Holding firm in your belief about the life you want and taking action from that place creates miracles.

<div dir="ltr" trbidi="on"> <div class="zemanta-img" style="text-align: left;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/77042565@N04/7114111171" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="FAITH" border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="240" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5080/7114111171_7e5d9b322d_m.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="160" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /><br />Holding firm in your belief about the life you want and taking action from that place creates miracles. The ride may be rocky. Times may sometimes be tough.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Things might not always work out the way you want them to, but if you keep the faith that your ideal scene in life is possible and never give up, soon enough it will come round to you.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />There is always hope. When you want to give up, when all seems lost, when there seems to be no reason to keep going - THIS MOMENT - is the moment to press on one more day. It is those who press on beyond the low points in life that push through that barrier of resistance into a seemingly magical world.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Faith is where it begins. Acting on your faith is how it happens.</span><div class="zemanta-related" style="clear: both; margin-top: 20px; overflow: hidden;"> <h4 class="zemanta-related-title"> Related articles</h4> <ul class="zemanta-article-ul zemanta-article-ul-image" style="margin: 0; overflow: hidden; padding: 0;"> <li class="zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li" style="background: none; display: block; float: left; font-size: 11px; list-style: none; margin: 2px 10px 10px 2px; padding: 0; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 84px;"><a href="http://cbkamping.wordpress.com/2013/08/27/earnest-desires-make-a-miracle/" style="border-radius: 2px; box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px #999; display: block; padding: 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.zemanta.com/197122239_80_80.jpg" style="border: 0; display: block; margin: 0; max-width: 100%; padding: 0; width: 80px;" /></a><a href="http://cbkamping.wordpress.com/2013/08/27/earnest-desires-make-a-miracle/" style="display: block; 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Holding firm in your belief about the life you want and taking action from that place creates miracles.

Holding firm in your belief about the life you want and taking action from that place creates miracles. The ride may be rocky. Times may ...

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You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage to say NO

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="zemanta-img" style="text-align: left;"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Habits-Highly-Effective-People/dp/0743269519%3FSubscriptionId%3D0G81C5DAZ03ZR9WH9X82%26tag%3Ddreawarreco-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D0743269519" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cover of "The 7 Habits of Highly Effectiv..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="200" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51Osk63EaBL._SL300_.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="122" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br /><br />“You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage – pleasantly, smilingly, non-apologetically – to say ‘no’ to other things. And the way to do that is by having a bigger ‘yes’ burning inside. The enemy of the ‘best’ is often the ‘good.’”<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />- Stephen Covey, best-selling author of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.</span><div class="zemanta-related" style="clear: both; margin-top: 20px; overflow: hidden;"> <h4 class="zemanta-related-title"> Related articles</h4> <ul class="zemanta-article-ul zemanta-article-ul-image" style="margin: 0; overflow: hidden; padding: 0;"> <li class="zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li" style="background: none; display: block; float: left; font-size: 11px; list-style: none; margin: 2px 10px 10px 2px; padding: 0; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 84px;"><a href="http://jimwoodscoaching.wordpress.com/2013/08/27/stephen-covey-10-quotes-that-can-change-your-life/" style="border-radius: 2px; box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px #999; display: block; padding: 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.zemanta.com/197283986_80_80.jpg" style="border: 0; display: block; margin: 0; max-width: 100%; padding: 0; width: 80px;" /></a><a href="http://jimwoodscoaching.wordpress.com/2013/08/27/stephen-covey-10-quotes-that-can-change-your-life/" style="display: block; height: 80px; line-height: 12pt; overflow: hidden; padding: 5px 2px 0 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Stephen Covey: 10 Quotes That Can Change Your Life</a></li> <li class="zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li" style="background: none; display: block; float: left; font-size: 11px; list-style: none; margin: 2px 10px 10px 2px; padding: 0; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 84px;"><a href="http://onebud.wordpress.com/2013/08/26/no-for-burning-yes/" style="border-radius: 2px; box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px #999; display: block; padding: 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.zemanta.com/noimg_39_80_80.jpg" style="border: 0; display: block; margin: 0; max-width: 100%; padding: 0; width: 80px;" /></a><a href="http://onebud.wordpress.com/2013/08/26/no-for-burning-yes/" style="display: block; height: 80px; line-height: 12pt; overflow: hidden; padding: 5px 2px 0 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">No for Burning Yes</a></li> <li class="zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li" style="background: none; display: block; float: left; font-size: 11px; list-style: none; margin: 2px 10px 10px 2px; padding: 0; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 84px;"><a href="http://talentalks.wordpress.com/2013/07/24/stephen-covey-10-quotes-that-can-change-your-life/" style="border-radius: 2px; box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px #999; display: block; padding: 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.zemanta.com/187669948_80_80.jpg" style="border: 0; display: block; margin: 0; max-width: 100%; padding: 0; width: 80px;" /></a><a href="http://talentalks.wordpress.com/2013/07/24/stephen-covey-10-quotes-that-can-change-your-life/" style="display: block; height: 80px; line-height: 12pt; overflow: hidden; padding: 5px 2px 0 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Stephen Covey: 10 Quotes That Can Change Your Life</a></li> <li class="zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li" style="background: none; display: block; float: left; font-size: 11px; list-style: none; margin: 2px 10px 10px 2px; padding: 0; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 84px;"><a href="http://roaringstrawberry.wordpress.com/2013/08/26/i-am-not-a-product-of-my-circumstances-i-am-a-product-of-my-decisions/" style="border-radius: 2px; box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px #999; display: block; padding: 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.zemanta.com/197009179_80_80.jpg" style="border: 0; display: block; margin: 0; max-width: 100%; padding: 0; width: 80px;" /></a><a href="http://roaringstrawberry.wordpress.com/2013/08/26/i-am-not-a-product-of-my-circumstances-i-am-a-product-of-my-decisions/" style="display: block; height: 80px; line-height: 12pt; overflow: hidden; padding: 5px 2px 0 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">I am not a product of my circumstances... 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You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage to say NO

“You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage – pleasantly, smilingly, non-apologetically – to say ‘no’ to ot...

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You have to hit 'rock bottom'

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">  Here's why this is dangerous: If we wait until a person "bottoms out," it could be too late to help them.<br /> Every person has a different "bottom." For some, it could be getting arrested or becoming homeless. For many, it's much less dramatic -- losing an important personal relationship, being confronted by family or doing poorly at work or school.<br /> There is little evidence that the level of consequences a person accumulates before seeking help is related to their chances of succeeding in recovery. It's better to get help early than to hold out for the perfect desperate moment.<br /> <div class="zemanta-pixie" style="height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;"> <a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/?px" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/zemified_h.png?x-id=43b2e9ca-d14c-4575-a93c-d3a4976b167e" style="border: none; float: right;" /></a></div> </div>

You have to hit 'rock bottom'

 Here's why this is dangerous: If we wait until a person "bottoms out," it could be too late to help them. Every person has ...

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Addiction is for life Addiction is a spectrum disorder, like depression, and every person is different.

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gpu4-PWMfAU/V5r6JzxPNtI/AAAAAAAAXvA/3Lw53jSlDRsNuFDgbyWLTDT7lRnusRvMACPcB/s1600/social%2Brecovery%2Blinks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gpu4-PWMfAU/V5r6JzxPNtI/AAAAAAAAXvA/3Lw53jSlDRsNuFDgbyWLTDT7lRnusRvMACPcB/s320/social%2Brecovery%2Blinks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br />Addiction is for life, This simply isn't true, and it places a huge emotional and psychological burden on recovered addicts. Addiction is a spectrum disorder, like depression, and every person is different.<br /><br />While there are plenty of cases where addicts struggle for years to overcome a drug addiction, many more cases reveal the opposite -- short-term users who manage to put the past behind them and lead normal and productive lives. According to the National Institute on Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse, 75% of alcoholics recover without treatment.</span><br /> <div class="zemanta-pixie" style="height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;"> <a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/?px" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="https://img.zemanta.com/zemified_h.png?x-id=8d1f1555-909f-44da-8df7-7686c66d781b" style="border: none; float: right;" /></a></div> </div>

Addiction is for life Addiction is a spectrum disorder, like depression, and every person is different.

Addiction is for life, This simply isn't true, and it places a huge emotional and psychological burden on recovered addicts. Addictio...

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There is no single gene, or set of genes, that determines whether or not a person will become an addict

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="zemanta-img" style="text-align: left;"> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Not_in_Our_Genes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cover of Not in our Genes." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="200" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/0b/Not_in_Our_Genes.jpg/300px-Not_in_Our_Genes.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="127" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">There is no single gene, or set of genes, that determines whether or not a person will become an addict. And even if a person's parents are addicts, it doesn't mean they will be too. </span><br /> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;"><br /></span> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">Current addiction research shows that roughly 50% of addiction tendencies are attributable to genes.That's a high percentage, but it still leaves half of the equation up to the environment and personal experiences. The addiction gene myth lulls many people into a false sense of confidence about their own drug use while paradoxically also discouraging many addicts from seeking treatment.</span><br /> <div class="zemanta-pixie" style="height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;"> <a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/?px" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="https://img.zemanta.com/zemified_h.png?x-id=fc1d8019-8364-4982-930f-f599d7a1ecb9" style="border: none; float: right;" /></a></div> </div>

There is no single gene, or set of genes, that determines whether or not a person will become an addict

There is no single gene, or set of genes, that determines whether or not a person will become an addict. And even if a person's paren...

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All alcohol dependent people have one thing in common; a biochemical imbalance of their brain and body.

