Alcohol Recovery Without 12 Steps Community Group
This group was created to explore various recovery paths for Alcoholism. We generally chose to explore paths outside of the AA model, or ones which incorporate, but are not limited to AA. Anyone wanting to learn and explore how to become free from alcohol addiction are welcome. Our main goal is to support each other with compassion and decency, while remaining open minded...
Meaningfullness... If I lack a sense of purpose in my life, how am I to be hopeful? What makes life worthwhile if I don't see the point? Loved ones bring meaning to our existence. Our livelihoods might give us meaning. Nurturing our children might give us meaning. Any number of things might give us a sense of meaning. What if these things don't exist or aren't satisfactory? What is there to keep us from giving up?
If you have not read Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning" and know nothing of Logotherapy, I highly suggest checking it out. Google the two topics together. Here is one link - just browse the bulletpoints.
http://www.westga.edu/~psydept/dodson-intro-frankl.html
And as Nietzsche also put it... "He who has a WHY to live for can bear almost any HOW."
For me... I lack a sense of meaning right now for my future. I imagined things differently. I believe that until I discover/create new meaning, I will struggle to stay sober. For me, the choice resides in what am I willing to do to create meaning for myself and author another future. It is also about acceptance when things aren't going to go as planned, ie accepting a DIFFERENT meaning.
Does anyone relate or have an opinion? How has your life HAD or LACKED meaning? How has it affected your ability to maintain healthy sobriety and live a productive and rewarding life?
Thanks all. This is important for me right now.
If you have not read Viktor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning" and know nothing of Logotherapy, I highly suggest checking it out. Google the two topics together. Here is one link - just browse the bulletpoints.
http://www.westga.edu/~psydept/dodson-intro-frankl.html
And as Nietzsche also put it... "He who has a WHY to live for can bear almost any HOW."
For me... I lack a sense of meaning right now for my future. I imagined things differently. I believe that until I discover/create new meaning, I will struggle to stay sober. For me, the choice resides in what am I willing to do to create meaning for myself and author another future. It is also about acceptance when things aren't going to go as planned, ie accepting a DIFFERENT meaning.
Does anyone relate or have an opinion? How has your life HAD or LACKED meaning? How has it affected your ability to maintain healthy sobriety and live a productive and rewarding life?
Thanks all. This is important for me right now.
One of the ideas that stands out to me is that "we always have the freedom to find meaning through meaningful attitudes even in apparently meaningless situations." ...is acceptance, right? Is just that "find meaning through meaningful attitudes" is more than just a decision to act, it is a discovery within.
I guess I am identifying and getting ideas to help me understand and accept. If I fail on my own to make all my pieces add up to satisfactory meaning, I will seek outside help. I would be interested in seeing someone who specializes in logotherapy because this IS admittedly a big challenge to me. It is hope for a solution.
Is that a real purpose in life simply taking care of myself? I don't know. Seems kinda selfish but one thing is for sure and that is if I don't take care of myself I will be of no use for anything or anyone else. I need to accept the uncontrolable things in my life for what they are and turn them over to God to deal with. Then I need to work hard on my spirituality, soberity, emotional, mental and physical well being and then when God see's fit I know that he will show me what my real purpose in life is besides simply doing His will. I need to be content with what my life is now and stop worrying about and trying to change things in my life that I have no control over.
Don't know if that helps HT or even makes sense but that is where I'm at right now.
I just never imagined life could or would be any other way for me. Children... teaching and nurturing, educating and preparing them for life, watching them grow and marry and start their own families, and then grandchildren and so on. It was what I always "knew" life was about. It is all I believe to have substantial meaning to me. I think it is what life is all about. Anything different is a "cross to bear" for me. I admire those who feel fulfilled by endeavors for themselves and even moreso those whose purpose is service to others. I just haven't been able to get it to click for me yet.
Ugh. It is a deep longing that may never entirely go away, but I am beginning to accept it. It helps to have a beautiful baby niece nearby and the possibility of other children from my siblings.
Mando - You have a great attitude about it and we never know what the future holds. Acceptance is key. And do our best to create/discover meaningfullness.
Faith. Living a "God" centered life can be immensely gratifying and give meaning to ones existence. I believe you are a woman of faith so if you feel that small voice and the love of God then embrace it and that spirituality will bring you peace and show you purpose.
Peace!