The truth is like a hot potato
Would seeing a video of yourself in a drunken state reduce the likelihood of you drinking to drunk again? This is what I read, years ago. Sweet shameful self awareness, it forces us to see ourselves as we are, rather than allowing self deception to make being intoxicated acceptable. The truth is like a hot potato. When it is in our hands, we want to lob it quickly, be free of it.
"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves" (Matthew 10:16).
It is wise to know the truth and while it is righteous to speak the truth, we are called to be harmless as doves. No one, not you nor I, appreciate the truth being screamed in our faces about what we have said or done that is off colour, distasteful, embarrassing or worse yet, shameful. When the truth is glaringly obvious, the desire to run and hide to escape the pain of knowing is overwhelming. This is an important moment in time, the moment of reconciling self with behaviours. Here in lies an opportunity.
Seeing yourself
Lets say you are the main character in a video recording. You watch yourself, struck by the feeling of knowing it is you and yet, feeling disassociated, as though you cannot recognize or relate to the animated captured version of you on the screen. You don't like what you see, it is uncomfortable to watch. Peeling your eyes away, you look for an escape. Your eyes return to the screen, sick curiosity has you wondering if there are parts of you in there that are relatable, acceptable, admirable? Is there anything redeemable in there, in you? That is not me, you think. But it is me, you sigh. That's not who I am, you declare. That is who I was, in that moment, you mutter. I am NOT like that, you object. And yet this is what others saw, you whisper. Make it stop, you despair. It will, the video is almost done, you reassure. Gasp, I am so embarrassed, you admit. Yes, you should be, you tell yourself. Now what, now what will you do?
Let the truth singe your skin, risk permanent scaring
Let us bring in our metaphor again. There is a hot potato in your hands. You want desperately to drop it, throw it to someone else or better yet, fast ball it far and away, out of sight. Resist, hold the burning truth in your hands. Let it singe your skin, risk permanent scaring. Let the truth brand you Dear One, so that self deceptions hold on you is broken, forever. Be as wise as a serpent, acknowledging truth and as gentle as a dove, giving truth its way with you, leading you to a better version of yourself. You are not your behaviours, you are in charge of them. May the real you be a delight to witness, no matter who is watching.
Would seeing a video of yourself in a drunken state reduce the likelihood of you drinking to drunk again? This is what I read, years ago. Sweet shameful self awareness, it forces us to see ourselves as we are, rather than allowing self deception to make being intoxicated acceptable. The truth is like a hot potato. When it is in our hands, we want to lob it quickly, be free of it."Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves" (Matthew 10:16).
It is wise to know the truth and while it is righteous to speak the truth, we are called to be harmless as doves. No one, not you nor I, appreciate the truth being screamed in our faces about what we have said or done that is off colour, distasteful, embarrassing or worse yet, shameful. When the truth is glaringly obvious, the desire to run and hide to escape the pain of knowing is overwhelming. This is an important moment in time, the moment of reconciling self with behaviours. Here in lies an opportunity.
Seeing yourself
Lets say you are the main character in a video recording. You watch yourself, struck by the feeling of knowing it is you and yet, feeling disassociated, as though you cannot recognize or relate to the animated captured version of you on the screen. You don't like what you see, it is uncomfortable to watch. Peeling your eyes away, you look for an escape. Your eyes return to the screen, sick curiosity has you wondering if there are parts of you in there that are relatable, acceptable, admirable? Is there anything redeemable in there, in you? That is not me, you think. But it is me, you sigh. That's not who I am, you declare. That is who I was, in that moment, you mutter. I am NOT like that, you object. And yet this is what others saw, you whisper. Make it stop, you despair. It will, the video is almost done, you reassure. Gasp, I am so embarrassed, you admit. Yes, you should be, you tell yourself. Now what, now what will you do?
Let the truth singe your skin, risk permanent scaring
Let us bring in our metaphor again. There is a hot potato in your hands. You want desperately to drop it, throw it to someone else or better yet, fast ball it far and away, out of sight. Resist, hold the burning truth in your hands. Let it singe your skin, risk permanent scaring. Let the truth brand you Dear One, so that self deceptions hold on you is broken, forever. Be as wise as a serpent, acknowledging truth and as gentle as a dove, giving truth its way with you, leading you to a better version of yourself. You are not your behaviours, you are in charge of them. May the real you be a delight to witness, no matter who is watching.
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