Learning to be Human Again can Forge Eternal Bonds – Step 4

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“We see ourselves as we really are, accepting our good qualities along with our defects … . We are becoming what we were meant to be all along: whole human beings.” (It Works, How and Why, p. 74)

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What have you learnt about being human again, lately?

If we all mess up sometimes, can we still learn how to be kind and stay together?

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What’s Goin’ On – Marvin Gaye (6:31)

The Power of Peace (incl. MLK quotes)

Hindu Sikh Brotherhood Meditation (6:00)

English Analysis

Learning to be Human Again represents a powerful spiritual step toward transformation. In It Works: How and Why, the text highlights identity reconstruction. People reclaim their full selves by acknowledging flaws and gifts equally. Carl Jung called this process individuation; a unification of the conscious and unconscious. Jung believed true healing begins when the self integrates all its parts, not just the virtuous ones.

The quote from As Bill Sees It supports this by reminding us that unity comes not through perfection, but shared imperfection. Philosopher Søren Kierkegaard also explored this idea. He wrote that individuals find strength in honest despair. When people name their despair, they become more human. Kierkegaard would likely see the brotherhood of recovering alcoholics as a communion of real, vulnerable selves; not idealized saints.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s quote adds urgency and moral depth. In Strength to Love, King reminds us that love must overcome division. His words connect spiritual survival with societal survival. We must embrace one another’s defects to build true community. King’s phrase “perish together as fools” warns of the cost of disconnection. Recovery literature echoes that warning. Isolation fuels self-destruction. Community, especially built from brokenness, is sacred.

Today’s SFZ aligns on one truth: healing requires honesty, connection, and radical acceptance. Not despite our flaws, but because of them, we grow and love.

Spanish Translation of SFZ Quotes and Analysis

Aprender a ser humano de nuevo puede forjar lazos eternos – Paso 4

CONVERTIRNOS EN QUIENES ESTAMOS DESTINADOS A SER

“Nos vemos como realmente somos, aceptando nuestras buenas cualidades junto con nuestros defectos, sabiendo que podemos cambiar con la ayuda de un Poder Superior. Nos estamos convirtiendo en lo que siempre estuvimos destinados a ser: seres humanos completos.” (Funciona: cómo y por qué, p. 74)

VIVIR JUNTOS COMO HERMANOS O…

“Los alcohólicos recuperados no somos tanto hermanos en la virtud como hermanos en nuestros defectos, y en nuestros esfuerzos comunes por superarlos.” (Así lo ve Bill, p. 167)

“Debemos aprender a vivir juntos como hermanos o perecer juntos como tontos.”
– Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (1929–1968), líder del movimiento por los derechos civiles

Análisis (en español)

Aprender a ser humano de nuevo representa un paso espiritual poderoso hacia la transformación. En Funciona: cómo y por qué, el texto resalta la reconstrucción de la identidad. Las personas recuperan su ser completo al aceptar tanto los defectos como las virtudes. Carl Jung llamó a este proceso individuación—la unión del consciente y el inconsciente. Jung creía que la sanación verdadera comienza cuando el yo integra todas sus partes, no solo las virtuosas.

La cita de Así lo ve Bill refuerza esto al recordarnos que la unidad no viene de la perfección, sino de la imperfección compartida. El filósofo Søren Kierkegaard también exploró esta idea. Escribió que uno encuentra fuerza al enfrentar la desesperación con honestidad. Kierkegaard vería esta hermandad entre alcohólicos en recuperación como una comunión de seres reales y vulnerables, no como santos idealizados.

La frase del Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. añade urgencia y profundidad moral. En Strength to Love, King nos recuerda que el amor debe vencer la división. Sus palabras conectan la supervivencia espiritual con la social. Debemos abrazar los defectos de los demás para construir una comunidad real. La advertencia de King sobre “perecer como tontos” señala el costo de la desconexión. La literatura de recuperación hace eco de esa advertencia: el aislamiento alimenta la autodestrucción. Y la comunidad—especialmente aquella construida desde la ruptura—es sagrada.

¿Si todos cometemos errores a veces, todavía podemos aprender a ser amables y permanecer unidos?

Comments

9 responses to “Learning to be Human Again can Forge Eternal Bonds – Step 4”

July 30, 2025

Eli🌱🫶🏾🫡🪱

I’ve learned that I never lost my personhood in the first place. I’ve remembered lessons I thought I lost. The theory of the subhuman, ‘Read Until You Understand’. Conversations that mean more now than they did when I first had them.

Reply
July 29, 2025

Elexi W.S.A.

Taking care of my responsibilities foremost, and conducting me like I’d like to be makes me feel pretty human. I think if someone wants to change and they are not forcing their lifestyles on us, then of course we can have togetherness, because we all might mess up here, and there, or things mess up on us – that’s a part of life.

Reply
July 27, 2025

E-Dawg

This is definitely a we program I could definitely not do it by myself. One of the biggest parts of life for me is learning from my mistakes… when a mistake is made I look at the possible step that it’s pertaining to and then try to fix it for me it’s all about dusting myself off and getting back on the horse and riding to that sunset

Reply
July 27, 2025

Sabrina J

To be human is to be alive. To be human is to have health. Health is vital to the success of all endeavors. That’s the lesson I keep receiving currently. It is a lesson that I need to take seriously to achieve the goals I am seeking.

Thank you for sharing recovery with me. Grateful

Reply
July 28, 2021

Lee

I learned that my mother has covid19 i, my family didnt want to tell me on text but a phone calll since they are over 3800 miles away, and bevaue i was not communicating for over a month, ,i stopped using 3 days ago, exactly when my mom went to the hospital witout me knowing she has covid19, Now i have a friend Corey helping me get back on track, i have realized how insensitive im even now. Its like my mom could have died and it doesnt register in my head.
A friend shared with me how hard he works 3 jobs to support his family pay alimony for 4 kids and then I have no obligations whatsoever and why do i complain? Its just my ego dying.
I got be grateful my mom is recovering and so i am. Gratefuñ to have friends like Corey and my frat bros that always make sure im ok. Im truly grateful. I have a support system which i am going to expand this evening going to a meeting.

Reply
October 27, 2012

Adam

Learning to be human for me has been learning to feel more love and connection with those around me. I often used to feel numb or indifferent with people’s presence. In recovery, I’ve begun to feel what unconditional love feels like.

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1. July 28, 2021
  
  L
  
  Thats awesome i still trying to conect with my feelings and the feelings of others best luck Adam.
  
  Reply
July 27, 2012

Adam

Learning to be human means to look people in the eye when they say hello and say hello back. Taking that moment to be present with that person. Not to be looking the other way or wishing they weren’t saying hi. AA meetings kind of force me to do that even when my mind is elsewhere.

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July 27, 2012

easy does it

Being around other people, in meetings, helps me feel more human, less isolated, and at times more accepting of everything, good and bad , in myself and others

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