Sharing an Uphill Battle

Have you ever noticed how many people use the term "uphill battle" when talking about difficult situations? It's true-- there are over 1.5 million references to "uphill battle" on Google alone. So apparently, lots of people are having them.

There's little solace in that, I know, other than the fact that there are a tremendous number of people who have faced, and conquered, difficult situations.

I gave this some thought today, and decided that maybe I've been looking at challenges from the wrong angle. Each and every one of us has situations in our lives, or in the lives of those we care about, that are tough. It may seem like an uphill battle.

Take, for example, a recent article by Fox "SEXpert" Yvonne K. Fulbright titled Sex Addiction? It's a Crock (Here's the link: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,346191,00.html). Read for yourself, but this article does a good job of punctuating what a difficult job therapists have in educating a sometimes misdirected public. It also makes us painfully aware of the shame addicts carry.

One could say it is, ahem, an "uphill battle."

Here's a great resource for FAQs that Fulbright should have checked out: http://www.sexhelp.com/addiction_faq.cfm . Educating therapists, addicts, partners and the public in general is a big priority for Gentle Path Press, as well as sexhelp.com, IITAP (International Institute of Trauma and Addiction Professionals), and other professionals and groups who see firsthand the devastating effects sex addiction has on people's lives.

People like Fulbright do make the job more difficult, but at the same time, they open up the topic for discussion. It gets people talking, and many of them see through such attempts at sensationalism. (Incidentally, if you check Fulbright's website, she's also recently done an interview with a French press agency titled Sex with Robots--which also must be a highly educational article.)

Contrary to Fulbright's article, there is quite a bit of hard data about sex addiction. Out of the Shadows and Don't Call it Love, both by Dr. Patrick Carnes, are great sources. There are others, as well.

Articles like this may seem damaging at first, and may seem like they create more of an uphill battle, but what they also do is create an opportunity for dialogue about the subject of sex addiction. The more people talk about it, the more educated the public will eventually become.

If we look at challenges as opportunities, we will still face some difficult times, but we will know that the world is full of chances to make a difference. So what wonderful opportunities we all have!



Incidentally, if you haven't checked out Stefanie Carnes' new book (co-authored by 11 of the top sex addiction therapists in the world) Mending A Shattered Heart: A Guide for Partners of Sex Addicts, now's the time! It's gotten phenomenal reviews and is sure to be a top seller!

Warmly,
Amanda Larson
Publisher, Gentle Path Press
www.gentlepath.com