Thom’s Nutshell:"Are you solving the problems you want to solve, or the problems you think you are supposed to solve?"With emotional sobriety comes a commitment to being honest and authentic with each other and especially ourselves in order to live “congruently.” In line with our values, not oppositional to our natures. This necessitates becoming aware of the unreasonable expectations and unenforceable rules so we can disentangle from them. Acceptance of those is the key part of living and loving differently. This doesn’t mean “giving up.” Acceptance is seeing reality clearly enough to respond wisely. Owning our resistance, the paradox of change, is another important key we encounter.Patrick’s living and loving demarcation point was his sobriety date, and returning guest Carol Carter’s was in 1987. In recovery from various forms of addiction (alcohol, codependency), they’re both practicing acceptance and moving towards wholeness.Next week we interview the author Daniel Fulop-Furlano about his new book, “Sincerely, Delusional.”Rest in peace to the Queen of Country Music, Dolly Parton. Our music is provided by the great southern artist Jefferson Ross. Learn more about Jefferson at jeffersonross.comVisit our website:www.emotionalsobriety.infoLearn more about Joe C., Secular AA and Rebellion Dogs here:https://rebelliondogspublishing.com Follow us on social media:Instagram: thomrutledge2Joe C. Twitter: @Rebellion_Dogs Friendly Circle Berlin workshops: https://friendlycircleberlin.org/events Allen’s book, 12 Essential Insights for Emotional Sobriety: https://www.amazon.com/12-Essential-Insights-Emotional-Sobriety/dp/1955415129/ Join Allen & Thom at our Thursday night, 7pm PST Zoom meeting on Emotional Sobriety and the Steps (login information below): https://zoom.us/j/330149513Password: 375986 For our ongoing workshop video series on Emotional Sobriety and the 12 Steps, visit our YouTube channel here:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHEM2-kqLkfp3I4c0jy-X-g Also, please join our “Emotional Sobriety and Recovery” FB Group at the following link:https://www.facebook.com/groups/120450976662519We’d love to stay in touch in between meetings. We appreciate feedback! Contact Patrick, our producer, at [email protected] for any questions or comments.