Mary Sharpe: "..makes us want to do it again because that’s part of dopamine’s reaction, it is very addictive and it promotes craving behaviours. Now unfortunately it’s not just craving the love it’s craving the dopamine and just like in many other aspects of addictive behaviours, it’s the dopamine we’re after, it’s not the chocolate cake, it’s not the gambling per se, it’s not even necessarily our love interest, it’s the fix or the hit we get from the dopamine." continued here

Everyone's Wired for Sexual Addiction

see article here

and

"Have you noticed that your "mea culpas" and your criticism of your bad behavior (or the worse behavior of others) have not helped to free you? This is because guilt and blame make sexual addiction stronger..."

and

"Masturbation, rather than truly satisfying, increases your aching longing for wholeness. Moreover you can easily become addicted to its short-term "comfort." Then, even when you have a partner, your routine can interfere. Even if you repeatedly exhaust yourself with physical stimulation it doesn't truly satisfy. It also sets off a sense of depletion or deprivation—for both men and women. When you masturbate regularly you may find interacting with others stressful. Yet your loneliness may drive you to seek more comfort in the form of addictive behaviors"

My own thoughts:

watching the videos on this website, I can't really identify with the "lows" after an orgasm, but I definitely see truth in so much of what they're saying. Before my orgasm yesterday, I really didn't care much about the idea of our mega cool first-in-a-lifetime vacation. I wasn't excited about it. I remember thinking, "I don't care about this holilday, I just want an orgasm". They describe the lows of dopamine withdrawal manifesting with feelings and thoughts like that.

It's true that after the orgasm I thought, "I wouldn't mind some more". That's the unhelpful bit of always wanting more, more, more.

So the antidote for dopamine is "prolactin" (which last for two weeks), but it's involved with lactating during pregnancy and period hassles.

Good News, getting better

So, let's make another "positive posting" as I usually come here to vent.

On the nights when we don't do it, I ususally wake up without a bad attitude toward her. I'm usually not steaming all day or pissed off at her for 24 hours.

I'm deciding to roll over and "tough it out" more often than ever before.

I'm "connecting" better with the family. More humor, more leadership in the home. Gotta be good. This is the vision that I live for--being a great Dad and building a quality home life for the family.

I'm eating less junk, and I've finally come clean and admitted this challenge to her.

I'm not expecting it every day--usually at least.

God is good.

Another One Bites The Dust

Somehow we made a deal. She's been bugging me for years to stop biting my fingernails. I've been telling her how great it would be to join the mile-high club.

She did it. She made the offer. If I can let my fingernails grow (which hasn't happened since I was a kid--25 years!) then she'll do it.

Hurayyy! I bought some of that stuff that you put on your nails that tastes horrible. I tried once and failed, but now that we're closer to our flight (and I'm making headway on other issues of discipline).. I'm doing it!

When she realized this, she started asking questions, expressing concern. What if we get caught? How do we both sneak into the toilet at the same time? What about the kids.

This has been one of those fantasies that I was holding onto. The "logic" is that if she wants to do it at an anusual place, at an odd time, then that must mean she REALLY WANTS Me. Fine, but I can't manipulate the situation to feel wanted by positioning my fantasy to happen! I want to feel loved, but it ain't gonna happen in that specific way that I want it. If I manipulate or push it, then it isn't freely chosen--and it doesn't end up being the fantasy.

So I was sitting in church and the idea came to me, "I'm gonna release her from this agreement". I felt good immediately. I knew this was the right thing to do. The fantasy wouldn't have worked out anyway, it'd have been a dissapointment.

Goals and Vision

They say one of the most important factors of winning in a battle against addiction is Vision. I capitalize VISION because it's really really important. As Russ from ASI said, "Being sober is not enough to live for". To get clean, we need a bigger cause, a more important purpose that we're going for. In order to get this monkey off your back, you gotta answer a bigger and deeper question: "what am I living for?". (masturbation and porn is not an answer that'll work, or haven't you noticed?)

I have been struggling and angry and feeling ripped-off every and any day that sex isn't happening. Things are getting better, so I decided I'd try to change my expectations to every other day. Sure, I can't demand. Sure, it doesn't work in such a mechanical and isolated manner as a 48 hour cycle. I wanna be flexible and aim to look at it relationally, but just in my own head I'm aiming to slow down my sexual clock a bit.

So, I'm trying to not expect it, trying to not even try for it except every other day. Normal people will think that'd be a great deal. (I'm sure most people don't get it weekly--not those who've been in a relationship ten years and have children at home). Still, I'm setting this goal to try to help me in expecting and demanding less.

Whahey, I'm almost 90 days clean! I looked at a movie clip the other night that I shouldn't have. I was home on my own and didn't feel like I had enough energy to do anything constructive, so I swapped between TV and clips on the internet. She was out for the evening, which must be recognized as a "trigger" in addict-speak. I slipped in what I watched, but I held firm in not firmly taking myself "in hand". Matter of fact I'm still orgasmless--and that was three days ago. Did my 2-4-1 deal make this any easier? Naaaa.

Pure Desire, by Ted Roberts

The addictive root usually is built around three issues:

Family disfunction
personal trauma
an addictive society

great book, so far I'd recommend it as highly as any other on the subject (higher than most).

Fathers Figure

"Even when the father is there, if he is distant, uninvolved, or abusive; the results can be the same. So why don't all male children in such circumstances turn to homosexuality (or other expressions of sexual brokenness*)?

One reason is the child with a strong personality will often adapt better than the shy and sensitive child (or will develop other destructive behavior)."


Taken from MetanoiaOnline.org * added by me.

Truth about the Pain

We're all here because of pain, we've made silly, ill informed and unwise (some times accidental) decisions because of pain.

Maybe your pain was horrible, maybe it was sexual abuse or physical beatings that I can't comprehend.

But my pain was the idea that I wasn't loved, which could have meant I was unloveable.

That pain wasn't really nearly as bad as the pain of all the mess that has piled up on the pain since then. Ironic

Good Dad Says

He said to me that I can stay in this lovely country, even though no one knew how.

this communicated how He is all-knowing and all-powerful, but most of all all-loving, good and generous!

He once said that I should not accept a job offer, because he had a better one for me.

this was significant for me discerning his voice and that "He knows the plans He has for me, plans to bless me, not to harm me"

More recently he said to me, "You're bigger than this" (temptation, struggle, addiction)

Giving me a gentle nudge to hold firm and not give in, reminding me of who I am and where I fit into the bigger scheme of things.

So, everytime He's talked to me, I've heard love and acceptance and generosity and care. So why can't I let go of my bitterness/anger toward my earthly father for his "failings"?

So last night in bed I rolled over livid and burning red-hot anger. It wasn't about sex, it was about control. I'd tried to do something for her that was meant to be kind and generous and a blessing. I guess insisting that someone accept your gift kinda goes against the whole spirit of giving.

Why was she being so stubborn?! Why wouldn't she just say yes?!

Have I really dealt with not getting my way from people by escaping to porn and masterbation or junk food?

Significance

We're looking for that feeling of completeness, wholeness. We settle for a bit of caffiene or some sugar or tv or a movie.

We think the pure true love of that one person will fill us up once and for all.

We secretly hanker after lots of little bits of distant "love" or adoration that supposedly comes with fame. Tom Hanks (for example) has a tiny bit of millions of people's good vibes. Does that make him more loved than you and me?

Does that kind of anonymous and disconnected affirmation actually count for anything? Think of Elvis or Michael Jackson. Think of Judy Garland or look into others who are touted as "real professionals" and who "love performing" so so much.

Listmania

Here are some

of the things

that trigger

thoughts of

sex:

underwear
nudity
scene at a gym

shower

her bending over

bikini
bed
touching
kissing
being alone together (not all the time anymore)

her kneeling

Voices in My Head: better

So from the last posting, things are the same in that we seem to be doing it less often now than a month or two ago. "NO ONE DOES IT DAILY!" (Yea!, or Fuckkkkk!). But on the other hand I look ahead to our schedule and think how shitty it is that we won't be able to do for far too many days (three! sometimes three!), and looking back it's not been quite as bad as I feared. Visiting pseudo relatives seems to sometimes get her in the mood (whereas I expected she'd be too tired when we finally got home & in bed). This was a great time when she was really "there" ( and I managed to not be "heavy" or pissed off). And ten minutes before I was pissed at her boring repetitive routine. It's so the opposite of being spontaneous. Then...

I think about how she never does anything about wearing anything different, hardly ever does it anywhere else. These thoughts don't have the same weight behind them, but still...

But... as these kinds of moans and whines go thru my head, I'm hearing something new and different which isn't usually present, "Yes, but look on the bright side." or "Yes but at least you can be thankful of..."

p.s. almost two months "clean". I need to keep this in mind when I have an afternoon/evening on my own tomorrow. Will I surf where I shouldn't? Will I secretly have a pizza?

R U Experienced?

My new mantra, "No One Does it Daily" is getting a lot of use as we have had a busy month, which means sex gets left behind, and ego-boosting lovemaking is missed too.

None last night, none the night before. I could look at the bright side and see how it was my decision to roll over, as she'd have been willing for me to have sex with her while she only participated in the smallest of ways. Great that I was strong and turned that down, but that's the second time that's happened in the last week and we have another string of busy days where our sexuality will probably fall off the edge of the list in favor of other "good things".

So this morning she put her arm around me and nuzzled, but then got up and got on with her big list of "good things". Now she's upstairs having a shower. Why do I imagine a quickie as she's up there naked? Why do I even entertain the idea of us doing it when I know damn well she wont'/can't get into it like that. If I think about it, I'd never expect any of my friends or neighbors to be so lucky with their real-life wives... But I have more experience and memories of porn situtation then I do of real and healthy and good ones.

Again, a shower is not an erotic situation, it's just a daily routine to get clean. Nudity does not mean sexual readiness, it's the stage between one change of clothes and another one. I'm feeling very negative, so what's something positive? The once a week of sex is really enjoyable and healthy and good. About once a month or so it's mind-blowingly satisfying in every way, usually for both of us. That's when we are "in tune" beforehand and connect in more ways than just physically.

Need Love and Gift Love

Evidently C.S. Lewis came up with these distinctions

Need Pleasure

& Appreciation Pleasure

too

brought to you by Ravi Zacharias.

check out the audio/podcast here.

so, I was designed to need? It's not a sign of weakness or unacceptable imperfection then?

Pleasures approved

• Anything that refreshes you without distracting your from your ultimate goal is fine.

(I'll say my ultimate goal is to be the best father I can be
-- first to my children then to whoever else Father gives me).

• Anything that jepordises the sacred right of another is not okay.
  

• Too much of a good thing will distort reality or destroy appetite.

Ravi Zacharias
talks about
"What is Worthwhile Under the Sun"

Sex Idol

So she was pretty pissed off all of yesterday, which I only really found out when we were lying in bed together--late. Somehow when that's the situation I automatically switch from demading selfish mode to selfless and caring mode. Then I rolled over and went to sleep without much hassle.

But after a strong memory of several days when I didn't "get any" recently, I'm pissed about tonight being a late night out for her. That's two in a row. Damnit! It goes through my head the idea of me saying to folks that I need to be home early and explaining that's the only way I can get sex. Just as ridiculous is for her to not go out or not stay out so late so we can not miss "doing it". Ridiculous. That's one sign of an addict--when the addiction squeezes out other parts of life. Idolising sex is when it's too important, takes over instead of a part of a healthy mix of life.

Usually when we miss a day or two, I start getting agitated. In order for our relationship to carry-on happily I need to relax and stay connected--not withdraw or pout. Should I go around chanting and reminding myself:

"Sex is not my right"

"No One Does it Daily"

Cold Shoulder

So last night I tried. I was coming from a place of being positive and focusing on her (I wasn't giving off bad vibes or using her). The night before she wanted me, and so there was sex. The whiney me now wants to say that the next night she didn't want me, so there wasn't sex. It's great that she felt she could say no to me. It sucked that she said no to me. When one of the kids coughed and coughed I went downstairs, using that as an excuse, but my count continues to climb. No M last night, although I wanted to. I'm not so cross at her as usual, wonder if that'll convert to sex tonight...

