"spread the message, not the disease"
Several slogans that I learned in the 12 step meetings I attend (AA/Alanon) have been so helpful to me I thought it would be helpful perhaps for a discussion here.
When faced with an addict or alcoholic creating chaos and destruction in their own life and wanting to rescue them, I am often reminded to
"Carry the message, not the alcoholic (or addict)."
To me, this relieves me of my martyr role or from being the superwoman, responsible for another person's recovery. Each of us has our own higher power and brain and I am not responsible for their choices. Phew!
The other slogan I love is:
"Spread the message, not the disease"
That saying is very important to my recovery. When I get involved in dramas, when I make myself the center of attention by "awfulizing" how bad my problems are and how much worse they are than yours, when I take others' inventory and gossip about them, I am setting myself backwards.
So, how do you carry the message of recovery today?