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gpu4-PWMfAU/V5r6JzxPNtI/AAAAAAAAXvA/3Lw53jSlDRsNuFDgbyWLTDT7lRnusRvMACPcB/s1600/social%2Brecovery%2Blinks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gpu4-PWMfAU/V5r6JzxPNtI/AAAAAAAAXvA/3Lw53jSlDRsNuFDgbyWLTDT7lRnusRvMACPcB/s320/social%2Brecovery%2Blinks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><br />Three alcohol biotypes have been identified by nutritionist, Dr. Joan Matthews-Larson. One type has a liver enzyme(alcohol dehydrogenase enzyme) and a brain-made endorphin-like chemical (tetrahydroiso-quinolines [THIQs]) which permit the person to metabolize large amounts of alcohol without any negative effects,such as hangovers. These people can drink for yearsbefore their body begins to suffer and alcohol addiction is finally recognized.<br /><br />Another alcoholic biotype is the person who has anallergic/addicted alcohol chemistry. These people are often allergic to wheat which is in many foods. They may also be allergic to dairy and other foods, or to toxic chemicals which are ingested or inhaled. Some people haveCandida Related Complex which causes the craving of sugars such as those found in alcohol. These people may also suffer from ADD or ADHD, depression and other disorders.<br /><br />A third biotype is the person who is unable to metabolize Omega 6, an essential fatty acid commonly found in the diet (peas, beans, nuts and seeds) or they may be lacking the amino acids (proteins) necessary to adequately make certain brain chemicals. These people suffer from depression, anxiety or panic disorders.<br /><br />A familial history of alcoholism, allergies and depression make a person more predisposed to alcoholism. Alcohol addiction is more prevalent in Celtic, Welsh, Scottish, Scandinavian, and Native American ancestry.<br /><br />All alcohol dependent people have one thing in common; a biochemical imbalance of their brain and body.<br /><br />While alcohol seems to help temporarily, it is obviously covering up the real problems by tranquilising people into temporarily feeling better, until the effect wears off, and another fix is needed. The only way to recover from alcohol addiction is to restore the brain and body chemistry, and understand the real problem of dissociation.</span>

All alcohol dependent people have one thing in common; a biochemical imbalance of their brain and body.

Three alcohol biotypes have been identified by nutritionist, Dr. Joan Matthews-Larson. One type has a liver enzyme(alcohol dehydrogenase ...

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The best thing for your brain is to keep it physically and mentally active while eating nutritious food and getting plenty of social interaction.

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <div class="zemanta-img" style="text-align: left;"> <a href="http://commons.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:AD_versus_CO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Healthy brain (bottom) versus brain of a donor..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="200" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5b/AD_versus_CO.jpg/300px-AD_versus_CO.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="131" /></a></div> <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace; font-size: large;">A healthy brain and nervous system regulate your body functions so you can have full command over your senses, muscles, and intelligence. Despite the amazing capacities of the human brain and nerves, they are vulnerable to damage just like every other part of our bodies. Strokes, concussions, Alzheimers and many other brain problems affect about 50 million Americans. The multitude of brain injuries and illnesses strike different people based on the risk factors of their genetics, age and lifestyle. The severity of impairment and the availability of treatment vary widely. Knowledge of brain and nerve health has advanced rapidly in recent decades. Many new treatments and medicines are available to treat various disorders. Still, the best thing for your brain is to keep it physically and mentally active while eating nutritious food and getting plenty of social interaction.</span><br /> <div class="zemanta-pixie" style="height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;"> <a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/?px" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="https://img.zemanta.com/zemified_h.png?x-id=d08d85b4-88d7-4c3d-891d-3f0a3d807aa0" style="border: none; float: right;" /></a></div> </div>

The best thing for your brain is to keep it physically and mentally active while eating nutritious food and getting plenty of social interaction.

A healthy brain and nervous system regulate your body functions so you can have full command over your senses, muscles, and intelligence....

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These fears are the termites that ceaselessly devour the foundations of whatever sort of life we try to build. ~ Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, 2011 p 84

