I DON'T GET IT (OR I CAN FIX MYSELF)

I DON'T GET IT (OR I CAN FIX MYSELF)
I DON’T GET IT!
(Or I CAN FIX IT MYSELF)
In my line of work and in my own “life of service” there seems to be periods of time where I can’t believe what my ears are hearing.
The blessing, in hearing what I hear, is that I am grateful for the life that I have learned to live, and the basic move way from insane behaviour because of what I have been taught. Daily I thank that power greater than me that I am now conscious of and which, when I pay attention, gives me a life free of large doses of fear and shame.
Today’s most recent saga, an old acquaintance has called a lawyer client of mine for a get together. The reason, he has lost (for the second or third time in 2 months) his passport, and wants to attend a hockey tournament in the USA this weekend to watch his son; this after a five day detox stint following 9 weeks of nearly killing himself. The lawyer was recently told, during an emergency trip to hospital, that if he continues his life style, he will die.
I must admit that this sounds like the blind leading the blind; or, insanity in a form that I have personally experienced.
Throw on top of this a conversation with a potential client who suffers from chronic lateness (is getting chronic on this habit insane?) and it’s been an interesting 24 hour period.
With all concerned, they claim that they just don’t understand why these things happen to them, and at least with “frick and frack”, deep down they think they can fix it themselves. Unfortunately, unless things change, I foresee a couple of more needless and senseless funerals that I will be attending. Chronic lateness, I don’t think this kills but it certainly puts unneeded limitations on your life and certainly does nothing for self worth!
The people I have been interfacing with are basically decent, intelligent hard working people but people who have the deadly combination of false pride and low self esteem/respect. Deadly if not treated. Funny, they don’t understand why they do the things they do and with the lawyer and my other long term acquaintance, really believe that they can fix themselves through sheer abstinence.
Life reminds me of where I found my major problem. I found it in a mirror. After having found the problem, I swallowed my pride and reached out for help. Some fortunate ones seem to get all the help they need from a 12 step fellowship. While I certainly got (and get) help from group meetings, I needed far more help than meetings could provide. I needed the help of professionals to help me learn not only the tools I needed to live the life I was capable of, but to help me understand how I got so far off track and to address the root causes. I was fortunate to “get it” and learn the hard way that I could not fix myself.
The past 24 hours has once again reminded me, “the road to hell (and I’ve been there) is paved with good intentions.” To get off it requires action and change.
I love to see people get the life they want and am blessed that I have been a part of many success stories. As noted above, I continue to be reminded that I cannot “fix” others, particularly those who believe they can fix themselves. I have empathy for those who “just don’t get it” for they cannot be honest in front of that great tool we all own, the mirror. All I can do is be present when I can be of service! And keep on learning to be of greater service. (www.hopeserenity.ca)

इ दोन'टी गेट आईटी!

I DON’T GET IT!
(Or I CAN FIX IT MYSELF)
In my line of work and in my own “life of service” there seems to be periods of time where I can’t believe what my ears are hearing.
The blessing, in hearing what I hear, is that I am grateful for the life that I have learned to live, and the basic move way from insane behaviour because of what I have been taught. Daily I thank that power greater than me that I am now conscious of and which, when I pay attention, gives me a life free of large doses of fear and shame.
Today’s most recent saga, an old acquaintance has called a lawyer client of mine for a get together. The reason, he has lost (for the second or third time in 2 months) his passport, and wants to attend a hockey tournament in the USA this weekend to watch his son; this after a five day detox stint following 9 weeks of nearly killing himself. The lawyer was recently told, during an emergency trip to hospital, that if he continues his life style, he will die.
I must admit that this sounds like the blind leading the blind; or, insanity in a form that I have personally experienced.
Throw on top of this a conversation with a potential client who suffers from chronic lateness (is getting chronic on this habit insane?) and it’s been an interesting 24 hour period.
With all concerned, they claim that they just don’t understand why these things happen to them, and at least with “frick and frack”, deep down they think they can fix it themselves. Unfortunately, unless things change, I foresee a couple of more needless and senseless funerals that I will be attending. Chronic lateness, I don’t think this kills but it certainly puts unneeded limitations on your life and certainly does nothing for self worth!
The people I have been interfacing with are basically decent, intelligent hard working people but people who have the deadly combination of false pride and low self esteem/respect. Deadly if not treated. Funny, they don’t understand why they do the things they do and with the lawyer and my other long term acquaintance, really believe that they can fix themselves through sheer abstinence.
Life reminds me of where I found my major problem. I found it in a mirror. After having found the problem, I swallowed my pride and reached out for help. Some fortunate ones seem to get all the help they need from a 12 step fellowship. While I certainly got (and get) help from group meetings, I needed far more help than meetings could provide. I needed the help of professionals to help me learn not only the tools I needed to live the life I was capable of, but to help me understand how I got so far off track and to address the root causes. I was fortunate to “get it” and learn the hard way that I could not fix myself.
The past 24 hours has once again reminded me, “the road to hell (and I’ve been there) is paved with good intentions.” To get off it requires action and change.
I love to see people get the life they want and am blessed that I have been a part of many success stories. As noted above, I continue to be reminded that I cannot “fix” others, particularly those who believe they can fix themselves. I have empathy for those who “just don’t get it” for they cannot be honest in front of that great tool we all own, the mirror. All I can do is be present when I can be of service! And keep on learning to be of greater service. (www.hopeserenity.ca)

