I’m also a sober guy trying to make sense of the world. Click below for random observations on spirituality and recovery.
My basic belief about feelings is that they come from thoughts and beliefs. Sometimes they come so quickly that it seems automatic. Since thoughts and beliefs tend to lead to actions, which have consequences, I think it’s important to stay aware of this process.
You hear a lot in recovery, and western spiritual circles in general, about staying in the moment. And sometimes, because I can be a bit of a crank, I want to smack people when they talk about it. But recently I had a good opportunity to practice just that — maybe not exactly in the…
I was recently in a situation where I was uncomfortable and anxious but knew a way to deal with it. Two, actually — neither of which I was willing to try because I was worried about what people would think. Now, this might make more sense if these were big crazy solutions to big crazy…
Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about thoughts. I realize that’s a recipe for spinning uselessly, but I also think it’s a worthwhile endeavor. After all, if thoughts about “reality” create our reality, and therefore our emotions, and all of it together creates our actions, which contribute to reality, and so the cycle continues ……
The other day I spent several hours ruminating over a resentment story. I had been wronged, my day ruined, and in my head I kept repeating the same story: “Well, she said she would, but she didn’t, and now my day is screwed.” Not far from the surface was another reality, the one that really…
Sometimes the hardest thing in dealing with “setbacks” is knowing which lesson to learn. Life throws something at me, and in my head a whole committee gets together to decide what happened and what to do about it. But which voice is correct? Which, if any, should be banned? How should I start to wrap…
I have always marveled at the (sort of) last line in Alcoholics Anonymous: Abandon yourself to God as you understand God. Admit your faults to Him and to your fellows. Clear away the wreckage of your past. Give freely of what you find and join us. We shall be with you in the Fellowship of the…
Quick note: This was written before pot became legal in Oregon When you get a call for a taxi at the Roxy Diner at 6:15 Saturday morning, you kind of hope it’s a staffer headed home after work. When you pull up and see two young dudes laughing, holding to-go containers, you know those are your…
When I was growing up, there was a phrase I heard a lot in my family: It’ll be okay. Of course, a lot of times that’s what you call encouragement, soothing, or just plain comfort. When you’re crying or upset and an elder tells you it’ll be okay, they’re saying “Hang in there, this will…
Lately I seem to keep coming back around to acceptance. It’s a fine place to come to, of course, but the fact that keep I “coming back to it” means that I keep “getting away from it.” In this case, it’s about being sick. But as always seems to be the case, this little situation…