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container zemanta-img" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Twelve-Steps-Traditions-AA-Services/dp/0916856291%3FSubscriptionId%3D0G81C5DAZ03ZR9WH9X82%26tag%3Ddreawarreco-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D0916856291" imageanchor="1" style="margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: clear:left;"><img alt="Cover of "Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditi..." border="0" class="zemanta-img-inserted" height="300" src="https://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51pi-l7TsHL._SL300_.jpg" style="border: none; font-size: 0.8em;" width="186" /></a></td></tr> <tr><td class="tr-caption zemanta-img-attribution" style="text-align: center; width: 186px;">Cover of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Twelve-Steps-Traditions-AA-Services/dp/0916856291%3FSubscriptionId%3D0G81C5DAZ03ZR9WH9X82%26tag%3Ddreawarreco-20%26linkCode%3Dxm2%26camp%3D2025%26creative%3D165953%26creativeASIN%3D0916856291" target="_blank">Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions</a></td></tr> </tbody></table> These fears are the termites that ceaselessly devour the foundations of whatever sort of life we try to build. ~ Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, 2011 p 84<br /> I’ve heard fear described as coming from one of two camps: fear of never getting what we want, or fear of losing what we have. I don’t care which anthill they rise from, fears eat away at a person, piece by little piece they take all my peace.<br /> I used to have very little financially. It seemed easier to trust that God would provide when I had little than it is to trust him to keep providing when I have more. I always have been more comfortable with being a ‘have not’ than a ‘have’ kind of person.<br /> That was my epiphany. I’m afraid of blessings!<br /> When a job still looked like a mere means of getting money rather than an opportunity for service, when the acquisition of money for financial independence looked more important than a right dependence upon God, we were still the victims of unreasonable fears. And these were fears which would make a serene and useful existence, at any financial level, quite impossible. ~ Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, 2011 p 121<br /> I was only gone from my position as a gate guard for three weeks, but when I returned, I was no longer serene with a sense of usefulness. I thought that returning to the same position and getting back into my usual routine would be the solution. It hasn’t been.<br /> Yesterday, I decided to give God the new acquisitions and stop hanging onto them with a closed fist. OK. If I lose it, so be it. If not, then it’s alright to be happy with my new digs and concentrate on praying for all the guys on the rig and being a bright spot in their day as they come and go from the site.<br /> Two of our guys were arrested and in the slammer overnight for public intox. When they got back I was happy to see them and today I’m baking brownies for the crew.<br /> When, with God’s help, we calmly accepted our lot, then we found we could live at peace with ourselves and show others who still suffered the same fears that they could get over them, too. We found that freedom from fear was more important than freedom from want… It did not matter too much what our material condition was, but it did matter what our spiritual condition was. ~ Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, 2011 p 122<br /> <span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em> How does fear feel? I had a hard time describing it. Even more confusing, I don’t recognize when it starts.</em></strong></span><br /> <div class="zemanta-related" style="clear: both; margin-top: 20px; overflow: hidden;"> <h4 class="zemanta-related-title"> Related articles</h4> <ul class="zemanta-article-ul" style="clear: left;"> <li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://dailycontemplation.wordpress.com/2013/08/22/seeking-emotional-stability/" target="_blank">Seeking Emotional Stability</a> (dailycontemplation.wordpress.com)</li> <li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://tljax.wordpress.com/2013/08/19/easy-does-it-but-keep-progressing/" target="_blank">"Easy Does It!" ...But Keep Progressing.</a> (tljax.wordpress.com)</li> <li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://epxuvoto.wordpress.com/2013/08/06/the-twelve-steps-twelve-traditions-workbook-of-co-dependents-anonymous-e-book-downloads/" target="_blank">The Twelve Steps & Twelve Traditions Workbook of Co-Dependents Anonymous e-book downloads</a> (epxuvoto.wordpress.com)</li> <li class="zemanta-article-ul-li"><a href="http://emotionalsobrietyoa.wordpress.com/2013/08/14/stretch-of-the-week-powerless-and-surender/" target="_blank">Stretch of the week: POWERLESS and SURENDER</a> (emotionalsobrietyoa.wordpress.com)</li> </ul> </div> <div class="zemanta-pixie" style="height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;"> <a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/?px" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="https://img.zemanta.com/zemified_h.png?x-id=a2b43c5a-cbab-4cde-954f-a3ff5cdfd2d3" style="border: none; float: right;" /></a></div> </div>

These fears are the termites that ceaselessly devour the foundations of whatever sort of life we try to build. ~ Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, 2011 p 84

Cover of Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions These fears are the termites that ceaselessly devour the foundations of whatever sort of li...

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A lot of alcoholics I speak to who have devoted themselves to a life of spirituality

