Hello RFA Talkers. I'm recently back from a long weekend with my family. I had a really good time! A gift of recovery. Here are a couple of thoughts that helped me this weekend:
First is about empathizing with others. I sometimes don't know why people act or feel the way they do. I got a suggestion to recognize that if I were born in their body with their heredity and upbringing, I would feel exactly the way they do and act the same way. This is helpful for me because what I want to do is complain because they are not acting like I want. (I think this is the definition of self-centeredness.)

Second is recognizing that I can't love anyone without loving everyone, including myself, a little more. Conversely, I cannot resent anyone without resenting everyone, including myself, a little more.
In order to be abstinent AND happy, I have to get out of the resentment business.

I'm sure I have room for improvement, but I really left my parents today feeling glad that I went and looking forward to our next visit. I think this is possible because I have my own personal God today and I'm not using my parents as my God. And, I'm not trying to be their God. Yeah Steps!

Talk to you soon.
Love,
Kasey

Really good share Kasey!

Kasey,

Thank you for all the shares. I love them.

Mary Rose

How true! When I find myself judging others, I say "I really have no way of knowing what it is really like to be him or her." This helps so much. Alison