Most problems don’t develop instantly; why do we expect them to resolve that way?

Generally speaking, problems don’t develop instantly. Especially emotional or metaphysical problems. There are exceptions: a blown tire or broken bone, for example, are instant. But the bigger issues – our depression, our apathy, our temper, our addictions, our maladjusted coping mechanisms – develop over a prolonged period. They start with a seed and grow until they’ve matured, often into a full-blown crisis… Continue reading Most problems don’t develop instantly; why do we expect them to resolve that way?

Staying small doesn’t keep you safe.

I went on vacation this past week and it was lovely. This is the second time I’ve tried to vacation this year and this time it went well; in part I think because I wasn’t alone. My mother took me away to a spa for four days to celebrate my upcoming milestone birthday – I will be turning fifty next week.

It was a glorious experience despite the challenges…
Continue reading Staying small doesn’t keep you safe.

Stages of recovery

Step one is sobriety. It doesn’t really matter what you’re recovering from. That’s the first step. Sober thoughts and sober acts.

Walk the sober walk.

Getting sober is hard. It doesn’t matter what your drug of choice is. Alcohol, pills, food, whatever. It’s hard to step away from the substance you abuse, even though, by the time you decide to do so, you’ve recognized that it’s harming you.

Even though by the time you’re ready to step away, you’ve already moved to hell and have taken up residence there…
Continue reading Stages of recovery