The Blind Leading the Mind
For a minute there, I lost myself. - Karma Police (Radiohead)
As kids, there's nothing quite like the feeling of learning your enough. Tall enough? Bring on the rollercoasters. Smart enough? I'll take that pop-quiz. Old enough? I'll be home before dark. Responsible enough? Thanks for the ten spot, I'll fill the tank (I'm dating myself here).For those of us who grew up in Dysfunction Junction (abusive, alcoholic or addict households), it's easy to argue that while we may have physically grown into our adult bodies, our minds are another story. On any given day, we're pretty much hovering aimlessly between recess and study hall. And if you're an addict - I'm positive when you're in party-mode, you're probably in need of some daycare. Or maybe that's just me.
In trying to explain my world to a friend recently, it went something like this:
"It's like my brain is being held hostage by my mind. I know what I'm doing is fucked up, crazy and beyond forgivable, but I do it anyway"
I don't think she got it.It's easy to call bullshit when it comes to anyone but us. There aren't any cobwebs of denial obstructing our view of the tangled webs anyone else weaves. It's a totally different world when forced to turn the spotlight on our own fuck ups as a result of our choices and actions.There's nothing like heavy fallout to pull our heads out of our ass. We lose jobs, get into legal trouble, even lose friends who - let face it - may be as fucked up as we are, they don't need added drama.Everyone is in recovery from something. The hard part is remembering that no matter how much we think someone may have their shit together, that we're all just fragile human beings floating in a sea of struggle. No one is immune to the landmines life throws our way. We just have different ideas and methods in terms of how we handle our collateral damage.Forgiveness is powerful. Support and understanding are essential. Getting out of bed, taking a breath with the thought that each day is a new opportunity to get it right, with the support of loved ones you've wronged? Well that's just everything. 