Blog entry for:

Sat, Nov 19, 2011 06:22:02 AM


¹ the more i use the language of empathy with other addicts ¹
posted: Sat, Nov 19, 2011 06:22:02 AM

 

and the POWER that fuels my recovery, the more i understand this language and it keeps me coming back.
it took me quite a while to understand what this reading was talking about. at first, i thought i was empathetic when i entered the rooms, after all, i could always sense when someone was down and out, and i would pounce for the emotional and spiritual kill. when i was taught that was not empathy at all, or if it was, the skill-set i had developed around that ability, need to be discarded, i was more than a little put off. i mean WTF, really, don't you know who i am?
with that definition in the trash heap, i came to believe that i might be sociopathic, so for the next few years i pretend to practice empathy, made all the right sounds, but basically skipped over or tuned out everything anyone had to say about the subject. after all, in petulant sulk, if i could not do what i wanted than F_CK you all anyways.
I DID KEEP COMING BACK, because you all kept telling me, that i COULD and WOULD finally GET IT, even though i was not sure i wanted to get anything but off paper and back to the life.
IT is that i feel what you feel, i have been where you have been, and i can go where you are now, IF i allow myself to practice a program of recovery.
as the weather has turned a bit inclement i need to hop in the shower and head on down south. perhaps on intermission this morning i will write a bit more, or not. TODAY i am certain that i am on the correct path and will do what i can to foster that journey.

∞ DT ∞

 

djtConsulting Brand
The views expressed on this page are solely the opinion of the author.
While the author is a member of a 12 Step recovery fellowship, these writings are not intended to endorse or express the published wisdom of any fellowship.
These writings are not meant to be socially or politically correct, and if you take issue with any opinions expressed, please seek the guidance of someone wiser than me.

Another Look!

listening with my heart 271 words ➥ Friday, November 19, 2004 by: donnot
∞ learning a language ∞ 379 words ➥ Saturday, November 19, 2005 by: donnot
μ but as i listened i started to hear something new, a wordless language μ 586 words ➥ Sunday, November 19, 2006 by: donnot
α fluency in the language of empathy comes to me through practice ω 461 words ➥ Monday, November 19, 2007 by: donnot
δ the language of empathy uses few words -- it feels more than it speaks. Δ 498 words ➥ Wednesday, November 19, 2008 by: donnot
± i attended my first meeting and, not being entirely sure ± 541 words ➥ Thursday, November 19, 2009 by: donnot
¦ this addict found from the start as much identification ¦ 773 words ➥ Friday, November 19, 2010 by: donnot
µ i will listen with my heart µ 656 words ➥ Monday, November 19, 2012 by: donnot
≈ the language of empathy does not preach or lecture -- it listens. ≈ 494 words ➥ Tuesday, November 19, 2013 by: donnot
∅ either i feel as though no one had suffered like i have ∅ 445 words ➥ Wednesday, November 19, 2014 by: donnot
♥ the language of empathy ♥ 429 words ➥ Thursday, November 19, 2015 by: donnot
⪤ empathy comes ⪤ 357 words ➥ Saturday, November 19, 2016 by: donnot
😕 i sometimes am 😵 519 words ➥ Sunday, November 19, 2017 by: donnot
🐢 i can still 🐰 492 words ➥ Monday, November 19, 2018 by: donnot
🤔 to convince 🤕 560 words ➥ Tuesday, November 19, 2019 by: donnot
🌀 a desire to belong 🌀 636 words ➥ Thursday, November 19, 2020 by: donnot
😏 much to criticize, 😉 406 words ➥ Friday, November 19, 2021 by: donnot
😕 recognition, 😕 445 words ➥ Saturday, November 19, 2022 by: donnot
👐 healing 👐 499 words ➥ Sunday, November 19, 2023 by: donnot
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☯ The Tao that can be spoken is not the eternal Tao ☯

THE TAO TEH KING, OR THE TAO AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS
by Lao-Tse
Translated by James Legge

Book 1

2) The superior man ordinarily considers the left hand the most honourable
place, but in time of war the right hand. Those sharp weapons are
instruments of evil omen, and not the instruments of the superior
man;--he uses them only on the compulsion of necessity. Calm and repose
are what he prizes; victory (by force of arms) is to him undesirable.
To consider this desirable would be to delight in the slaughter of
men; and he who delights in the slaughter of men cannot get his will
in the kingdom.