.


But understanding nor sympathy do not--and should not--
extend themselves to excusing and rationalizing the abusive
behaviors employed by those who are in denial of self.

These folks are train wrecks looking for a place to happen, and
they seek to bring other people along for the ride. Self-destructive
behavior does not just affect self. And being dry does not eliminate
drunkard psychosis.


In the quest to deny self, cover up with lies, and promote tonics
and wishful thinking, the blind fanatics of A.A. and other 12 Step
programs not only prolong their own pain and misery (under a
pretense of being free from the normal human elements and afflictions,)
they seek to confuse and distract others with unhealthy false coping
mechanisms so they don't have to journey alone.

Compassion for these troubled, wayward, stifled souls exists,
but commitment to the greater number prevails. Once someone is
lost in a maze of duplicitous living--lying even to themselves in
interior monologues--I don't have an answer for what might be
able to reach them and convince them of their toxic distortions.

I don't know what might set them free, if anything. Especially if
they remain entombed and entwined in an isolated world of 'like'
others constantly reenforcing their indoctrination....and requiring
their adherence.


It's been my experience that no reasoning or pleading or
exposure to logic can sway people once they have committed to
and cemented themselves upon that course of adamant self-
righteousness and absolutism.


Sad, but we all make our own beds.

I have to be concerned with the greater good. I have to try and help
the people most interested in being honest and well. Exposing  truth
and uncovering fraud so that, hopefully, many will be spared the snares
and hurts always associated with dealing with people who are purveyors
of false goods.

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