When I was introduced to Crossfit I learned a term that baffled me for some time. The term was "GOAT", now I thought I understood this term, greatest of all time! In the world of crossfit it means work on your weaknesses. Now in recovery I believe our character defects and step ten are the same thing, our daily reprieve from the insanity of life.
My mind, my self will, doesn't want me to do battle with my GOAT, my self will doesn't want me to look at my character defects, self will wants me to fall to pieces to give up, hard times have not come to stay they have come to pass! I have learned that if life knocks me down I land on my back so I can look up because if I can look up I can get up and continue the fight. Easy is not an option I must remain working on my GOAT to further myself in health and recovery. Do not ever let some one tell you, you cant do something. I use the pain to push me to greatness. If I fail I fail forward! The Program has taught me that progress not perfection and in healthy living I have adapted the same thought process in my fitness as in recovery. I don't let the distraction distract me from my GOAT,Ii will conquer every obstacle in my way mind, body, and soul with a little surrender and hard work and probably a little pain, all blessings come with a price the price is hard work! DO WORK family, make it a great day! WHEN YOU ARE GREAT YOU ATTRACT GREAT WHEN YOU ARE AVERAGE YOU ATTRACT AVERAGE!
recovery-sober-living
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Monday, April 28, 2014
Humility
Step 7's spiritual focus is humility, asking a higher power to do something that cannot be done by self-will or mere determination. I have found that when my conscious contact is in tune that "WE" cannot fail, I say we because to me this is applying step 7 in my life, this is trusting someone or something greater than myself. I believe that I have been taught to never trust to never surrender to be the man. I was taught this by my family, this wasn't wrong this was just the way my family was raised and they did the best they could.
This resentment stuck with me for years until I surrendered to my Higher Power, until I trusted something other than my will. My will constantly brought me to crossroads of pain and sadness and despair, I cannot live like this anymore, I step aside and ask for guidance by surrendering and living a new way, living by principles. Does this mean I am always in that place of serenity? Most of the time I am, when I am not it is as simple as taking a moment to surrender and stepping out of my higher powers way and aligning my trust and faith in something greater than myself.
I have found that our way of life is not for the weak and uncommitted, I had to be willing to live another way and trust in something bigger than me and do the work it takes to find peace. There is nothing in this world we cannot have or do if we are willing to do this work! This program is not for people who need it or want it, it is for people who DO WORK!
This resentment stuck with me for years until I surrendered to my Higher Power, until I trusted something other than my will. My will constantly brought me to crossroads of pain and sadness and despair, I cannot live like this anymore, I step aside and ask for guidance by surrendering and living a new way, living by principles. Does this mean I am always in that place of serenity? Most of the time I am, when I am not it is as simple as taking a moment to surrender and stepping out of my higher powers way and aligning my trust and faith in something greater than myself.
I have found that our way of life is not for the weak and uncommitted, I had to be willing to live another way and trust in something bigger than me and do the work it takes to find peace. There is nothing in this world we cannot have or do if we are willing to do this work! This program is not for people who need it or want it, it is for people who DO WORK!
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Running For Recovery
I remember that at about six months sober, I began to get depressed. Knowing that my disease loves to come at me in the form of grief, sadness, and melancholy, I started making phone calls right away. I'd been down this road before, and it ended in relapse and a jail cell in Marion County. There was no way that I was going to let that happen again!
I received two suggestions, one from my grand sponsor, and one from my sponsor. My grand sponsor told me to start asking Him to reveal His purpose to me in my prayers. Maybe I'll write about how that worked out on a Faithful Friday if I'm ever asked to guest write here again. Then my sponsor told me to go home and run a mile. "Really?", I asked. "Really!", he replied.
He went on to explain to me how the years of drinking and drugging had seriously affected my brain chemistry. Alcohol, opiates, cocaine; they all do different things like diminishing our serotonin levels, and changing how neurons react, and blah, and blah, and blah. The good news he told me, is that the brain has an amazing capacity to heal itself, but it's up to us to do some healthy things to help it along. I don't remember all of the biochemistry behind it, I'm not a professional like he is.
But I believed him, and I didn't want to relapse again, so I went home, strapped on an old pair of sneakers that I had laying around (it was an old pair of Sketchers, hardly fit to be used as running shoes), and jiggled my way around the neighborhood.
