Answers in the Heart

Here is the June 4th entry from Answers in the Heart:

• JUNE 4 •
Most people would rather get than give affection. — Aristotle

Many of us who are sex addicts tend to be introspective and self-concerned. We are sensitive people whose affections may have been rejected or misinterpreted when we were young, so we turned to ourselves for the love we needed. There is nothing wrong with needing love. Many people are afraid to admit this, because they fear rejection as soon as they make themselves vulnerable. Affection is necessary for growth and productive action in the world. If we believe we are lovable, we will surely be loved. But we also need to love. We need to get out of ourselves and contemplate the characteristics of another person. Love is a two-way process, giving as well as receiving. We have to feel ourselves as really lovable before we can reach out to others. And we can learn to do this in our Twelve Step program. We can also learn, by listening to others and giving feedback, that it is good to give as well as receive. Being healthy again means we have rediscovered the power of love.

I am learning to see myself as lovable, and now I can tap into the energy that comes from reaching outward to others through love.