"There's only one way...."

If you think there is only one way to solve a problem, you

are in a trap. If you think there is only one way to live, you

are in a trap. If you think there is only one way to heal, you

are an addict, etc. etc. If you choose a way because it

seems to fit you better at this time,and you do not 

condemn other ways,you are free, because the freedom

to choose is the greatest gift we have ever been given.

 

Those of us who have found a way that is harmful to

other people or to ones self can upgrade their

addictions to preferences and by doing so, begin to be

fully human- aware of choices we are free to make.

 

Some folks think addictions to substances like drugs,

coffee, food, alcohol, sugar, sex, money, are inferior

to addictions like power, prestige, competition, 

religion,

gossip,controlling others, infantalizing others,

manipulating others, or the many other variations.

The DMS diagnostic manual for psychiatry

 will tell you which ones are currently 

considered 'sick'. The ones most common

are the addictions to 'being right' and to

 'being the-one-who-knows' or 'knowing the 

one- who-knows'.

 

You can always tell an addicted person by their

refusal to believe there are other ways, to get the

same thing,or in combination,or refuse to believe

there are other wonderful ways to be..

 

There is one simpler way to tell an addicted 

person..by the way they look down on other

folks' addictions.