I need to feel a strong and helpful
sense of myself.
Such an awareness doesn't happen overnight,
and no one's self-awareness is permanent.
Everyone has a capacity for growth, and for self-awareness,
through an honest encounter with reality.
When I don't avoid issues but meet them directly,
always trying to resolve them,
they become fewer and fewer.
The more accepting I am of myself,
the more accepting I am of others.
A B C = Acceptance, Belief, Change.
Hi all! I'm Jane, an alcoholic.
Self-acceptance is something I always found very difficult. I cared way too much about what others thought. I tried way too hard to please people. I drank myself into blackouts and woke wondering why everyone was so miffed. So I did things to try fixing it, and it wasn't until I got to AA that I fixed me. It's an on-going process, and I'm still a work in progress. But these days I know what I did the night before. I know who I was with, what I've said, and know I do my best on a daily basis. Recently, I've decided I can only do as I'm able, and if others don't like it, well, maybe it's their issue or maybe mine, but if I can't fix it, I'm not going to carry it. I found unconditional love in AA. It has shown me I am worthwhile, and in my worth I've found accepting myself means others accept me as well. Walk into a meeting anywhere and people are happy to see you. Friends worldwide. And I can learn new ways to grow, new ways to think, and maybe new ways to live to the fullest. I'm not so bad. I can put the stick down or get off the cross. AA is simple ... if I do the work I'm well, if I don't; it's my problem. My Higher Power is always there as is AA, but it is my work and my path. Accepting me was a biggie. I can always remember being told I wasn't good enough, but then I started to think I'm a success! I made it to AA! Then I realized if I were a success in the eyes of those who had put me down, I'd be a failure in my own eyes. One day at a time I am successfully sober! I accept and love myself.
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