Photo Credit: Davood Madadpoor
I once wrote, I need to quit hanging on my son’s cross. All my angst does nothing for him. If I made mistakes in the past, I need to let go. If some of my mistakes were fatal, I need to let go. I can do nothing but support him with my love and strength. My emotional weakness isn’t good for anyone, especially him. I pray he finds his courage. I pray I find mine.
My reflection: My weeping and my weakness didn’t help my son or me. It’s true that addiction can drive us to the point of unbearable sadness, but by losing my peace, I was of no help to myself and the other family members who depended on me.
Today’s Promise to consider: Addiction wants to send me into a spiral of despair, but serenity is within my grasp. It’s up to me to choose it. Today, I’ll put my energy into hope and faith and health. Lord, Give me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
This is wise and applies to more than addiction. Seems counter-productive to overindulge in sadness or anxiety or despair no matter the cause. But sometimes I feel like I have the opposite problem of finding it a challenge to recognize my sadness and let myself feel my losses.
Robin, You’re right – we need to allow ourselves to feel the loss and then move on. It’s all so hard, but – just like with addiction – it’s one day at a time. Libby
I can’t express how much this means to me, Libby ~ thank you!
Thank you, Pam. I’ll stay close. Libby