Recovery; Simple but not Easy!

It took me a long time to understand that I could be what I choose to be, that I am, indeed, that which has the capacity to look fear in the eye and dissolve it. No problem can be resolved from the point of view of the problem. I learned to ask myself, “What’s another … Read more

The only way out is through the front door! 

Then, gathering all his forces, he attempted to stop altogether and found he could not.  Big Book, 4th ed., pg. 32  If you are not an alcoholic, it is difficult to comprehend the subtle compulsion to drink. Likewise, if you are not an addict you may be baffled by the compulsion to use despite the … Read more

Relationships; Compromise vs Collaboration

How do you know there is trouble in river city in a relationship? The first way is look at their social media pages. Clue #1 is changing the profile picture from a photo of a couple to solo shot. When is true trouble on the horizon? When the status changes from “in a relationship” to … Read more

Our Freedom, Independence Day

“The history of free men is never really written by chance but by choice; their choice!” – – Dwight D. Eisenhower For recovering or recovered alcoholics and addicts the holidays can be a trying period of time on our sobriety.  Talk in the rooms often swings to the holiday, the temptations and of course the … Read more

God? or god?

When, therefore, we speak to you of God, we mean your own conception of God.  —Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th ed., pg. 47   I attend a group on the History of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) on Saturdays.  It is amazing how AA has grown and flourished over the years due to some simple concepts that were inclusive and … Read more

The Spin

“Since we cannot change reality, let us change the eyes which see reality.” –Nikos Kazantzakis Public Relations (PR) Spinners are always at work.  The stigma of addiction and alcoholism rears its head on nearly a daily basis in the media.  An actor is arrested for DUI and the Spin Doctors go to work immediately.  The reports … Read more

Mastery Starts Now

“Mastery does not come from dabbling. We have to be prepared to pay the price. We need to have the sustained enthusiasm that motivates us to give our best.” — Eknath Easwaran In order to overcome any obstacle and addiction is an obstacle in living a successful life, we must recognize that there is a … Read more

Zen Charts

Meaningful use is using certified electronic health record (EHR) technology to: Improve quality, safety, efficiency, and reduce health disparities. Engage patients and family. Improve care coordination, and population and public health. Maintain privacy and security of patient health information. Feb 6, 2015 As the advertisement says, “Finally an EHR that doesn’t suck!”…   In the mid-1990’s … Read more

Three C’s of Addiction, what needs to be addressed in order to recover…

Consequences, Cravings and Contradictions: Consequences: The onset of positive, meaningful, personal and permanent change begins with significant pain.  There are two basic reasons people change; they are either running away from pain or towards pleasure…  This is what we call the Pain Pleasure Principle… Addiction recovery starts with pain, however sustainable permanent recovery is a … Read more