Re(8): Lead, follow, or Get out of the Way Posted on January 16, 2022 at 11:45:23 PM by just sayin
I'm not sure what your point is, but I do know that that some men measure their manhood by inches, others by years.
The mistake military and AA lifers both make is think that knowledge is linear. it's not. After a couple tours, you've learned all their is to learn and twenty more wont add to that except you'll be more tired and have been nursing an attitude that you have nothing else to learn because you know everything.
Not just a military malady either! As to AA, well how many times do you need to read the first 168 pages before you've memorized it? Don't forget, it was written in 1934 and even if YOU haven't changed, alot about addictions have. And the biggest one is that religion hasn't changed for 3,000 years. Humans still all start out with a blank slate and the only real differences are the methods of filling it up.
I'd say if you hve been sober for 40 years, you're not hanging on for fear of losing your sobriety, you've already broken the habit and also probably outgrown some of the mental issues that caused you to self medicate.
Ya know after patients hve been in mental health therapy long enough, they've come to know as much as most of the recent graduates. Why? Because mostly what the newbies teach in class are the same lessons they were taught in school. Same books even, just photocopies of the handouts.
You'd be amazed how many 'patients' know as much as the instructors paid by the state. The patients in the hard chairs just don't get credits for the hours they're paying for to contractors.
As to AA, well the addicts get what they pay for and the quality of THAT instruction depends totally on how bright the old timers are. I found most of them were pretty ego driven, and most all have a history of mental issues themselves; theyv'e just learned how to cover them. All of em can talk the talk and many can walk the walk. After ten years on and off of it until I was ready and got some help and motivation, I'll put my knowledge up against a four decade guy anytime; I'd say you dont' need to even be there but you just didn't want to go get the letters after your name. Most college educated people know that classwork isn't the same as experience and the degrees generally only get you an interview, not a job.
My attitude should not be confused with arrogance, it's just that I've always been a very curious guy and I listen to people! Thats what journalists do. Replies: