78 Days and Counting...

So I'm approaching 3 months "clean". Again.... It's been loads easier, easier than ever before.

Getting more stuck-in at work has helped more than I can say. But after a shitty night sleep, I am finding it hard to dive into work. I keep wanting to turn to something easier. Something that I can consume rather than engage and give to. Hmmmmm.....

think and feel thru the pain

I just got back from lunch. I was cheezed that I had to roll over dissatisfied last night (not irate, not seething, just peeved). But I slept shitty. I woke up annoyed (rather than insensed).

Had the car and found myself "treating" myself to a KFC at lunchtime rather than eating the sandwich I'd made. So I reward myself for having not slept well with a less-than healthy meal.




Health check:
not sleeping well: bad

eating junk food: bad

This is that 11 year old "self parenting" again. That's not decision-making that would stand up to the scrutiny of discussion and opennness (It's my secret, which kinda gives me a buzz, at least I feel in control of something!).

It seems such a shock and so unfair to not get an orgasm, not get sleep, and say no to myself about a nice lunch as well!

But looking at this while refusing to ignore consequenses of my actions means a different thing altogether. I'm over forty. I gotta think about my health. If I choose to punish my body with junk food every time I don't sleep well, I'll likely suffer more health problems in time!

So do I want to give myself a treat at the cost of some fat in my diet? Do I want to self-medicate even when considering the long-term effects? (gaining weight)

This needs some thought, I need to be "in my right head" next time I sleep shitty.

I've been thinking lately how much I gravitate towards rules and policies and legalistic ways in silly stuff in my life. Mealtime with kids. Do I really think I can setup some rules and then walk away and not need to hassle with conflict and avoid any frustrations?

I know I can, I know I can, I know I can!

It's great to be freer. It's great to not have such negative or powerful thoughts bouncing through my head when I'm faced with not getting some.


I still have the thoughts (not quite voices), but they don't carry that punch anymore. I woke up horny today, a bit frustrated that I couldn't do anything about it.. But my mind moved on pretty quickly.





What happens when I screw up? The other day I forgot I had turned on the bath and it flooded the bathroom, and even dripping down through to the ceiling and into the kitchen! How do you process the facts of a screw-up? I want to ignore it and move on without even taking onboard.



When I crashed my new vehicle as a teenager, I wanted to bury myself in a hole. I wished I could have un-born myself. It was like my view of myself is linked to what other people think, and I remember imagining neighbours driving by our house and seeing my truck with the roof crushed. I'd imagine them thinking what a looser I must be. That threatened me with the idea of actually being a looser!

So, it's okay to screw up. It's okay to make a mistake (Being perfect isn't gonna earn me his love and making mistakes aren't gonna cause me to loose His). I don't have to follow my drive of habit to run away from the facts of my mistakes. I don't have to quickly bury them. It's okay. She can be angry or upset or dissapointed. Emotions are okay (hers and mine).

So Much Better

Where to start? My "Tank" is so much fuller than it has ever been. I would like to say it is directly from God, and that I'm learning to go to him daily to keep fresh and full. But it's work. My job had gone stagnant. My own psyche had suffered far more than I realized. I got some new responsibilities and now am not "needing" sex!

I stil want it a lot, but the pressure and intensity and head-crap has no intensity compared to before. My perspective is so much better. My peace is back!

The other significant element was me doing some writing. Something creative, something expressive and good and even theraputic.

(^8

Thank you Jesus!

Essay titled "Grenade Re-Cycle"

For me Army Basic Training is a blur of mostly bad memories: frustration, fear, sleepiness & loneliness. It was my first time away from home and my family. I was eighteen. But amidst all the trauma, I can remember getting into the back of that truck with 1/2 a dozen others very clearly. We had been through the grenade qualification training, but failed. The drill sergeant commented on this to the driver, "These losers flunked the training grenades. Everybody else in the battalion passed, but we gotta make a special trip back to the range for them. I think they'll flunk again. They look like ReCycles to me."

It hurt to have been spoken to like that. But something else rose inside me after his quips.I was angry for them, my fellow trainees. I didn't even know the names of all these guys from various squads and companies. But when that drill sergeant spoke about us, in my mind, we became a unit--bound together as underdogs, unified to pass this course and avoid the hell-like fate of Recycling! When you're in the prison-like brainwashing of Basic Training, nothing is worse than the idea of starting all over again with another six weeks of physical exhaustion, shouting, mind-games, smelly weirdos and the worse food ever.

