Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Acceptance of others



22 days sober:

I read a quote today that I really started to think about.  Here is the quote:

“People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they’re not on your road doesn’t mean they’ve gotten lost.” – H Jackson Brown Jr.

I struggle with accepting others’ viewpoints and opinions.  If someone is not in line with what I think is right or allowed, I judge them a lot.  Reading this quote made me think about how even though someone may not see things the same way I do, I have no reason to make them feel like they don’t have a valid opinion.

I need to change how I interact with my girlfriend.  She and I grew up in very different areas and families.  She grew up with almost all of her extended family around her, aunts and uncles, grandparents and the like.  I grew up with just my immediate family around me, but still with some great monthly contact with extended family. 

We both had families that love each other and us, but where they differ is how involved in others’ lives they are.  Her family is very knowledgeable about what goes on, gets together for everything, and is together all the time.  I think that’s great by the way, not bashing it at all!  Mine is very conscious of space and personal issues.  Both of us will have adjusting to do in order to fit in with the others' family when we get married!

The basic message here is that I struggle with accepting others’ differing views.  I have a hard time saying, “yes, I will let your family be all up in my business.  I only have the fact that I am an addict to hide so as long as they are accepting of that then we’re fine and dandy!”  Yeah…that would not win any brownie points.

I need to get it through my head that my viewpoint is often very skewed and that others have good ideas and opinions.  Only after this will I be able to accept others.

This is my daily check in and I hope I can get another 24 hours!

-Grateful and Hopeful

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