FORGIVENESS

Forgiveness.  That mat seem a strange topic to be talking about in relation to our loved one's alcohol abuse.

But if we feel angry and resentful toward our alcoholic person, or maybe even the rest of the world, the first person we are harming is ourselves.

Being angry is one of the things that happens to us when we live with an alcohol abuser - happens to all of us.
So we should not feel bad about feeling angry or resentful.

But it is well recognised now that anger against some situation or person increases our inner tensions and that harms our physiology - WE suffer because of our inner anger or resentment.

What can we do?

We can take time to FORGIVE our abuser: they are suffering from a disease of the mind and there is no cure: it's a permanent condition for them.  We would not be angry with them if they had cancer, would we?

Forgiveness is the antidote for anger, bitterness and resentment.  We need to release all the pent up feelings for our own health - our health, not anyone else's.  Every now and then we see in the news that some wise parents have forgiven the killer of their child: NOT for the benefit of the criminal; but for their own peace of mind, so that they can get on with their grief and their lives. Very wise people.

Forgiving our loved one is an important part of our recovery; it's not easy but it has many benefits.

It's the start of getting some measure of goodness out of our lives, despite the conditions brought upon us by our alcoholic.

I hope you will think about this, maybe read about anger and it's long term effects on the body.  God Bless.