An Open Book

Being open and honest is an ideal. It doesn't come easy to all of us. I'm not the most open person in the world. Being talkative is not the easiest thing for me to do. I like being certain of myself before I open myself up to criticism or even praise. I live a very private life, but some balance is good....

I've strived to be honest all my life, although I haven't always been successful at it. If I feel cornered, sometimes I lie to protect myself....

Honesty, open-mindedness and willingness is the H.O.W. of this program. I'm not sure that being open and open mindedness are the same thing. I don't sit on issues usually or stew -- I write about everything I can think of to write about. It's harder for people to argue with what's in black and white.

One of the things that keeps me from being really open is that I tend to have controversial opinions. I don't agree with workaholism. I think people who'll do most anything for money have a serious problem with being indifferent to others. My adopted mom is Native American and I learned to spot when white culture is being too exclusive (like in many many workplaces) and it bugs me. Unfortunately when I say something about it I often get penalized, fired or become the target of anger. I don't agree with this technologically pathological culture we have. Progress at everyone's expense does nobody any good. I've found that being too open with strangers ends up biting me, often.....

There is value in the ways of other cultures. I am not open with my political opinions or religious opinions and beliefs a lot of the time. I don't find the arguments I always get in worth the effort or time they take.

I think it's easier to be open for people that really feel like they belong. I don't have too many problems being open with close friends and my sponsor. But, these people seem to agree with me that a multicultural society is a good thing.

I am at peace with myself. I am okay with the fact it takes me time to open up to people. It took me years to open up at meetings. I had to figure out what my common ground with other addicts was, first.

I think it is very important that we have people in our lives we CAN be open with. I don't necessarily think it's a good idea to be open with everyone. My sponsor likes to tell me that our secrets can kill us. But I have a few "good" secrets I'd like to keep, and they don't seem to be killing me at all. There is something wrong with being too open with our good deeds -- they call that bragging....

In todays Day By Day reading it says, "If we try to hide our problems, we cannot get help for them. To get help we must tell people where we're really at. No one can read a closed book."

This is very true, but there is also such a thing as discretion. I guess that comes with wisdom. It does no good to dump our problems on someone who is very sick or whatever. I guess I have this program to thank for helping me to open up, and especially opening up in the right place to the right people.....