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">  A lot of alcoholics I speak to who have devoted themselves to a life of spirituality – have previously had a history of drug or alcohol addiction. Now before you run away with fright, I talk about spirituality loosely, and don’t mean you have to become a religious fanatic if you ever hope to free yourself from a life of addiction. So please keep reading to see what I mean because I believe anyone can benefit, irrespective of your beliefs …Establishing a relationship with God is a process that takes time.<br /><br />I spoke before about how those of us with addictive tendencies tend to often become obsessive about things – and when we dive into something do so with heart and soul. That can lead to engaging in self-destructive behaviors like abusing alcohol or drugs, but if we manage to redirect that energy into something positive, it means our lives can unfold in a way that is uplifting, meaningful and enriching. There is hope for anyone who has been cursed with alcohol addiction.<br /> Replacing the Void<br /> So one of the keys to successfully beating an addiction is to find things we can devote ourselves to that will replace the void filled by alcohol or drugs. Spiritual practice whether that be in a formal religious setting, or one less so but that encompasses transformational practices like meditation and yoga etc., or those that are directly aligned with recovery from addictions like 12-step programs (which is itself essentially a spiritual program) – have proven to be the most successful in helping end a life of addiction because they provide our lives with a fresh purpose and direction, and so fill that void that ended up with us succumbing to a life of addiction in the first place.<br /> I always like to refer back to the description Andrew Weil, MD, uses in his book ‘Natural Health, Natural Medicine’ to describe addiction because I think it sums up the problem pretty well: “Addiction is NOT a psychological or pharmacological problem, and CANNOT be solved by the methods of psychology or pharmacology. It is, at root, a SPIRITUAL concern, because it represents a misdirected attempt to achieve wholeness, to experience inner completeness and satisfaction.”<br /> If you’ve never thought of yourself as being spiritual, it might be difficult to relate to that – but I think if you look deeply enough at how you ended up with an addiction to alcohol or drugs – I’m sure you’ll see a lot of truth in what he says. I know a lot of people see addiction purely as a mental disease – but a troubled mind usually stems from a deeper, underlying disharmony.<br /> Spirituality Not for You? ‘No Mind …’<br /> And even if any form of spiritual practice is simply something you can’t envisage for yourself – finding activities that you enjoy and give your life a sense of direction and purpose is crucial to creating a life that no longer includes alcohol or drugs.<br /> Because by taking part and doing things you really enjoy and are passionate about, you often transcend your ordinary thinking mind (the part of the mind that gets us into trouble), and reach a point of ‘no mind’ as they refer to the East where you’re hardly thinking and just enjoying the moment for what it is.<br /> Ever notice that you’re doing something you enjoy and really into it – reading a book, painting, talking to a friend, watching a movie, a walk on the beach – and without realizing suddenly an hour or two has gone just like that?<br /> That’s when you’ve reached a point of ‘no mind’ – and the more often you do that, even if you don’t engage in any kind of ‘formal’ spiritual practice, the sooner your life will transform and amazing little blessings will begin to occur in your life. That’s why even if any form of spirituality just isn’t your thing – finding things you can really get into and passionate about is so important.<br /> My spiritual practice now involves primarily meditation, which I do for an hour a day and which is the main thing that grounds me and keeps me centered – and other than that the kinds of things I now really enjoy doing include hiking and rock climbing, running in the woods, reading, playing a bit of golf, watching a good movie, and getting wound up (in a good way) watching my favorite sports teams do their thing. This is how to overcome the insanity of alcoholism on a daily basis, establish routines that work.<br /> Boring? No Way<br /> I know a lot of people think a life in recovery is boring and won’t compare to the excitement and highs you can get from drugs or alcohol – and yes if you’re after an artificial and brief high followed by an even more spectacular crash and burn when you’re coming down or sobering up – you’d be right.<br /> But do you know how good it feels to have just hiked to the top of a mountain, finished a morning run, watched a spectacular sunset (they’re a lot better when you’re sober, trust me), enjoyed a good meal with friends or someone you love? You actually begin to realize how lucky you are to be alive and how the simple things in life are really those that give you the most joy and satisfaction.<br /> Sure life isn’t all a walk in the park, but if you’ve at least got your sobriety you have the power to choose. You can choose to do with your life whatever you want, rather than have your choices governed by your next drink or fix. And that is ultimately the biggest gift a life of sobriety provides you with – the freedom of choice – instead of being a slave to your addiction.<br /> In my experience, it was when I connected with the spiritual realm that I was truly set free from alcohol addiction. When I attended my first AA meeting, a man suggested that I pray and ask God to take away the desire for a drink. I did that and God honored my prayer. It has been over thirty years since I’ve had a drink. The spiritual side of getting sober and staying sober is the key ingredient to my success as a recovering alcoholic.<br /> <div class="zemanta-related" style="clear: both; margin-top: 20px; overflow: hidden;"> <h4 class="zemanta-related-title"> Related articles</h4> <ul class="zemanta-article-ul zemanta-article-ul-image" style="margin: 0; overflow: hidden; padding: 0;"> <li class="zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li" style="background: none; display: block; float: left; font-size: 11px; list-style: none; margin: 2px 10px 10px 2px; padding: 0; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 84px;"><a href="http://galatictours.blogspot.com/2013/06/spiritual-principles-practiced-in.html" style="border-radius: 2px; box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px #999; display: block; padding: 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.zemanta.com/noimg_15_80_80.jpg" style="border: 0; display: block; margin: 0; max-width: 100%; padding: 0; width: 80px;" /></a><a href="http://galatictours.blogspot.com/2013/06/spiritual-principles-practiced-in.html" style="display: block; height: 80px; line-height: 12pt; overflow: hidden; padding: 5px 2px 0 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Spiritual principles practiced in Alcoholics Anonymous which clearly transcend the religious differences which seem to keep mankind in perpetual strife.</a></li> <li class="zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li" style="background: none; display: block; float: left; font-size: 11px; list-style: none; margin: 2px 10px 10px 2px; padding: 0; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 84px;"><a href="http://galatictours.blogspot.com/2013/05/emotional-sobriety-is-less-about.html" style="border-radius: 2px; box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px #999; display: block; padding: 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.zemanta.com/noimg_123_80_80.jpg" style="border: 0; display: block; margin: 0; max-width: 100%; padding: 0; width: 80px;" /></a><a href="http://galatictours.blogspot.com/2013/05/emotional-sobriety-is-less-about.html" style="display: block; height: 80px; line-height: 12pt; overflow: hidden; padding: 5px 2px 0 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Emotional sobriety is less about the quality of the feeling and more about the general ability to feel one's feelings.