Uncovering the diamonds
Recently, I was co-facilitating a group therapy session at a treatment facility, which works with/for those whose lives have hi-jacked by addiction. For some this is the first time in treatment and for others it is their nth time. Some came initially to avoid jail and some are came because they are ready or able to take that leap of faith to claim or reclaim themselves from the jaws of addiction.
Among those in the room were one designs and builds houses, a woman who had devoted her life to caring for others, two men who writes music and sing, parents, farmers, a man who played the violin until age 12 and whose mother is a music teacher, a man whose college education was interrupted by addiction and others with various skills and talents. This group also included all the talents, skills, emotional and spiritual fortitude of the thousands of ancestors which make up the DNA of all those sitting in this room. In short, there is every character trait, talent and skill represented to build, nurture and operate a village, town, country, or an alliance of many countries.
When we as a community decide to neglect and/or warehouse those who live with chronic disease such as addiction or some other mental illness we are deciding to use the talents of a few to neglect and warehouse those who have the skills, talents and desire to build a more just and loving world. I have on a number of occasions listed how much our so-called justice system costs. Although there is some return to the larger community in the form of employment and consequent wages spent, there is an overall loss economically, emotionally, and spiritually. One could not design a more self-defeating system.
Treating chronic illness is expensive. Not treating or punishing chronic illness is a thousand times more expensive.
Yes, there are some whose brains will not be able to make the necessary changes to stay in recovery. Yes, it may take many tries for some to remain in treatment for any significant period of time.
Just think of all that we gain every time someone who, with help, manages to build a home which is more economical and in synch with the environment. Take a breath and think of another Joshua Bell, rapper, opera singer, symphony member or country music talent who feeds the souls of many. Imagine caretakers who teach people to lead with their hearts while problem solving with their brains. In this group are the future teachers, doctors, lawyers, truck drivers, farmers, counselors, engineers and, yes, even tax accountants. In this group are the Martin Luther King, Jrs, the Emily Dickinson’s, the Eleanor Roosevelt’s, the Plato’s, and the Dali Lamas. These are the miracles that will lead us out of the wilderness.
These are the diamonds.
Written February 7, 2018
Recently, I was co-facilitating a group therapy session at a treatment facility, which works with/for those whose lives have hi-jacked by addiction. For some this is the first time in treatment and for others it is their nth time. Some came initially to avoid jail and some are came because they are ready or able to take that leap of faith to claim or reclaim themselves from the jaws of addiction.
Among those in the room were one designs and builds houses, a woman who had devoted her life to caring for others, two men who writes music and sing, parents, farmers, a man who played the violin until age 12 and whose mother is a music teacher, a man whose college education was interrupted by addiction and others with various skills and talents. This group also included all the talents, skills, emotional and spiritual fortitude of the thousands of ancestors which make up the DNA of all those sitting in this room. In short, there is every character trait, talent and skill represented to build, nurture and operate a village, town, country, or an alliance of many countries.
When we as a community decide to neglect and/or warehouse those who live with chronic disease such as addiction or some other mental illness we are deciding to use the talents of a few to neglect and warehouse those who have the skills, talents and desire to build a more just and loving world. I have on a number of occasions listed how much our so-called justice system costs. Although there is some return to the larger community in the form of employment and consequent wages spent, there is an overall loss economically, emotionally, and spiritually. One could not design a more self-defeating system.
Treating chronic illness is expensive. Not treating or punishing chronic illness is a thousand times more expensive.
Yes, there are some whose brains will not be able to make the necessary changes to stay in recovery. Yes, it may take many tries for some to remain in treatment for any significant period of time.
Just think of all that we gain every time someone who, with help, manages to build a home which is more economical and in synch with the environment. Take a breath and think of another Joshua Bell, rapper, opera singer, symphony member or country music talent who feeds the souls of many. Imagine caretakers who teach people to lead with their hearts while problem solving with their brains. In this group are the future teachers, doctors, lawyers, truck drivers, farmers, counselors, engineers and, yes, even tax accountants. In this group are the Martin Luther King, Jrs, the Emily Dickinson’s, the Eleanor Roosevelt’s, the Plato’s, and the Dali Lamas. These are the miracles that will lead us out of the wilderness.
These are the diamonds.
Written February 7, 2018
RSS Feed