I'm not ususally seen as a leader, but depending on what the situation needs, I step in if I think a leader is needed and no one else has. In the back of that truck I did. I don't think I said anything, no rousing speech like in the movies. Maybe I balked at what the Drill Sergeant had said to one or two of the guys. And when we got to the grenade training course, I felt at an advantage having been through it before. The first time I was intimidated by the sports reference the tester made, saying, "you who think you are baseball all-stars will have to learn a new technique for these babies!" I always assumed the weird worlds of sports and teams were beyond me, and that I was missing some vital secret handshakes and unspoken passwords that guys exchanged in locker rooms and at The Game. The physical and athletic challenges of Basic Training scared me plenty.

But something else canceled out the fear on that day, and I aimed to show these Drill Sergeants that we weren't losers. We wouldn't be recycled. Hauling ourselves out the back of that rusty old transport truck, we went through the various stations of the course in twos.

We threw grenades into a target area, like a huge dartboard layed flat in a field. We had to pull the pin and throw our little pineapple shaped firecraker so that it landed inside the ring layed out as the "Go" area. When my buddy took his first throw, I checked the Drill Sergeant wasn't watching--so I could pop up to see where his grenade landed. Sometimes I could peer around a crack in our "cover" which we'd been told we must stay well behind and under (because in combat we could get or heads blown off!" When I thought I could get away with it, I'd steal a glance at his throw so I could coach him to improve his next throw.

We had bunkers to blow, shouting, "Fire in the Hole" first. I felt silly like I was playing army or pretending to be in a Rambo movie. We had a telephone wire kinda rope strung out in front of us, probably 15 feet in the air. We had to get the grenade over it for a "Go" on that station.

A weird thing was happening. I was so enjoying helping these other guys that I didn't have time to be nervous myself. The buzz of putting one over on the Drill Sergeants gave me a thrill and my confidence bred success and more success. My buddies and I sailed through the course, qualified and ready to join our squads as equals again. We may have been underdogs, but we were not Re-Cycles!

self-inflicted abstaining?

How long will I keep this up? She was pretty tired the night before last. I'd had a "good run" of nights of lovin'. So I said goodnight and rolled over.

Didn't sleep great, but not too bad. Next night I got the idea to try to

a) not try for sex again

while

b) not having an attitude or pouting about it.

I think I did okay. Now I'm wondering if I can keep it up for a few more days. When our friend went on a mid-week breat without their kids, she reminded me that we'd be having more sex than them! I shouldn't be spiteful, but... "Ha!!!!" maybe not!!!

I gotta work to not withdraw from her during this exercise. I should still be affectionate--if not overly sexual. It's about thinking of her needs and not trying to manipulate or express my frustration in a round-about way.

I've managed abstinence alright when I'm away (hotel porn doesn't help tho). So a handful of days shouldn't be a problem. It's a lie that I "need" sex almost daily. I can be kind to her at the same time that I'm not getting it. Can't I?

It kinda feels good to have this challenge which I stumbled into. Kinda cool to flex these muscles of self-control and selflessness. I pray I can keep going the way I started out here!

blah

It's Fathers' Day. So the addicted part of me is looking to get rather than give. Of course the sweet homemade card the kids made me isn't really what I was hoping for. Neither is the t-shirt she bought me from the mega store where she goes shopping every week. How do I feel? Bitter, angry, cheated. The kids were out for a little while and I decided to not broach the subject of "some lovin'" because I knew she can't get into it in that time-frame. She wouldn't get any enjoyment out of it. She'd prefer to do whatever else. And I decided to not ask her to be so giving to me.

If I wait for her to get the idea to do something out of the ordinary as far as lovin' goes, will it ever happen? When will we "do it" somewere else, at a different time? God will you give me the strength to give that up and over to you. Then if it never happens I can be happy and okay.

I'm gonna try to not take out my anger on her tonight, try to have a good attitude and think about her. Wonder if I'll be able to not try for sex and do those things at the same time.

Three Questions

Integrity Date:

Hungry, Angry Lonely Tired (Sick, Sad, Stressed, Scared & Shameful)

When tempted, ask myself what am I feeling?
What can I do to meet the need?

Hunger, relational or spirit hunger
Anger: confrontation, exercise/physical release

come up with an action plan before-hand for most common ones.

When I feel hungry, I need to ___________________________________ .

Does God want "enjoyment" from my experience with sex?

How can I align my sense of my need in sex with God's requirements

prayer, does that help?

Another Army Dream

actually, another Basic Training Army dream:

It started as a college dream. I went to sit down on the first day of the school year. I had a feeling of unease. Something wasn't quite right. I started wondering whether I was in the right classroom, the right course. Then I remembered that this was a class I'd taken before (the dreaded Calculus, my only near failure).

Then things all changed, as they do only in dreams. I was going 'round the different stations and queues on an Army base getting issued all my army gear and clothes. I stopped to put on my boots and realized I'd left my whole pile of gear unguarded (a no-no in the Army!) The drill seargents had thrown some of the stuff up in the trees or something.

