I found this at the Daily Recovery Site (where I usually find some good stuff). I'm not sure who Dr. Twerski is but I thought it was worth posting here. The date is for June 6, 2006 - not a typo
Quote for 6/6/2006 -
Don't Isolate Yourself - Defense mechanisms are not always benign. Some of our body's defense mechanisms can cause more harm than good. For example, if we have a joint inflamed, the body heals the inflammation by forming scar tissue, but this scar tissue immobilizes the joint, so that the healing process causes the deformity of arthritis. The same is true of our emotional defenses. If we are sensitive and afraid of being hurt by others, we will defensively isolate and withdraw-other people can't hurt us if we avoid them. But this avoidance results in a loneliness that is even more painful. We have to undo the defense mechanisms that backfire. Doctors prescribe medications to prevent scar-tissue formation. Similarly, when we feel ourselves withdrawing and isolating, we must make a deliberate and conscious effort to relate to other people. While we all crave companionship, some of us may be too frightened to have it. Belonging to a recovery fellowship can be advantageous, because the empathic and loving support of the group allows us to emerge from our isolation in a protective environment.
Rabbi Dr. Abraham J. Twerski is the Founder and Medical Director of Gateway Rehabilitation Center, a not-for-profit drug and alcohol treatment system in western Pennsylvania, cited by Forbes magazine as one of the 12 best drug and alcohol treatment centers in the United States. Dr. Twerski studied at Marquette University Medical School and completed his psychiatric residency at the University of Pittsburgh, Western Psychiatric Institute. He has served as Clinical Director of the Department of Psychiatry, St. Francis Hospital and currently is Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Twerski has written more than 20 books to date.
__________________
"LOVE" devoid of self-gratification, is in essence, the will, to the greatest good...of another.
Thanks so much for posting that. It was just what I needed to read today as I have been isolating myself over the last few weeks and I can feel the negative impact that it's having on me.
But, today is a new day and I'm going to make it a good one.
Take care,
Carol
__________________
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
