batman wrote on 02/01/19 at 11:12:13:Raydawg, If you've been helped by your relationship with God ,that makes me extremely happy! I belive Eegore is correct in saying that Religion can be as effective as any other form of counseling or therapy ,maybe more so . We are all different ,and seek our own path . If yours is through Christ ,then all I wish to say is ,God bless you!
Thank you Batman.......but let me make this very clear, yes, I have been blessed without ceasing, not deserving, but extremely appreciative.
However, the greatest joy I now experience is to see, to witness, the joy and happiness in my relationships restored.
It is so rejuvenating and motivating, to watch that I no longer cause hurt, and pain, in the ones I love with all my heart.
Heck yes I wanna be the winning quarterback in the Superbowl, I will always have that "need"......
But just like a kid on Christmas day, who got that gift I had so dearly wanted, couldn't live without, wanted to brag about with my buddies, by New Years day, that joy and happiness was fleeting.
Watching the sustainable joy and happiness in others, it never, ever, gets tiresome.
One last thing if I may.....
When I went to my first ever AA meeting, hearing others share their stories of addiction, etc, it resonated in such a manner that I could now see things differently.
I once thought my story was so different, that it wasn't possible that anybody else on this planet could understand, relate.......OH MERCY, was I ever wrong.
Their selfless sharing, putting aside their pride, shame, and ego, was really the starting block for me, and their wiliness to listen, and share, as I asked more questions, was indeed a very important component to getting my life where I so wanted it to be

In a nutshell, you give, to get.........!
Thanks, I hope you too find you hearts joy and happiness wherever you look, as well.