More Than Freedom Free will seems like wide-open freedom to do whatever we want. We’re given this gift, but no one teaches us how to use it. As kids, we’re guided by our parents. As adults, we’re choosing in real time, with moment by moment decisions. With free will comes great responsibility. The Pause Have […]
Tag: recovery
Easier Said Than Done: The Hard Part of Recovery
Advice is easier said than done. Phrases like “listen to your body,” “be patient with yourself,” and “accept where you are” are simple, but living them is something else entirely. In recovery, I navigate chronic pain, fatigue, and the constant negotiation between what I want to do and what my body will allow. And it’s […]
Decision Maker vs. Wanter: Finding Gratitude In The Pause
There’s power in the pause. When I get quiet and breathe, even for one breath, I can feel gratitude seep back in.
Emotional Sobriety Is Freedom
Emotional sobriety provides an inner peace that enables us to pause and respond to life rather than react in regretful and unhealthy ways. Beyond physical sobriety, we gain the clear-headed ability to self-reflect, name our feelings, and answer them thoughtfully. The inner voice that once shouted now speaks rationally, and sometimes it even falls silent […]
Spoon and Cup Theory
Balancing Energy, Emotions, and Spirit One Day At A Time Living with a chronic illness requires a daily physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness check-in upon awakening. Spoon and Cup Theory offers a cross-referencing framework for a morning self-assessment of mind and body. Each day stands independent of the last and is paved with unknowns. There […]
More Than You Can Handle: Finding Strength in Hard Moments
There are times when life gives you more than you think you can handle. For me, there were moments when the thought of sobriety seemed impossible and living with a vision impacting disability felt devastating. The idea of living without these things that I depended on felt like more than I could take. But I’m […]
No Matter What: Sobriety & Stroke Recovery
Life in recovery doesn’t take a holiday or long weekend. Whether it’s navigating sobriety, stroke recovery, living with migraines, or a vestibular disorder, perseverance is not an option. It is a requirement. A mantra in sobriety is simple: “I don’t drink no matter what.” That concept runs deep for me. For stroke survivors, those dealing […]
Honesty and Judgment in Recovery
Honesty and judgment are two aspects of recovery that can significantly impact our journey toward sobriety and personal growth.
Unwrapping the Unexpected Gifts in Dual Recovery
As I celebrate my 50th birthday, I am filled with gratitude for the unexpected gifts that recovery has brought into my life.
Disability Guilt: Being Disabled Is Not Your Fault
Why do we experience disability guilt and its detrimental effects on our well-being, and what are effective strategies for managing it?