Recovery and Discovery: What does it mean to Recover from Addiction?

In the alcohol and drug world, there is a distinction made between being abstinent from using alcohol and/or drugs and "working recovery". I had someone tell me yesterday that "not using is the easy part; it is learning to live life sober that is hard." There is so much truth in what was said. People can be abstinent and not be in recovery. What does it mean to recover from addiction? To some recovery may mean finding the "real" you again. There is a story about Michelangelo. He was preparing to do a sculpture. In front of him was the stone he would use. He carefully contemplated the stone and began to chisel. When his work was finished, he had created the Madonna and Child. Someone asked him, "How did you create such a beautiful statue?" Michelangelo answered, "I see the Madonna and Child in the stone and simply chiseled away that part of stone that did not belong". How many of us have looked back at something we did while using and thought, "That was not the "real" me? Perhaps the "real" you lies within the midst of your own piece of stone and you must chip away all those pieces that don't belong to uncover the "real" you. I suggest there is even more; perhaps this is a journey of discovery. We can discover parts of ourselves that we never knew existed to become "a new and improved me". As Twelve Step philosophy reminds us, we can use the tools of being honest, open and willing. If I am honest with myself and others I am seeing and acknowledging truth. Being open gives me "a willingness to experiment" with truth and new ways of being. Willingness is the key to positive action, to discover and the act accordingly. I can discover the power of meditation and living moment to moment and treasuring today. I can be grateful for each new day with its gifts and challenges. I can discover a relationship with my Higher Power, whom I choose to call God. I can discover that with my Higher Power, I am never alone in this journey. As Step 2 states, He can restore me to sanity or help me to discover and value myself and others and each new day. Perhaps, there are discoveries that you have made that you are willing to share?

Sue Judd, M.S.S., L.S.A.C. -- http://www.TURNINGLEAFWELLNESSCENTER.com

Facebook Essay Contest: How has TurningLeaf Seminars Impacted your capacity to Love? Details --

February being the month of "Love", We have a Facebook Essay Contest that starts today and ends midnight Valentines Day. Go to TurningLeaf Wellness Center's Facebook Page at http://ow.ly/2brUNg and share your story on "How TurningLeaf Seminars has impacted your capacity to Love?" Get your friends and family to read your essay and click "Like". The contest is to get the most "Likes" for your essay. Good Luck and Have a Happy Valentines Day!

*Prizes

- First Place: Gift Certificate to a Seminar ($478 Value)

- Second Place: $100 Off Discount to a Seminar

- Third Place: 2 Free Seats to a Workshop ($20 Value)

THE SIZE OF YOUR HEART

Remember the story of "The Grinch" and how his heart was "several sizes too small?" I thought a lot about the size of my heart this Christmas season. As I pondered about this and the size of my heart, I questioned, has it grown in size in the last year? Am I any more loving, any more caring, any more compassionate and any more forgiving than I was last year at this time. Am I less judgmental of myself and others? Am I more accepting and comfortable in letting go and letting God guide my life? Am I acting more out of love than from fear? Also, I thought about other references to the heart? The Bible refers to one as being hard hearted and not allowing or listening to intuition or spirit. Is my heart larger and softer? Then, I recently read that "an unforgiving heart is a heavy heart". Is more heart lighter and am I more forgiving? How much larger, softer, and lighter is my heart? I would like to think there has been some change, however, I, then, look to the example of Him whose birth we celebrate during the Christmas season and see what love, caring, compassion and forgiving really are. Hopefully, we can all emulate and strive to be a little more like the Master Teacher this year.



Sue Judd, M.S.S., L.S.A.C.


TurningLeaf Wellness Center -- http://bit.ly/J61O3

SERENITY PRAYER

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. --Reinhold Niebuhr

TurningLeaf Wellness Center -- http://bit.ly/J61O3

Addiction Self-Assessment

To quote from a recently published book on addictions: "Substance abuse is the leading cause of preventable illness and death in the United States. The misuse of drugs (alcohol) ruins families, costs billions in lost productivity, strains the health care system and ends lives."

Alcohol and drugs are mind altering. In a recent Time Magazine article on addiction said, "In the brains of addict, there is a reduced activity in the prefrontal cortex, where rational thought can override impulse behavior." Any kind of addiction inflicts a terrible price in pain and suffering, not only for the addicted person. It also affects other family members and loved ones.

However, there is hope because most addictions can over time be overcome. We can change, but it will be difficult. Below is a self-assessment, you may use.

Addiction Self-Assessment -- http://bit.ly/deYDGa

If you have further questions contact us -- TurningLeaf Wellness Center -- http://bit.ly/J61O3

TURNINGLEAF WELLNESS CENTER PODCAST TODAY

New episode will post today at 5pm MST. Get help on Value Based Living, Family, Parenting, Relationships, Health and Fitness, Mental Health, Substance Abuse, and much more. Listen Here -- http://bit.ly/hMlKHA

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! -The TurningLeaf Family

-- http://bit.ly/J61O3

Value Based Parenting Class tonight

530pm-7pm at TurningLeaf Wellness Center -- http://bit.ly/wims8

Tearing A Man's House Down: Dean N. Nixon - Seminar Facilitator / Life Coach

My father said to me as I left home to serve my mission, "Son never tear down a mans house until you have built him a new one." The understanding of this statement has changed through the years. At first I understood it on a level that pertained to what I was doing in the mission field. As the years have passed my work has shown my how to apply this statement and to listen to what they understand and know before I speak to what I feel they need. I have learned to value each person as a source of truth and information, I don't have to be "right," just listen and fill in gaps as needed. It started as a quote from my Grandfather to my Father and has become a guide on my path in life.

Dean N. Nixon - Seminar Facilitator / Life Coach

TurningLeaf Wellness Center -- http://bit.ly/J61O3

Coming Soon! TurningLeaf Wellness Center Podcast

Get free help from some of industry's best every week for a healthier life, healthier relationships, help for parents, help with addictions, and much, much more. The Next Step with Value Based Living Podcast is also included.

Clifford K. Tapusoa, Seminar Director
TurningLeaf Wellness Center
Office: 435-652-1202
Website: http://www.TurningLeafWellnessCenter.com

"If you want what you've never had, You must do what you've never done."