September 21
Still Learning
There can be pressure in becoming someone people turn to. We begin to think our usefulness depends on always sounding certain. A question catches us unprepared, and instead of saying so, we reach for an answer that sounds like something a sober person ought to know.
An honest example includes how we meet our own limits. We can consult the literature, ask someone with relevant experience, or admit that we spoke too quickly. None of this requires making our difficulties the center of every conversation. It simply leaves room for us to remain teachable. Someone watching may learn something valuable from seeing a person with responsibilities ask for help. Recovery becomes more believable when the people practicing it are allowed to keep growing.
Where am I afraid that admitting uncertainty will cost me respect?
“I don’t know yet” leaves room to learn.
For the A.A. nerds: Alcoholics Anonymous, “Working With Others,” p. 95.