Hello everyone,
This week we read up to pg 57..Exercise: Control Yourself. we spoke about surrender and powerlessness and the different costs of our addiction/alcoholism.
This week's discussion question is what are some of the ways you were powerless that didn't seem so obvious to you?
For me, I was powerless over my emotions and my reactions caused by those emotions. It was only in recovery and particularly in studying Buddhism and mindfulness that I was able to recognize that I wasn't my emotions. They are temporary and changeable and don't define me. This was a huge freedom and realization for me, as it gave me some distance from the immediacy of the feelings that used to feel so overwhelming. I also learned to recognize the difference between taking responsibility for the things that are in my control and blaming myself for things that are not in my control.
What about you?
Thank you Lori. I had no idea if I just surrendered to what is and let things just happen, my life would be so much more manageable. I had no idea what powerless even meant. I was able to see clearly that my life was unmanageable and I was powerless. I now rely on a power greater than me to get me through situations that baffle me. I am powerless over everything. Just allowing life to happen has been a much easier way to life. For me.