Important Announcement

Hi everybody!

 It has been too long since I have written on this blog. I have had some life changes thrown at me that have completely distracted me. I hate when that happens, but there is always a silver lining.

During the hiatus, I had the opportunity to think about what I wanted to do with this blog. I questioned whether it was sustainable. I questioned whether or not you, the reader, were getting enough from me. The answers I came up with were: 1) Not sustainable with my busy schedule and 2) You deserve more from me. And I want to provide more.

I have been a part of Facebook recovery groups for a long time now, and I get a lot out of those communities. There is sharing of courage, strength, and hope;  tons of lively debate, and most importantly there is support. I took the opportunity to create a Facebook recovery group that I want to transition this blog over to. It is called ABLE Life Recovery. You can find it at www.facebook.com/groups/ableliferecovery

We have a new logo! Members already actively participating! and I get to chime in often because it's quick and easy! I hope that you will join me on ABLE Life Recovery.

Best wishes to you all.

Stay safe, sane, and sober!!

Sincerely,

D.J. Burr

Tools of Recovery Thursday

Today, I got the pleasure to help a sponsee create  a "recovery schedule/calendar". It is a calendar of your day to day activities like work/school, family time and all your recovery activities, too.

Early in recovery, you may need guidance and direction by those that have done it already. We aren't perfect, but maybe we know what it takes. Don't hesitate to ask for help. Waiting may cost you your job, family, or life.

I recommend having a recovery schedule for anyone that is struggling to obtain or maintain sobriety.

What's your calendar look like?

Stay safe, sane, and sober!

Sincerely,

@A_B_L_E_Seattle
@DJBURR1022
www.ableseattle.com
www.facebook.com/ablecounseling

Wisdom Wednesday

"If you are hysterical, it's historical."--Unknown

I first heard this line from my sponsor, and it has resonated with me for the last couple of years. It's a powerful, yet simple statement. It provides a framework for our, sometimes immoderate and dramatic, viewpoints of the world. 

How many of us flare up at some off the wall comment that a coworker, spouse, or a friends says in passing? Do you know why? How many of us get bent out of shape while waiting for the light to turn green? Ever ask yourself what that means?

Take the time today to figure out what's underneath your hysterics and maybe talk with your sponsor, therapist, or close friend and ask them for help while you search the depths of your mind to explore the historical implications that influence your acting out. 

Stay safe, sane and sober!

Sincerely, 

@DJBURR1022

@A_B_L_E_Seattle

www.ableseattle.com

www.facebook.com/ablecounseling

Weekend Retreat: Speaker's Meeting

Have you ever attended a "Speaker's Meeting" or "First Step Share" at a Twelve Step meeting? If so, aren't they fabulous?!

If not and you are curious...check one out. There may be one this weekend. These types of meetings are often at the end of the month. They are platforms for a member, sometimes a couple, to speak about what it was like before recovery and what it's like now. 

I have attended a couple of the last few years, and I have even shared a couple of times. Each time it is a new, enlightening experience. I feel honored to witness authenticity at its purest form. I thoroughly appreciate the men and women that open up their souls and bear all. 

Afterwards, I always stick around for some type of fellowship with group members. We laugh, sometimes cry, but always support one another, which is the biggest blessing of the entire recovery process; being accepted for whom we are-whether we are currently struggling or strong in our individual recovery journey.

I am attending a share this weekend. I highly recommend you check one out. The special meetings are generally listed along with general meetings.

Stay safe, sane, and sober this weekend!

Sincerely,

@A_B_L_E_Seattle
@DJBURR1022
www.ableseattle.com

Outreach

Outreach

Outreaching to others in my recovery programs has been very helpful. I highly recommend that you pick up a copy of your meeting's phone list. If there isn't a phone list, maybe create one from the sign in sheet at your meeting. 

I am able to text or call a core group of people that I have met since beginning my recovery journey.

Most people are nervous about contacting others in the program. My advice is to call when you are in a good place, so you are comfortable with calling when things are going sideways. 