</a></li> <li class="zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li" style="background: none; display: block; float: left; font-size: 11px; list-style: none; margin: 2px 10px 10px 2px; padding: 0; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 84px;"><a href="http://galatictours.blogspot.com/2013/06/im-not-retired-alcoholic-im-defeated-one.html" style="border-radius: 2px; box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px #999; display: block; padding: 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.zemanta.com/174207131_80_80.jpg" style="border: 0; display: block; margin: 0; max-width: 100%; padding: 0; width: 80px;" /></a><a href="http://galatictours.blogspot.com/2013/06/im-not-retired-alcoholic-im-defeated-one.html" style="display: block; height: 80px; line-height: 12pt; overflow: hidden; padding: 5px 2px 0 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">I'm not a retired alcoholic, I'm a defeated one.</a></li> <li class="zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li" style="background: none; display: block; float: left; font-size: 11px; list-style: none; margin: 2px 10px 10px 2px; padding: 0; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 84px;"><a href="http://galatictours.blogspot.com/2013/05/recovering-alcoholics-addicts-adult.html" style="border-radius: 2px; box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px #999; display: block; padding: 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.zemanta.com/noimg_83_80_80.jpg" style="border: 0; display: block; margin: 0; max-width: 100%; padding: 0; width: 80px;" /></a><a href="http://galatictours.blogspot.com/2013/05/recovering-alcoholics-addicts-adult.html" style="display: block; height: 80px; line-height: 12pt; overflow: hidden; padding: 5px 2px 0 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Recovering alcoholics, addicts, adult children of alcoholics and co-dependents are especially susceptible to joining cults or sects.</a></li> <li class="zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li" style="background: none; display: block; float: left; font-size: 11px; list-style: none; margin: 2px 10px 10px 2px; padding: 0; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 84px;"><a href="http://galatictours.blogspot.com/2013/05/what-constitutes-heart-of-aa.html" style="border-radius: 2px; box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px #999; display: block; padding: 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.zemanta.com/171341843_80_80.jpg" style="border: 0; display: block; margin: 0; max-width: 100%; padding: 0; width: 80px;" /></a><a href="http://galatictours.blogspot.com/2013/05/what-constitutes-heart-of-aa.html" style="display: block; height: 80px; line-height: 12pt; overflow: hidden; padding: 5px 2px 0 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">What constitutes the heart of AA spirituality is a matter of spirited debate.</a></li> <li class="zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li" style="background: none; display: block; float: left; font-size: 11px; list-style: none; margin: 2px 10px 10px 2px; padding: 0; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 84px;"><a href="http://galatictours.blogspot.com/2013/03/bill-w-legacy-that-could-again-help-his.html" style="border-radius: 2px; box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px #999; display: block; padding: 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.zemanta.com/151160414_80_80.jpg" style="border: 0; display: block; margin: 0; max-width: 100%; padding: 0; width: 80px;" /></a><a href="http://galatictours.blogspot.com/2013/03/bill-w-legacy-that-could-again-help-his.html" style="display: block; height: 80px; line-height: 12pt; overflow: hidden; padding: 5px 2px 0 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Bill W legacy that could again help his beloved alcoholics by telling them about the physical (nutritional) component of alcoholism.</a></li> <li class="zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li" style="background: none; display: block; float: left; font-size: 11px; list-style: none; margin: 2px 10px 10px 2px; padding: 0; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 84px;"><a href="http://galatictours.blogspot.com/2013/05/addiction-is-disease-of-fundamental.html" style="border-radius: 2px; box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px #999; display: block; padding: 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.zemanta.com/171134837_80_80.jpg" style="border: 0; display: block; margin: 0; max-width: 100%; padding: 0; width: 80px;" /></a><a href="http://galatictours.blogspot.com/2013/05/addiction-is-disease-of-fundamental.html" style="display: block; height: 80px; line-height: 12pt; overflow: hidden; padding: 5px 2px 0 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Addiction is a disease of fundamental irrationality.</a></li> <li class="zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li" style="background: none; display: block; float: left; font-size: 11px; list-style: none; margin: 2px 10px 10px 2px; padding: 0; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 84px;"><a href="http://galatictours.blogspot.com/2013/05/are-you-beyond-human-aid.html" style="border-radius: 2px; box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px #999; display: block; padding: 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.zemanta.com/170291699_80_80.jpg" style="border: 0; display: block; margin: 0; max-width: 100%; padding: 0; width: 80px;" /></a><a href="http://galatictours.blogspot.com/2013/05/are-you-beyond-human-aid.html" style="display: block; height: 80px; line-height: 12pt; overflow: hidden; padding: 5px 2px 0 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Are YOU beyond human aid?</a></li> <li class="zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li" style="background: none; display: block; float: left; font-size: 11px; list-style: none; margin: 2px 10px 10px 2px; padding: 0; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 84px;"><a href="http://galatictours.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-recovery-community-groups-of.html" style="border-radius: 2px; box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px #999; display: block; padding: 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.zemanta.com/174051808_80_80.jpg" style="border: 0; display: block; margin: 0; max-width: 100%; padding: 0; width: 80px;" /></a><a href="http://galatictours.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-recovery-community-groups-of.html" style="display: block; height: 80px; line-height: 12pt; overflow: hidden; padding: 5px 2px 0 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The Recovery Community groups of alcoholics and/or addicts have formed and meet in their hundreds in what are known as the rooms.</a></li> <li class="zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li" style="background: none; display: block; float: left; font-size: 11px; list-style: none; margin: 2px 10px 10px 2px; padding: 0; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 84px;"><a href="http://galatictours.blogspot.com/2013/05/cocaine-anonymous-primary-purpose.html" style="border-radius: 2px; box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px #999; display: block; padding: 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.zemanta.com/171863665_80_80.jpg" style="border: 0; display: block; margin: 0; max-width: 100%; padding: 0; width: 80px;" /></a><a href="http://galatictours.blogspot.com/2013/05/cocaine-anonymous-primary-purpose.html" style="display: block; height: 80px; line-height: 12pt; overflow: hidden; padding: 5px 2px 0 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Cocaine Anonymous: Primary Purpose beginners Meeting First five steps Group, Stockton-on-Tees we welcome all seeking recovery who may be using any drug at all including alcohol.</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="zemanta-pixie" style="height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;"> <a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/?px" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/zemified_h.png?x-id=c2d180d6-9336-4484-8ce8-e38db7dbad29" style="border: none; float: right;" /></a></div> </div>

