You won't feel better by thinking about it.
You won't like yourself by planning to or reading self-help books strewn about your bedroom floor.
And, as a wise friend of mine always says, "unless you plant yourself you cannot bloom."
Accept where you are.
Take action right where you are.
Don't run.
Be grateful.
Do the next right thing, even though you hate everything about it.
And...
one day..
you won't hate IT or yourself anymore.
Just for today, get over it and move forward.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
Look at Old Pictures
Find old family and friend pictures today that remind you of good times in your life...even if it is only a few good memories.
Make a collage or a book of all happy memories.
Add that to your gratitude list today.
Just for today, remember that even though you struggled at times (and sometimes REALLY struggled), that weaved throughout the pain, there was always an element of goodness.
Make a collage or a book of all happy memories.
Add that to your gratitude list today.
Just for today, remember that even though you struggled at times (and sometimes REALLY struggled), that weaved throughout the pain, there was always an element of goodness.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Recognize Your Body
When you are drinking, using or numbing out in any type of addiction, you actually DETACH in an unhealthy way from you physical body.
You may think you are fat or thin or healthy or sick, or you might even miss the fact that you are in chronic pain.
Sometimes you might even be using to numb that pain.
As my posts and others' comments keep reminding us, getting sober is to GAIN self and other connection and part of that is reconnecting (or connecting for the first time) to your physical body.
Start with a list of everything you think you look like. Then, take it to the next level. Focus on different parts of your body. How do they feel? What are they telling you about what they need?
More exercise? Less? More treats? Less?
This is the first step to getting to know the crux of who you are, as even though we are spiritual beings, we are attached to our bodies on this earth.
Just for today, make friends with your physical being. Even if you don't feel like it.
You may think you are fat or thin or healthy or sick, or you might even miss the fact that you are in chronic pain.
Sometimes you might even be using to numb that pain.
As my posts and others' comments keep reminding us, getting sober is to GAIN self and other connection and part of that is reconnecting (or connecting for the first time) to your physical body.
Start with a list of everything you think you look like. Then, take it to the next level. Focus on different parts of your body. How do they feel? What are they telling you about what they need?
More exercise? Less? More treats? Less?
This is the first step to getting to know the crux of who you are, as even though we are spiritual beings, we are attached to our bodies on this earth.
Just for today, make friends with your physical being. Even if you don't feel like it.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Do Something that Challenges You
Ever wanted to climb a mountain, bake a pie, do a crossword puzzle or run a mile?
Then DO it.
Or, at least, take the steps you need to take to find success in that area.
In early recovery (or anytime at all), it is easy to forget that you got clean to LIVE.
And part of living is doing things that we really WANT to do, but that we are afraid we might not do well.
So what if your pie isn't perfect. So what if you only climb halfway...
The bottom line is that you are thinking new things doing new things and forming a life of self-imposed challenges.
In the beginning, getting clean/sober may be the greatest challenge on which you ever embark; however, the result will be the desire to challenge yourself and grow more and more and more....
Just for today, ACT don't think.
Then DO it.
Or, at least, take the steps you need to take to find success in that area.
In early recovery (or anytime at all), it is easy to forget that you got clean to LIVE.
And part of living is doing things that we really WANT to do, but that we are afraid we might not do well.
So what if your pie isn't perfect. So what if you only climb halfway...
The bottom line is that you are thinking new things doing new things and forming a life of self-imposed challenges.
In the beginning, getting clean/sober may be the greatest challenge on which you ever embark; however, the result will be the desire to challenge yourself and grow more and more and more....
Just for today, ACT don't think.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Try Something New
Sometimes it is easy to follow the "same old" routine.
Get up, go to meeting or work, go to gym, go to pick up children...etc. etc. etc.
eat same food for lunch (I know this one all too well), talk to same people at work.
Just like your mind got smaller when you were using, it can continue to get "stuck" during intervals when you don't throw a proverbial "wrench" in your plan.
Just for today do one thing differently. Take a different route, say hello to a different neighbor, watch a different television show, go to a different meeting....
After all, the best laid plans.........
Get up, go to meeting or work, go to gym, go to pick up children...etc. etc. etc.
eat same food for lunch (I know this one all too well), talk to same people at work.
Just like your mind got smaller when you were using, it can continue to get "stuck" during intervals when you don't throw a proverbial "wrench" in your plan.
Just for today do one thing differently. Take a different route, say hello to a different neighbor, watch a different television show, go to a different meeting....
After all, the best laid plans.........
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Then and Now
Here is a tip to help you stay clean and sober today.
Go back and find at least one picture of yourself when you were at the "height" of your disease.
Then look at yourself in the mirror or of a picture of you now.
See the difference?
Just for today, make a gratitude list of all of the ways you have been restored to sanity by choosing to take a clean and sober journey through life.
Go back and find at least one picture of yourself when you were at the "height" of your disease.
Then look at yourself in the mirror or of a picture of you now.
See the difference?
Just for today, make a gratitude list of all of the ways you have been restored to sanity by choosing to take a clean and sober journey through life.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Sing in the Shower
And that is really it today..
Just for today, sing showtunes, rock tunes or any tunes you like, but let it all hang out.
Just for today, don't care what anyone else thinks. Let your music be your guide.
Just for today, sing showtunes, rock tunes or any tunes you like, but let it all hang out.
Just for today, don't care what anyone else thinks. Let your music be your guide.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Eat the Soup
Forgot to add in yesterday's post.
If you are a classic caregiver, like many fine recovering persons are...
don't forget that after you make the soup to eat it too.
