Posted by Phil on June 6, 2012, at 22:13:24
In reply to What's The Purpose?, posted by bleauberry on June 6, 2012, at 9:28:32
A famous psychiatrist was working with an older lady with mild to moderate depression who mostly felt no purpose in life. The doctor was known for working with what he had.
He discovered that she loved baking. He said why don't you bake cupcakes and take to your church group on Sunday? It was an immediate tradition. It changed her life.Unfortunately it's not that easy for most. ACOA meetings are helpful to me. My disorder may be genetic but helping take care of a very ill alcoholic parent from 7 years old through high school, triggered it. I've worked decades in therapy and in meetings to unlearn the defense mechanisms that saved me when I was young but still hold me back now.
I've been in many churches but I've never felt a spiritual presence with the intensity of a meeting. Listening to someone who's learning to trust at 40 finally tell their story to a roomful of others who know exactly how you feel is powerful and emotional.
The recovering alcoholics across the hall laugh a lot at some meanings. ACOA's aren't laughing.
Childhood abuse and neglect devastates a child's spirit and when they are finally on their own, they are beat down and exhausted and too tired to figure out how to live. I've heard stories that made my jaw hit the floor. Ok, I'll stop this ramble after this. Every other meeting or so, as I watched the people coming in, I would notice one person with a big smile...the smiling mask. They were always the one in the worst pain that night. Still trying to look normal, but they look anything but.
I've lived this for 58 years and it is always with me. God knows I try and this God inside me understands that some days I have to just hold on with both hands so I may not shake his.
I don't just pop pills, I've gotten this far through blood, sweat and tears. Just like everyone else on the forum. The job is never done.Life is good.
poster:Phil
thread:1019315
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20120522/msgs/1019359.html