A lot of alcoholics I speak to who have devoted themselves to a life of spirituality

 A lot of alcoholics I speak to who have devoted themselves to a life of spirituality – have previously had a history of drug or alcohol ad...

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How to get you totally present, in the moment and out of your dissociation – let me show you how to do it.

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lhQ7uJc-mEk/WGfk1AjyM2I/AAAAAAAAZlM/rt1t6v25qkQiEzV7TNp2QPPBzOvPBW4OgCPcB/s1600/TheProgramBanner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="71" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lhQ7uJc-mEk/WGfk1AjyM2I/AAAAAAAAZlM/rt1t6v25qkQiEzV7TNp2QPPBzOvPBW4OgCPcB/s320/TheProgramBanner.png" width="320" /></a></div> <span style="font-size: large;"><br /><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">How to get you totally present, in the moment and out of our Dissociation – let us show you how to do it.<br /><br />Stage One: Close your eyes<br /><br />Stage Two: Feel<br /><br />Feel yourself sitting on the chair, feel your back against the backrest of the chair, feel your bum on the seat, feel your feet resting on the floor. Really feel it. Don’t analyze. Just feel. Feel the sensation.<br /><br />Now take a deep breath – and feel the air going in through your nostrils as you inhale – and out again as you exhale. Do this until you really feel the air going in and out of your nostrils as you breathe deeply – and feel yourself getting more relaxed. If you’re really feeling, you’re NOT thinking, so feeling is the first step in the process of getting you out of your thoughts and into the moment.<br /><br />Stage Three: Listen<br /><br />As you feel yourself getting more relaxed – listen. Listen to the clock ticking on the wall, the birds chirping or dogs barking outside, the hum of the refrigerator – try and pick out as many different sounds as you can by just listening. When you really listen (not to the voices in your head) but the sounds around you, it brings you into the moment, into the here and now.<br /><br />Then after a while – pick the sound that is easiest for you to focus on – and just keep listening to that for a minute or so. When your mind drifts back to your thoughts (and it will) – just gently go back to listening. Again, really listening to the sounds around you takes you out of your mind and helps bring you into the present.<br /><br />Stage Four: Focus<br /><br />Now you should start feeling yourself get really relaxed – so just keep focusing on your breath, feel it as you inhale and exhale. And when your mind wonders off – just gently bring yourself back to your breath. Do this for as long as you need – I recommend anything from 2 to 5 minutes.<br /><br />Theses stages work great for us who are dealing with an addict/alcoholic as well. The loved ones of addicts suffer from the same sort of thinking alcoholics do, fearing the future and regretting the past.<br /><br />Now follow that process and DO IT yourself again. Continue reading once you’ve finished …<br /><br />Don’t you feel better, more relaxed and at peace? Pretty cool, huh!? Sure it may take a bit of practice to get the process right for you so you no longer have to think about it, but after the first 3-4 attempts you’ll have it down pat and be able to get yourself out of your mind and into the moment in no time.<br /><br />Initially when you attempt to do this, your mind will resist, tell you this is stupid or try and analyze what you’re doing. Ignore those thoughts and just go back to feeling, listening and breathing.<br /><br />I suggest using the Power Pause OFTEN. I recommend you do it every hour for 3-5 minutes. Set an alarm or reminder on your watch or on your computer – and whatever you’re doing – get in the habit of taking your Power Pause.<br /><br />Initially you’ll not want to and feel like you’re too busy – but fight through that feeling and do it anyway – because that’s the whole point – to get you out of those frenetic thinking patterns – and into the peace and tranquility you can only find my being present, in this very moment.<br /><br />Do this for a week – and I promise you, you’ll be amazed at the results. We spend most of our lives stuck in our heads, missing out on the peace and joy that can be found by simply being present. Once you get really good at it, you can do the whole thing in a minute or less.<br /><br />And most importantly, when you’re really in the here and now, you’re no longer a puppet to your thoughts and emotions, which can so easily lead back to where you don’t want to be – face to face with your drink or drug of choice. Alcoholics/Dissociates are faced with a battle every day, living in the moment. If you can make it a habit to bring yourself back to the present, you will have a better chance of getting sober and staying that way.</span></span>

How to get you totally present, in the moment and out of your dissociation – let me show you how to do it.

How to get you totally present, in the moment and out of our Dissociation – let us show you how to do it. Stage One: Close your eyes Sta...

