"Happy Saturday!"
When checking my email today I stumbled upon a message about reading literature considered not approved by a certain recovery group. The message continues to question the administrator of the group on Facebook. The question really implies how annoyed she was by it and how the group is not safe especially for newcomers. She continues to let everyone know she decided to leave the group because the administrator PERHAPS,…did not listen to her way?, what she wanted changed? In addition, how she disapproves of the group. When I read that, I said a prayer for her and for those that follow her words. Does she ever think how her actions or words affect newcomers? She could have just left the group without the drama, the questioning and the self-righteous passive aggressive way. I do not think these people realize how their actions affect the groups too. Moreover, the affects of her actions of rigidity, close mindedness, do not listen to anyone unless they are from the same recovery group, read only their approved literature (whatever that means,…really?), speak our language, work our steps and only live with or around others that do and say the same as us. I disagree with this and not because I write about my recovery but because it is just wrong to judge one’s approved words as being BETTER/SAFER to another that is not approved words as being UNSAFE? Live and let live but I would rather live with a variety of books! By the way, I wrote on the subject before in my blog and if you are interested in reading more about, how I feel about this in more detail, search for it in my blog. The title of it is “Too Read a "Non-Approved Literature" or Not!”
Furthermore, I can respect the fact that one may feel this way. I can respect when someone makes a choice in their life and then does it to the fullest. I can respect when someone feels a certain way. On the other hand, I cannot respect someone who has to broadcast their decision, feeling, choice or opinion in Facebook or any other social media, group or meeting in order to gain attention and control. What was the motive behind this? Could it be to CORRECT the group? Could it of been to CHANGE the group? Could it of been to ONE UP on the administrator? Could it be for SELF RIGHTEOUSNESS? Could it of been the fact they are out of control and needed to CONTROL something else? Whatever their motive was, it is none of my business and frankly would not want it to be in the first place. All I can be concerned with is my motives. You ask what my motive was behind this article. My motive was to let others know that it is safe to read outside of the books in a 12-step program. My motive was to let others know that it is fine to be flexible in your recovery, open minded in your recovery and mostly whatever helps you stay sober and clean or helps you deal with your emotions in a positive way is worth reading and learning from. Lastly, just remember that when you go to a recovery program everyone is approved as long as you are sharing your experience, strength and hope! Read outside the books for an all around healthy and less codependent recovery!
Today, I will run and think about the choices I have, in order to get my point across when expressing how I feel. I will also be grateful knowing I read that post today in order for me to stay mindful of my motives and how I react and express my opinion when it comes to other recovery groups on Facebook. Thanks for your negative post today it gave me many gifts in my recovery today!
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