Each of us has a choice. When you get up in the morning, are you going to focus on the positive or the negative? Will you get back at the world for how you were treated as a kid and take it out on others? Will you repeat dysfunctional behaviors and become what you swore you would not?

As adult children of alcoholics/dysfunctional families, we can perpetuate generational behavioral problems. I’ve seen this played out in relationships, the workforce, and in families.

If someone hit you as a kid, will you hit back as a parent?

If your mother withdrew love from you, will you do the same to your husband?

Generational dysfunction can be a hard topic to talk about. I know that I’ve felt shame about how I grew up and then repeated abusive behaviors.

Our choice is clear: Hide, pretend everything is okay, and repeat the dysfunctional behaviors, or get help.

To admit that we need help is not an easy decision.

You might feel broken, scared, and confused.

The first step is to embrace yourself and give yourself love. Take a small step in the right direction: Make an appointment with a therapist or go to an Adult Children’s of Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.

For those of us, who have been on the journey for years, there is daily maintenance to do. We can use meditation, yoga, visualization techniques, reading self-help books as well as deciding on whether to do check-ins with therapy or Twelve Step meetings to help us.

You can choose to see this as work, or you could flip things and see it as creating healthy habits and exercise for your mind, body, and spirit.

Do you want to be a statistic and repeat the horror that you grew up with or chart a new course?

The choice is yours.

It always has been.

Like what you’ve read? Be sure to check out my other posts in my Let Go and Be Free blog.