Sep 6, 2021An Earlier CrossroadsThe Choice to Recover Reminds of a Prior Point of No Return — July 23, 2012 A fellow traveler in recovery inspired a thought last night: I don’t think I’ve ever worked as diligently on anything in my life as my recovery. I was a consistent addict; I was a fantastic textbook addict, really, in how I was regularly frustrated and floored by…Recovery2 min readRecovery2 min read
Sep 6, 2021Doors Close, Doors OpenSurrendering Hesitations About a Brighter, but Unknown Future — July 16, 2012 “When one door closes, another opens.” I’ve had to remind myself of that a lot lately. I’ve been sending out a lot of resumes, earnestly trying to improve my financial situation and at the same time, not wallow in self-pity or self-defeat. Money is huge stressor for…Sex Addiction2 min readSex Addiction2 min read
Jul 20, 2020Pay AttentionRecovery’s Ancillary Benefits Affect My Day-to-Day Living — June 25, 2012 A Buddhist teacher named Cheri Huber, whose work I revere, sent out a message today which read: “Be just the way you have always been, with this difference: do not believe any of it, and pay close attention to all of it.” The fact that I got…Recovery3 min readRecovery3 min read
Jul 20, 2020Spirit Over MatterRelentlessly Seeking Sobriety Over Addiction’s Relentlessness — June 12, 2012 The other day, I wasn’t feeling so joyful. My wife and I were having a hard time, and although we kissed and made up, I was still emotionally hungover from our arguing. The next day, I was triggered what seemed like the whole day. I was distracted…Sex Addiction2 min readSex Addiction2 min read
Jul 20, 2020A Life Fully-LivedIn Sobriety, I Can Hurdle Whatever Comes My Way — May 29, 2012 The day-to-day challenges of my life are much more easily dealt with in sobriety than they ever were in my full-blown acting-out days. Back then, there was a sense of tension and anxiety casting a pall over everything. These days, life can be all the things that…Sex Addiction2 min readSex Addiction2 min read
May 28, 2020Communication is KeyListening and Sharing Builds Up Sobriety and Trust — May 22, 2012 Communication is key. When people call into the line I do service on, when we phone each other, or meet in person to share our stories — that’s an act of communication, a healthy reaching-out in recovery. When I do work on the hotline, when I listen…Relationships2 min readRelationships2 min read
May 28, 2020It Works If I Work ItHelping Others in Program Also Helps Me — April 30, 2012 The program works if I work it; that’s the simple message I’m conveying today. As service work, I’ve shared my recovery experience, strength, and hope on a program-based phone hotline for two years now. I keep doing so because by being open and honest with my fellow…Recovery2 min readRecovery2 min read
May 26, 2020In Times of Joy and In Times of PainLife on Life’s Terms in the Loving Light of a Higher Power — April 23, 2012 The challenges of sobriety are nothing compared to the hell of addiction. In fact, by allowing myself to experience life’s regular course — good and difficult — by working hard in recovery, I find that life, of course, is going to be equally painful and joyous. What’s…Divorce3 min readDivorce3 min read
May 26, 2020Instant NostalgiaA Regret-Based, Self-Sabotaging Aspect of My Persona — April 17, 2012 In program, I’m learning to live in the present and in many respects, that’s very difficult for me. Now that I am doing pretty well in my sobriety, I’m learning to even out the other aspects in my life affected by the addiction. I’m learning to address…Recovery3 min readRecovery3 min read
May 26, 2020Fixing a Broken RecordRare Self-Consciousness About My Relationship (In)Stability — April 10, 2012 I’ve been self-conscious for some time now — in my shares at meetings and with my sponsor — and, at first, I wasn’t sure why. It’s the first time in program I recall not feeling free to express myself to others in fellowship. I soon realized part…Divorce3 min readDivorce3 min read