Here are some tips:

1. Call someone that you related to from a meeting
2. Ask if he/she is available to talk when you call
3. Be mindful of the time 
4. Be respectful 
5. Ask how he/she is holding up

I hope this helps you get connected to those in your program. 

Stay safe, sane, and sober!

Sincerely, 

@A_B_L_E_Seattle

@DJBURR1022

www.ableseattle.com

www.facebook.com/ablecounseling

Step Three Prayer

I wanted to share a couple of Step Three prayers to you. These are from various Twelve Step Programs that I thought would be helpful as we close out March this week, which represents our Third Step.

CoDA Third Step Prayer:

In this moment, I can choose my own
Higher Power. I can set aside all the
old beliefs about who I am not and
be who I am—a child of God. I can
remind myself that a faith in a Higher
Power becomes a faith in me, and
that my recovery lies in being true to
myself and to my Higher Power
-CoDependents Anonymous, Tools for Recovery, CoDA Step Prayers

AA Third Step Prayer

God, I offer myself to Thee-

To build with me

and to do with me as Thou wilt.

Relieve me of the bondage of self,

that I may better do Thy will.

Take away my difficulties,

that victory over them may bear witness

to those I would help of Thy Power,

Thy Love, and Thy Way of life.

May I do Thy will always!

Page 63, AA Big Book © Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

God,

I offer my _________ (fill in the blank: food addiction, compulsive eating, fear, other character defect) to you to build with it and to do with it as you will. Relieve me of the bondage of _________(fill in the blank as before), that I may better do your will. Take away my ___________ (fill in the blank as before), that victory over it/them may bear witness to those I would help of your power, love and way of life.

May I do your will always.

What do you think? I like the third option. It's good to be able to "fill in" my own addiction. It helps me stay focused. I am going to try out this prayer for the next few days and see how I like it. 

I hope you have all had a lovely March. The weather has been pretty good here in the Seattle metro area. I am looking forward to more sun. :)

Stay safe, sane, and sober!

Sincerely, 

www.ableseattle.com
@A_B_L_E_Seattle
www.facebook.com/ablecounseling

Step Three

We were now at Step Three. Many of us said to our Maker, as we understood Him: "God, I offer myself to Thee-to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life. May I do Thy will always!" We thought well before taking this step making sure we were ready; that we could at last abandon ourselves utterly to Him 
- A.A. Big Book p.63 

 I wanted to focus on Step Three in greater detail because it is very important Step in my opinion. Step Three calls for those of us in recovery  to: 

Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood God

This is one of the most challenging Steps. What does "Made a decision" mean in this Step?

I think we have to explore our histories a bit. In our "acting out" behaviors, we made a lot of decisions that may or may not been detrimental to ourselves, or another. We believed that we were in control when the time came to decide how we would "act out", whether it is with drugs, sex, porn, alcohol, or food. 

Most often, we were not in control. Our "addict" mind was in control. We didn't make a decision then, but we can now. Step Three allows for the opportunity to make a conscious decision "to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God" because we need to. Our addict had already been in control and screwed up our lives; what about a fresh start by believing our Higher Power or God could do something different?

The word “God” often throws people off from the Twelve Steps. Why is that? Some believe that “God” is focused on religion. Most of us have had negative experiences with religion. The Twelve Step philosophy isn’t religion; its spiritual. And the best part about Step Three is that you get understand “God” on your own terms!

Now, that’s a relief. I don’t have to believe what the right-winged have to say about God. I don’t have to believe what my family says about God. I don’t have to believe what society believes about God. I get to decide what God means to me. When it was thoroughly explained to me by those in the program, I rejoiced because I could stop living out other people’s stuff and focus on myself. I was grateful!

Step Three also requires us to let go of control. Many of us exert control in order to stay safe. 

“Let go and let God.”

What comes up for you around letting go of control? 

Stay safe, sane, and sober.

Sincerely,

www.ableseattle.com
www.facebook.com/ablecounseling
@A_B_L_E_Seattle
@DJBURR1022