Reunifying Exploded Parts
Hurrah! At last, I have a Big Red Book, printed French edition! When I read Chapter 8 about Inner Child, it reminded me of an exercise I had done twenty-two years ago, during a group therapy. We had to symbolize, by drawing, pasting or any graphical means, the...
Not my Father’s Child
He donated his sperm to my existence. He married my mother. He provided shelter and food. He was never my dad. He paid for most of my college education. He beat me and my mother. He beat his own mother. He was never my dad. He...
Mary G
A young woman in need of recovery, God sent me an angel named Mary. In the hospital where I lay, Mary spotted me across the way. Mary G. was not alone; there were two others who have now passed on. Mary G. began to speak; "God gives to one recovery by the power of...
Step Five is Staying Real
Honest and fearless is a way free from shame. Domestic life for predators. In life—including in recovery—security is a “first thing first”. We remember that the word “domestic” means “in the home.” Home is where we feel safe. We need a nest—a den—a place secure where...
The Objects Speak
A little boat with iron bushmen in it on a curio shelf, saying “That man is a bigot.”A little clay pot made into a mouth with eyes, saying “Watch out, he is mean.”Many old-style keys framed on black velvet and under glass, saying “So many lies, such hurt, such...
Drama
DRAMA Raised in a drama-filled home, I inherit the taste for drama...My drama would present itself as a victim; All I would need is a participant that would love to travel the same road…And we would make a right turn on the street called Victim.On...
My Inner Family
Feelings Lead; Thoughts Describe
“I don’t belong here!” is a statement of how it feels to be wherever it is I have checked in with myself. Psychologists may call this state of mind “alienation” or “dissociative.” They use words to describe sensations that are not themselves captured in the words....
Letters to my Critical Parents (And Other Critics)
To daddy-Monster: I reject the voice of violence. I choose to listen to the voices of peace and love and progress and growth. To my mother: You misdirected your legitimate anger towards me and my brothers. You drowned your...
I am Already Reverent
I claim the ways that I pray. Thinking back to a time when, on a walk or looking out a window, I was filled with a feeling of appreciation. This is a form of ‘prayer’ as it is defined in the dictionary. ‘Reverence’, appreciation of what is beautiful or inspires awe,...