“The individual is capable of both great compassion and great indifference. He has it within his means to nourish the former and outgrow the latter.” – Norman Cousins We are blessed to live a recovered life. Through the years and I will be honest enough to say in my personal life as well, I have … Read more
It is always with excitement that I wake up in the morning wondering what my intuition will toss up to me, like gifts from the sea. I work with it and rely on it. It’s my partner. — Jonas Salk Each and every day holds the potential for an opportunity to grow and expand our … 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 We are blessed to have twelve-step programs and other mutual support recovery groups. The HOW is outlined for us. Tony Robbins is quoted as saying, “Success leaves … Read more
I recently read a 2009 study on Motivational Interviewing. Motivational interviewing is a client centered, semi-directive therapeutic process. Motivational interviewing is non-judgmental, non-confrontational and non-adversarial. The study found evidence that “What therapists reflect back, they will hear more of,” and that promoting talk about change promotes change. What does this mean for the medical model … Read more
“Hope is not a dream, but a way of making dreams become reality.” – Cardinal Leon Joseph Suenens Yesterday I was speaking with a fellow that is clean and sober now for two years. He has a similar story he went to prison young and started his education in prison. He like me, had no … Read more
“The one important thing I have learned over the years is the difference between taking one’s work seriously and taking one’s self seriously. The first is imperative, the second is disastrous.” – Margot Fonteyn In the Twelve and Twelve on page 148 rule number 62 is offered, “Don’t take yourself too damn seriously.” I remember I … Read more
“Become so wrapped up in something that you forget to be afraid.” – Lady Bird Johnson I remember early on in my journey people said depression can’t hit a moving target! For the most part I believe that is true. In early recovery we need to keep our feet moving. Stay busy with positive activities, yet … Read more
“Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.” — Dale Carnegie Most people are paralyzed by fear a very select few thrive in the face of fear. If fear paralyzes then how can we … Read more
Success is the intentional, pre-meditated use of choice and decision. Unless you choose – with certainty – what it is you want, you accept table scraps by default! Gary Ryan Blair We all have choices in life we can choose where to live, how to live, what to do, how to do it and on… … Read more
“We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives… not looking for flaws, but for potential.” ~Ellen Goodman Happy New Year to you, … Read more