My name is Tom – and I am a human being!

The next few posts on this blog will form an introduction to the idea of Human Beings Anonymous.  This idea comes with great gratitude to the family of Anonymous Twelve Steps organizations that have helped save lives around the world for many years.

My process started with the idea of writing a Twelve Steps program and book for people who believe that they do not suffer from any addictions.  The original working title was “Living as Mustard Seeds in Cracked Clay Pots” but over time it became very clear that we are ALL human beings anonymous.

Much of my early thinking in this area was profoundly influenced by the writing of Gerald G. May, M.D. in his book Addiction and Grace where he states: “I am not being flippant when I say that all of us suffer from addiction . . . the same processes that are responsible for addiction to alcohol and narcotics are also responsible for addiction to ideas, work, relationships, power, moods, fantasies, and an endless variety of other things.  We are all addicts in every sense of the word.  Moreover, our addictions are our own worst enemies . . . they can bring us to our knees.” (3-4)

As we continue this journey together I hope that many of you will join in the conversation.