"Retarded" these days is replaced by the more respectful "developmentally delayed". If I am anything as an alcoholic, it's developmentally delayed!!! Never bothered with appearance change, but tried a few geographic cures. Didn't work. Wherever I went, there I was. As they say, it's an inside job.
-- Edited by leeu on Wednesday 16th of January 2013 06:01:31 PM
Wanna know why? It's a really stupid reason. Somewhere in my alcoholic brain I thought that if I changed the face I saw in the mirror it would help me change who I am inside. I've always been this baby faced man-child who everyone seems to let get away with murder and I thought that maybe if I looked more grown up people would treat me more like a grown up and I'd act more like a responsible grown up. Pretty retarded hey :)
I cut my beard off every Spring ... but I usually grow it back toward the end of Summer because; a) I'm lazy when it comes to shaving and, b) it keeps me warmer during the Winter ...
Never noticed if it changed who I was or not ... LOL
__________________
'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
" I thought that if I changed the face I saw in the mirror it would help me change who I am inside. "
"Retarded?" Yes! But I can relate to the Alcoholic logic. A psychic change comes from the inside- out. Not from the outside- in. The later is part of our dilemma. As long as we live in the later we're not in touch with the solution.
The only thing I found to help me change- a complete psychic change- is completion of The 12 Step Program of AA. Guided by a Sponsor who also has been through them and has a Sponsor etc.........
Then the daily/continuous action of Step 10, 11 & 12! I tried many other things, nothing worked. This does!
Yup, I did the female version of this by revamping my wardrobe and hair.. Still the same person with the same issues that didn't simply disappear with my Ramones t-shirt and hoodies:)
Just curious ... ... ... "Retarded" by definition is 'delayed development' ... what's the difference ... why is one way considered 'more respectful' than the other ... they mean exactly the same thing ... is it because we are told what to believe, and not allowed to express ourselves freely? ... If I find such words 'offensive', then I am the one with the problem ...
I just don't get it ... (just so everyone knows, I have a son who is retarded ... at 39, he has the mind of a five y/o ... doesn't mean we love him any less ... he is his own person with his own personality ... ) ... does this mean we should be offended at the term alcoholic? ... or should I require others to respect my wishes and call me 'liquor challenged' or 'alcohol challenged' ... The ACLU has us so conditioned so as to candy coat everything that is remotely controversial ... where did the 'truth' disappear to? ...
Short of getting vulgar and using vile language, you stick with 'total honesty' there Sober Mc ... and I'll try not to be offended ...
__________________
'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
I cant tell if people are being serious but iif I offended anyone with term "retarded" I apologize. I figured that since I was being self deprecating it was fine. Obviously I would never refer to anyone who is developmentally challenged in that way. I reserve the word retarded for cognitively average people who do dumb shit. Like try to change his or her life via facial hair :)
