RESPONDING WITH LOVE

May 12, from “Strengthening My Recovery” daily reader

“By taking the action of responding to one another with love, we simultaneously allow ourselves to give and be given to in a way that heals the wounds of our childhood and meets our simple human requirements for attention, love, and respect.”  BRB p. 363

Taking action coming from love challenges the family of origin belief system. As children, our ability to love and trust was forced into hiding due to either abuse, or neglect, or both. Deep in the recesses of our soul, our Inner Child knows the truth and waits for the right opportunity to give and receive love.

Once the space for an inner loving parent opens, our Inner Child emerges and engages us in a loving, caring, discerning manner that often may surprise us.

As we grow, we give service in our meetings and within the fellowship. We come from a place of love and gratitude, which reinforces our commitment to our Inner Child and inner loving parent. We feel the effects of our changed responses; so do other ACAs who witness our growth.

On this day I open a space for my inner loving parent so that my Inner Child can emerge, feel loved and show gratitude, especially to other recovering adult children

My Experience:

One of the most loving things I experienced right from the beginning was the ACA hug.  I was shocked, fearful, suspicious, and relieved all at once.  This hug, which felt like it was coming from a place of love and not sexuality, was so relieving; honestly this is what kept me coming back.  I needed to make sure it was real.  There were actually people that loved me for who I was enough to give me a genuine hug. My Inner Child is soothed every week by the multiple hugs I receive and give.  Genuine love is a wonderful thing!!

Caressing of a Soul

Loneliness I feel and I long for a touch

I implore you to caress as I need it that much

I am not sure how I got here without its behest

But I am realizing that my existence is unstable at best

If I don’t start to thrive I will wither away

Understanding that all I did was to exist everyday

I know that in order to be touched you have to extend

But it seems like everyone has an agenda that leaves me on end

Sex is not the design but I will not out rightly reject

But the fondling of my soul is what I secretly expect

A genuine hug to help put me at ease

But subtle contact with my chest will do if you please

The cradling of my head sets my soul afire

But the electricity of a hand hold is also a desire

I need the tender handling of my fragile heart

Something I never received not even from the start

From a mother the gentle tenderness that I never had

The firm touch that I still yearn for from a fervent dad

The circumstances surrounding my introduction to others

Leaves me longing to relive the touch that a first date has to offer

Even a virtuous touch would help me to deal

A baby’s small hand contacts deeply and compels you to feel

What about the metaphorical touch of a smile or a nod

Or the warm snuggle or wet nuzzle of a cat or a dog

I need gentleness that will make my soul come alive

Please touch me, because that is the only way I survive

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