To be humble is to be modest in one’s view of oneself. Humble people lack self-importance, feeling so secure in their own goodness that it is no longer an issue. While they take their recovery seriously, they do not take themselves seriously. We are not grandiose, nor do we cast ourselves into inferiority. Instead, we are “rightsized,”–neither too big nor too small. We are reduced to our proper size, but not degraded. We are thus elevated in status, but not inflated. We are r

“The Breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you. Don’t go back to sleep.” Rumi Spiritual awakening starts with a change in experience. The transformation involves a shift of Awareness from the incessant flow of thoughts in our head to an awareness of Reality. We move from a self-absorbed relationship with our minds to a direct, open relationship with the Now, or present moment. Spiritual growth and vitality start with the practice of stillness. In stillness, the busy mind can qui

Spirituality refers to our harmonious connection with Reality. Our connection to Reality is made up of our experience of Reality, the understandings that arise from our experience, and our behavior based on our experience and understandings. The primary spiritual experience of Reality is Oneness. From Oneness we humbly and gratefully see our roles as part of the Whole. From our experience and understanding, we act with love—simultaneously for ourselves and others. Loving acti

Spiritualty– A way of being That leads to A way of doing   Describing spirituality is like describing the taste of water. Words can point to the experience, but in the end, we must directly experience spirituality for spirituality to be known and understood. Spirituality refers to a harmonious relationship with Reality. What we experience, understand, and do are all in harmony with each other. Spirituality is not religion, though they may be related. Religion is a defined set

We are accountable for living a “No harm” life. We do this by first taking a careful inventory of our character vulnerabilities, noting those that particularly fit us. It is only through self-awareness that we can then take accountability for managing our vulnerabilities. We cannot own what we cannot see. This requires rigorous honesty combined with unconditional self-acceptance. We are not responsible for our character, for our weaknesses, faults, or vulnerabilities, but we

We exist in part to savor life. We are Life’s way of experiencing itself. We are not here solely to survive and reproduce. We are endowed with the ability to experience beauty, wonder, awe, and mystery, as well as pleasure, joy, and laughter. Best of all, we can experience love. There is a life spirit that flows through us and informs our consciousness. It is this spirit that calls on us to savor this brief life that we have been given, knowing that all too soon this too shal

Unfortunately, blaming is as destructive as it is pervasive. The urge to blame affects all of us to some degree—it is almost instinctive, especially if we have been raised in harsh and punitive families. Blaming others for our own actions and reactions not only damages relationships, it also keeps us from learning and growing. Part of taking accountability in recovery includes stopping blaming others for our actions and reactions. When we blame others, we do one or both of tw

A long and happy life of stable recovery does not come from good looks, money, or status. Happiness and longevity come from living a positive life. Positive people live longer, suffer less medical illness, enjoy life more, have lower rates of depression and stress, feel better, and function better. Part of achieving the rewards of recovery includes practicing positivity, particularly to ward off negativity, which can easily trigger relapse. Positivity is an attitude that affe

We all need each other to get by. Loving and being loved fulfills our deepest human need and allows us to stay on track as we navigate the challenges and difficulties of living. Just as virtually no one practices recovery alone, so most of us need the love, support, understanding, affirmation, validation, and assistance of others. From the day we are born to the day we die, we are dependent upon others. Civilization would not exist were it not for the incredibly intricate mat