Today’s Gift from Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is:
Do not make yourself so big — you are not so small. — Jewish saying
Many of us are so used to being competitive that, even when there is nothing at stake, we exaggerate our qualities and boast of our accomplishments. We sometimes display what we may call a “grandiose ego” — pretentious and false. This is particularly true of addicts because we often feel the need to hide behind an inflated image of ourselves. Why? Because we’re afraid of being found out. We think we can prevent people from knowing all about us.
As we move into recovery, we find that we gain insight and confidence about ourselves. We are no longer shame-based people, so we don’t need to hide behind a mask. Our sexuality is now ours to delight in and not a source of fear and shame. We gain a sense of proportion in our lives and a viable perspective on who we are.
We are now neither angels nor beasts, and we can be proud to be human.
I am glad to be at a place where I can be fully human, whether I’m alone or with others.
Hazelden Foundation
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