Fitting In Vs. Being Fit

You know, lots of folks thought the world was flat.
  But some folks were smart enough to know it was round.
  (And brave enough to stand up and say so.)

Some folks think religion is a great idea.
  But some folks see it for the cancer it is, causing far
  more harm than good.

Lots of folks are hooked into believing the disease model
of alcohol and drug addiction.

They want you to Believe that "Being and Alcoholic"
(or an "Addict")  is not just A part of you, but that it IS
you, on a cellular, spiritual, unavoidable level.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Yes, alcohol has a physical addiction component.
But it is not Your Identity. It is not a demon that has
control over you. You are not powerless.

All of that outdated fairy tale hogwash is the most
unscientific, dangerously voodoo crap that the modern
world has ever heard...and yet people have fallen for it.

And now it is such a Monster of a Culture, that those
who know better are afraid to speak up, for fear of
being squashed by the bullying majority with their
intimidation and spin control.

Don't be intimidated.

If you know the truth, don't let the Monolith that is
12 Step force feed you a glass of fear and loathing.

Love yourself and Reason enough to stand against
the lies. Your well being--and others'--depends on it.

What you put IN is Destined to come OUT

Some places say they don't like expectations
because they set us up for failure. I agree.

So let's address just some of the expectations
of 12 Step groups; that you must subscribe to
their 'philosophy' of not being worth much, of
having addict/alcoholic be Your Identity, of
being Needy of others (and a Great Big Sky-
Daddy) in order to muddle through life happy
or sober.

Those are some pretty crazy, pretty stringent,
pretty debilitating expectations, and they don't
seem all that designed to foster personal strength. Hmmnnn...imagine that!

A group that must make you dependent on it
in order to survive;
*  using shame to manipulate and control
*  beating down your self worth
*  promoting self-doubt
*  promoting dependence on them and them alone
*  deriding all other answers as false
*  tricking you into thinking you are without power

Don't buy the hype!
Know your worth!

Be free of self-defeating thoughts and the people
who would like you to subscribe to them.

Shame-based 'Recovery' is just another addiction
to something 'forever and ever.' Be free.

***************************************

'RECOVERY' is NOT a Group Activity

(they're green with envy!)

 

Looking to other people for salvation
or recovery is like getting a surrogate
to receive a blow job for you;
There's no point because it has
nothing to do with you!

It's all about promoting their
needs and agendas, under
the illusion of 'selflessness' and
'compassion.'

Only YOU can determine
what's best for you.

Only YOU can DO what
needs doing.

Only YOU can respect
and appreciate your own
self and the unique path
you have to follow.

Being led around by the hand
is what little children need.

Be your own person;
cut the chord from
Group Think.
It never ends well!

YOU can do anything
you put your mind to.
It has always been so;
you simply never knew it.

*********************

If This World Were Mine....oh, wait! It is!

It all springs forth from within.

Everything begins with a thought.

I can determine the kind of life I live

by the very thoughts I tend to (and respond to,)

by the words I use, the people I associate with, and

the way I act.

Reality is almost a moot point.

Any manner of discomfort or difficulty

can be overcome by Deciding to do so.

By toughening up and Becoming Strong.

I can Choose that no sideways comment is going

to derail my Decision to have a great day (No Matter What.)

I can Choose that I am the most important person

in My World, the center of My Universe,

and only me and My Path is worthy of my time.

I will not allow disrespect or disregard

to influence me.

I Determine what sort of day I want to have,

and everything else unfurls from that Choice.

I am not prey or victim to any person, place, or thing.

I am a Survivor.

I am Determined to be at Peace.

I Choose Empowerment.

I am Connected to My Needs

and I act in accordance with them.

If not me, then who?

My world is a byproduct of my level of Love for Self.

The disaster of the past was a reflection of this

in a negative context.

Now, my Esteem and Confidence and Love

Determines a new reality,

from a new directive.

While the world might fall around me,

I will be at Peace.

I will be Whole.

I will be Strong.

And thus, it is so.

What the world needs now....is a Purge

A friend died this week.

He had been battling illness for some time, and things had
gotten raw and nasty. It was good that he passed, rather
than endure any more pain and discomfort. He was ready
to go, and it wasn't unexpected.

I didn't go to the funeral. I don't do them any more, period,
but this was more than that.

There are people in this world....and I just cannot get
my head wrapped around it. What kind of person talks
shit about a man while he's living--doubts him, spreads
dissent, questions his integrity, treats him disrespectfully,
etc--and then accepts the duty of being a pall bearer at
that man's funeral?

What kind of big, brass, fucking balls does that take?

Is it an act of penance? No, not hardly. More like an
attempt to grab more spotlight and play Super Soldier
for the adoring crowd. "Look what a devoted friend I
am, carrying a corpse away," since no one can see the
heart and know the misdeeds that occurred. No one
can know the truth behind a liar's eyes.

It sickens me, but there's nothing I can do.

Thankfully, my friend doesn't care who walks him
to the altar or the grave. I'll get there. Just need to
work on it.

I can avoid conflict and not go. I can let people do all the bad
and wrong they wish. I have learned that most people don't
want to know about the bad others do, or they shoot the
messenger, so.... Every man for themselves.

I learned; I know who the Devil is.
I know what he's done. I know what he thinks.
I know not to trust him no matter what.

Just wish I believed in Karma or God or something.
It would have been swell to hear a lightning bolt clap
when those sweaty, corrupt, con man palms touched
that casket.

I imagine Le Douche will be settled in one of his own
before too terribly long, though. Not because there's
any justice, but because living foul does tend to catch
up with you eventually.

A friend died this week.

He was direct and true and real. He will be missed.
I gave him his respect and love while he was here;
I have nothing to prove, and no one to impress.

The world needs more shoot from the hip fellas,
not less.

The Center of it All

After all the declarations, all the decisions to do better, all
the fear of losing loved ones or freedom, what is the one thing
that will truly save us in the end?

We must truly decide to Love ourselves.

This consists of many related decisions we have to make.

A true and abiding desire to care for self.
To do what will ensure better health and happiness.
To love self in a nurturing and devoted way.
To sacrifice instant gratification and past methods in favor of
    growing up and metting our own needs.

That's the only lasting and meaningful dedication I know
of that will make a difference.

There is much talk of doing for others in this country,
often to the detriment of self. All this codependency, all this
viewing of self as incomplete unto itself, all of the neediness
and dependence and need for others' approval is par
for the course, but it's dangerous and it's ultimately
unfulfilling and futile.

If you can't care for your self, you can't do for others.

Likewise, if you are dependent on others for esteem
and worth, you will ever be at the mercy of circumstance and
whims.

Self-sufficiency is the key.

Knowing and being true to self.
Being dedicated to mental and emotional and social and
physical health.
Putting one's own needs ahead of others' and not being a
doormat any longer.
Meeting your needs and doing what it takes to survive.

There is no morality required to quit drinking and drugging.

You need to know that you're worth the effort.
If you were never told, it's nonetheless true.

You are the center of your own universe, and there's
responsibility required to run that show.


***************************************

We Aren't Mindless

Think before you act.

How important is your future prosperity?

Do you see the connection between your choices and

the repercussions you face?

You are in control of what you say, do, respond to,

and dwell on.

Learn to be consciously connected to self and needs.

Consider and deliberate rather than continuing to

impulsively react.

The ability to do things differently is within you.

Are you willing to start loving yourself enough

to invest in smarter choices for your health?

*******************