Another Week Goes By

So the counter continues to grow, I'm gettin' toward a month. Last night was the first night after her period ended, so I had expectations. But she was too tired. I went from sleepy to awake and mad in a matter of a fraction of a second.

I started to go downstairs, but was too tired. I mighta messed up my counter if I had, probably eaten needlessly.

I can't remember the last night when we didn't "Do It" when I didn't also sleep really shitty--including last night.

We were both home today (Saturday) while the kids were out playing. No one knew when they'd come home, and she doesn't get in the mood quickly or during the day, so I decided not to try. Five minutes later the first kid came home, so it wouldn't have worked anyway.

Aggghhh!

Mental Injury

can you still remember the first images of porn you saw as a young boy, even if it was decades ago? Then you need to "protect that wound" so it can be healed.

Three Weeks Clean

So, my M-Free Counter says three weeks.

Less lovin' lately, and now it's her period.

Sigh...

God!

Escape!

I wanted to check this website when a friend told me about it and about how she met a woman in the process of having sex-change change operations. I was wondering if she/he had the same sort of father issues or addiction background that I find with porn addicts and other kinds of sex addiciton issues.

On her website: www.jennibrown.net

you can read that I'm not the first to ask this question:

"Only a handful of specialists in this country are approved to make the diagnosis of GD. They must be consultant psychiatrists with many years experience of Gender conditions. They have to rigorously apply a set of international standards of care guidelines. One section of those guidelines, dealing with diagnosis, specifies that the possibility of certain conditions MUST be eliminated before a diagnosis of Gender Dysphoria can be made.

These conditions include Mental illness and certain non-specific disorders including "psychosis or fantasy related to escapism". Due to my reluctance to accept the diagnosis I have seen 3 such specialists supported by 2 consultant psychotherapists all of whom are unanimous that whilst certain events were significant in allowing the re-emergence of GD there is no element of escapism whatsoever. I would add, given questions asked about a conflict with my Christian faith, one of these specialists was also an anglican priest."

So, the experts already know to look into whether the person seeking Gender Reassignment is looking for an Escape, which is exactly what myself and so many other porn addicts are also doing.

p.s. I wish Jenni all God's grace and peace for her future.

Default Path and Gravity

Last night I had no excuses, no anger, no real boredom.

I just saw an article about a new porn video site. Somehow it's harder to resist clicking on new links. It's probably more about my curiosity and liking knowing all about the net. It bleeds over and latches onto this stuff (this addictive and compulsive stuff).


Shame, there goes my M-Counter back to 1. Sigh.

Still good that I don't go into a tailspin of guilt and self loathing. I know I haven't lost all the ground that's been won.

But will it the temptation be closer to my surface next time? Will it be harder to say no?

We (me and Her) hardly talk about this crap anymore. Since ASI has podfaded and there seemed to be a summer lul at BlazingGrace.org I've kinda just drifted and not thought about all this stuff. Maybe moving on. The host of BlazingGrace pointed out that my email address "HealedAddict" might not be the name I want to refer to myself by. I know that day is coming. Maybe it's sooner rather than later.

Wild At Heart

"Why is pornography the most addictive thing in the universe for men? Certainly there's the fact that a man is visually wired, that pictures and images arouse men much more than they do women. But the deeper reason is because that seductive beauty reaches down inside and touches your desperate hunger for validation as a man you didn't even know you had, touches it like nothing else most men have ever experienced. You must understand -- this is deeper than legs and breasts and good sex. It is mythological. Look at the lengths men will go to find the 'golden haired woman' ".

(Wild At Heart, by John Edlredge)

Uphill Battle, not infinite

So I was walking home today, thinking how it's her period and I'm finding it so much easier than a few months ago. I didn't wake up angry, haven't been obsessing. It's kinda like I've reached the summit of the hill, and now the momentum of reaping some better thought patterns is piling on top of other blessings. It's like I've finally pushed the boulder up the hill, and with some momentum it's really almost easy to keep it moving now that the ground is level. As much easier as it is now, it was the same situation compounded before--only difficulty made it more difficult. Bad vibes made it harder, and the fact that it was difficult made it more diffucult. Vicious circle and repetitively bad cycle. What breaks the cycle? Grace. Real love--both on my part and those close to my like my lovely bride.

