Pain is not Optional

“Pain is a part of being alive, and we need to learn that. Pain does not last forever, nor is it necessarily unbeatable, and we need to be taught that.” – Harold Kushner The idea that we will never be in pain is ludicrous.  Physical pain is the body telling us that something is wrong.  Mental … Read more

The Journey

“We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same.”   – Carlos Castaneda The Journey of the recovered life requires us to make choices in our lives.  When we make the wrong choices we can either beat ourselves up about it or make the best out of it.  The … Read more

Enthusiasm!

“Throw back the shoulders, let the heart sing, let the eyes flash, let the mind be lifted up, look upward and say to yourself… nothing is impossible!”   – Norman Vincent Peale Enthusiasm for life is essential.  One of my morning affirmations goes like this:  Today I will win—  Why? I’ll tell you why:  Because I … Read more

Show Up!

“I’ve found that luck is quite predictable. If you want more luck,  take more chances. Be more active. Show up more often.”  Brian Tracy Showing up is half the battle.  Being present, actually taking an active role in my life is essential.  That may sound ridiculous but as an active alcoholic I could be present … Read more

Strive for Excellence

“Work is about a search for daily meaning as well as daily bread, for recognition as well as cash, for astonishment rather than torpor; in short, for a sort of life, rather than a Monday-to-Friday sort of dying.”   Studs Terkel Strive for excellence in all you do.  I was discussing the Real Life Recovery Program … Read more

L is for Life is Gooood!

To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven.   Johannes A. Gaertner Life is worth LIVING, cause Life is Gooood!  Living in gratitude is the key to happiness.  We attract more and more good into our lives by staying grateful for all … Read more

H is for Helper

“You only have what you give. It’s by spending yourself that you become rich.” Isabel Allende I am grateful today for being a helper.  In the audio The Strangest Secret by Earl Nightingale, explains that we are all paid in direct proportion to how we serve others.  We earn money by serving others.  But more … Read more

E is for Enough

E is for Enough. Enough love in my life. I just can not say it enough, I have the greatest loving children in all the world.  It is amazing because I am not half the father that they are the loving children!  I am so grateful for all four of them, Sean, Kristin, Liam and … Read more