"Self-pity is one of the most unhappy and comsuming defects that we know. It is a bar to all spiritual progress and can cut off all effective communication with our fellows because of its inordinate demands for attention and sympathy. It is a maudin form of martyrdom, which we can ill afford.
"The remedy? Well, let's have a hard look at ourselves, and a still harder one at A.A.'s Twelve Steps to recovery. When we see how many of our fellow A.A.'s have used the Steps to transcend great pain and adversity, we shall be inspired to try these life-giving principles for ourselves."
Glenn, Thanks for the post. For me I seek God each day for help with this through my step 11 pray & mediation; asking him to divorce me from Self Pity, Self Seeking and Dishonest Motives.
For me today; if I'm sitting on my pity pot I seek God, Sponsor and my gratitude list. That usually lifts my *ss of the pot.
I had some unfortunate things happen in my life that I used as an excuse for drinking, and it was actually pre-AA therapy that showed me how much I enjoyed casting myself as the victim/martyr because it got me attention and sympathy. Now I just remind myself that everyone's got problems and I'm not special! But it definitely is a characteristically alcoholic way of thinking!