Surrender, Escape, Death & Life

So the friend who sees me and gives me "pastoral support" every month or two asked me why I was doing so much better.

The usual are still true:

1. Persevering. (time doesn't heal all wounds, but combine time with a hard fight and you're gonna get there).

2. Honesty. (brutal, frightening and ever risky honesty)

I've had some fantasies and hopes that I have becomre more and more sure were hopeless (to be met at the door by her wearing nothing but maybe an overcoat, ready to throw it off and pounce on top of my like an animal in heat). I never wanted to bring these silly desires out into the light because I knew they were ridiculous. Well I've been doing it. It hurts when she chuckles and says that it'll probably never happen (DAMN!) but I think the fruit of that has been more freedom and peace.

I feel like the pain from the love I felt I didn't get from my father is not what drives me to porn and masturbation (M) anymore. Now it's more like boredom or simple loneliness or maybe horniness. If I'm thriving in my work, then it's almost easy. I'm sure there is still more in the layered process of forgiviness of my Dad, but it doesn't seem like it's a big deal right now. At first it was all about sex, then it was all about my dad. Now it's changed again. I'm not sure exactly what it's changed to, but it's different again. It's less. I can contemplate her not wanting to make love tonight (or right now or whatever) and not feel gutted and "it's not fair". I can roll over and go to sleep without feeling outraged and enraged. I can get up the next morning without being obsessed and usually go through the day quite normally too. I gotta work on the eating and comfort and control of junk food, but that's another story.

Dark & Light

I'm struggling today. I think I'm having a hard time getting motivated to really immerse myself in anything at work, and instead I keep viewing unhelpful short video clips.

I've came very close to M'ing in the last few days. I don't think it's a very strong deterrent, but the idea that my counter would be reset has helped so far (14 days doesn't express all the days I've been strong over the last few years, so I definitely don't want it to be reset again!).

I've started rereading my oldest posts here, hoping it will strengthen me to see how far I've come. I sure wish Russ would put out a new episode of ASI or the guys in Colorado would do a new show at BlazingGrace (see links on upper left side of this site). I've been seeing a mature christian for several years who gives me support, but there's nothing quite like hearing folks who've struggled with the same thing as you talk about the struggle and the wins.

We had a wonderful evening of lovemaking a few nights ago. So many of the superflous things that I fantasized or obsessed about happened all in that one night. It made my week and has been replaying in my memory since. One shadow thought that keeps echoing around my head afterwards is "Do you now feel loved?" and stuff like "So you knew you were loved before, right?" I have thought a little how its not quite making me feel good for as long as Id like.

Weird how different visual sexual images are in real life compared to porn and one-on-one situations. The most natural and best thing to do with your eyes in the most intense and majority of other times during lovemaking is to make eye contact with your lover. I want to look at my favourite parts of her, especially if she's wearing something that accentuates. But I'm aware that I'm kinda going off on my own to look at her and leaving her (and her eyes) behind. She doesn't mind, but it doesn't really further the real intimacy. I find myself drinking in her beauty and sexiness, then leaving it to return to her.

I've still got another window opened with a sexy movie clip. Okay, I've now closed it. I gotta remind myself that although it's enjoyable, it also gets me very turned on. That's both enjoyable and frustrating and unhelpful. It makes me want to go M. At best it can make me want to be demanding with her when we're together next. It's not right to get turned on from something else then want to cash in on it, with no regard for her wants and desires (like wanting to go to sleep, like desiring to not be sexual for a change). Plus seeing this dis-embodied sexual imagery kinda reinforces my desire for the visual stuff that I talked about in the last paragraph.

God, thanks for all the progress, but please help me yet again!

Rage and Restraint

I'm enraged right now. I shouted at the kids because of my anger more than their petty crime. I was fine until my bride asked me (along with the kids) "what do you want to do this afternoon". It took a split second for me to know my real answer, but I cleverly disguised it, hoping to still get my point across. "Kissing and hugging your Mom is what I wanna do, Boys". Her vote was to do some ironing.

