In recovery; we're learning a new behavior. It's called Be Who You Are.
For some of us, this can be frightening. What would happen if we felt what we felt, said what we wanted, became firm about our beliefs, and valued what we needed? What would happen if we let go of our camouflage of adaptation? What would happen if we owned our power to be ourselves?
Would people still like us? Would they go away? Would they become angry?
There comes a time when we become willing and ready to take that risk. To continue growing, and living with ourselves, we realize we must liberate ourselves. It becomes time to stop allowing ourselves to be so controlled by others and their expectations and be true to ourselves - regardless of the reaction of others.
Before long, we begin to understand. Some people may go away, but the relationship would have ended anyway. Some people stay and love and respect us more for taking the risk of being whom we are. We begin to achieve intimacy, and relationships that work.
We discover that who we are has always been good enough. It is who we were intended to be.
Today, I will own my power to be myself.
From The Language of Letting Go
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss
Carol, thank you for posting this, I wish I had read it earlier.
Aren't we something, the way we put ourselves under more pressure to "be" what we anticipate others want, only to discover that we're trying to live up to something that never existed in the first place. It's true, we're okay. And if others drift away, then that leaves an open place for someone else who'll love us for us. thx, love chris
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"Never argue with an idiot... They'll drag you down to their level and beat you with experience..."
I am a bit leary, even tho I have tried a time or 2 to be a better person- be it for someone other than myself. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE? For the very first time I believe that there are many people that want me around.
Is there anybody out there? Could someone please respond? I am w/out 2 sponsors in 4 hours and now I'm using this sight for the first time, and I'm a bit'o'frustrated, LADDYS & LASSIES.
Hi Pandora, I'm Dan, and I'm an alcoholic living in North Dakota, USA. By the time you posted, I was occupied in 'dreamland'. (BTW, for any newbies- the times you see on posts is based on Eastern Standard Time< IE. New York City time.)
Welcome to the Miracles In Progress (MIP) board. By the hour on your post, I assume you are living outside the USA, or were up rather late. Please keep coming back. We have people here from the UK, Australia, and other places around the world, as well as across 4 time zones in the US. If you don't see a response right away, check back after a while, and you likely will see a message from one of us.
I lost my one and only sponsor after only 8 months in the program, 12 years ago, and was unable to find another. I went back out after 12 months.
Now I am back, still without a sponsor, but more determined than I ever was back then.
Welcome to MIP. I'm Carol, an alcoholic living in UK.
I'm sorry that you don't have a sponsor right now. That's tough on you. My sponsor is a wonderful lady and I would be badly lost without her. I do hope that you'll find a sponsor soon.
I also hope that you'll stay around and keep posting. This is a great site and there are some very wonderful people here.
Take care,
Carol
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss
You may want to see the other message board. We are doing the 12-steps there again.
That's is what she said to you. You have had some other advcie given to you here on this board. Take what you want and leave the rest. God's Blessings, Pam P.
I am a bit leary, even tho I have tried a time or 2 to be a better person- be it for someone other than myself. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE? For the very first time I believe that there are many people that want me around. 
