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“We are not held back by the love we didn’t receive in the past, but by the love we’re not extending in the present.”
–Marianne Williamson

“Lean on me, when you’re not strong. And I’ll be your friend. I’ll help you carry on.”
–Bill Withers, Lean on Me (song lyrics)

I was reading an interview with Emilio Estevez on his film, The Way, which explores a father’s journey through grief. With the death of his son, the main character, Tom (played by Martin Sheen), takes a spiritual pilgrimage where he walks a 500-mile trek through France and Spain—in what is known as “The Way of St. James.” The film is available on DVD.

What struck me in the article was Emilio’s response regarding his brother Charlie Sheen. “If he had cancer, how would you treat him? This disease of addiction is a form of cancer. You have to have an equal measure of concern and love and lift him up.” When production for the The Way required additional financing, it was Charlie who asked how much was needed and financed the completion of the film.*

People are not all good or all bad. We’re a mix of strengths and weaknesses, gifts and flaws, courage and fear. We’re human. We make mistakes. We learn. We grow. And, hopefully, we gain deeper levels of compassion, understanding and love along the way.

With addictions, I agree with Emilio. We have to lift each other up as best we can. We have to show love even in the face of disappointment or discouragement. We have to model what we want to see in the world. If we want to see peace, then we have to learn inner peace. If we want to see love, then we have to give it. If we are in a position of influence (musicians, singers, actors, political leaders, parents, religious leaders, teachers), then we have to show our youth that we are practicing what we preach: that drinking, drugs, self-interest, greed, exploitation, hate, and violence are never the answer to our problems. We must live out our spirituality by actively demonstrating an all-inclusive love, expansion of heart and soul, care of the earth and all her creatures, and world peace: that’s the message.

Let’s seek ways to help each other, embrace the beauty that is within each of us, and say thank you for the gifts that arrive, today. And if you know someone suffering
from the disease of addiction, send him or her some love.

In joy & gratitude,

Diana

*The interview can be found in Science of Mind, July 2012, “We Are All Beautiful Wrecks,” by Diane Williams.