I got the kids started on the computer, helped them out when they got stuck and played cars with the youngest one when he had enough. I was doing everything right. But the thought that I coudn't have what I wanted stayed with me. She noticed I wasn't quite right. It seemed pointless to admit all this, so I tried something different. I said maybe sometimes my mood just dips and the things that are going on don't really have anything to do with it. Nice theory, but I knew it wasn't true. She bought it and we moved on. I wasn't particularly fun at the evening meal. I remembered the book "Say Goodbye to Stubborn Sin" (see sidebar for link for more info.) saying about how our flesh cries out quickly and makes loads of excuses while the still small voice of the Spirit says little but carries a lot of wisdom. As everyone was deciding which dessert to chose, I knew that being pissed off was a time when I'd revel in some chocolate. So I decided to listen to that still small voice who said that it wouldn't satisfy and that I'd like to loose some weight, so why not make a wise decision right here and now rather than go for the comfort snack. I am feeling particularly angry and down, so comfort is more appealing than usual. But I made the right decision. I don't think she understood what all was going on though.

So I created that atmosphere and reduced one of my kids to tears during the bedtime routine. They triggered my anger, but they didn't really cause it and didn't really deserve it. That's the atmosphere I really wanted my own family to not carry on like a twisted tradition.

But I'm watching the days slowly count by. I'm loved even though I'm not in a state of sexual bliss. I'm not alone even though she chose ironing over affection with me. I can recognize these harmful mental processes and that means I can stop myself falling into these black holes of lies.

Steps forward, even with Stumbling

Okay, a few things to say. I can tell I'm winning in this thing. Times that I don't get sex I'm not very angry at all. The next morning I'm not seething, sometimes not angry at all. I'm not obsessing about it all the time the next day either. The idea of not having sex every day doesn't seem preposterous anymore. I can joke about stuff and see our sexlife from a much more "normal" perspective than ever since this battle really started.

I was thinking about stuff that helps. People might come here looking for clues to what works. Well it doesn't help to be isolated. All the crazy ideas that bounce around your head just get worse. You really do need someone to talk to. You really do need to just be around couples and see real relationships. I didn't have to talk about sex at all, but just being around another couple like us, with children... Somehow it helped me to see our lives compared to theirs (and be thankful even!) rather than our lives compared to some sexual fantasy from a montogue of porn movies (which leaves me feeling robbed and always wanting more).

I put a little java counter in the upper right corner of this site so I can be "accountable" about my last stumble into the big M. Weird how I know I'm getting better all the time. I know the battle is getting easier and I'm seeing myself more realistically, adjusting my expectations, not feeling the same strong pull toward "acting out" to feel better so much.

Still, sometimes I get an unusual opportunity or something and I just give in. Last time is recorded here and I hope the count keeps climbing and climbing.

Buy Orgasms, but count the cost

Sex is not like a soft drink or a gumball. You may browse the choices before putting in your money--confident that you'll get what you want--with a product.

Too much counterfeit loving will trick you into expecting to get it on demand, when you need a lift, want a buzz.

Keep getting it on your own terms and you'll feel deeply wronged when you want it but she doesn't or can't.

It's like Karma, or sowing and reaping. Make a strong enough habit out of one-sided sex on selfish terms, and you'll struggle with being flexible and understanding about your real partner.

She doesn't look perfect. She may not flirt and tease the way the montague of porn girls do. Your real woman's body won't be as perfect as those dozens that you prefer from the hundreds. If you're fortunate enough to have a real woman, she won't fulfill your wildest fantasies without you even having to go through the shame of speaking them.

But, she's yours. If you're lucky (like me) she'll stick by you in the tough times. She loves the whole you. She's three dimensional, not just a moving image on the screen or a glossy photo in a magazine. Yeah, her body changes over the years (like yours!) but with ever year comes deeper knowledge and trust--true intimacy. It's these things that makes real mind-blowing lovemaking. Too bad it doesn't happen as often as porn leads you to believe--but it's better.

Better in every good and real way.

Praying in Anger

On my way home last night I was livid. I knew it was too late to have much a chance for sex. (Even less a chance for love-making). I glanced at a few girls dressed for the heatwave which is raging in more ways than one. I thought, "There's no where I can go!" I can't go home to feel better. I can't masturbate (it won't help), we're both too tired for lovemaking, and there's no where I can go to get it. I've just gotta accept it and get used to it. Be Here Now--that saying is for the good times and the painful ones.

