from Touchstones
Self-righteousness is a loud din raised to drown the voice of guilt within us. — Eric Hoffer
A holier-than-thou attitude within us is often a sign of unconscious dishonesty. Who hasn’t had the feeling of being superior to the angry outburst or the near-slip of another man—and then found himself in the very same spot the next day? What we least want to admit about ourselves is what we are most likely to feel self-righteous about.
Since our blind spots and self-deception leave us vulnerable to returning to old behaviors, we must attack them vigorously. The man we feel most self-righteous toward may be the man we could learn the most from. When we stop focusing on him, we may notice he touches our most sensitive area. We’re all creatures of God and equals in God’s sight. The ways we create inequality are the ways we fall short of God’s wisdom.
I will use my self-righteous feelings to point me to my own blind spots.
From Answers in the Heart
As long as there is still so much noise inside, so long will it be hard for others to approach you, except for those who look deeper and feel the undertow, the life-current that never stops. — Etty Hillesum
There’s a difference between forcing ourselves to act and self-discipline. Self-discipline comes from within. With it we feel the push to do something worthwhile, no matter how small. Forcing ourselves to do something, on the other hand, usually reflects an authority outside ourselves. We might make a point of getting to work on time because our boss says we have to, not because we want to. Or, we might go to meetings because our sponsor says that’s good, not because it’s what we’ve chosen.
Forcing ourselves may produce results, but for a sex addict, it’s not healthy. It reinforces our desire to rebel and have our own way. Letting go of our belief in willpower lessens the need to set up forces outside ourselves to resist. Somewhere inside of us, even if it’s faint, is the sense of what’s best for us, of what we truly want to do. We may fight it, but our heart knows. And that’s the right choice. To follow what’s in our heart teaches self-discipline and brings self-esteem.
Joy, pleasure, and serenity are mine each day when I stay centered and self-disciplined.
Daily Meditation Books
Answers in the Heart - daily meditations for people recovering from sex addiction
Touchstones - daily meditations for recovering men
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