Yesterday, I heard a woman share her story of alcoholism and her trip to the bottom. She said this:
"We are all a different kind of same.”
What does that mean?
We think we are unique in our stories. Well, we are unique in the details—that’s what makes us different. But, we are sitting there together because we ended up at the end of ourselves in the same place.
Different but same.
It seems we all need the same thing. To be acknowledged, loved and validated. The world tells us otherwise in its competitiveness, judgement, comparison with each other (better or worse.)—all of the negative input we seem to receive and internalize. Too hard. Easier to drink and check out right?
No. That is not a helpful conclusion.
She told us to breathe and be right where we were. Together with each other.
The sameness being this:
• We need connection with others like ourselves.
• We need to be loved.
• We need to love others.
She said, “when I don’t know what to do in a particular situation that is frustrating or aggravating, I can add more love. More love. Bless you. Change me.”
Sounds like a plan for healing and hope:
Add more love.
Bless you.
Change me.
“We love because he first loved us.”
1 John 4:19
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