Growing up can be an exciting adventure, but sometimes, it can also feel like we're stuck in a never-ending loop of problems and unhappiness. As a fifth-grader, I was struggling to understand what it truly meant to grow and find happiness. I felt like I was trapped, always blaming myself and making poor choices. That's when I discovered Alcoholics Anonymous, a community that taught me that growth is about moving forward and finding freedom from the bondage of self.
Understanding Growth:
Imagine growth like climbing a mountain. Each step you take is a little victory, and with every step, you get closer to the top. Growing up is not just about getting older; it's about becoming a better person and finding the happiness that comes from within.
The Bondage of Self:
Before I found Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), I was stuck in a cycle of self-blame. I thought all my problems were my fault, and I couldn't escape from this feeling. It was like being tied up in ropes, unable to move forward. I desperately needed help to break free from this bondage of self.
The AA Community:
Alcoholics Anonymous is a special group where people come together to support each other in their journey to overcome alcohol addiction. But it's not just for those struggling with alcohol; it's a place where anyone can learn valuable life lessons. AA taught me that I didn't have to stay trapped in my own negative thoughts and self-blame. I could find a way out, and it all started with moving forward.
Taking Responsibility:
One of the most important things I learned in AA was to take responsibility for my actions and feelings. Instead of blaming myself or others, I realized I could make better choices and take control of my life. It was like discovering a hidden superpower within myself.
Learning to Grow:
AA taught me that life is a journey filled with lessons. Some days are tough, but every challenge is an opportunity to grow. It's like adding new pieces to a puzzle – each piece brings us closer to completing the picture of who we want to be. I realized that by moving forward and learning from my mistakes, I could find the freedom I had been longing for.
As a fifth-grader, I found that growth is about moving forward and finding freedom from the bondage of self. Alcoholics Anonymous showed me that I didn't have to stay trapped in a cycle of self-blame and unhappiness. By taking responsibility for my actions and choosing to learn and grow from my experiences, I discovered the path to true freedom and happiness. So, if you ever find yourself feeling stuck or blaming yourself, remember that you have the power to move forward and break free from the bondage of self, just like I did with the help of Alcoholics Anonymous.
Growth is about moving forward while chaos often sends you repeatedly through the same cycles.Victoria L. White – Business and Commercial Litigation Attorney
Striving for Emotional Maturity Page 243 "Emotional maturity is our reward for letting go of anger and resentment." Living Clean, Chapter 7, "Principles, Practice, and Perspective" Perhaps we've all encountered circumstances when another member gets on our last nerve. When that happens, sometimes it takes everything in us not to attack them, mock them, shut them down using whatever tactic we can. We may want to bolt from the room because we see how this person--who may or may not have wronged us in some way--enjoys the respect of other members in the group. We want to expose them as a fraud and a hypocrite, but we don't. We say nothing because we know our personal feelings about another member should play no role in how, for instance, our area contributes to the region's Fellowship development efforts. At other business meetings, we'll have no problem keeping our mouths shut because we'd much rather roll our eyes--and smugly watch the same two members battle it out like they always do over the finer points of coordinating an effective public relations campaign. In those situations, we have to stop ourselves from sharing the eye roll with everyone else in the room, revealing our displeasure with the proceedings. We'd love to break our silence by audibly groaning at how much time they are taking up. A member shared, "The second I start thinking about how I'm the only adult in the room, I know I'm not coming from a place of emotional maturity." With some practice, we can learn to check ourselves in situations where previously the monster that lives in our head would have burst out in full force in an effort to kill the proceedings. Similarly, we find a way to restrain our inner adolescent, who would snark, scoff, and snipe at members merely for being themselves. Emotional maturity may not sound like a big enough reward for not acting out on our character defects--but doesn't it make our lives so much more manageable? And peaceful? And isn't that a big part of why we came here in the first place? I will practice reining in my reactiveness in situations where my personal feelings about other members serve no relevant purpose. Today emotional maturity is a reasonable reward for those efforts.
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