Doing for others is a nice gesture, but you can't be there for others unless you feed yourself as well.
Just for today, focus on activities that feed you literally and figuratively. See how your energy and your heart open up.
If you are a classic caregiver, like many fine recovering persons are...
don't forget that after you make the soup to eat it too.
Doing for others is a nice gesture, but you can't be there for others unless you feed yourself as well.
Just for today, focus on activities that feed you literally and figuratively. See how your energy and your heart open up.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Make Some Soup
Cooking can seem evasive when you've been focused on drugging or drinking for a long time, especially when the last thing on your mind was self-nurturing.
That being said, easy-to-do and and yummy recipes can not only leave you with a healthy, feel-good meal, but they can also give you the boost in self-esteem that doing something creative, successful and good-for-you can provide.
And, of course, with fall breezes and football under way, what better to treat yourself to than a nice bowl of soup.
Now, I am NO chef, but I found this delightful butternut squash soup recipe online last weekend, and not only did it turn out mouth drippingly good, but it also was easy and cheap to make.
I can't remember the site where I found this, so apologies in advance, but here it is for you to enjoy:
1 Butternut Squash, peeled and cubed
1 onion
2 carrots
2 potatoes
1 celery stalk
vegetable stock or chicken stock (I use vegetable because I am vegan, but chicken is just as good)
salt to taste
butter to taste
Heat butter in a pan and sautee all chopped ingredients, except for vegetable stock, until browned.
Put all ingredients in a medium sized pot and put your stock in until it covers the vegetables.
Boil
Simmer for 40 minutes
Puree' ingredients in a blender
And voila' brilliantly yummy squash soup will make you think you are a gourment chef.
Just for today, try this out. I don't want any excuses either, because I only own one pot and no lid for it (I simmer with a plate on top..ha)...I am also not rich, and this is very much easy to do on a budget.
Give yourself a chance to do something fun and creative, and, please, share your find your first step self-care recipes if you'd like.
That being said, easy-to-do and and yummy recipes can not only leave you with a healthy, feel-good meal, but they can also give you the boost in self-esteem that doing something creative, successful and good-for-you can provide.
And, of course, with fall breezes and football under way, what better to treat yourself to than a nice bowl of soup.
Now, I am NO chef, but I found this delightful butternut squash soup recipe online last weekend, and not only did it turn out mouth drippingly good, but it also was easy and cheap to make.
I can't remember the site where I found this, so apologies in advance, but here it is for you to enjoy:
1 Butternut Squash, peeled and cubed
1 onion
2 carrots
2 potatoes
1 celery stalk
vegetable stock or chicken stock (I use vegetable because I am vegan, but chicken is just as good)
salt to taste
butter to taste
Heat butter in a pan and sautee all chopped ingredients, except for vegetable stock, until browned.
Put all ingredients in a medium sized pot and put your stock in until it covers the vegetables.
Boil
Simmer for 40 minutes
Puree' ingredients in a blender
And voila' brilliantly yummy squash soup will make you think you are a gourment chef.
Just for today, try this out. I don't want any excuses either, because I only own one pot and no lid for it (I simmer with a plate on top..ha)...I am also not rich, and this is very much easy to do on a budget.
Give yourself a chance to do something fun and creative, and, please, share your find your first step self-care recipes if you'd like.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Take Out the Garbage
If you are having a hard time focusing on the positive things in life, take out the garbage...
OR
do the dishes
OR
fold some laundry.....or pay a bill....
The point is, sometimes the easiest way to unravel your negative thinking is to do the next right thing in front of you...
This focus on the obvious and on the realities of life will not only take you out of yourself for a minute, but it may even temper a craving to drink, to drug or to get involved in somebody else's business.
Just for Today, focus on the simple things. In the long run, it is the simple things that make for a happy life.
OR
do the dishes
OR
fold some laundry.....or pay a bill....
The point is, sometimes the easiest way to unravel your negative thinking is to do the next right thing in front of you...
This focus on the obvious and on the realities of life will not only take you out of yourself for a minute, but it may even temper a craving to drink, to drug or to get involved in somebody else's business.
Just for Today, focus on the simple things. In the long run, it is the simple things that make for a happy life.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
When Someone Throws a Raw Egg at You....
Laugh...
Yes, this did happen to me this evening.
I was unassumingly standing at a bus stop (after already been lost on the train for an hour) and, shazam, I felt a bang, then an ooze.
And, there it was. A raw egg cracked right on my favorite jeans.
Well, there were two choices. Laugh or go into a temper tantrum of self-pity and rage.
Soooo, after an internal struggle with myself as to what I was going to do.....I chose to laugh.
Whether you are new in recovery or just a person in the world trying to live a happy life, the latter choice is always better.
Just for Today, recognize that you can't afford to spend valuable life energy on free-floating anger, or even anger about getting hit by someone else's "mess." After all, you don't need to be left with that "mess" all day.
Laughing is just the better option.
Yes, this did happen to me this evening.
I was unassumingly standing at a bus stop (after already been lost on the train for an hour) and, shazam, I felt a bang, then an ooze.
And, there it was. A raw egg cracked right on my favorite jeans.
Well, there were two choices. Laugh or go into a temper tantrum of self-pity and rage.
Soooo, after an internal struggle with myself as to what I was going to do.....I chose to laugh.
Whether you are new in recovery or just a person in the world trying to live a happy life, the latter choice is always better.
Just for Today, recognize that you can't afford to spend valuable life energy on free-floating anger, or even anger about getting hit by someone else's "mess." After all, you don't need to be left with that "mess" all day.
Laughing is just the better option.
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