So I sorta poured these venomous feelings at God. It wasn't a humble or polite prayer. It wasn't thankful or at all religious.

I got home and when the moment of truth arrived (because I always hold out some hope, silly me!) I had predicted correctly that we were too tired to make love. But her body language was telling me that she'd let me "have sex with her". I don't know what I was thinking and feeling, but I just turned over to go to sleep instead. I actually decided to abstain from an orgasm! That's happened a handful of times, but it's still very significant for me.

I'd like to be able to say that I rolled over and immediately went to sleep. What I had just done sent lots of thoughts and feelings pulsing and rushing through me. Even though I was as exhausted as I'd been for a long time, I found myself wide awake again. It took me a while to get to sleep, but at least I didn't go downstairs for a fix of comforting food or sense-numbing TV or even worse... porn and sexual relief.

In the night I dreamed that I ate a blueberry muffin which was contaminated in some odd way. As a result I had these tiny white worms inside my body. I remember trying to pull one loose from my anus, but it was attached to tightly and it was too slippery. freaky-yucky.

Chemicals of Love

see Happiness Hypothesis

Another Brick in the Wall & He Speaks!

I'm stirring 'round my subconscious and memories about my Dad. Forgiveness isn't just a one-off decision or proclamation. It's a process that I'm going through. I want to forgive and let go right now, but I think it just takes time.

You know those slapstick movie scenes where the hero is trying to do something like put together some a toy or furniture or something? You know how the frustration and anger is funny? Well, it wasn't funny when the next-door neighbor's dog was barking and Barking and BARKING while I had one of these moments.

I got so angry, I knew that if I had a gun I'd happily shoot that $£%~@"%! dog in a second!

Well, a thought occurred to me as a reult. I remembered a time when I was a kid and my Dad was angry like this. I remembered it again from a different perspective and it was a little bit of forgiveness and healing.

So, I opened a Bible again (a rarity for me) and I thought, "God, I suppose you won't show me something here, 'cause I don't read this enough". The chapter we were lookin' in was Phillipians 4 and this familiar verse was what I noticed. It's easy to overspiritualize it and say, "See, God directed me to this verse and brought it to life for me in my situation" but that doesn't come accross very genuine.

Light, the Good & Powerful

When you're ready, when your strong enough (or maybe when you're weak enough!)... take a chance and admit what's really going on inside you.

In Biblical terms it's about "Bringing it into the Light"

I told her what was in the back of my mind. I risked putting her off, I gave up my little plan to hold on to this crap.

Well, since then... I've had the first day (for three years) after not having sex when I was completely free of anger or resentment.

Also important to this was that within a few days we had a great evening with another couple where I got a chance to just absorbe something deep about how a loving relationship really looks. I'm an influencable person, so it does me a lot of good to just be around people who are modeling good stuff.

Worhips Me, Worship You

What is the obsessive imagery and symbolism of oral sex?

The visual of her kneeling at my feet, it's as if she is worshipping me (my sexuality, my potence and power) says something.

On the other hand I remember some of my earliest journal writings showing how I wanted "Her" to meet all my needs and make me whole.

So, I want her to worship me, kinda, on my own sexual terms.
I can't have her as my goddess and me be her god too.

Best if I let God be God and her be her and me be me.

What's the Point?

When you're choosing to do the right thing, and it's painful and lonely...

...everything seems empty and futile.

The happiness you felt a few days ago may as well have been last year.

Mourning; a list

Listening to the podcast by Blazing Grace ministries, I heard a good suggestion by one of the hosts/counselors which was to list out and mourn the things you missed. Then you can forgive and heal and even be thankful for the ways God's taken the bad and used it for good in your own personality. (note to self ---explain this better)

• Dad didn't come to my army basic-training graduation
• He wasn't there for me in the formative teenage years (sex talk, etc.)
  
