Posted by 64bowtie on May 12, 2004, at 3:12:10
In reply to Re: Just a thought or two...., posted by firenrain on May 11, 2004, at 22:58:32
> ...the idea of separating who we are vs what we do is far fetched to me. I believe this was written in the AA Big Book ... "We judge ourselves by our intentions. The world judges us by what we do". Hasn't any and everyone throughout history been judged by what they have done,written or painted? What other gauge do we have to measure by?
><<< I saw several years ago that we can no longer be blackmailed by our past when we can separate who we are from what we do/did. My mentor, David Peck, said it this way, "Who we are is a fact. What we do is an opinion, a story about who we are. (The story) Doesn't change the fact of who we are. Also, facts are stored in a different part of the brain from opinion or belief". I have continued to improve on these and other connections made by David, and have come up with this social blackmail model.
Social blackmail is a control technique, not discussed in AA circles as much as Alanon (and other "survivor" program) circles. Remember, the big book was written by 100 folks that really cared, and was started in 1938. Lotsa science has improved on the tenets contained inside it since then. Bill W. was experimenting with mega-doses of B-complex vitamins when he passed away. Perhaps 12 step programs would have undergone major changes if he had lasted a few more years.
>
> ...also I am afraid that freedom from our deeds would change civilized society as we know it.
><<< For better or for worser?...lol
Why would you want to be trapped by what people think you outta be? I don't think you would. Remember, (Alanon again) what you think of me..., is none of my business! Also, if I judge my insides by other folks outsides, I'll loose every time!
(most everyone is struttin' their goods...
and hidin' their dirty linen...!)My insides can't compete with someone elses outsides can they? (If I'm irritating let me know). You claim to have an affective disorder, depression? Do other folks look or act depressed? Nooooo!!! See what I mean? Give yourself a pat on the back for being alive. They might be dead inside, and hiding it better than you can.
So what? Is that all life is about, looking good to feel good? I hope not.
Rod
poster:64bowtie
thread:345158
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20040503/msgs/346039.html