Episode 142: How a Dump Truck Taught Me Compassion for My Father

Have you ever explained that the reason someone acts the way they do is simply because they are a dick? That’s exactly what I said about my father until a dump truck changed my perspective. One day as I was driving home from a recovery meeting, I saw a dump truck with two bumper stickers. Those two bumper stickers would flood my mind with memories that would eventually lead to a breakthrough of compassion I didn’t know I needed to understand. That’s why episode 142 of the Fragmented to Whole Podcast is about how this dump truck taught me compassion for my father! 

In this episode of the Fragmented to Whole Podcast, I’m sharing the importance of compassion and actionable steps you can take right now to help yourself come to terms with others’ behaviors. 

Some of the talking points I go over in this episode include:

• My story of almost being crushed by an 18 wheeler at 16 years old, as well as another vehicle accident at 16, and why this relates to my relationship with my father.
• How I realized my dad was incapable of expressing other emotions besides anger, which I wasn’t able to understand until I went through recovery.
• How it all came together for me that day that family dysfunction is passed down from generation to generation, and how my father’s behaviors were actually the best he was capable of. 
• Why it’s so important for you to understand that you are capable of compassion for others. 

Another important lesson I have learned is that I need to reach out to get help and be witnessed by others. All of these profound things are things I have learned in recovery. May these kinds of profound realizations come to you as well.  So be sure to tune in to all the episodes to receive tons of practical tips on living a more whole life and to hear even more about the points outlined above.

What is Fragmented to Whole: Life Lessons from 12 Step Recovery?

This is the podcast “Fragmented to Whole: Life Lessons from 12 Step Recovery.” It will help people who want to heal to move from fragmented to whole.

Hi, I’m Barb! I share my experience, strength and hope from 12 step recovery in each episode. They’re all 20 minutes or less. Unlike most recovery podcasts where you hear a person’s whole story, in this one each episode is about a specific topic.

There are many life lessons from 12 step recovery that are applicable to those in and outside of recovery. This podcast brings some of those lessons to the airwaves, including such topics as learning acceptance, recognizing and overcoming victim mentality and establishing healthy boundaries.