If we are ever sad about people we have hurt or even more angry about people who have hurt us over the years, we need to get this out into the open. We also need to share the anger that we feel inside of us that has been swallowed for so many years and which need to get expressed.
CLARIFICATION OF THOUGHT
Finally, I can give myself permission to express my feelings. I have held in many strong emotions over the years. Now, thanks to my friends who are in recovery with me, I have been assured that that it’s alright to express my strong emotions. It has been said that depression is anger turned in on itself. It should also be said that anger unexpressed flattens all feeling, especially the pleasant ones. Today, I know and believe that it is alright to first identify my feeling, secondly to own it, and then thirdly, to express it.
I am learning much from the old axiom that we “first have to be true to our own self.” I am also learning that my need to be perfect and to please everyone made me into a doormat. I thought that I didn’t deserve any better.
Anger has its root, usually from a hurt or an old grievance. The soil that gives nurturance to this hurt is resentment. The best way to get rid of my need to be vindictive is to find out what triggers my anger.
MEDITATION
God show us your mercy and let our trust in you heal all our hurts and let trust be strengthened as we go about our activities today.
(C) Higher thoughts for down days: 365 daily thoughts and meditation for members of 12 step fellowship groups. Hugh Smith (2002) Depressed Anonymous Publications. Louisville. Ky. Pages 224-225. November 11.
“Depressed Anonymous is not the place to have people feel sorry for you. Depressed Anonymous is a spiritual program where you will find people like yourself, honestly, openly and willingly dealing with character defects – gradually admitting that they will have to change their lives and lifestyle if they are going to be a whole and honest human being. The decision is yours. You make the choice. The Twelve Steps and your own personal story can now be shared with others and can help them on their own life’s journey.
(C) Depressed Anonymous, 3rd edition. (2011) Depressed Anonymous Publications. Louisville. Ky. Page 126.
To order these publications online, contact www.depressedanon.com at the Depressed Anonymous Publications Bookstore.