Author Archives: Guest Blogger
ADDICTION AS ATTACHMENT
Addiction can be seen as an extreme case of what the Eastern spiritual traditions call attachment. The wise ones advised us not to be attached to the attractions and aversions of worldly life. Because all sensory pleasures, all relationships, and all material possessions are transient, their satisfaction will invariably fade, giving rise to discontent, followed by brand new cravings, and when those are satisfied … well, you know the story: the cycle continues. And continues. The only lasting happiness… Read More
Addictions, Mindfulness, Understanding
COMMUNICATION
Communication is really dependant on one question, “How focused are you on Principles?” Do you even know what a Principle is? The Principles I am talking about serve to define behavior and outcomes. In science, a principle would define the physical behavior of an element and how it works in the world. If the behavior is consistent and predictable a Principle can become a law, like the law of gravity. Scientist’s, like Albert Einstein and Isaac Newton, conjured up new… Read More
THE NON-HABIT FORMING HOAX
Have you ever read the back of your over-the-counter medicine bottles or prescription medications and discovered the popular phrase “This is non-habit forming”. Sometimes it’s even in the commercials and advertisements of popular easy-fixes. I’ve been on a long quest for sleep. Most nights my eye-lids and I don’t speak to each other. The people at the Nyquil company must have received a great amount of requests to make a sleep-aid. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one sipping at the… Read More
TRUSTING FOR THE NEXT FIFTEEN
Fifteen minutes. At the height of our son’s active addiction, that’s what my husband and I were down to. One day at a time? I wish. It was too painful to contemplate an entire day, or a half day, or even an hour. We were plugging through fifteen minutes at a time, grateful if we made it through to the next fifteen. More grateful still if we made it through to night time without yet another major crisis, so… Read More
NIGHT BLOOMING WORRY
“Whenever I feel ah—fraid –I hold my head erect and whistle a happy tune…so, no one will suspect…I’m ah—fraid!” This little song has actually brought me through some tense times. The magic of music can certainly lift a mood. Try to stay grumpy while listening to reggae. But sometimes late at night a creepy thought might pounce on your tranquility; now, you’re twisting the Rubicks cube of worry, imagining every possible horrific outcome. How to wrangle the runaway thoughts… Read More
BANANA SEAT BIKES, BRUISED KNEES AND THE ROAD OF RECOVERY
I’m flipping through photo albums (yes I am that old) and see a picture of my 4 year old self. In the background is my beloved tricycle. Looking at that picture I recall that frustrating, exhilarating process that is learning to ride a big kid’s bike. I needed a lot of help and a lot of patience from others to get me from my three wheeler to my cherished ‘floral-banana-seat -with-fantastic-streamers-and-ape-hanger-handlebars’ bike with training wheels to the coveted ‘no… Read More
LIKE A BUTTERFLY
The About Me section is my favorite. I have flirted with the idea of penning my password list—a seemingly poignant depiction of oneself—to realize my middle school obsession with American Idol star Ruben Studdard could be slightly misleading. On more personal forms, I would fill the About Me space with the words “like a butterfly”. It became second nature. So much so that I forgot how I had even come up with it in the first place. Yesterday, at around… Read More
CHRISTMAS IN JULY
Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened. —Dr. Seuss I stand forty-eight inches tall, am black (African-American), Christian, and gay. These are not labels, but incontrovertible truths. I know both the joy of favor; and the pain of prejudice. Life has taught a bit about the freedom that blooms from seeds of gratitude watered with faith; and the fruit of abundance that accompanies trust. but more often than I care to admit, I find myself in life’s remedial… Read More
MY IMPERFECT PARADISE
I’ve read about a study that suggested that Facebook offers a high percentage of depression! Most people, when posting on the popular site, tend to talk about how great their lives are and the friends and family reading these posts get depressed because their lives don’t seem to be running so smoothly. I’m one of those people who try to stay positive on Facebook. My heart is full of gratitude and I always want to offer the simple happiness that… Read More