We so often strive for pleasure, beauty, and stimulation and forget that it’s all around us, always. Amit Ray said, “Looking at beauty in the world is the first step towards purifying the mind.” Let’s look at how to find beauty … Read More
Feeling Out of Control?
While we can’t control everything, we can control our responses to the world around us. Here’s how to feel empowered, more in control, and gain increased peace. Recovery is a time of tremendous peaks and valleys. Negative thoughts and feelings … Read More
A Guide to Non-Attachment and How It Can Help Recovery
Non-attachment is originally a Buddhist concept that involves releasing over-attachment to outcomes and the material world. When we live in a state of non-attachment, we are able to let go of the need for control over the present moment and … Read More
Codependency: How to Spot It
We hear the term “codependency” in a lot in recovery circles. It refers to an intense psychological and emotional dependence on someone else (usually, but not always, a romantic partner). The term was originally used in AA to refer to … Read More
Rigorous Honesty and Sobriety
When we’re in active addiction mode, we’re often living in a state of denial and severe dishonesty. When the fog clears and we commit to recovery, the importance of rigorous honesty becomes glaringly obvious. Why is honesty so important in … Read More
Living in Service: The Benefits of Volunteering
Volunteering can be defined as participating in any activity that benefits a person, group, or cause. It’s all about offering your time and effort in the selfless service of others. Volunteering your time for a cause or person that you … Read More
Simple Practices for Cultivating Gratitude
Gratitude is one of the most important attitudes you can cultivate. Quite simply, gratitude involves a sense of thankfulness and appreciation for what we have and the world around us. Studies show that when we cultivate gratitude regularly, we experience … Read More
A Higher Power: Unpacking This Crucial Element of Sobriety
The second step in AA involves coming to believe that a power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity. After we admit that our lives have become unmanageable, it’s time to turn our wills over to higher energy. While … Read More
The End of Summer: A Meditation
The summer is coming to an end. While August is often one of the hottest and sunniest months here in Oregon, it also signals the end of the summer season. The summer season is a time when we’re energized by … Read More
Color Therapy
Color therapy is a system of alternative medicine that utilizes color, usually in the form of projected colored light. Color therapy is an interesting (and beautiful) healing modality. It typically involves the use of different colors on various parts of … Read More