And it hurt. I was still smoking at the time, and I had put on a few pounds since getting out of jail. I didn't have a lot of money, and my diet wasn't very good. I was working 3-11 at night in a hotel, and eating out of a microwave when I got home at midnight. I told my sponsor that it hurt, and he told me that it would get better. He said that my body would release these things called endorphins, and that I would soon feel better. He said I would rest better as my serotonin levels balanced out, and that I would feel more balanced.
I quit smoking, and I started eating better. Not a lot better, but better. I got some running shoes, and I kept doing it. And he was right, I began to feel better. Don't get me wrong, I haven't turned into some kind of health and fitness fanatic, but running every other day has become an integral part of my recovery lifestyle today.
It's about discipline, and taking care of the body that God gave me; the body that I abused for far too long. It's about continuing to be willing to go to any length to stay sober. And lastly, it's about living in the 11th step. My runs along Edgewater drive have become part of my meditation now, my God time. Body, Mind, Spirit!
Thanks for reading,
Glenn
Today's guest blogger Glenn Humphreys is the author of Widowhood, Grief, and Love after Loss, a blog about grief, loss, and recovery.
I received two suggestions, one from my grand sponsor, and one from my sponsor. My grand sponsor told me to start asking Him to reveal His purpose to me in my prayers. Maybe I'll write about how that worked out on a Faithful Friday if I'm ever asked to guest write here again. Then my sponsor told me to go home and run a mile. "Really?", I asked. "Really!", he replied.
He went on to explain to me how the years of drinking and drugging had seriously affected my brain chemistry. Alcohol, opiates, cocaine; they all do different things like diminishing our serotonin levels, and changing how neurons react, and blah, and blah, and blah. The good news he told me, is that the brain has an amazing capacity to heal itself, but it's up to us to do some healthy things to help it along. I don't remember all of the biochemistry behind it, I'm not a professional like he is.
But I believed him, and I didn't want to relapse again, so I went home, strapped on an old pair of sneakers that I had laying around (it was an old pair of Sketchers, hardly fit to be used as running shoes), and jiggled my way around the neighborhood.
And it hurt. I was still smoking at the time, and I had put on a few pounds since getting out of jail. I didn't have a lot of money, and my diet wasn't very good. I was working 3-11 at night in a hotel, and eating out of a microwave when I got home at midnight. I told my sponsor that it hurt, and he told me that it would get better. He said that my body would release these things called endorphins, and that I would soon feel better. He said I would rest better as my serotonin levels balanced out, and that I would feel more balanced.
I quit smoking, and I started eating better. Not a lot better, but better. I got some running shoes, and I kept doing it. And he was right, I began to feel better. Don't get me wrong, I haven't turned into some kind of health and fitness fanatic, but running every other day has become an integral part of my recovery lifestyle today.
It's about discipline, and taking care of the body that God gave me; the body that I abused for far too long. It's about continuing to be willing to go to any length to stay sober. And lastly, it's about living in the 11th step. My runs along Edgewater drive have become part of my meditation now, my God time. Body, Mind, Spirit!
Thanks for reading,
Glenn
Today's guest blogger Glenn Humphreys is the author of Widowhood, Grief, and Love after Loss, a blog about grief, loss, and recovery.
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Running the Show!
Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood him.
The longer I stay sober and continue to work the steps of the program and do the inventory process that is required the more I recognize misery in others and feel sadness for them that continue to suffer.
I refuse to stand or sit in misery today, I do the work that is required daily to maintain serenity. Step three is is the foundation and the mortar for this Alcoholic, without this step I am concerned with others and there program, I am concerned with what they are doing wrong and not with what is right in front of me. This is a "WE" program but if I am not alright with me and leading with principles and integrity I am poisoning others around me and trying to run the 'SHOW".
When my serenity is high and life is good I am leading with principles in my life and well lets be honest we attract what we are. I have learned in my short time in this world that if I continue asking whats wrong instead of looking at whats right that I will continue to live in misery attract the same.
Running the show is not important to me today, peace and serenity are. I have learned that being afraid to fail is no longer a problem, it is just another opportunity to succeed and to succeed I must surrender!
The longer I stay sober and continue to work the steps of the program and do the inventory process that is required the more I recognize misery in others and feel sadness for them that continue to suffer.