• He didn't affirm me, pat me on the back or listen to me
  
• He didn't defend me from teasing and taunting in the family
  

He didn't teach me much about life or being a man.

resetting the thermostat

The book "Saying Goodbye to Stubborn Sin" has a good analogy of habits and addictions. Our thermostat gets set too high, and we can't live with the same "temperature" (of boredom, anger, horniness, whatever) as we used to.

Resetting the thermostat isn't as easy and finding it and turning the dial a little tho. We can only reprogram it over time by changing our actions. Little by little it gets easier and the pressure is eased. It's like if you've been failing a course all year, trying to bring up your average isn't easy. If it took you a while to entrench that habit/addiction, it'll take time to dig it out and get rid of it.

There's a lot of metaphors here, but if you dug yourself a hole, you gotta stop digging, decide to do an about-face, and start filling the hole in! That sounds like work (frustrating work)... and it is.

Connections and Sparks

Listening to some podcasts from Blazing Grace, I heard the phrase, "connections" and it reminded me of how that's what I wanted from my Dad, and looked for in all relationships ever since.




I even stepped over the line once as a Samaritan volunteer. There was a particularly cleverly manipulative caller who I allowed to trick me into an uncomfortable situation. I respected the people and the organization way too much to not think seriously about the encounter. I learned more about myself from this situation than anything else for a year before or after. Why did I find it so hard to be firm against her manipulation? Now I can see that the connection had a huge draw for me.

It's easier to find a loud and quick connection through the eyes in all the sexualized stuff on the internet and the rest of the media all around. It's tempting to go for the "easy" and quick rather than the strong and deep.

I know God is the answer but I hesitate... Do I not trust Him? Am I angry and sulking? It's so easy to get distracted and move on to something else. All the while my life is ticking away.

I could keep zapping myself with images and bolts of counterfit stuff, going 'round and 'round with emptiness and numbness. The connections aren't working though. They seemed to be fine, but there's no avoiding that there are negative side effects.

To get anywhere, I need to get up and leave behind the stuff that seems so easy and familiar, stretching out for something more subtle and elusive.

Attitude, emotions and reality

One of the first glimmers of hope and light that cracked through this porn/masturbation was the idea that I might have a very longstanding problem connected to "trapped emotions". This was the beginning of a long and winding journey--the way I react to negative emotions, the way I see myself and the way I see God.

Trapped emotions do go back to the start of my problem.

So I don't want to squash and deny my emotions.
But how do I process them in a healthy way?

Experimenting means I sometimes end up spending too much time wallowing in my pain.
Embracing the sadness and pain has a ring of truth and reality that seems to be "Good News" even to the Church itself. But there's gotta be a time to move on.

Moving on, isn't that just squashing my emotions again?

Attitude!

That's a helpful way to look at it. I can watch and change my attitude, while learn my way through these messy confusing emotions.

Check and adjust your attitude. Conquer and rule your attitude, without squashing or denying those emotions. Yes there is sadness and pain. Yes it's a part of you. But you are in charge and your attitude decides how much space to give to your feelings and when to listen to them and when to say, "okay, time to look ahead".

Thanks to Russ from Attitudes of Sexual Integrity for so much help and support in this process.

Childish Ways

I heard about "self parenting" from the guy who first introduced me to the concept of "trapped emotions".

I've not been able to find much about it on the internet, but it seems like a kid who's left to raise himself to some degree comes up with his own boundaries and self-imposed rules. Not ideal. I can remember bragging and joking that "my bedtime is 2am, unless I'm having a good time"--that was on a school night.

Is it because I'm letting out these teenage emotions that I'm justifying giving myself what I want (orgasm, food, etc.) now? I've never seen myself as having any succeses with discipline, but otherwise this self-parenting is hitting me like a L.S.D. flashback because it's buried down there with all these emotions. Taking away the drug of Masturbation is exposing it all again.

Wrong Drug for the Pain

So, a BJ is great, but it doesn't address the pain. A lunchtime quickie is wonderful, but it doesn't make me better. Of course an emptier one-sided orgasm is definitely of no use.

A great singer/songwriter named Samantha Murphy said in one of her interviews that before she could give up smoking, she had to learn to sit in the middle of an empty room alone and in pain, and just experience it. That's been very helpful for me to hear.