ISOLATION
”Solitude vivifies; isolation kills.”
As an introvert and an agoraphobic I relate to both sides of this quote.
From an introverted point of view, I need solitude to regroup, renew, and refresh. It's part of my process in life to have quiet time alone in order to "get it together".
When I'm alone and I read my OA literature and meditate on what I'm reading
and learning, I'm able to gain new insight and a renewed sense of direction
in my program.
~ Deb B.
Joseph Roux
From an agoraphobic point of view, isolation kills my ability to stick to my
program. When my social anxiety cycles and it becomes difficult to get to
meetings or make phone calls, I hide from the world ~ and from my friends
and other OA members who can help me maintain my abstinence.
Solitude and Isolation are both active decisions. Both require some
forethought. If solitude is what I need to in order to regroup, I have to
make time for it. I have to take a walk, read a book, putter around my
house. On the flip side, if I'm having a hard time with Program and my
social anxiety is becoming unmanageable, I can either isolate and spiral
down, or I can choose to take action and get to a meeting, make a phone
call, or ask my sponsor to meet me for coffee. I don't have to be alone in
this program.
One day at a time...
I remember that I have control over my actions. Although I need solitude to
heal, I don't have to be alone in my disease.
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