Recovery is not a destination. It is a journey that those of us with addictions must take. As I discussed in chapter three, we were not born in a broken, imperfect state. We were born perfect, even if that perfection doesn’t meet someone else’s definition of perfection. When a baby is born, they are in their most honest, pure state. When they feelan emotion, they feel it all over. Imagine a baby laughing. They laugh allover! Imagine a baby who’s angry because she isn’t being fed fast enoughto suit her. Is there any doubt about what she’s feeling? 

It is through life experiences that we develop defenses, complexes, andbeliefs that define us as bad; not good enough; not smart enough; or lessthan others. In order to deal with our perceived imperfections, we developcoping mechanisms to help us along. The lower our self-esteem, the moreself-defeating these coping mechanisms become. The more we disapproveof ourselves, the more we disapprove of others. The more dishonoring weare to ourselves, the more dishonoring we will be to others.

It is through the process of recovery that we become whole again. InChristianity, this can be viewed as the process of salvation; as dying toourselves and being born again through Christ. In Eastern philosophy,this can be understood as the way of enlightenment or awakening. Eitherway we see it, we are brought back to a place of unity with our highestself. This may be called God, Christ-consciousness, a state of bliss, ornirvana.

Belief systems that are driven by fear, shame, and guilt are what leadus into addictions and self-destructive behaviors. This book is abouhealing. It is about drawing on tools from many disciplines in order tolive a life of wholeness and health.  Rhonda S. McBride, PhD, LCDC from Peace, Power and A Sound Mind