The next while of the dream was me going through a maze trying to get all the army gear, loosing my place and getting lost. Finally there was a woman who accused me of being responsible for her young child being missing. She said her child had gone with Xyz (My youngest Son's name) and that's why it was my fault. I immediately challenged her because I knew that my son wasn't there and couldn't have had anything to do with hers. While this exchange was happening something between my legs grew to the size of a real leg, pointed straight out and erect. I poked her with it (not overly hard or an a sexual way, everyone's clothes were on). Then I woke up.

Encouraging Words

... tonight in our church small group meeting:

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me. When you seek me with all your heart, 14 I will be found by you, declares the LORD, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the LORD, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile."

Counelor's Questions #2

Write a few sentences about your relationship with Sex growing up. What did I learn good, bad? What did I bring about my relationship with Sex from childhood into adulthood?

Now ask the same questions replacing sex with #1, Mom, #2, Dad, #3 God.

Sex
My relationship to sex growing up was overshadowed by shame, guilt and taboo. 90% of the time it wasn't discussed. I became obsessed with it early on. Chronc masterbation, instead of being a phase of puberty became a permanet part of my daily existence. I learned loads of good things about technique, but I came to experience orgasm as a consumer and as a temporary treatment to a permanent hunger. As an adult I've learned to not be ashamed or guilty about sex, and I've learned (at least in my head) that sex is about celebrating my marriage and it's about mutual giving rather than one-sided taking.

God
The first word that comes to mind when I think about my understanding of God as a chld is, "catholic" which means untreatable guilt and God as a big scarey guy watching from far away, just waiting to hit me with a lightning-bolt for making a mistake. I did get that God and Jesus are one, and that Jesus died on the cross--and that it is very important that He did. I've brought into the present a difficult imagining God being close, intimate and really interested in me.

Dad
My relationship with my Father as a child had been my biggest problem growing up. I think I really minded him not being encouraging and emotionally available. The fact that he wasn't around much for me after he divorce really dominated my memories of my childhood relationship with him. My Dad expresses love by giving money and sometimes time, but not open converstion and never emotionally. I always wondered deep-down whether he really love(ed,s) me accept(ed,s). I think I buried my anger at him, maybe because if I expressed it I was afraid I'd never get that love or acceptance or closeness I so needed. Good things I got from my relationship with him include a love for my family, a dedication to providing a good life for my family, and leadership in many ways including fun in the home! I brought into my adulthood an akwardness about being close and open with my father, a nervousness and "need" to please and be affirmed by him.

Mom
My relationship with my mother...

Some nights easy, some hard

So there have been nights when I turned over only somewhat peeved and annoyed (and of course there have been plenty of nights--more, even--when she's graciously given to me such that I turned over satisfied and relaxed).

Still, last night was night number two. She talked about her slightly obsessive health worries. I listened and touched her caringly. But I was surprised and pissed to find that none of her touching was leading toward being sexual. As I boiled and stewed over the fact that it was gonna be another 24 hours (at least!) I realized I'm going out of town soon and so that'll be another "No". I wanted to say to her, "Well, you won't have to be romantic Thursday night either!" As if she doesn't want to have anything to do with me really. poor me.

I feel physical pressure and wonder if I'm being tempted to release it, only because I screwed up and came on my own on Sunday (see counter reset after a record 140 days!). I downloaded a full length movie and made the mistake of watching it, thinking I could keep from coming. Stradling the line is dangerous and not helpful. Ohhhh, mistakes mistakes mistakes.

Slept shitty and am gonna try to not be distant and pissed at her. I could hold a grudge and say, "screw it, I don't need sex tonight or tomorrow either!" But that won't prove or help anything. We're having a night in together, so I want to be good and stuff while not insisting on anything.

Relational Anorexia Questionnaire

If you answer with 5 or more yeses, then get help:



1. Withholding love from spouse at times.



2. Withholding praise or appreciation from spouse.



3. Controlling with slient treatment, anger or both.



4. Ongoing or ungrounded criticism.



5. Withholding sex from spouse.



6. Unwillingness or inability to discuss feelings with spouse.



7. Staying busy that there is little or no relationship time.



8. Making problems or issues about the spouse instead of taking responsibility.



9. Controlling or shaming spouse.



My answers were: 1. N (previously yes) 2. Y (less often now) 3. Y (much less often now) 4. N . 5. N 6. Y (rarely) 7. Y (less often now) 8. N 9. N



How about you?

Wishes...

She wishes that there was something else besides sex that really made me smile, that I got a lot of enjoyment out of. She's absolutely right, I can't think if anything else. I'd prefer to make it so I can get more enjoyment from sex, thus getting the satisfaction and enjoyment. I should lower my expectation toward sex and start appreciating other things in life. I'd rather get more from sex really. I wanna keep my screwed up ways. I stubbornly want my sickness to work. But that's not gonna happen. What do I want for a special birthday? A day of sex, of course! Okay, but what else?... Ummm.. She'd like to go on a walk out in nature. (I'm just wondering if that'll help to get her in the right place to enjoy sex more--quality time, etc.).
I gotta give up, let go. Again.... Still.....