मोरे ओं ANGER

MORE ON ANGER
Today, I had the pleasure of reading an exert from a book called “In God’s Care” by Karen Casey. What a great reminder about the power of anger.
How many people do you run into in your own life that give off vibes that make you feel like there is a volcano present and just about ready to explode? Ever feel that way yourself?
Anger was made a part of us for a reason. Dealing with it, for many, is an acquired skill.
“Anger dwells only in the bosom of fools.
--Albert Einstein

Anger can be a healthy emotion, provided we don't wallow in it or attack other people. When we express anger honestly and without reservation, we can prevent walls of resentment from building up and blocking us off from the intimacy that we strive for in our relationships.
When we allow anger to fester in our heart, we surrender our peace of mind and lose our sense of purpose and self-worth. When we harbour anger rather than openly and respectfully expressing it, we no longer hear our inner spirit. Thus we are cut off from our innate wisdom to guide us in our actions.
We're often drawn to people who express their feelings honestly. This style of communicating serves as an invitation to build a relationship with them based on trust. From this trust we learn to open ourselves to God's love for us as we are.
Today I will feel my anger, express it when necessary, and then let it go so that I can deepen my trust of other people and of God.”
The beauty of life today is that I have a choice on how I deal with anger on a daily basis. I chose to express honestly and without reservation and do carry it with me as baggage. I openly admit; this is a skill I acquired through coaching and a skill that makes my days brighter! (www.hopeserenity.ca)

MORE ON ANGER

MORE ON ANGER
MORE ON ANGER
Today, I had the pleasure of reading an exert from a book called “In God’s Care” by Karen Casey. What a great reminder about the power of anger.
How many people do you run into in your own life that give off vibes that make you feel like there is a volcano present and just about ready to explode? Ever feel that way yourself?
Anger was made a part of us for a reason. Dealing with it, for many, is an acquired skill.
“Anger dwells only in the bosom of fools.
--Albert Einstein

Anger can be a healthy emotion, provided we don't wallow in it or attack other people. When we express anger honestly and without reservation, we can prevent walls of resentment from building up and blocking us off from the intimacy that we strive for in our relationships.
When we allow anger to fester in our heart, we surrender our peace of mind and lose our sense of purpose and self-worth. When we harbour anger rather than openly and respectfully expressing it, we no longer hear our inner spirit. Thus we are cut off from our innate wisdom to guide us in our actions.
We're often drawn to people who express their feelings honestly. This style of communicating serves as an invitation to build a relationship with them based on trust. From this trust we learn to open ourselves to God's love for us as we are.
Today I will feel my anger, express it when necessary, and then let it go so that I can deepen my trust of other people and of God.”
The beauty of life today is that I have a choice on how I deal with anger on a daily basis. I chose to express honestly and without reservation and do carry it with me as baggage. I openly admit; this is a skill I acquired through coaching and a skill that makes my days brighter! (www.hopeserenity.ca)

MOVING TOWARDS SUPERCONSCIOUNESS

MOVING TOWARDS SUPERCONSCIOUNESS
MOVING TOWARDS SUPERCONSCIOUNESS
Each week I receive, with interest, a thought provoking “Idea Engineer” from my mentor, Dr. Randin Brons.
I have been fascinate for years by the concept of duality, the two (at least) personalities that exist in each of us. Which one is at the forefront is driven by our level of consciousness.
In getting a life more in tune with what my Higher Power had intended me to have, I had to learn to move from (as defined by Dr. Brons) too much time in the subconscious to a majority of time in the conscious and even at times, the superconscious.
Getting to this life change was a learned skill, and great coaching was instrumental in my achieving change. I invite you to read and reflect on Dr. Bron’s article from this past weekend.
Levels of consciousness
"The greatest discovery of my generation is that man can alter his life simply by altering his attitude of mind." -- William James

Here is one perspective on levels of consciousness and some descriptive words to help us identify the differences:

Not conscious - instinctual, follower
Subconscious - habitual, robotic, reactive
Conscious - aware, intelligent, conceptual, reflective
Superconscious - intuitive, guiding, truthful, loving, universal

Reflect on how you typically move through your day. As we use our minds more consciously, we open up to the superconsciousness.

