Do You Want To Feel Contented

If so I challenge you in the coming week to practise these 10 exercises.
At the end of the week tell me you don't feel more contented.


1. Sit in silence .
Daily find a spot where you are least likely to be disturbed, where you feel comfortable, peaceful and contented, for a minimum of a ½ hour to an hour. Take the first ten minutes just getting comfortable with yourself, get to know and be all right alone without the need of outside distractions, get to know your inner self, your internal guidance system, you know that gut feeling, your intuition. And just accepting you as a child of God. For the next ten minutes just contemplate in silence, your issues of the day and possible positive solutions, or the universe, or possibly nature. And for the final ten minutes or whatever you have allotted yourself. some quite meditation and/or communion with the God of your understanding, learning the wondrous touch of your God, of communion with the universe, of the communion of nature. And the answers and healings revealed and felt.

2. Learn vulnerability.
Be more real, feel more alive, empowered, and fulfilled, The problem is we numb all of our painful feelings. Being vulnerable is facing these emotions of shame, fear, guilt, frustration, and grief. It's only when we connect with our pain and move through it that we grow, and are able to really feel love, joy and happiness. Have the courage to be still and feel what you feel. Being vulnerable is real strength. It allows you to truly connect with another human being, otherwise there are just walls creating a self made prison of isolation.

3. Share yourself with others.
Being a true human entity means embracing all parts of yourself, especially the stories that shape you into who you are. You really connect with others when you share the stories that shaped your journey. The true art of being, is being vulnerable . You suddenly realize you can make lemonade out of the lemons life has dealt you. There is a divine plan to all of this chaos if you just sit still long enough to let it all unfold

4. Become Present & Self Awareness
The next time you are freaking out and/or really stressing out. Stop yourself, slow down and breathe. Count to 10, take 10 big deep breaths and just look around and concentrate on your surroundings, find something peaceful in your immediate surroundings and center on it, now breathe that peaceful feeling in and slowly take in the rest of your surroundings while continuing to breathe evenly and slowly, allowing yourself to become totally present here and now, for this is the only true reality there is all else is either history or a fantasy.
When you are present you have access to your creative expression. Now slowly remember what was stressing you out and ask yourself, how important is it really? What can you do about it in this moment? Once you’ve done whatever you’ve can realistic do in the moment, accept that you have done all you can do, and the rest is out of your control. When you are present you open yourself to the Universe, and endless possibilities.

5. Laugh out loud, as often as possible:
Laughter is medicine for the soul. It is the therapy for the weary and depressed; it is sustenance for the impoverished and the nectar of gods

Like nature it is magically therapeutic and calming

"Laughter is the shortest distance between two people." ~ Victor Borge


6. Chase your Dreams
Even if it feels scary and foolish, Follow your bliss. There is nothing worse than saying “if only”. There are thousands living in depression because they have given up living their dreams and settled for a "comfortable" life -- a life that is not too exciting and not too scary, yet no fun and no real enjoyment, just safe. Is that living or is that just existing? Make a list of your dreams and pick one that you really love, start there. Write out the steps you will need to take in order to live that dream and take the steps to get there." It won't feel overwhelming if you focus on one step at a time.

7. Follow your Inner voice
we live in a society that tells us to numb everything. We often disregard our feelings and don't talk about feelings of weakness, vulnerability or anxiety. By society's rules, feelings are a weakness. What happens is that you also drown out your intuition, which leads you to truly living. A good friend once told me that we should treat our emotions like a wave in the ocean. If we tense up and hold tight when a wave hits, it knocks us over and ravages us, slamming our bodies into the sand and we get hurt. If we let the wave take us, give into the emotion and let it wash over us, it soon leaves and we find ourselves on the shore, intact with no limbs missing, except maybe a few issues lighter. It's hard to follow intuition when you're told to follow your head, plan, organize and be sensible... Intuition is about being in touch with self

8. Get in touch with your playful side.
Stop being so serious all the time; don’t take life so seriously, no one makes it out alive. Yes there is being responsible and proper behaviour and demeanour required in work and in life. However there must also be time for play, when was the last time you really played and just had fun without caring how you looked and just roared in laughter. Even if this has become difficult for you, just try whatever it takes, if it means rolling around in the grass with your kids or dog, just do something to allow the kid in you to enjoy life. At least once a week, however daily would be better

9. Get out and enjoy nature.
Learn to daily take a 20 minute (MINIMUM) walk a day, there is something very therapeutic and even magical about the great outdoors in the fresh air, wind in your face , sun beating down, the more natural the setting the more therapeutic and magical it will be. Even in the rain, it can wash away stress and the cares of the world, and a brisk walk in the winter can invigorate the soul.

