Happy, Joyous and Free

“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

Diligence

“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

Made a Decision

“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

Getting it Done

“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

No Worries

“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

Living on Purpose

“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

The Contradiction of Addiction

“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