Because of density, most (typically 90%+) of an iceberg Icebergs appear above the water line. The bottom of an iceberg, the part underwater, is called a bummock, while what is visible above the water is called a hummock. The size of a hummock gives us a pretty good idea of the size of the floating ice chunk.
Humans, like icebergs, reveal only a fraction of their true selves. What others see is just the tip of the iceberg, our 'hummock, 'which is often what we present on social media. The bulk of our makeup, including childhood trauma, fears, doubts, neglect, abandonment, unresolved grief, adolescent scars, abuse, and insecurities, lies beneath the surface in our 'bummock. ' And just like icebergs, no two are the same.
The average age of an iceberg is four and a half years. The warm waters of the ocean melt away its potency to cause harm. We, on the other hand, grow the unseen with each new life experience. This is human nature, and no one is immune to the cycle.
In embracing, understanding, and dealing with what lies beneath the surface, we can begin to melt away the pain. Like warm ocean water, we can chip away at the build-up and end up on the other side of hurt.
Our drinking and drugging delayed healing and, in fact, exasperated it. We kept adding to the ice block and succumbing to the draw; we nearly drowned by our own hand.
Abstinence began the thawing cycle, but the wounds felt like shards of glass as we were, for the first time in our lives, fully exposed. This phase, we found, was not the destination we desired. We learned that we had to understand the undergirding, the bummock, if we were to conquer the danger that was within.
We quickly found that by removing the cloud of alcohol and then accepting the feelings for what they were, we were able to make strides toward the sobriety we sought. Though damage had once been done we were able to restore to a child-like level.
For us, it took a combination of the practices of 12-step recovery and professional help (therapy) to successfully overcome the perception of the past we had created and effectively adopt a lifestyle that was physically, mentally, and spiritually healthy.
Like the iceberg, this took years. And, as the movement of an ocean current is energy, we, too, had to exert energy and effort to morph from dangerous ice to safe water.
By the way, we have not arrived. We know the practices and principles of Alcoholics Anonymous have made us self-aware and motivated, and we know that we have more work to do to get to where we could be. We practice these principles the best we can in all our affairs. Our bummock did not disappear in recovery, but today, we see it for what it is.
Our hummock reflects our heart, and as a whole, we are healing.
This makes us only better than we were - which is a win for us.
Thoughts and ideas for this blog post were taken and built upon from sober.coffee podcast bonus drop titled “Special Guest: Amanda E. White - @TherapyForWomen and Author of “Not Drinking Tonight”” The session dropped 4/24/2022. Click here to hear the podcast.
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Alcoholics Anonymous and AA are registered trademarks of Alcoholics World Service. Inc. References to AA, the 12 steps, and 12 traditions does not mean that AA has reviewed or approved the contents of this publication nor that AA agrees with the views expressed herein. This publication is intended to support personal growth and should not be considered a substitute for healthcare professionals' advice. The author’s advice and viewpoints are their own.
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