Sunday, July 16, 2006

Dealing with Resentments

"Resentment is the Number One offender. It destroys more alcoholics than anything else. From it stem all forms of spiritual disease, for we have been not only mentally and physically ill, we have also been spiritually ill. When our spiritual malady is overcome, we straighten out mentally and physically.
In dealing with our resentments, we set them on paper. We listed people, institutions, or principles with whom we were angry. We asked ourselves why we were angry. In most cases it was found that our self-esteem, our pocketbooks, our ambitions, our personal relationships (including sex) were hurt or threatened."

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, pages 64,65

I never knew much about the theory of resentments before I got into AA. I never knew I was full of resentments until I worked the steps with my sponsor. Like many people in recovery, I found out that I resented my own behavior more than anything that anyone had done to me. I had treated others as if they didn't matter. And I had done this most of my life, countless times.
As part of my living amends toward other human beings, I have to try my best to put others before my own selfish demands.
I have a long way to go. Awareness of this is the beginning. Small steps, baby steps. Saying hello to others at an AA meeting. No matter how uncomfortable it may be. Allowing another car to pull in front of me in traffic. Calling another alcoholic who is having trouble. No matter how uncomfortable it may be. Giving others the opportunity to be right, without challenging them. No matter how uncomfortable it may be. The examples are infinite. They pop up every hour of every day. By practicing this new behavior, it slowly becomes a habit. Sometimes, I forget; I slip. When I do, the steps of AA give me the tools to make corrections.
This will last for my lifetime. As long as I don't drink alcohol.

Praise and blame, gain and loss, pleasure and sorrow come and go like the wind. To be happy, rest like a giant tree in the midst of them all.
-Buddha

8 comments:

Mary Christine said...

Isn't it wonderful when something so unnatural to us (thinking of others) becomes habit?

JJ said...

Most awesome post dAAve. I too am working on resentments everyday. Once again great post. It's nice to come here and read your post.
I see you (ALWAYS)
JJ

Scott M. Frey said...

wonderful posts... I too ahve been keeping a close eyes on the resent-o-meter. I have plenty of opportunity to start some good ones, as we all do. Thanks for the reminder, this seems to be a recurring theme for me lately!

jason said...

You're an inspiration.
Seriously.
all my love & respect,
jason

lash505 said...

Great post and just what I needed today. It is easy to get a resentment for me. Just talk about links sorry.

Daily Piglet said...

Very good insight. I often forget that "earth" people do not have to follow as honest a lifestyle that we do.

Anonymous said...

Thank you. I am new to AA (43 days sober) after 44 years of drinking, and today (after a meeting at work that really triggered some of my resentments) I googled on "alcoholic" and "resentments" and found your wonderful words. Just what I needed. I desperately need to learn to let others be right (even when they are so f**k*** full of s***!!!). Oops.

Anonymous said...

I have been looking for sites like this for a long time. Thank you! 16 volt battery I fioricet Toothache home remedy pain relievers Awning commercial building tarp carport metal rv Online virus spyware scan Good health insurance adhd drug ritalin science Short laptops Matinee sofa how tamiflu is made Graphic card 3 pin din female fioricet Michigan home equity loans 12buy fioricet online Yahoo toolbar antispam Valium on line what is fioricet Custom cabinets florida Demonstration of pilates asp.net vb.net web developer Neomediam bathtubs