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I have recovered from the disease of Alcoholism. I believe there is only one person really,.. everybody. And that peace of mind is everything. -So treat your neighbor as you would treat yourself, because your neighbor IS yourself. I think most of recovery is what I would call common sense, but that learning to be ordinary is a true gift very few people acquire. My ambition is to accept everything unflinchingly, with compassion, and therefore be intrinsically comfortable in my own skin, no matter what. I am comfortable being uncomfortable and am willing to go to any lengths to improve my life. I believe the Big Book was divinely inspired, and is extraordinarily powerful. Unfortunately AA's best kept secret a lot of the time. (In my opinion). I just try to do what works, no matter what it is.

Saturday, June 03, 2006

What is the most powerful antidote to mental illness?

Honesty.
Or the CAPACITY for Honesty.

Chapter 5. HOW IT WORKS
p58
There are those, too, who suffer from GRAVE emotional and mental disorders, but many of them DO recover if they have the capacity to be HONEST.

Chapter 9. THE FAMILY AFTERWARD
page 133
We, who have recovered from serious drinking, are MIRACLES of mental health.

Doesn't say, 'except for Mary or James'

Therefore, if you want relief from your 'mental and emotional disorders'
Then you should aim to INCREASE your CAPACITY for Honesty,
or your ability to be Honest 'in all your affairs'

Some examples of DIShonesty might be:
Any INDIRECT form of communication
Manipulation
Guilt manipulation
Blame
Living in the future. Or not being in the moment, which is the only thing we can really know about
Sarcasm. Because its an indirect way of being angry.
Being Phony or Fake
Being Gushy or over-sentimental.
Being insincere
Talking the talk, but not walking the walk.
Saying something and doing something else
Betrayal
Infidelity
Cheating
Blatant lies
Not admitting you were wrong
Affairs
White Lies
Saying anything you do not mean, even if it is a compliment.
Over complimentary, obsequious, flattering, buttering people up.
Never disagreeing with people
Being a wimp.
Being influenced by peer pressure. I.e.: Not being true to oneself.

Some examples of Honesty might be:
Being in the moment. Because we do not know the future. It is a fiction, yet to be realized.
A sense of personal responsibility. Because it IS the truth.
Integrity.
Boldness and courage to be yourself. 'To thine own self be true'
Steadiness of personality. Able to hold one's own amidst outside influences.
Saying EXACTLY what you are thinking. In a SKILLFUL and CONSIDERATE fashion.
Being Authentic
Monitoring your tone of voice, so that it more accurately conveys what you are trying to communicate.
Not 'editing' your thoughts. -Considerately!
Holding NOTHING back.
Broadcasting (to your fellow man) whatever troubles you. Promptly! And in a considerate fashion.
- Because you are as sick as your secrets.
Being guileless. Not playing 'games' or having a 'strategy'
Being transparent. Having no 'front'.

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