I refuse to stand or sit in misery today, I do the work that is required daily to maintain serenity. Step three is is the foundation and the mortar for this Alcoholic, without this step I am concerned with others and there program, I am concerned with what they are doing wrong and not with what is right in front of me. This is a "WE" program but if I am not alright with me and leading with principles and integrity I am poisoning others around me and trying to run the 'SHOW".
When my serenity is high and life is good I am leading with principles in my life and well lets be honest we attract what we are. I have learned in my short time in this world that if I continue asking whats wrong instead of looking at whats right that I will continue to live in misery attract the same.
Running the show is not important to me today, peace and serenity are. I have learned that being afraid to fail is no longer a problem, it is just another opportunity to succeed and to succeed I must surrender!
Friday, April 18, 2014
Nothing Lost
People and situations will change, things will come and go in and out of your life. Yet nothing is ever lost. The love you know. Stays with you always, even when the person you love is no longer with you. The good things you do stay with you always, even when time has erased all physical evidence of them.
When you live in fear of losing something, then you never really have or experience it. When you avoid attempting anything because you fear failure, then failure is exactly what you get.
No good effort is ever wasted, for even if it fails to produce any outer value, the inner value is always there. Even when what you do is not recognized or reciprocated or appreciated, still you have had the priceless blessing of doing it.
If you constantly seek the validation of others, you will often be disappointed. Yet, when you live, love and act in each moment with the best that you have to give, the real value you create can never be diminished!
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Surrender to Win-Fitness and Recovery
Surrender is versatile when it comes to the disease of addiction and physical fitness. In early recovery I found that in order to succeed I must surrender to a power greater than myself. It took many trials and tribulations for me to understand that to succeed I must surrender. Early on I did not understand this, because I had always been taught never to surrender. This became a new found freedom once I actually did, and I continue to do so every day now.
I have found the same experience in health and fitness. The two go hand in hand and in early recovery. Nurturing the mind, body, and soul are essential for happiness and freedom. I found early on, that in order to be happy with myself I needed a release. I found that in physical fitness. I also found that if I don't surrender and train with the mindset of remaining teachable, I cannot make the gains I may want in the gym. The same goes for my recovery. If I dont surrender and remain teachable, I will become stagnant in my recovery and I will take steps backwards instead of forwards.
Without healthy living and constant step work, I started to suffer. Today I have learned a balance and have found a new freedom and happiness. Without surrender none of this is possible.
I have found the same experience in health and fitness. The two go hand in hand and in early recovery. Nurturing the mind, body, and soul are essential for happiness and freedom. I found early on, that in order to be happy with myself I needed a release. I found that in physical fitness. I also found that if I don't surrender and train with the mindset of remaining teachable, I cannot make the gains I may want in the gym. The same goes for my recovery. If I dont surrender and remain teachable, I will become stagnant in my recovery and I will take steps backwards instead of forwards.
Without healthy living and constant step work, I started to suffer. Today I have learned a balance and have found a new freedom and happiness. Without surrender none of this is possible.
Monday, April 14, 2014
Gratitude in Action
When I think about what I do daily for my recovery, I think about gratitude. To me gratitude is an action word, and is something I do for my recovery daily. The whole concept behind 12 step recovery is doing for others. This to me is the most crucial step, and one we must do daily. I think when we lose sight of this, and our lives get too busy for recovery, we are being selfish. I am never too busy to carry the message. If I ever am, then the reality of this is that the relapse has already begun.
Carrying step 12 to the best of my ability every day is vital; from opening a door for the old lady at the store, or taking the cart back in the grocery store parking lot. I think back on my day during my nightly recap every evening, and I can say that the most peace comes from doing for others.
My sponsor suggested long ago after I took my 4th step, that now the work begins and this is when you must stop being so selfish, and carry the message of 12 step recovery. I am constantly reminded every day when things get chaotic and I take my will back and then the phone rings from a member of the program that I am not in charge and my sole purpose is to help others. it never fails how my HP shows up and shows off in my life and keeps me doing step 12 daily. We are not here for us, we are here for others. If we lose that, we lose ourselves and anything we love dearly first!
For me and only me I must never lose sight of the sick and suffering, and I must remain in the trenches with my fellows in and out of recovery and share the message of hope and do step 12 every day! Make it a great day everyone and DO WORK!
