5 08, 2018

No Bones About It Communication

2018-08-05T17:03:09-08:00August 5th, 2018|Communication, Early Sobriety, Freedom|0 Comments

Communication is key to staying sober. What if we set about our day in the same way dogs do? What if we freely expressed what we need and desire from others and situations?  And, boldly communicated without worry of what others might think of us? What if we didn’t filter our lives? From what I can tell, dogs truly take care of themselves. They aren’t afraid to ask for what they want or need. They are not concerned with appearing overly needy. If they are hungry, they sometimes push their food bowl around, signaling for a treat of some kind. When they want attention, they make no “bones” about it. They come to us and gently nuzzle in. Or, in Stitch’s case, he quickly turns so that his rear end is the object of your petting hand. There is no worry of what we might think about them. They unapologetically [...]

2 08, 2018

Finding Clarity Through Discipline

2020-11-11T15:25:39-08:00August 2nd, 2018|Freedom|0 Comments

  There’s something to be said for discipline. Somewhere I have heard that alcoholics are not very disciplined. I would agree that this is pretty accurate. When I first dipped my toes into the sober world, sort of (that’s a big SORT OF) trying to get sober, I worked with a mentor who told me I lacked discipline.  He asked me to call him every day at the same time to check in about my day. When he told me that I wasn’t disciplined, I was a little miffed, but I conceded. (My life was literally spiraling down the drain like liquid Drano, and I didn’t think I had a discipline problem.) I would try on most days to call and leave a voice message about how I was doing. It was my first attempt at a smidge of discipline, and I realize now that I totally suck at discipline. [...]

25 06, 2018

Rewriting Your Life in Sobriety Through Storytelling

2020-11-11T15:25:40-08:00June 25th, 2018|Early Sobriety, Finding Me, Freedom|0 Comments

Storytelling has become such a huge part of modern society. With the evolution of technology, people are sharing more and more of their own personal stories, made up or real. We are able to put out to the world exactly what we want people to believe about us and about our lives. Facebook and Instagram even have a "stories" section where we can share video insights into our daily lives. It's funny...I was thinking it would be so cool if Facebook or Instagram could video record the stories that run through my head daily. Some of these stories have been floating around in my consciousness for decades and others are new chapters I am beginning to cultivate. Some people engage heavily in social media, sharing every detail and others enjoy staying silent, quietly perusing the stories of the bold and the brash. I have no judgement either way...whether you share [...]

28 05, 2018

Freedom and Courage in this Sober Life

2020-11-11T15:25:41-08:00May 28th, 2018|Freedom, Gratitude|0 Comments

    There are many words to describe the essence of Memorial Day, and they go hand in hand with my sober life. A few of them are mainstays in my daily vocabulary. Freedom. Gratitude. Courage. In contemplating the holiday today, I am beyond grateful for the courageous men and women who unselfishly serve(d) to protect our freedoms. Following our calling. For those I know in the military, it seems like a calling they have answered. What an amazing gift to realize your calling and then to be courageous enough to respond. How brave you must be to report to duty knowing that your physical well-being could easily be at-risk, and your mental peace could forever be disrupted. Sometimes I feel that I am called to do certain things in life, but I often quiet those voices with a quick “shish.” Shhh…quiet down. It’s too scary. Shhh…quiet down. What will [...]

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