Many people living in one day at a time recovery have been conditioned by fear and shame. Some of us have been told that we are being influenced by self-centered fear. We become afraid to reach out for help when we need to. It’s not pride that keeps us from reaching out. It’s the uncertainty, fear and shame that has been instilled in us from years of being conditioned by life’s situations and lack of control reinforced by the response of others when we reached out at vulnerable points in our lives. Often it is a societal response based on a messed up system of meritocracy. Those who love us do not respond in such a way. They help us to help ourselves. Nonetheless reaching out is hard. We know this. In reality we know we are not alone. Living in recovery teaches us this. Peace.
