“Far away in the sunshine are my highest inspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see the beauty, believe in them and try to follow where they lead.” – Louisa May Alcott When I first got sober the term “Happy, Joyous and Free” would totally rub me the wrong way. Here … Read more
“What we hope ever to do with ease we may learn first to do with diligence.” – Samuel Johnson Yesterday we spoke about the decision making process and taking action. This process can completely free you of the obsession to drink or drug however, diligence and persistence with your daily disciplines is mandatory. In the beginning … Read more
“Once the ‘what’ is decided, the ‘how’ always follows. We must not make the ‘how’ an excuse for not facing and accepting the ‘what.’” – Pearl S. Buck Many years ago, I would hear folks share in a meeting that they “took their will back” usually this was in response to a recent relapse. They were … Read more
“Look at a day when you are supremely satisfied at the end. It’s not a day when you lounge around doing nothing; it’s when you’ve had everything to do, and you’ve done it.” — Margaret Thatcher Over the years it has become a habit to reflect on my day. Some days I sit and think … Read more
“Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight” – Benjamin Franklin I have a few friends from Australia that I picked up the phrase of “No Worries”. The first time I heard one of them say it I thought, Yeah, no worries! Worrying cripples our joy. Worry cripples … Read more
“A single day is enough to make us a little larger.” – Paul Klee In the beginning of my recovery journey I needed to break the chain of addiction. I could not see past the day let alone a long and prosperous recovery. I had little hope because every attempt to recover in the past … Read more
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Martin Luther King Jr. I have yet to meet the person that began their recovery journey when things were going well. Typically some major event is the tipping … Read more
“This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one… the being a force of nature…” George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish writer I am asked on occasion what does it mean by living on “Purpose”? Did God predestine me to be or do something special … Read more
“After they have succumbed to the desire again, as so many do, and the phenomenon of craving develops, they pass through the well-known stages of a spree, emerging remorseful, with a firm resolution not to drink again. This is repeated over and over, and unless this person can experience an entire psychic change there is … Read more
“You have to trust in something: your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.” Steve Jobs Today I trust in God, my Higher Power. However, in the beginning of recovery I first had to trust in the people around me. … Read more