Overheard in Recovery: Not Just Me

I heard this conversation a few weeks ago. The first person speaking had just explained that she has come to an understanding of her alcoholism/addiction. The second is another person talking with her.

I am fighting a battle against addiction.

Let us help you. That's what recovery communities are all about.

No one can fight the battle for me.

I didn't say we'd battle it for you. We will battle it with you.

Oh, how difficult it can be to see that we are in life together; that it is not a one-person show against all odds (literally!) We get overwhelmed by having to succeed and do it all alone. Even sitting in a community of other people fighting the same fight we are fighting we resort to this default and ultimately disastrous mode.

That all made me think about the ads for the Army and the Marines that have been around. The Army tells us that each person is

An Army of One.

The Marines on the other hand are looking for

A Few Good Men.

Of course when you get to basic training in either branch the Marine ad is more realistic. Even Mel Gibson needed all those thousands of troops in Braveheart in order to win. But the lone warrior ideal leads us to discount other people's assistance, wisdom and support.

By the end of the above conversation the person who felt overwhelmed was beginning to feel a little more hopeful.

Which is what the whole idea of community can do.