I wasn't this obsessed and single-mided back when I was Masturabting and viewing porn. Things have gotten worse as I've took on the fight to see them get better.

Father, Son?

I had a new thought the other day. What if I calld my Dad to talk about what I'm going through? Not from the perspective of his involvement/blame/fault. Just for someone to listen. I imagine he's too busy or not interested, but maybe he would be if I'd ask. I imagine him trying to give some advice, getting me to see the bright side and maybe even an encouragement for hanging in there.


Hmmm. wonder if I'll give that a try.

Something to discuss with counselor

What "need" is okay? I seem to find myself feeling a deficit if she hasn't wanted to make love to me for a week or so (regardless whether we've gone through the motions or not). It's like I have this expectation for good sex to fill a need to be intimate, to connect, to be needed and wanted and desired. Is that okay? Is it uhealthy and asking for too much or the wrong thing from her and our lovin'? I know it's okay to have needs and sex and affection is there to meet some needs. But which ones?

Insatiable

It doesn't matter how often and how recently (after a few hours) it's been since sex, I'm ALWAYS wanting it. If we're home together and she's getting dressed, I'm getting dressed, or the kids are not around--It's going through my head that I want it, that we could do it, and that she doesn't want to. I know she's not interested. But I want it anyway. I could think about how no other husband, married for over 10 years and with children stands a chance of "getting any" in these situations. No other man is married to a "freak" or "nymphomaniac".

What a great fantasy, a nymphomaniac who's always 'gagging for it'. Sounds like heaven. Would I never feel sad because I'd always be in a state of sexual euphoria? Would I never be angry because I'd be on the edge of orgasm from morning to night? Would I never be bored because I'd always be smiling from the best feeling in the entire universe? Hmmm.

Hmmm. I know there is something addictive going on here where nothing will ever be enough. If I had an all-day-long B.J., I'd be happy as a pig in shit. But then the next week I'd be wishing for something even better. It doesn't make for a satisfying and enjoyable life to be isolated from everyone and everthing, all for the sake of one pleasure. Besides the fact that it's completely narcistic and self-absorbed.

Reality, again

I'm aware that I seem to be waking up and finding myself angry sometimes (even if we've DONE IT the night before). And sometimes I wake up and am not angry (even if we've NOT DONE IT the night before). So this is good if anger is detaching itself from sex and orgasms. An orgasm doesn't guarantee I won't be angry. Very refreshing if not having an orgasm doesn't guarantee that I WILL be pissed off too.

It doesn't make me so mad that she's not spontaneous. I think I might be accepting the fact that dressing sexy just isn't her. I can ask her to do this or that, she might even agree. But it's not what she wants to do. I'm very fortunate for our great love-life. We are both orgasmic and enjoy sex plenty. It's not like I only get it one night a week or on special occasions. She never uses sex to try to control or manipulate.

So here I sit, aonther time with the kids out and it's just the two of us at home together. She's ironing and either unaware of me thinking of how we could do it now, or she's just not interested. Sighhhhh. Porn has given me so many scenarios, so many unrealistic and male-centric fantasies. It' takes women (in reality, not in porn) a lot of time to get turned on. They have to be in the right frame of mind, with no distractions, They don't want to if they might be walked-in on. There are dozens of reasons why it's unlikely that we'll have a quickie or that she'll really enjoy making love at an unusual place or time. Be thankful. Accept it. Get over it. Count your blessings, dude!

Counseling?

I'm thinking of getting in touch with a counselor. He's in the States, but I know he works over the phone. I understand that the healing is my responsibility, and I need to have goals of what I want to get out of the endeavour, but I think this guy will be more directive than the last.

What background information would I give him?

What's changed since I last saw a counselor?

* I can sleep (most nights) without an orgasm

* I've been away an entire week, in hotel rooms with Porn, and managed to not orgasm!

* I'm not usually angry all day, when dissapointed about not getting what I want (sexually)

* A few times I've been really angry and tempted, but I realized (in the middle of the struggle) what was actually going on

there must be more...

Sex Idol

I had the first experience which I recognized to be as satisying as sex this weekend. It was a conversation with my son. He was feeling bad about himself and frustrated. I think I saw what might be going on and tried to encourage him to not give up and try to view things with some hope. I'm not sure how much he believed what I said, but I believe it was significant and right. I felt useful and satisfied having made a difference.

It's good to see first hand that sex isn't everything and that there are other ways to feel good. God is a bigger and better god than Sex.