The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
Currently I have a woman in my life who just dropped in there in March of this year. I had no idea she was going to be so important. There are so many levels to relating to her. In so many ways she is such a gift because I really do not want to believe I have any character defects. Everyone else has. I don't.
Today she was talking about a situation with a man where she blames him for everything wrong with her life. At one point she pointed out that her mother blamed him too and I really had like a spiritual awakening about how much I have held others totally responsible for my life. I have really shoved all the responsibility on everyone but me. After all I can't be held responsible for anything because I am faultless!!!
This kind of childish petulant behavior is one reason I am in the mess I am currently in. Although of course I am still waiting around for someone to blame for trying to get me out of the mess I am in! I am so good at that.
Of course one thing that has changed is that I no longer try to change anyone but myself. When this woman was giving me her litany of blame I didn't feel the urge to "fix" her I just felt embarrassed that I couldn't see how much I blamed so many people in the past. I was absolutely on automatic. Rather than think I am going to change all this overnight. I know I am not going to dig myself out of this automatic behavior anytime soon. I just am aware of it now. Awareness is the first step.
i truly appreciate your honesty, clarity and wisdom. It is evident that you have worked with much dedication and looked inward to your motieves and expectations. Great program work
I go with Betty on this one....Oh I used to do the same thing.... I NEVER took responsibility for my mistakes or wrongs and I think it was FEAR.....growing up if you were wrong or in error, that could mean being beaten half to death or publically embarrassed by it.....So I began at an early age, blaming others, not taking responsibility., out right LYING about did i do it or not
Now I know the sky won't fall on me for being wrong, in fact taking responsibility for my wrongs is soo freeing b/c then I can learn, make amends and its over and people respond to me soo much better and positive b/c I am accepting my wrongs and owning up to them....
Your share was great....I could sooo relate to it............PEACE and good job!!!!!
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Live and let live and do it with peace and goodwill to all!!!!
I did that, too, until my early 30s when a counselor I trusted said to me exasperated: "When are you going to take responsibility for your part in some of this." I didn't like what she said, but I knew she spoke truth. I started looking at my part with her. That helped me begin to build a life I could live with and be proud of then. What a gift to receive, Orchid. Awareness of a block to your own happiness and self-fulfillment. Such good news to read tonight. Thank you.
(((((Maresie!!))))) It does work when you work it and you worked it...let someone not in program cause you to grow. Did I say not in program? If she caused you to grow...she's in your program. Duh!!
Thank You Maresie,
I am battling with this as well. There are certain aspects of my life I wish changed. I know I have a part to play and when I make an effort and things don't go my way, I blame the alcoholic and my alcoholic upbringing instead of accepting it's part of my higher power's plan. For me, there comes a time when I need to accept and realize that I'm not that same kid anymore and that phase of my life is over. As I heard and AA speaker say 'If god brought you to it, he'll get you through it'.
Thanks, that was a good start to my day
Jim
I noticed that when I blame others all the time, it's an automatic set up for me to have a pity party, be the victim, and stay stuck in whatever situation I am in. In the years I have been in recovery, I have seen that I can change my life with my HPs help. I am not helpless and I can effect good things even in the event that something "bad" might happen. I don't suffer every situation and every perceived slight like I used to. I still slip back here and there but before... I had "woe is me" and 'If only you/they would...." written all over me. All I did was suffer life. Now I typically enjoy it.
This post on blame reminded me of something I read in one of my books...when I point my finger at another person I need to take note that I have three fingers pointing back at myself. That's also true with I see others pointing fingers... for me I have to ask myself what part I have in the situation. I have to be responsible for my own actions.
The blame issue is very complex for me. Certainly the ex A created tremendous havoc in my life. It was not that simple to walk away. Now things are different in my life but I certainly can't say I am home free.
I am far more self reliant than I was but I wouldn't exactly say my life is easy. I still live on a margin I would rather get off.
Blame is sometimes appropriate. The alcoholics around me certainly do things that cause a great deal of problems in my life. I don't have any part in it whatsoever. They live lives full of chaos and their chaos pervades everything around them. The issue for me is how much do I let it affect me. There are times when I have to say a resonant no about letting their activities affect me. There are other times when I really have to look at my expectations. I absolutely expect them to go on being addicts. That is their modus operandi. I don't expect them to change. I hope they do change but I do not expect anything I do to make that happen.
Sometimes I do indeed have a part and other times I do not have anything whatsoever to do with an alcoholics actions. I can choose my response some of the time.
dearest Marisie, i am always so glad when you pop in. Also always very impressed how you are always working on something to better yourself for YOU.
I am sorta the opposite well used to be, blamed myself for everything. Now I don't care one way or the other. I just do my best to do better, and grow positively.
So nice you have a friend!!!!!
Hope your critters are ok and you are ok where you live. Remember there is always a place in Oregon for you all to visit! hugs honey,debilyn
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Putting HP first, always <(*@*)>
"It's not so much being loved for ourselves, but more for being loved in spite of ourselves."