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Knowing we are powerless to control our addiction, allows us to develop the humility to surrender

<p>Knowing we are powerless to control our addiction, allows us to develop the humility to surrender to this insanely, irrational disease, illness, problem (call it what you will) – and realize it’s a war we will never win alone and that we need to seek the help and support of those who have traveled the path of recovery before us, and then work damn hard to do the things we need to do that will lead to a life of long-term sobriety and peace of mind.</p><p>So are you prepared to admit you are powerless to control your alcohol addiction? Are you prepared to humble yourself and take the first steps in getting the help you need? Stop having an answer for everything and be open-minded enough to give 100% to turning your life around, even if it involves doing things you don’t ‘feel’ like doing?</p><p>Think on that for the next couple of days … because getting your head around those issues is where it all starts, and where your journey of recovery really begins.</p>

Knowing we are powerless to control our addiction, allows us to develop the humility to surrender

Knowing we are powerless to control our addiction, allows us to develop the humility to surrender to this insanely, irrational disease, illn...

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Sanity comes in realizing that drug and alcohol addiction have gotten the user nowhere; it comes in realizing that no matter how many times the action was repeated, the results were always the same.

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> Sanity comes in realizing that drug and alcohol addiction have gotten the user nowhere; it comes in realizing that no matter how many times the action was repeated, the results were always the same. And it’s this realization – this twelve-step epiphany that entertaining the thought of your next fix is an exercise in self-destruction – that can allow for growth, for addiction treatment, for freedom from the depths to which addiction can sink an individual.For freedom from the bottomless pit.If insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results, then sanity is realizing the fallacy in this and having the courage to start anew and find a new path.<br /> <div class="zemanta-pixie" style="height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;"> <a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/?px" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/zemified_h.png?x-id=9ddee85c-970b-486c-a8d8-a456ca10ccd4" style="border: none; float: right;" /></a></div> </div>

Sanity comes in realizing that drug and alcohol addiction have gotten the user nowhere; it comes in realizing that no matter how many times the action was repeated, the results were always the same.

Sanity comes in realizing that drug and alcohol addiction have gotten the user nowhere; it comes in realizing that no matter how many times...

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The twelve steps exist primarily and profoundly because addiction is, in and of itself, an exercise in constancy

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> The twelve steps affirm that insanity is entertaining the thought of that next drink or high. The twelve steps exist primarily and profoundly because addiction is, in and of itself, an exercise in constancy. It is the habitual and growingly dependent escape into action – or inaction – that breeds complacency and stagnancy. Furthermore, it is the ever-present desire to escape. This may be readily apparent to the beholder, but not the user. No, addiction will forever bring about the same results – dependency, the gradual destruction of physical and mental faculties, the dissolution of meaningful relationships, a loss of one’s sense of self, and perhaps even death – but the addict will believe otherwise.The insanity of the addict is the assumption that each high, each foray into the world of substance abuse, will bring about a different result, a better result than the one currently presenting itself.But it won’t. It never does. And the user won’t see this until he bottoms out.<br /> <div class="zemanta-related" style="clear: both; margin-top: 20px; overflow: hidden;"> <h4 class="zemanta-related-title"> Related articles</h4> <ul class="zemanta-article-ul zemanta-article-ul-image" style="margin: 0; overflow: hidden; padding: 0;"> <li class="zemanta-article-ul-li-image zemanta-article-ul-li" style="background: none; display: block; float: left; font-size: 11px; list-style: none; margin: 2px 10px 10px 2px; padding: 0; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 84px;"><a href="http://galatictours.blogspot.com/2013/05/addiction-ever-present-desire-to-escape.html" style="border-radius: 2px; box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px #999; display: block; padding: 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.zemanta.com/noimg_78_80_80.jpg" style="border: 0; display: block; margin: 0; max-width: 100%; padding: 0; width: 80px;" /></a><a href="http://galatictours.blogspot.com/2013/05/addiction-ever-present-desire-to-escape.html" style="display: block; 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display: block; float: left; font-size: 11px; list-style: none; margin: 2px 10px 10px 2px; padding: 0; text-align: left; vertical-align: top; width: 84px;"><a href="http://galatictours.blogspot.com/2013/05/sanity-comes-in-realising-that-drug-and.html" style="border-radius: 2px; box-shadow: 0px 0px 4px #999; display: block; padding: 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><img src="http://i.zemanta.com/noimg_73_80_80.jpg" style="border: 0; display: block; margin: 0; max-width: 100%; padding: 0; width: 80px;" /></a><a href="http://galatictours.blogspot.com/2013/05/sanity-comes-in-realising-that-drug-and.html" style="display: block; height: 80px; line-height: 12pt; overflow: hidden; padding: 5px 2px 0 2px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Sanity comes in realising that drug and alcohol addiction have gotten the user nowhere</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="zemanta-pixie" style="height: 15px; margin-top: 10px;"> <a class="zemanta-pixie-a" href="http://www.zemanta.com/?px" title="Enhanced by Zemanta"><img alt="Enhanced by Zemanta" class="zemanta-pixie-img" src="http://img.zemanta.com/zemified_h.png?x-id=994db40b-5e17-4f6f-b44a-9c63170a053c" style="border: none; float: right;" /></a></div> </div>

The twelve steps exist primarily and profoundly because addiction is, in and of itself, an exercise in constancy

The twelve steps affirm that insanity is entertaining the thought of that next drink or high. The twelve steps exist primarily and profound...

Read more »