Just butting (sic?) in, but well said. Wish more people understood what you wrote. Would write a red "Notables," but it's actually worthy of being included at top in the bread. Should be mantra.
Sometimes people get too close and become testy as a result. Per your advice, I have found it very helpful to add a little spacing between my visits. My life sucks in the real world, nothing but stress and blue-pill friends and family, but, it still needs tending to. Everything requires proper balance.
Thanks for sharing that. Truth be told, I really had not thought of it that way. It comes at a good time for me, where I have been trying to 'help' a situation far beyond my means (though it has enveloped me). I invaded his Providence (now that you mention it). I will start to implement what is described. The burden has been too big and, though well intentioned, beyond any assistance I can bring. Came at a good time as I have Memorial Day weekend to let it sink in before I have to face the situation again on Tuesday. Godspeed anon.
We are on the same page anon. Well said.
(Unrelated), the only other thing I feel compelled to add is that, for me (and with close to thirty five, out of fifty, years on the front lines), I came to view sobriety not as an end in and of itself, but more a state of mind. For me, do I function well in society and/while making sure NOT to cause harm to others? If I can answer in the affirmative to both, all is well (though I'm typically broke). I would ask the casual observer if they felt my postings were written by someone 'under the influence.' If a tree falls in the woods…
That said, one must be honest with themself and be able to fairly, and accurately, gauge one's well being. 'To thine own self be true.'
Forget the proper spelling (on a bad computer), but, if interested, look up the difference between Mallum per se AND
Mallum prohibitum (sic?)
Those acts that are innately bad/evil (child abuse), and those only wrong when measured by society (driving 60mph on a 55mph street).
Throw your religious beliefs into the former category. I don't get too hung up living how another person defines as sober. Only by my own (honest) measure. Something about crazy being well adjusted in an insane world. Unfortunately I know too many sober people who would benefit from a medically supervised (or shaman assisted) 'high.' They are so judgmental and stressed out it's killing us. Godspeed.
Cheers anon. I will look it up now. Thanks again (if only my own family were as helpful!).
I strongly encourage, and hope for, everyone to reach the inner peace of mind Mr. Wilson describes (as a side-note I used to own a valuable second edition of the Blue Book).
That said, I prefer a society where people are content and helpful to one another versus having to satisfy other's beliefs in my sobriety. Who knows? Perhaps mine is the wrong course, but it works as a guide for me.
I would argue the concept of 'sobriety,' is so vague and open to subjective interpretation that, in many ways, it's meaningless when defined against the standard I described earlier.
What is the remedy for those who, in my opinion, are addicted to sobriety? A dog chasing its own tail.
Let us strive to be a well functioning, healthy society that cares more about our own improvement and spiritual development and less on on others. I think most here would caution against the nanny state, dare I say police state, when the same concerns are broadened to the macro-level. How can one claim inner peace when concerned with another's state of mind? Another who, by all measures, is well? What is gained by that?