I find in my campaign to educate and support those suffering from addiction, a daunting foe. The ostrich. It seems every time I speak addictions name, one of this species magically appears.
An ostrich is confusing. For it appears as a person. Really. I’ve spoken to many. Of course at the time you don’t know you’re speaking to an ostrich. Endless time, energy and resources go into your conversation. For an ostrich has many woes.
Perhaps their partner/child/mother/father/neighbor/friend or co-worker is drinking/using to much. This behavior is causing the ostrich tremendous pain and misery. The ostrich blames society for not doing enough. We should demand more from our politicians, our doctors, our police, and our schools.
An ostrich has all the answers, but they don’t like conflict. At least not face to face.
Although they have much to say, they prefer to say it when you’re not looking.
An ostrich is not so much shy, as it is fearful.
An ostrich waits….. for somebody else to fix it.
An ostrich allows embarrassment to keep them from doing the things that will help them, or their families, get better,
An ostrich hates addiction. Loathes it. Wants nothing more than to be rid of it once and for all.
Trouble is an ostrich finds it easier to bury its head in the sand and hide, when addiction shows up.
Seems to me we all have a little ostrich in us when it comes to addiction.
My personal experience?
One on one we might talk about addiction. Maybe we tell a friend, carefully scripting the truth of our experience. Perhaps we tell a counselor, or clergy. We acknowledge what we should do.
But most of us want somebody else to do the dirty work.
Do you have any idea what might happen if we did away with the ostrich?
Perhaps we could end addiction.
Acknowledgement, treatment, education and support ends addiction.
Lend your voice. Please don’t be an ostrich.
We can and do make a difference. The next time you’re asked to voice your thoughts, speak up. There are days I feel like giving up. Maybe even becoming an ostrich. It would be the easy thing to do. But then I’d have to explain to my children, and my children’s-children, why it is I decided to leave the problem to them.
You can’t wish addiction away. It’s here to stay. If we don’t find our voice, and soon, we’ll be facing an epidemic outbreak of ostriches.
Addiction, the conversation no one wants to have.
Do you believe we can change the future?
I do.
Let’s talk.
Angel Face Foundation
Lorelie, first I want to thank you for liking my post, and I have to admit as if you remember I was an ostrich with my friend that I am very close to. The fear of losing her is what I faced an now that reality has come true. Life is full of lesson’s, and maybe, just maybe one day with Gods help, if it’s meant to be we will cross are paths an be able to reconcile in a loving an positive manner, that’s for all you do God bless 🙂
Author Catherine Townsend-Lyon
When we both started our Blogs, I think what we had in our *HEARTS* was to be of ANY Recovery Service to others! Isn’t it what it’s all about?? Educating the public about addictions that destroy LIVES!!
I LUV all you DO to help others either reaching out or in recovery, SO….I have Nominated you my *SWEET & CARING* Friend for *The WordPress Family Award*….CONGRATS!! You deserve this for helping others KEEP their Families together amongst the *Craziness* of Addiction & Recovery! xxoo…All the Details are on my Blog Page to copy & paste to SHARE the LUV to other WPress Blogs you enjoy if you choose 🙂 http://wp.me/P3xH1g-ar Happy TGIF!! *Catherine Lyon*
Lorelie
Thanlks Catherine, that’s very sweet. I’ll pop over to your blog either tomorrow or sunday to check it out!!
Author Catherine Townsend-Lyon
Your WELCOME my good friend! 🙂 🙂
jacsvoice
Reblogged this on Jac's Voice – on living with addiction and mental illness.
jacsvoice
Another really interesting blog!
Thank you!