10. Try yoga -
Yoga literally means "union" of the body, mind and spirit. It is not a practice of personal development; although the practice of it will leave you feeling more tapped in to the flow of life.
Yoga is a practice of self acceptance. Self-acceptance and self awareness of where you are now, is what you develop with any kind of regular practice.


Remember God does not create garbage

Just For Today

An Inspirational Thought, Motivational Thought -
By Kenneth L. Holmes

Just for today,
I will try to live through this day only, and not tackle my whole life problem at once. I can do something for twelve hours that would appall me if I felt that I had to keep it up for a lifetime.

Just for today, I will be happy. This assumes to be true what Abraham Lincoln said, that most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be."

Just for today, I will try to strengthen my mind. I will study. I will learn something useful. I will not be a mental loafer. I will read something that requires effort, thought and concentration.

Just for today, I will adjust myself to what is, and not try to adjust everything to my own desires. I will take my "luck" as it comes, and fit myself to it.

Just for today, I will exercise my soul in three ways: I will do somebody a good turn, and not get found out. I will do at least two things I don't want to--just for exercise. I will not show anyone that my feelings are hurt; they may be hurt, but today I will not show it

Just for today, I will be agreeable. I will look as well as I can, dress becomingly, talk low, act courteously, criticize not one bit, not find fault with anything and not try to improve or regulate anybody except myself.

Just for today, I will have a program. I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it. I will save myself from two pests: hurry and indecision.

Just for today, I will have a quiet half hour all by myself, and relax. During this half hour, sometime, I will try to get a better perspective of my life.

Just for today,
I will be unafraid. Especially I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful, and to believe that as I give to the world, so the world will give to me.


remember God does not create garbage

The Gift Of Fellow Travelers

Happy Thursday all! Taking life so seriously can be so tedious and unproductive; also it just downright detracts from your quality of life. After all no one makes it out alive anyways. However it is something that happens to all of us from time to time. Yesterday as I was checking out some of the other great blogs on recovery, I happened upon two in particular that brought this home to me, they helped me realize where I was really at. I happened upon a blog where the lovely woman was speaking about the value of gratitude lists, and then upon another where this insightful gentleman was extolling the virtues of the practice of step three.
For me this brought many things to mind, or should I say back to the forefront of my thinking. Of course the above was the overall revelation brought back to my thinking; however the underpinnings that these writings invoked were as follows.

Basically it brought back to me, again, that even though we may know these aspects and practices of being grateful and turning it over to the God of your understanding, to name only a couple. The fact of the matter is that occasionally we just get caught up in our own lives and struggles going in. I’m not going to bore you here with the petty little issues in my life, except for one. And it is usually that one thing that brings us over the top, that one little thing that knocks us slightly off the beam, of being centered and focused. Well mine is, last year I suffered an injury that has left me with reoccurring headaches, to the point of if I don’t lay my head just right when going to bed, I get this throbbing pressure headache that just increases in intensity, or if I move the wrong way when sleeping it wakes me up. I’ve had numerous tests and as yet they still can’t figure out what’s going on. However for the last month or so they have been intensified and lasting longer, to the point where I have to stay awake till exhaustion to be able to sleep. Well over time this has lessened my quality of life, not only from the lack of sleep and pain of the headaches. The build-up has also caused me too slowly to lose a little gratitude and to become frustrated over the other little issues in life. Thus slowly forgetting to just do what’s right and what is right in front of me, and my God will provide.

My basic point in all these ramblings is that we all need an outside reminder at times, to bring us back to what we know to be true. Otherwise we start taking ourselves and life too seriously and our whole quality of life diminishes. When this happens, life no longer is a journey and wonder, just a struggle and when this happens we are in trouble. That is one of the reasons that fellowship can be so lifesaving. I thank those other blessed bloggers of recovery for being there and writing what I needed, for sometimes we fail to heed the advice of those closest to us. So further prove of a God as I understand him, as everything happens for a reason.

Remember God does not create garbage

The Benifits From A Life Based In Faith

The benefits of living a life based on faith, principles and ethical standards, may not seem immediately evident. However there are many, and as such these benefits cannot be bought or acquired without the work involved in actually living a life based on these aspects. They are far more rewarding and satisfying than anything money and/or fame can give you.

The benefits we are talking about are as follows;
A clear conscience- There is no measure of the peace of mind and fulfilling feeling that this will bring
The ability to look at oneself in the mirror daily- This is unparalleled
The ability to look anyone in the eye, without shame, guilt, remorse and with confidence
A self-concept and self-confidence of goodness and wholeness
The respect and trust of family, friends, co-workers and employers/ employees
The absolute trust, knowing you are a person of your word from family, friends, co-workers, ETC….
The love and admiration of Family.

