Lisa Kirchner, Web Editor
We look forward to bringing you news and insights from in and around the world of recovery, but do let us know if there’s something you’d like to see covered. Write me at lkirchner@together.us.com.
LOOKING FOR YOUR STORIES: Nothing brings relationships to the fore like the passing of another season of holiday (guilt) trips. Share your humor, your inspiration, your lessons learned. We might even feature your story.
Happy 2011!
Nancy O’Hara, Editor-in-Chief
The We of Us
Whenever two or more people come together to form a union – a team, partnership, friendship, marriage, etc. – a new entity or “being” is formed. I call this mysterious third presence “the We of Us.” Every part of each individual is not part of that new relationship – how can it be? – and ever since we humans began relating to each other we’ve been trying to figure out how to form these bonds with grace. As I see it, we can do all the self-improvement there is to do, but as a group, and when more than one of us occupies the same space, the human race is still a work in progress.
Once we add the challenging aspect of addiction to the dynamic that is formed when two or more people get together, well, then it can get really complicated. But when we begin to recover from our addictions, what we learn about ourselves and others can help to make us so much greater than we can ever be alone.
THE MUSIC OF LOVE
Our two cover articles report on both the dark side (“Sex Trafficking and Addiction…”) and the lighter side (“The Final Frontier of Recovery…”) of relationships. Both stories hold hope that those suffering from sex and other related addictions can find help, and that in recovery from addiction it is possible to have a long term, loving and intimate relationship with another person. The work of the GEMS organization and the seven stories from couples make us optimistic about our future and how we might all live in harmony with each other some day.
When we decided on the theme of relationships for this issue, the first person that came to our mind for The Together Interview (pg 12) was Melody Beattie. We are so pleased to have had the opportunity to speak with her and are sure you’ll learn something new, as we did.
Kurt Brokaw’s film review this month focuses on two classics that after all these years can be viewed in a new light. You’ll be surprised at his conclusions and even if you’ve already seen both movies, you will probably want to watch them again with this new perspective.
If the music of our culture tells us anything at all about us, then one thing seems certain: no one has figured out this thing called love. We still write poems about it, sing about it and long for it. The love lyrics game on page 19 will have you thinking about your favorite love songs and second-guessing our choices. And as we enter the dark days of winter we’d love to hear from you – because there’s nothing better than discovering and listening to some new and wonderful music to lift the spirits.
We hope you learn something new as you go through this issue, and have fun doing it. We encourage you to take stock of your “We” relationships and let us know what works, what doesn’t, and what you’ve taken from Together that helps you negotiate your way into intimacy.
WRITE TO US
Stay warm, hug your favorite people more than usual, be kind to yourself and others and we’ll see you again in March.
Don’t forget: write to us about your relationships in recovery, your favorite love song lyrics, and anything else you think we should know about. Join us online for the conversation.
