Reflections

Today is February 23rd. For those who have read Tales of Addiction, you know how important this date is to me and my family. As I reflect upon my experiences surrounding this day two years ago, I began to think about how I have changed. I have learned many lessons over the past several decades about the ravages that addiction to drugs and alcohol takes from the soul. The devastation spreads from the addicted individual to outer parameters of his/her family and friends until its limits turn inward upon itself to crumble our society and ultimately our nation. While learning to quasi-cope with a loved one’s addiction, it becomes necessary to learn the ins-n-outs of the disease, this is not an easy task. Everyone has their own viewpoint about the specifics of drug and alcohol addiction; therefore, it quickly becomes that following your own inner guidance is a must in unraveling a palatable hypothesis for oneself.

While the decades of our own family’s addiction turmoil unraveled, I learned there is no right way to love an alcoholic… only that you must. I learned that asking for guidance from others counts, but cannot be the final tally for actions and reactions to ensue. I learned that trusting one’s Self is eminent in the face of danger, fear, and choice; and, that danger, fear, and choice comes even without our addicted loved one’s presence. I learned compassion is sometimes elusive, but always within reach and is a potent healing agent. I learned that tomorrows are in the hands of that Something More which we have all co-created from many soul journeys.

Since the publication of Tales of Addiction and Inspiration for Recovery one year ago, I have received many letters supporting the book’s philosophy. I had not thought of my contributing words between the heartfelt addiction stories found within this book to be a philosophy, however, I can discern a common thread stitching my thoughts together. That thread is Compassion. I fast learned with my son’s addiction, without compassion there is no acceptance… without acceptance, there is no love. How can we have compassion for our addicted loved ones? How can we not…

My son’s life lessons also impacted my own. I was able to grasp an understanding of the importance of attaining compassion toward those we do not know. The hundreds of individuals who have connected with me online and off since this book’s release have given me the insight that we can generate compassion for all others throughout the globe. I quote His Holiness The Dalai Lama many times in the book--one quote I especially like is:

“True world peace can only be achieved through peace of mind. And peace of mind springs from a genuine realization that all human beings are brothers and sisters. Different ideologies and different political or economic systems are only secondary; the most important point is that we are all the same human beings, living on one small planet.”

With this knowledge, compassion for all our brothers and sisters seems easy enough, right? But, what about the drug addict on the corner? What about the drunk in the neighborhood bar? Or, the kid down the street smoking pot? Do we have the same compassion for these individuals as we do our brothers and sisters across the globe? Compassion is not to be used selectively… compassion is an open heart for all--addicted or not.

One letter I received after the sender read Tales of Addiction came from a woman trying hard to keep her compassion toward her alcoholic mother. In the letter was a poem she had written, it claims much of my own emotions:

Caught

I hate you, I love you

This back and forth emotion

This up and down feeling

This stop and start life

Breathing in and breathing out

Getting up and falling down

Hiding while crying

Living while dying

Believing in nothing

Questions in the night

My soul in shadow

No one in sight

Bitterness screaming

Hopeful dreaming

Lost and alone

No place called home

Hating you, Loving you

Saving, then losing you

Finally free

Saving me

Learning to breathe

                                                *Printed with permission

In the Introduction, I wrote, “Addicted or not, we all have stories to tell.” As you find the words to tell your story, search for the lessons you have uncovered. The whys, hows, choices and decisions are not the insights needed to attain in dealing with addiction. Tell the story of the lessons you have discovered from learning how to have compassion for yourself and/or your addicted loved one--tell how these lessons have changed your life. Addicted or not, if we all strive for these lessons in growth, our addiction population will begin to fade.

Another letter I received from a reader, and one of the book’s addiction story contributors, touched my soul deeply. In appreciation, I share it with permission:

Hi Barbara,
I had some time put aside to share as promised about the life changing lesson you and your Richard had taught me after re-reading your "Journal" in Tales of Addiction which I have to say touched me more than words could possibly convey. One of my abrasive attitudes before reading your Journal was that I had made a conscious unmovable decision. After attending so many funerals and memorials for addicts and alcoholics who had passed away from these ravaging diseases, I decided that I was done....

My abrasiveness wasn’t bred from ego, but from the deep heart-wrenching sadness and devastation I felt at someone’s memorial service. I could not stand the feelings and witnessing the family members who were left in the wake of this pain and senselessness.

I read and re-read all you shared and it was as if a light bulb went off…I understood my powerful lesson and I felt deep shame. You are absolutely right in asking us to challenge our thinking as to why someone who lost their battle with addiction is any less worthy of celebrating their life. Are they less important because they had a disease? Perhaps this was their path? Is it any less perfect than ours?

I will be going to memorials now, and funerals, hospitals and institutions. Barbara, I thought God put you in my life for my story of inspiration, but today I know it was because of yours. Thank you. I thank you and Richard for teaching me, helping me to open my heart again and my mind.
With deep affection and gratitude,
Kat

Being open to our lessons in life is not an easy task. But, when learning to have compassion for ourselves and others, it is a requirement if we are to move forward on our soul’s journey. I wish you all a safe journey.
Barbara~

Co-Dependency--Take Two

I just finished posting an article on the new Addictionland Blog. It is copied here for my followers to read and comment as well. Excerpts are taken from my book Gifts From the Child Within, 2009.

Codependency--Take Two

We heal by remembering, literally bringing back

into the wholeness of our being

that which we have lost by hiding it

from ourselves.

                        Joan Borysenko

When my mother first started reading my initial manuscript for Gifts From The Child Within, she looked up at me and asked, "What do you mean in the Introduction by my being a co-dependent?" My mother, being an intelligent and well-read person, caught me by surprise with her genuine lack of knowledge about the meaning of codependence. I found myself somewhat embarrassed about the necessity to explain to my mother, what for most of my life, I saw her doing with hers.

I realized I had few words to describe to her just what being codependent meant. I tried using phases such as, "too dependent on her husband," "not caring enough about herself," and "restricting her own life because of her husband's demands." These broken sentences came easily but still did not touch on the real feelings I associated with the term codependent. Finally, I looked at her and said softly, "Mom, it just means that you cared so much for Daddy that somewhere along the way you lost yourself." She understood and accepting this definition, lowered her head to continue reading.

The surge of interest in the recovery field has led us to this nebulous issue of "codependence." Some leading experts claim we all have a codependent-self, a side of us which withdraws, avoids, and denies our true Self. Others maintain codependence is a disease or illness which requires psychological methodologies and sometimes medical intervention! To assume an illness one must demonstrate a physiological, psychological, or emotional dysfunction; therefore, to label one who nurtures and cares deeply for others codependent under this rationale would commit 99% of our female population to pathology! Only when one is nurturing others to the exclusion of themselves can the ill effects of codependency be labeled unhealthy.

One of the latest definitions of what constitutes a codependent personality comes from a group of professionals who spent several hours of deliberation to confirm: "Co-dependency is a pattern of painful dependency on compulsive behaviors and on approval from others in an attempt to find safety, self-worth and identity. Recovery is possible." This is a good working definition; however, we must remember, codependency is an individual game played by two. We must not forget it takes two to form a codependent relationship.

As much as I desired not to “be a codependent” like my mother, I certainly found myself in that position with my alcoholic son. It took all the strength and several years to break my learned habit of codependent behavior. You can read more about my struggles with my son in my newest recovery book, Tales of Addiction and Inspiration for Recovery, released May 2010. [If you like this article please share below with your friends on Facebook, Twitter, etc.]
Love & Light,
Barbara~