Yes the cost is high, sometimes you may waver, and think a little short cut and/or little lie, is worth it for a few bucks or a promotion, job or whatever the situation. However this only opens the door to even more short cuts, lies. Not only that, it also eats away at your self-image, your feelings of guilt and shame, the selling out of values and principles. Which only brings you one step closer to relapse? Then all is faith trust and respect from others is further trampled. Which is more important the casual treats a few extra dollars may bring, at what possible cost. Or the looks of trust, respect and faith in you from Family and friends. You be the judge

Remember God does not create garbage

Living In FAITH

In reality the biggest part of living the 12 recovery program is practicing faith in your God. As you learned in step two God is everything or God is nothing, in step two and three we confirmed and recognized that God is everything. However as we progress it is essential that we not forget this affirmation, and vitally important that we affirm this on a daily basis. For your happiness and freedom are directly proportional to your relationship with your God.
Thus it is paramount that you live a life based on your faith and trust in the God of your understanding. Yet in world in which we live in today and the life you have recently left, you will find this challenged almost on a daily basis. We constantly see examples in our faces of those living with seemingly no morals and/or principles, being rewarded financially in this society. We will also see constant examples of those whom seem to prosper through dishonesty. Sadly I cannot say that does not happen, yet I can say that even though they seem to be getting material abundance through ill gotten means. If you watch closely you will see that no matter what they profit, it is never enough, they constantly need more for the whole in their insides can never be sated by their material gains. Through their constant pursuit of more, they ignore their families, run into marital and family disharmony. Prime examples in our society are clear such as Marylyn Munroe, Kurt Cobane, Elvis Presley and recently Charlie Sheen; these are prime examples of living an immoral and unethical life.

Every day you will be challenged by little lies and shortcuts, to better your life. Yet you must stay the course, and be honourable and have faith and trust in the God of your understanding, will ultimately provide what is needed and with better to come. For we must remember that once we start taking the short cuts and the lies they become easier and easier, until your life is full o them and the grief that accompanies it. There is nothing wrong with material wealth, fame, popularity ad abundance. What is wrong and harmful to ourselves and those around us is that you will do to achieve these things. How much of yourself and your values will you prostitute yourself to gain these? This is where the unhappiness begins and eventual return to drugs and/or alcohol. The return to the hell we have left behind. To keep it behind we must live in faith and rust of the god of our understanding. For in doing so we will, without question find true happiness and freedom, a life that eclipses our highest expectations. Just have a little faith and it will come to pass.

Remember God does not create garbage

Living Your Recovery

Living by the principles of the 12 step program can be a challenge. It really is not that difficult though; it just feels that way because it is new and different. It goes against the way you have lived for so long, that it feels different and somewhat scary. It just takes time, perseverance and practice. All and all it is akin to learning how to swim or ride a bike. You will not master it right off the hop. You will make mistakes. Somewhat like riding a bike you will waver and occasionally fall, you may skin your knee or elbow however as you get back on the bike you will slowly master it. You will in time learn to ride without falling. With continued practice and faith you can also learn to drive with no hands, pop wheelies and more.

It requires faith in a higher power, the belief that the God of your understanding will take care of you, that your God will provide for you, as long as you allow your God to Love, Protect and Guide you, however you must maintain faith and allow your God to direct you. It also requires you to make decisions that are guided by your God and for the right reasons, rather than making all your decisions the old way. Through selfishness. Sometimes these decisions require faith rather than logic. Prayer and meditation must become common place for guidance.

Remember God does not create garbage

Charlie Sheen Coverage

It is a very sad thing that is happening with Charlie Sheen right now, as most have commented, there is definitely a problem. However it is very hard for Charlie to see, as he is not seeing anything wrong and if anything, the media attention and twitter responses are just validating everything he says and believes at this point. Especially with being booked for all these interviews and specials, completely validates Charlie’s beliefs. He doesn’t see that they are all calling him sick and other things. It only validates how special, wonderful and right he believes himself to be. It is also quite a statement on our society, to validate this behaviour.

Another aspect, that you should take very close note of, is all these diagnoses of doctors and psychologists, particularly those that have only learned about addiction from books. Notice how they are quick to “suspect” bipolar and/or manic depressive disorder. Now this is quite common diagnosis of addicts and/or alcoholics in early recovery and/or withdrawal, however if they had firsthand knowledge or worked around the early recovering person or ones going through withdrawal they would know that this is common behaviour for these individuals, it will pass, and the individual will, given time, their personality and moods will even out. This is particularly common in cocaine addicts, considering the highs and lows, active cocaine addict experiences on a regular basis. So if this is you be very careful as to your medical professional so as not to be misdiagnosed with bipolar and/or manic depressive disorder.

Remember God does not create garbage