Carrying step 12 to the best of my ability every day is vital; from opening a door for the old lady at the store, or taking the cart back in the grocery store parking lot. I think back on my day during my nightly recap every evening, and I can say that the most peace comes from doing for others.
My sponsor suggested long ago after I took my 4th step, that now the work begins and this is when you must stop being so selfish, and carry the message of 12 step recovery. I am constantly reminded every day when things get chaotic and I take my will back and then the phone rings from a member of the program that I am not in charge and my sole purpose is to help others. it never fails how my HP shows up and shows off in my life and keeps me doing step 12 daily. We are not here for us, we are here for others. If we lose that, we lose ourselves and anything we love dearly first!
For me and only me I must never lose sight of the sick and suffering, and I must remain in the trenches with my fellows in and out of recovery and share the message of hope and do step 12 every day! Make it a great day everyone and DO WORK!
Friday, April 11, 2014
Faith Without Works Is Dead!
I have always had faith, and used to tell my sponsor "I believe, I believe lets move on." But the reason for the question countless times was very simple. He pointed out times where my lack of faith and using only words, showed that I was actually faithless in times of struggle or stress. My delusional thoughts were "I can manage this one on my own", and "I will show everyone". The reality always is the same; I manage to screw it up at the most inappropriate times.
I learned, and I am still learning everyday. A faith in a Higher Power and a trust for that Higher Power is where my peace today comes from. Its easy to say one has faith, but words have no meaning unless action is taken. One cannot say "I have faith that I will stay sober and my Higher Power will work and help me stay sober." This statement is true if you are taking the suggestions of the program, and living with principles with integrity. Simply saying, is not working a program. Having faith and doing the work is.
The changes which have taken place in my life, are all because I have faith and do the continuous work that this program suggests. My faith becomes stronger with each day as I ask for the guidance to carry out the will of my Higher Power. When I do these simple things everyday, my faith grows as does my life. Simply saying I have faith I will stay sober and get the job that I want is not enough. One must DO WORK for their dreams to come true.
Constant contact and daily attempts at meditation are what keeps my faith strong as the miracles continue in my life. Good and bad still remain, what I do with them, and who I help are what keeps this statement true for me today: FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD.
I don't want to be dead inside, so I do the work to live each day as it is my last, and pass on what was so freely given to me. A belief in something greater than myself that could, and has restored me to sanity!
I learned, and I am still learning everyday. A faith in a Higher Power and a trust for that Higher Power is where my peace today comes from. Its easy to say one has faith, but words have no meaning unless action is taken. One cannot say "I have faith that I will stay sober and my Higher Power will work and help me stay sober." This statement is true if you are taking the suggestions of the program, and living with principles with integrity. Simply saying, is not working a program. Having faith and doing the work is.
The changes which have taken place in my life, are all because I have faith and do the continuous work that this program suggests. My faith becomes stronger with each day as I ask for the guidance to carry out the will of my Higher Power. When I do these simple things everyday, my faith grows as does my life. Simply saying I have faith I will stay sober and get the job that I want is not enough. One must DO WORK for their dreams to come true.
Constant contact and daily attempts at meditation are what keeps my faith strong as the miracles continue in my life. Good and bad still remain, what I do with them, and who I help are what keeps this statement true for me today: FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD.
I don't want to be dead inside, so I do the work to live each day as it is my last, and pass on what was so freely given to me. A belief in something greater than myself that could, and has restored me to sanity!
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Work Out Wednesday! Crossfit and Recovery
In my process of finding twelve step recovery this time, I noticed something at year five. Recovery was not enough. I needed to incorporate all three elements; Mind, Body, and Soul! My body needed to have some attention, not only because I was out of shape, but because I was missing the drive and the passion. I was missing out on life by settling for an everyday routine!
What I have learned, is that as alcoholics and addicts we have a drive that many others don't have. I still had that drive when I quit using, but it needed to be woken up to find relief in a healthy manner. I had a second spiritual moment when I found Crossfit. I found something that pushed me to the brink of failure. But there was a community and a fellowship which was there to help me fight through the pain and accomplish my goals. It's was just like the community and fellowship that I found in 12 step recovery,
In fact, the community of cross fitters is very similar to the rooms of recovery. We are there to suggest things to you, to show you the proper way, and then you get to put into action what you are taught. This saved my life. It was my second surrender. It was my new found freedom in recovery. My body is my temple, I am how I take care of myself. Mind, Body, and Soul!
