Significant Others and Relationship Issues

[Guest guest]

I'd like to acknowledge the vital contribution to our journey, of

our " Significant Others. " Not in the " Spousal-Unit " sense, but in

the " I get by with a little help from my friends " sense. Some of us

have reached the point in our journeys, where we've shed our body

armor and become open to accepting the seemingly miraculous

experience of making a genuine emotional connection with another

human being. This can be a novel experience for a lot of us.

One of my S.O.s is a woman I went to college with. She has a great

marriage, two fantasic kids (five-year-old twins!) and since she's a

fellow traveller of sorts (clean and sober 20+ years) we share a

special bond. (Addicts are addicts, no matter their substance of

choice.) We share things from the deepest, darkest corners of our

souls. Do we love each other? Absolutely! Is this " cheating? "

Absolutely not!

Deep, meaningful, yet platonic frienships with our S.O.s can be

scary and confusing. Doubly so, if you're married (or otherwise

committed) and find that you're experiencing a very real connection

with someone outside your domestic relationship, perhaps for the

first time. Such a connection can feel just like love and it can

make the completely innocent and normal need for acceptance,

understanding, a shoulder to cry on, or someone to listen to us vent

without judging us feel like cheating. And given the notoriously

fragile male ego (Believe me, I know!) threatening.

So be thankful for all your Significant Others; be they family,

friends, collegues, health care workers, or the barista who makes

your daily decaf. Whatever, wherever, whoever. No one makes this

journey alone. Our journey of recover has ripple effects on those

around us. Chalk up some Karma Points and tell your S.O.s how

important they've been to your journey.

Uncle Timmy -236

Eternally grateful to my S.O.s (You know who you are.)

[Guest guest]

Thank you so much for posting this!!! You give us great insight and

so much to think about!!! Consider all of my S.O.'s on this site

cyber hugged!!!

Huggles

> I'd like to acknowledge the vital contribution to our journey, of

> our " Significant Others. " Not in the " Spousal-Unit " sense, but in

> the " I get by with a little help from my friends " sense. Some of

us

> have reached the point in our journeys, where we've shed our body

> armor and become open to accepting the seemingly miraculous

> experience of making a genuine emotional connection with another

> human being. This can be a novel experience for a lot of us.

>

> One of my S.O.s is a woman I went to college with. She has a

great

> marriage, two fantasic kids (five-year-old twins!) and since she's

a

> fellow traveller of sorts (clean and sober 20+ years) we share a

> special bond. (Addicts are addicts, no matter their substance of

> choice.) We share things from the deepest, darkest corners of our

> souls. Do we love each other? Absolutely! Is this " cheating? "

> Absolutely not!

>

> Deep, meaningful, yet platonic frienships with our S.O.s can be

> scary and confusing. Doubly so, if you're married (or otherwise

> committed) and find that you're experiencing a very real

connection

> with someone outside your domestic relationship, perhaps for the

> first time. Such a connection can feel just like love and it can

> make the completely innocent and normal need for acceptance,

> understanding, a shoulder to cry on, or someone to listen to us

vent

> without judging us feel like cheating. And given the notoriously

> fragile male ego (Believe me, I know!) threatening.

>

> So be thankful for all your Significant Others; be they family,

> friends, collegues, health care workers, or the barista who makes

> your daily decaf. Whatever, wherever, whoever. No one makes this

> journey alone. Our journey of recover has ripple effects on those

> around us. Chalk up some Karma Points and tell your S.O.s how

> important they've been to your journey.

>

> Uncle Timmy -236

> Eternally grateful to my S.O.s (You know who you are.)