Motivations 4U

  The ups and downs of life are what make it worthwhile and fulfilling. Where I am now shows me that each obstacle presented before me to date is now a faint image in my past.   Goals and dreams fill my mind and heart. I see myself with more in the future, but I avoid complaining about where I am.   I am proud of my accomplishments. They show that hard work and dedication pay off in the end. They also prove that I am stronger than I think at times. My decision to keep pushing is all it takes to release added strength and drive.   Although I am limited in my spending ability, I still feel blessed by what I have. It is much more than others who are suffering as I enjoy a home-cooked meal.   Thinking of the plight of others reminds me to be grateful. It teaches me to put aside selfish and material ambitions in favor of opportunities to lend a helping hand. Being in a position to provide outreach offers real fulfillment.   I know that there is a reason for my current

 There’s a lot of talk about intentional living. But what does that really mean? Intentional living is living with purpose and making decisions that support that purpose.   It’s the opposite of what most people do. Most people are satisfied with the status quo and only take action to deal with their disasters as they happen along the way.   Intentional living is about choosing the type of person you want to be and the type of life you want to live and then holding yourself to it .   Steps to living an intentional life and stop relying on luck:   Understand that choices matter. An intentional life is all about making choices that make sense for you and your beliefs. Your choices determine the direction of your life and are the first step to creating the results you experience. ●       Your greatest power is the power of decision. ●       Your past doesn’t have to be an issue. You can change how you view the world and live in a n

 No matter how hard we may try, there’s just no way to avoid some difficult conversations. However, there are positive things you can say and do to help you handle them better.   Your first response may be to change the subject when faced with a difficult discussion. This won’t solve the problem or heal the hurt that caused the situation in the first place. It’s better to take a deep breath, gather your thoughts, and face the difficulty now rather than later.   Remember it’s not your job to fix the situation unless you were directly involved. People sometimes just need a friend to listen to when they’re going through tough circumstances. They really don’t want you to fix things for them.   Being available to listen is sometimes the best way to show your friend that you care.   If the situation requires you to talk with someone going through difficulties, try to put yourself in the other person’s shoes. What would you want a friend to say to you if you were in that situ

 One of the most difficult things for many people but particularly addicts and alcoholics is communication. And spend my experience personally and working with others that addicts tend to lack interpersonal skills. Whether we are innately shy or have not developed those communications due to our isolation. When we get clean and sober, we must communicate to other people how we're feeling, which could be one of the most challenging things to do. For a lot of us, we drank and drugged those feelings away. Sometimes we don't even know what those feelings are; it's hard for us to identify them, never mind communicate them to someone. Also, a lot of times, we lack the confidence to express ourselves to other people. Through my courses,  groups, and one-on-one, I teach that, like anything else, it takes practice. People may think that it is bizarre that a grown person would need to practice communicating, but if you are someone who hasn't done a lot of it or a lot of healthy