Posted by 64bowtie on February 7, 2005, at 13:17:27
In reply to Isolation in the internet age., posted by Dinah on February 6, 2005, at 18:22:32
(((Dinah))),
John Bradshaw, who has his practice in Houston, says this moving away from church and religion in recent years has caused alot of this loneliness and isolation. "Its like throwing the baby out with bathwater", he says. He suggests this is why 12 step meetings and group therapy almost become a religious experience for some.
It occurs to me that there is a pattern here. You, (((Dinah))), also don't like and can't stand group therapy. I submit that you would be money ahead to practice, practice, practice, on all those poor defenseless participants in group.
Each week when you go home, any mistakes you might make in group are either not even noticed, or at least forgotten by the next week. Run an experiment... share something 'stupid' (on purpose) and just see if anyone remembers.
You will be dismayed that no one remembers! You are sublimely helping them get outta their own heads and risk themselves by their own outreach. So, they aren't well yet, and are stuck in their own heads, and don't focus on your stuff much; well; goodly!
Now, turn this around. Share something of yours that's unresolved. 2 or 3 folks will offer suggestions of how they handled the same problem. If you have a patience problem, the 'talky' folks will drive you crazy trying to help you. If you can remain patient, they will share their 'jewels' of wisdom, and engage you next week to see how things are.
Soon you will even develop friends and eliminate the chuckle-heads. I also submit that because the group is a revolving door, your 'interaction-appetite' that you have that has been placated by your close-in friends and family, will be sublimely added to by the group members, or acquaintences they might bring along.
The risk of this level of interchange is well worth the rewards garnered. Sorry if this sounds single dimensional. Its really not. Its outreach! You can replace loneliness by the 'cause-and-effect' of your outreach. Once it all begins, network, network, network!
Rod
Ps: I like to think I'm holding you and hugging you when I share here with you... (((Dinah)))
poster:64bowtie
thread:454053
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20050205/msgs/454371.html