How Our Self-Perceptions are Deeply Warped Due to the ‘Fun House Mirror Effect’ – Step 4

A space child observing a warped distortion of time and space w/ sfz title

WHEN INTROSPECTION REVEALS DISTORTED SELF-PERCEPTIONS –

“We want to find

exactly how, when,

and where our natural

desires have warp-

ed us.” (12 &

12, p, 42)

~~~

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What self-perceptions have you held, lately, that no longer serve you?

OR

Ask yourself: If you got a small gift today, would you feel good or feel weird about it and why?

~~~

Shame – Evelyn Champagne King (6:31)

Creative Quotations by Alice Childress (1:28)

Meditation for Deep Introspection (9:40)



Analysis

Many people see themselves through a warped lens. The SFZ’s 12 & 12 quote shows this Fun House Mirror Effect. Carl Jung wrote about the shadow self in Modern Man in Search of a Soul. He said we hide our darkness. When we look inside, we find our desires have twisted our self-view.

The second quote from It Works, How & Why reminds us we can change. Viktor Frankl, author of Man’s Search for Meaning, believed we always hold freedom. Even when life hurts, we can reshape old beliefs. Our gratitude can heal instead of wound us.

Alice Childress’s words hit hard. Even kindness feels strange when our “thanks box” stays warped. bell hooks, in All About Love, says love fixes broken mirrors. If we can accept gifts, we see ourselves as worthy. We stop making pain from love.

Today’s SFZ show how distorted thinking hurts our spirit. They prove we can clean our mirror. To heal, we must see our flaws clearly. We must untwist warped beliefs. Then, we receive love and gifts without shame.


Spanish Translations

Quotes:
“Queremos descubrir exactamente cómo, cuándo y dónde nuestros deseos naturales nos han deformado.” (12 & 12, p. 42)

“Aunque doloroso y triste, el pasado no se puede cambiar. Sin embargo, las creencias deformadas que hemos desarrollado sobre nosotros y otros sí se pueden cambiar…” (It Works, How & Why, p. 32)

“Un regalo – ya sea un presente, una palabra amable o un trabajo hecho con cuidado y amor, se explica solo… y si recibirlo te da vergüenza, es porque tu ‘caja de gracias’ está deformada.” – Alice Childress


Análisis en español

Muchas personas se ven a sí mismas a través de un lente deformado. La cita de 12 & 12 muestra este Efecto Espejo de Casa de Diversiones. Carl Jung escribió sobre la sombra en Modern Man in Search of a Soul. Dijo que escondemos nuestro lado oscuro. Al mirar dentro, vemos que los deseos tuercen nuestra autoimagen.

La segunda cita de It Works, How & Why nos recuerda que podemos cambiar. Viktor Frankl, autor de Man’s Search for Meaning, creía que siempre tenemos libertad. Aunque la vida duela, podemos rehacer creencias viejas. Nuestra gratitud puede sanar en lugar de herir.

Las palabras de Alice Childress son fuertes. Incluso la amabilidad incomoda cuando nuestra “caja de gracias” está torcida. bell hooks, en All About Love, dice que el amor arregla espejos rotos. Si aceptamos regalos, nos vemos dignos. Dejamos de convertir amor en dolor.

Las tres citas juntas muestran cómo el pensamiento torcido daña el espíritu. Demuestran que podemos limpiar nuestro espejo. Para sanar, debemos ver defectos claramente. Debemos enderezar creencias torcidas. Así, recibimos amor y regalos sin vergüenza.

Pregúntate: Si hoy recibieras un pequeño regalo, ¿te sentirías bien o incómodo?

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Comments

10 responses to “How Our Self-Perceptions are Deeply Warped Due to the ‘Fun House Mirror Effect’ – Step 4”

  1. E-Dawg Avatar
    E-Dawg

    Once I sorted through all the bad in my life through the fourth step, it becomes easier to accept love from people. It’s amazing how just by staying clean and sober and working the steps life’s jigsaw puzzle snaps into place. And having the most powerful higher power in the universe doesn’t hurt either…

  2. Tony o Avatar
    Tony o

    Once I feel a social requirement. It’s in my nature to follow through. I’ve noticed this can be taken advantage of. I need to keep objectivity and focus on mutual benefit and growth.

  3. Simon Yebio Avatar
    Simon Yebio

    The self deprivation thought that I’ve had about myself which no longer serves me is believing that I am not capable of living life on life’s terms without the exact assistance from other people. In other words being able to support myself without family and friends directly involved in the day-to-day

  4. Margo Avatar
    Margo

    Coming to realize that my “thanks box” cannot be filled unless I am working on my resentments. It is long past time for me to let go of resentments that are literally age-old. Time for me to step up, stop being filled with bitterness because of misunderstandings, and create space in myself for love and joy. Say, “bye-bye” resentments!

  5. Br. Buddha Avatar
    Br. Buddha

    Good morning everyone + happy July 5. Here is today’s thought. Sometimes we have to go through something which seems unbearable + terrible. However, these trials can be the very seeds which will lead to something good. Trust in God. He will give you the strength to overcome. Blessings. BB

  6. JB jr. Avatar
    JB jr.

    I know realize I’ve once again had ‘unreasonable expectations’ of a spiritual teacher and now must right-size that relationship. This is prolly my most frequent character defect.

  7. Adam Avatar
    Adam

    I guess I’m still too much of a newcomer (11 days) and still just starting to dig through my own BS. I’ve felt pretty thankful every day since my last drink. Because I was just done. So I still am feeling like a burden has been lifted. So lately I’ve felt pretty grateful. I guess the idea that suddenly my life is all hunky dorry is a little “warped.” But as long as I’m moving forward in recovery I’m not going to second guess it.

  8. Margot E. Avatar
    Margot E.

    I once heard a drug/alcohol counselor say in exasperation, “They don’t know how to be grateful!” Well, of course we do not know how to be grateful; Coming up for air after many years underwater, we first gasp for breath; ah, sweet oxygen in my lungs; sweet Higher Power in my life! Then we realize we have totally screwed up our lives and begin to recover from that. Then, working the first three steps we learn we are loved, lovable and loving. I learn to be grateful for the unconditional love I get and can give. Then I realize that things may not be so bad after all.

  9. Slim Jim Avatar
    Slim Jim

    I still have problems accepting praise and that feels like it comes from low self-esteem. What I need to keep in mind is that not only am I worth a little praise now and then, its also makes the giver of praise feel more comfortable when I accept their praise with grace.

  10. brita Avatar
    brita

    Again, great quote. I can never see the good of hard work I do & am embarrassed by compliments or minimize it – I’m against me! help AA! 🙂

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