"Utilizing your conscious mind to direct the subconscious mind to enter into communication and harmony with the universal mind is the secret of personal power." -- Delfin Knowledge System

अ निघत ऑफ़ HOPE

A NIGHT OF HOPE
Every now and again, we can all use a “shot” of hope. Last night was a great one for me.
With all the stats that I keep seeing on addiction recovery, the exploits of people like Lindsay Lohan and the “name” athletes and celebs we are bombarded with and the tough times we are going through, it is easy to have feelings of “hope” dimmed.
Last night, I had the opportunity to drive down to Toronto and take part is a special evening, one that left me full of hope.
The apple does not fall far from the tree, and not only in my personal situation, but the words of many in attendance, I was reminded of that throughout the evening.
Last night I was asked and happily presented my son with a symbolic medallion to recognize he had completed on full year clean and sober. To be asked by him to this was a real honour, to see him achieve this milestone at a much younger age was terrific. Too bad his grandfather and great grandfather did not have the same experience.
While it was a great moment to be a part of this occasion for my son, my regeneration of hope came from far more than this. During the evening, 4 younger (than me) people were recognized for achieving clean time of one year or more, and each shared a story that showed a positive impact on the people, including spouses and children, who were close to them.
Several other people came forward to be recognized for milestones leading up to one year, and they were all beaming ear to ear!
It was not the recognition of individuals that filled me with hope. It was the fact and living proof that there are many people who are truly recovering from addictions on a daily basis and are transforming their lives; all of them with help on a spiritual basis. They are no longer alone spiritually!
Was I proud of my offspring? Sure was. Was I pleased to be a part of a “helping” community including volunteers and professionals? Yup.
But more than anything, I was thrilled to be a part of an evening where miracles in people’s lives gave hope. Pure and simple. It was a recharging of batteries that were in need of a recharge.
As a friend of mine who is a motivational speaker and trainer taught me long ago, Rule #1 we all should learn is, “life is tough”. There are no exceptions.
As I was reminded last night; while life is tough, there is HOPE for each and every one of us who choose to change. Great HOPE. (www.hopeserenity.ca)

A NIGHT OF HOPE

A NIGHT OF HOPE
A NIGHT OF HOPE
Every now and again, we can all use a “shot” of hope. Last night was a great one for me.
With all the stats that I keep seeing on addiction recovery, the exploits of people like Lindsay Lohan and the “name” athletes and celebs we are bombarded with and the tough times we are going through, it is easy to have feelings of “hope” dimmed.
Last night, I had the opportunity to drive down to Toronto and take part is a special evening, one that left me full of hope.
The apple does not fall far from the tree, and not only in my personal situation, but the words of many in attendance, I was reminded of that throughout the evening.
Last night I was asked and happily presented my son with a symbolic medallion to recognize he had completed on full year clean and sober. To be asked by him to this was a real honour, to see him achieve this milestone at a much younger age was terrific. Too bad his grandfather and great grandfather did not have the same experience.
While it was a great moment to be a part of this occasion for my son, my regeneration of hope came from far more than this. During the evening, 4 younger (than me) people were recognized for achieving clean time of one year or more, and each shared a story that showed a positive impact on the people, including spouses and children, who were close to them.
Several other people came forward to be recognized for milestones leading up to one year, and they were all beaming ear to ear!
It was not the recognition of individuals that filled me with hope. It was the fact and living proof that there are many people who are truly recovering from addictions on a daily basis and are transforming their lives; all of them with help on a spiritual basis. They are no longer alone spiritually!
Was I proud of my offspring? Sure was. Was I pleased to be a part of a “helping” community including volunteers and professionals? Yup.
But more than anything, I was thrilled to be a part of an evening where miracles in people’s lives gave hope. Pure and simple. It was a recharging of batteries that were in need of a recharge.
As a friend of mine who is a motivational speaker and trainer taught me long ago, Rule #1 we all should learn is, “life is tough”. There are no exceptions.
As I was reminded last night; while life is tough, there is HOPE for each and every one of us who choose to change. Great HOPE. (www.hopeserenity.ca)