CC -Thanks for sharing!

i really really feel for u :'(
what can i say ZUG TEHILLIM

That story was electrifying.  It sent a big bolt my way.

TehillimZuger-not sure if you understand the point of that story about the non-Jew in my group since I was uplifted by his perspective. Hence there is nothing to feel bad about for me. Also,  ontheedgeman, I give you the benefit of the doubt that you are not being condescending. Thanks

CC!

Nice to hear your voice.

E

ur absolutely right i totally don't chap and i didnt read anything about a goy in the post

I am not a "chap". I am an addict trying to get better.  Responses like yours deflate the purpose of this forum. I only shared the story to help others who take recovery seriously.  Snarky responses like yours makes me question posting in the future. 

chaim excuse me for budding in,I think he meant chap as in yiddish to chap something is to understand the depth of what you were saying.And he must of not read the part of non jew because it takah doesnt say goy only non-jew.

I apologize for reacting and appreciate the clarification. 

I know ho hard it is sometimes to share or when you write something I so badly want to see positive feedback,I want to feel someone gianed something from my insight.

If you gained something real, isn't that enough for you?
It is for me. But hey, we all want to know we are useful, so who's to blame for feeling a bit badly about somone else not getting it? Have a great Shabbos (even if not a single person appreciated what you shared) (bit for one, I did very much, sir!)

stay cool 8)

Mechazek, i was so glad to read your clkarification, as I was shocked to read Chaimchuna's reaction.

Chaimchuna, your humility in hearing what Mechazek wrote (and in turn, what Tehillimzuger wrote) is what I need. Thanks for writing all that. Have a sweet Shabbos!

Dov
I guess i am used to a heightened level of introspection and discussion from dealing with my group therapy. Certain comments made on this site would never be tolerated in my group therapy. So I apologize because I expect more seriousness, sensitivity and open mindedness.  I should pause before  reacting. That is my fault.

Wow, thanks for getting open like that about your feelings and background!

Can please you clarify what kind pf things would not have been tolerated in the group, and how that would be enforced? I would like to understand better, please.

But after thinking about it, ChaimChuna, it occurred to me that I would never in amillion years have seen what either of those guys above said as snarky or condescending. I was really shocked by your misread of them. I daresay that if you had a heightened expectation for snarky remarks, you have been in an atmosphere where such things were often part of the landscape. Was that part of the groups you were referring to above? And as usual, I am 100% serious here and not being critical or cynical in any way.

Your post about having certain comments not tolerated in a group, reminded me of a thing that seemed strange to me in SA groups when I first started attending them years ago. People laughed their heads off sometimes - even about the insane behaviors of other addicts as they reported them! And the reporting person laughed harder than all the rest of the lot!

One of the things we learned in meetings was how to laugh at ourselves. In some respects, by my nature, I am the proverbial 'pompous ass' (as in, 'donkey'). King Baby, as AA puts it. If I cannot laugh at myself once in a while (at least once every day), then something is wrong with me indeed. Reb b (people here call him bardichever) showed me that GYE guys can do that, too! And that is one reason I love him so much.

And you seem a very lovable person yourself, too! Please don't ever lose that, chaver.

I guess it's hard to read tones and intentions by email, and maybe some people have a harder to interpreting and others communicating (i.e. you misread me and I didn't communicate properly!)  In any event my email (about being bolted by the electrifying story) was serious.  I actually shared your story with some friends the other day.

Don't worry ChaimChuna, I was not shocked by your reaction.  I think we just got our wires crossed.  Okay time to pull the plug on these puns.

Dov,
To your point, it is important to laugh at ourselves and what is missing in this forum is simply the ability to read facial expressions when an opinion is expressed. What I meant about intolerance in a group scenario is a direct attack on another member. We are encouraged to call each other out on issues raised by the group member and even criticize that person if there is a sense of regression, covering or lying. But it is done with respect and purposely to support and not destroy.  With all that said, I may be hyper sensitive to people's comments since I still struggle with my own embarrassment and frustration with my own failures. I believe it emanates from selfishness and self centeredness which is where my troubles began.  In short, these are my issues and I apologize to anybody that was offended by my defensiveness.  I think I need to refrain from reacting since I am often incorrect about other people's intentions or statements.  Thank you for being direct with me. I have gained.