I want to begin this second edition with gratitude. The response to the first newsletter was overwhelming, and I’m deeply moved. It reminds me that recovery, whether from addiction, pain, or the weight of daily life, is never a solitary effort.
As we continue together, I hope to explore recovery not as a fixed destination, but as a living process. The journey unfolds in ordinary moments, through the ways we listen, reflect, and choose again each day.
If these words resonate with you, I invite you to pass them along to someone who might find strength in knowing that none of us walk this road alone.
In last month’s newsletter I discussed the value of thinking about addiction recovery as a heroic journey. I added that it can be guided by the twelve steps, as looked at in depth in my recent book,The Twelve Step Pathway: A Heroic Journey of Recovery. This month I want to look at the eight stages of the heroic journey and suggest how the twelve steps can be used as a GPS for that journey. The eight stages are....
As I point out in Seeking a Higher Power, not all problems can be resolved by thinking. It is useful to realize that the heart is the center of our feeling and spiritual selves.
A good way to relax and get into a good spiritual space is by practicing heart awareness as a form of meditation. A simple approach is to sit comfortably, preferably in a place where you will not be disturbed. Breathe slowly and comfortably.
As you breathe think about your heart in the center of your chest. Try to feel the energy of your heart as you breathe. Once you connect with this awareness, hold on to it for a few seconds, or even a minute or two. As you develop skill in heart awareness you will be able to do it in any situation. Whatever is going on, stop for a moment to feel your heart sensations. It should bring you peace.
My Blog
I just finished reading John Thompson’s autobiography, I Came as a Shadow. His is an excellent example of the Heroic Journey, of overcoming monumental difficulties in achieving success in life. He grew up in a poor...
“What I see convinces me that God exists; what I don’t see confirms it.” - Albert Einstein
If certainty feels out of reach, let wonder be enough for today.
On the Bookshelf
The Twelve Step Pathway - A Heroic Journey of Recovery
The Twelve Step Pathway – A Heroic Journey of Recovery, uses thehero’s journeyas the path on which to travel for overcoming addiction and crisis and rescuing your own story.
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