Make it a great day people! DO WORK!
What I have learned, is that as alcoholics and addicts we have a drive that many others don't have. I still had that drive when I quit using, but it needed to be woken up to find relief in a healthy manner. I had a second spiritual moment when I found Crossfit. I found something that pushed me to the brink of failure. But there was a community and a fellowship which was there to help me fight through the pain and accomplish my goals. It's was just like the community and fellowship that I found in 12 step recovery,
In fact, the community of cross fitters is very similar to the rooms of recovery. We are there to suggest things to you, to show you the proper way, and then you get to put into action what you are taught. This saved my life. It was my second surrender. It was my new found freedom in recovery. My body is my temple, I am how I take care of myself. Mind, Body, and Soul!
Make it a great day people! DO WORK!
Monday, April 7, 2014
Mindful Monday!
So this life I lead today comes with a price, but the price is small compared to the price I paid to get here! A dear friend and I always discuss this line: "There's A Price To Be Paid". This line ties into Mindful Mondays for me. Recovery today is simple. I do a few simple things everyday that were suggested to me 7 years ago, and I try my best to remain teachable.
Step 3 for me is my relief. I am no longer in charge, and I welcome that with open arms. If my will is not aligned daily, and if I don't humble myself before something greater than myself and turn my will and my direction over, then I have stopped taking the suggestions gifted to me years ago, and that is a selfishness that I don't have the luxury of today.
Today I maintain what I have by gladly doing a few simple things instead of doing what I used to do, which was insane. Every day I practice steps 3, 6, and 7. I practice 10 when needed, which is not as often as it used to be because of steps 3, 6, 7. Steps 11 and 12 are gifts bestowed upon me by this wonderful program and my Higher Power.
I use them daily, and I am reminded that I cannot keep what I have unless I give it away. We carry a message of hope, and for a guy like me, a little hope went a long way. It all started with someone doing step 12 for me. They saved my life, and for that I am eternally grateful, so I continue to do as was suggested and carry that message. DO WORK!
Step 3 for me is my relief. I am no longer in charge, and I welcome that with open arms. If my will is not aligned daily, and if I don't humble myself before something greater than myself and turn my will and my direction over, then I have stopped taking the suggestions gifted to me years ago, and that is a selfishness that I don't have the luxury of today.
Today I maintain what I have by gladly doing a few simple things instead of doing what I used to do, which was insane. Every day I practice steps 3, 6, and 7. I practice 10 when needed, which is not as often as it used to be because of steps 3, 6, 7. Steps 11 and 12 are gifts bestowed upon me by this wonderful program and my Higher Power.
I use them daily, and I am reminded that I cannot keep what I have unless I give it away. We carry a message of hope, and for a guy like me, a little hope went a long way. It all started with someone doing step 12 for me. They saved my life, and for that I am eternally grateful, so I continue to do as was suggested and carry that message. DO WORK!
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Welcome To Recovery Today!
Welcome to Recovery Today, a brand new blog dedicated to recovery and living a sober lifestyle. We believe that successfully treating the disease of alcoholism and drug addiction requires taking a look at all three components of our being-mind, body, and spirit.
With special guest writers, and professionals and lay-persons alike, we will strive to bring to you the most current and relevant content available.
Mindful Monday will feature a post about applying the 12 steps in your daily life.
On Workout Wednesday we'll deliver content on health and fitness, and how it pertains to recovery and wellness.
Faithful Friday will open up dialogues on God, higher power, and faith in recovery.
Thanks for dropping by, we look forward to seeing you this Monday!
Mike
Michael Gonzales, CEO Recovery First Interventions
http://recoveryfirstinterventions.com
With special guest writers, and professionals and lay-persons alike, we will strive to bring to you the most current and relevant content available.
Mindful Monday will feature a post about applying the 12 steps in your daily life.
On Workout Wednesday we'll deliver content on health and fitness, and how it pertains to recovery and wellness.
Faithful Friday will open up dialogues on God, higher power, and faith in recovery.
Thanks for dropping by, we look forward to seeing you this Monday!
Mike
Michael Gonzales, CEO Recovery First Interventions
http://recoveryfirstinterventions.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)