Many times over the years in meetings, I have heard people make the statement "identify and don't compare." In the very beginning of my recovery, I thought it referred to substances that we were addicted to -- like heroin, cocaine, marijuana, booze,etc. At that time, my alcoholic mind was focused solely on the substance as being responsible for my maladies, not me. As time progressed, I began to find other meanings for identification versus comparison. As I have matured in sobriety, I have come to see the dangers of comparison. It is easy to find others more fortunate than myself, if I measure things only by outward appearances and fail to look inside. For me, it is much harder to look at all the wonderful things I have and consider myself the more fortunate one (when in the midst of comparison). When I commence to devaluing my life through one of these self-pity motivated comparison sessions, I place myself in danger of picking up that next drink...
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