identity and belongingness

[maria r]

within the nature/nurture debate about why humans abuse alcohol or drugs eg. is it inherited genes or life events like bereavements, tragedies, trauma etc one of my reasons is social exclusion and identity

personally, reconstructing my sense of identity and belonging to a culture is vital to me, social exclusion has been one of the reasons i used to drink/use

for all my life i haven't felt like i belonged anywhere, i come from mixed national origin, 2 different countries, 2 differing religions
historically both nationalities come from the same heritage
if i look at my cultural features, i have the same bone structure, hair colour, eye colour as the people in a certain country on this planet, but if i went there to feel a sense of belonging i would not understand the language

as communication is the means by which humans connect emotionally and spiritually i would have difficulty here, but am not ruling that out, if my higher power wants this, i may find myself in that country learning the language, who knows, i've experienced miracles happening...

my point is that i have an identity that belongs to a world family, i speak their language, can be touched deeply by them, understand them, am understood by them
the family reaches all cultures, countries and does not exclude by creed, race or social background and this is the family of AA/NA

it reaches out to all of us, and we can take it's hand and stay within, included

i make my amends to me, for excluding myself from the world i am worthy to belong in, and the energy of my higher power which touches all life, takes away a big hole by filling it with love deeply and right through me, restoring me every day as i immerse myself in step 1 which connects me with all of you

today i'm grateful to belong to my family
:idea: :29::42::17::12::1::D:smile::tongue::4:

[gegeevolved]

:195::195::195::195::195:Hello, yes we all belong and are worthy of belonging. I can identify with your feelings of not belonging. I do understand that I am an addict who has the disease of addiction that is rooted in fear, low self-esteem, and insecurity, it is a manifestation in three fold mind, body and spirit. I am not responsible for my disease meaning I don't know why or how I got it, but I am responsible for my recorvery meaning using the tools that I have learned in this process to help me to deal with my fears, gain some positive self-esteem and develop a real sense of security. I don't think it was just my circumstances that resulted in me using. The reason I personally feel this way is because of the vast stories and experiences within our fellowship that tells me that no matter where I came form, social or financial background that I had a mental, spiritual and physical malady that progressed because it was undiagnosed and untreated into my usuage of drugs. Thank God for this program because now have freedom......:195::12::tongue:

[dalin]

WELCOME HOME!