The Recovery Guy Podcast

Episode #242 The Fix; A Different Way to Live

One of the most important things any of us can ever understand about substance abuse addiction/behavioral destruction is the selfishness and self-centeredness that is at the core of the habit. One of the reasons people stay in addiction is not because they enjoy the negativity. I have said it before and I have said it again it is not that I wanted to drink or engage a negative behavior, it is that I did not know how to live otherwise. There was a negative trigger in me, that told me I was not going to measure up. That feeling created a great deal of pain in me and my distraction or comfort from the pain was my addiction to substances and the negative behavior that was part of that addiction. Recovery is a different way to live. Obviously, to have that different way of life we must cease the negative behavior and the substances. However, that is the short term. Long-term recovery is discovering that way. That is what this podcast is all about.

Episode #241 The Fix; Conversation with Beau

In this podcast, Bo and I discuss recovery at large and how we can have a positive effect on others. As we strive to have a positive impact on the lives of other people our personal recovered life is positively affected. The story of Recovery is one of the amazing miracles that continue to occur daily. You can reach out to Beau and discover his work at www.BeauPayne.com

Episode #240 The Fix; Rules to Live By

Life is meant to be lived according to a set of rules. I used to conduct my life as a very selfish and self-centered person. Within that self-centeredness, I decided that I would live however I would want to live, and life would have to accommodate me. That is not how it works at all. There are specific rules that I must follow if I am to live a healthy and productive life. I have latitude in how I conduct myself, but whether I live by a set of rules has been determined long before I began living this life. Today I have a choice. I can either live a life that allows me to be happy, joyous, and free or I can subscribe to a life of confusion that would lead to pain and discomfort. I found the rules to be reasonable and easy to follow. I hope this is the same for you.

The Rules

1. Attend structured gatherings that lend themselves positivity
2. Make new friends that are in alignment with positive life choices
3. Take a daily mental inventory to maintain a balanced mental health
4. Being of service to others as serving others is a means to be served
5. Be aware of attitudes or life changes that would negatively divert us

The above rules are filled with common sense and quite simple to follow. They are not always easy to follow because they are on paper and devoid of emotion, but nevertheless, it can be done. I wish you Wellness on your journey.

Episode #239 Tuesday the Fix; The Journey to Acceptance

As a people of recovery, we have agreed to go on a journey that is filled with challenges and opportunities. There are times when these realities if life seem overwhelming and difficult to understand or accept. We have a human response to embrace what makes us feel good and reject that which feels bad. Gandhi said “One cannot do right in one department of life while attempting to wrong in another department. Life is one indivisible whole.” The point is, there are going to be times when the journey is filled with goodness and at other times sadness will take hold. Either way, it is the same journey.

Episode #238 The Fix; Recovery is not an Event

People are often dismayed and even discouraged that not drinking or using is only the basic requirement for sobriety. Let me assure you. Sobriety ONLY comes over time and when a program of recovery is followed and practiced. It’s not so much as to what plan of success you follow, as much as it is that you follow a plan that has worked for others. Be blessed.

 

Episode #237 The Fix; Positive Affirmations

Positive Affirmations is a topic inspired by my daughter Carol. Sometimes life is very encouraging and sometimes it’s like being a rat on a wheel. Sometimes we feel stuck in the middle of being held captive and being set free. The best safeguard to being in between or feeling like we’re on a roller coaster is positive affirmations.

Episode #236 Tuesday The Fix; Boise Speaker Meeting July 23, 2022

Being invited to speak in Boise was a wonderful opportunity. Part of my recovery is sharing my experience, strength, and hope. I am blessed to have been given this time. I hope you enjoy this talk. Please share it with someone you care for.

Episode #235 Tuesday the Fix; Characteristics of Addiction

When it comes to characteristics of addiction there are many aspects and facets that we need to look at to come to terms with our personal condition and move forward in our recovery. Without characterizing our addiction, we will not have a sufficient jumping-off place to diagnose or treat the addiction. The same could be said for getting in your car and not having a destination in mind. We could drive all we want, and we would never get anywhere. Enjoy this podcast and please reach out to Alcoholics Anonymous of Greater Detroit in Ferndale MI for more information regarding the information that we discussed today. Also please visit my personal and professional friend Burke brown by going to www.berkebrown.com

Episode #114 - Friday The Checkup: Acceptance

What is it about acceptance? Why must I learn to accept people, places, and things to achieve peace. Why can it be such a distraction before I settle on acceptance? The answer often lies in the definition. I will then read you a quote and we will move forward from there.

One of the definitions for acceptance is to endure without protest or reaction.

So, here is the quote. BB pages 417 4^th Edition

....." And acceptance is the answer to all my problems today. When I am disturbed, it is because I find some person, place, or situation - some fact of my life - unacceptable to me, and I can find no serenity until I accept that person, place, thing or situation as being exactly the way it is supposed to be at this moment. Nothing, absolutely nothing, happens in God's world by mistake. Until I could accept my alcoholism, I could not stay sober; unless I accept life on life's terms, I cannot be happy. I need to concentrate not so much on what needs to be changed in the world as on what needs to be changed in me and in my attitudes."...

Here are some things we can do to not let things in life be a distraction. Let’s ask ourselves these questions that would construct our internal response.

1. Why does it bother me
2. Can I change what bothers me
3. Does it bring harm to me or others
4. Does it interfere with my present life or goals
5. If I can change it what is the most efficient way
6. What can I do to limit distractions such as this in the future
7. I am insisting on living life or giving to things that would steal my joy

Acceptance is not mandating me that I must agree with everything. It does quite nicely lend itself to the serenity prayer. “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.” 

If I can’t change something it makes no sense for me to fight it as if I could. Matter of fact, it distracts, distorts, and detours me when taking care of the things I am responsible for and able to change/improve.

Episode #113 - Tuesday The Fix: Those Along The Way

Those Along The Way. Every person who accomplishes something great rarely achieves this on their own. The value of others contributing is often lost in the moment. If we lose them in the moment, we don’t carry them forward with us. As any child is better off knowing their family heritage you and I are better off knowing who was instrumental on our road to recovery. As a testimony to that, I am going to list some names of those who stand out as significant to me in my life. Let me say the list is much longer than I will discuss, but the ones on the list have been paramount to me. Do you have a list? I am going to give you my list, but more importantly, who is on your list, why are they significant and how are you using them to enrich your life and be to others what they were to you?

1. Who is on your list
2. Why are they on your list
3. How are they impacting you to this day
4. Do we contribute to others as they contributed to us

Let us write the names of these people on the template of our hearts and Those Along The Way. Let’s always hold them near and dear. The sweet memory of those from our past helps give us a positive reflective present and set the stage for an exciting future.