Being quiet is one of the most difficult things you will ever do. And it will heal you. ___ Silence. When a moment of quiet falls on you do you quickly rush to fill it? Or is it a welcome guest? Right now you are the most silent that you will be all day. … More The Healing Power of Silence in Recovery
Recovery does not need to be so serious. Smiling a little will open us to the world around us and within us. ___ Recently I updated my passport. When I took my photo, I put on my saddest face. Apparently everyone involved liked the sad-me photo, because my application was approved by the powers that … More In Recovery: Your Destination is NOT Your Destiny
Recovery. Some people define it as a period of reorganization after a major business loss. Other people think of recovery as what happens on Sunday morning after a few nights of just a little too much fun. Recovery means a lot to me. 12 months ago I was just a few months into my recovery … More Let’s Talk… Support Mental Health Initiatives Across Canada TODAY!
Recovery is hard but being a stubborn jackass is optional. ___ Warning: This post is hard stuff. Relationships are not part of your recovery, they are your recovery. Recently I wrote in my journal these powerful and inspiring words: Relationships are my recovery. The quality and depth of my relationships says a great deal about … More How Not to be a Stubborn Jackass in Your Recovery
I don’t have an easy spirituality and sometimes recovery can kick me in the teeth. But my darkness is one of my best teachers. ___ A friend of mine recently suggested that I read some of Barbara Brown Taylor’s work. I have purchased two of her books, Leaving Church and Learning to Walk in the … More Recovery and Learning to Walk in the Dark
In early 2017 I will be setting aside time to study for an exam to become a Clinical Addiction Counsellor. Currently I am provisional in my designation, but I am working towards a full international certification as a Clinical Addiction Counsellor. If you are interested, you can learn more about me and about the designation … More What I am Up to in 2017
I wish you and your family a great and happy 2017! Thank you for supporting my writing for the past year. I plan to deliver even more great content this year. You can support me by joining my site, by entering your email address in the “follow smswaby” link above. Please also consider sharing my … More Happy New Year 2017!
Your words shape your destiny. So how healthy is your verbal diet? ___ Your words become your destiny. Your words become your future and your future shapes your destiny. So use them wisely. It is not simply a truism of positive thinking: How you talk is who you are (and who you will be). In … More Recovery and How You Are What You Speak
Today is a day to remind yourself that you are perfect just the way you are. “People don’t always show up the way you want them to.” Phillip Seymour Hoffman in The Mockingjay So much of what we do is about changing ourselves, motivating ourselves, managing our time and our energy. We get used to … More Why Do You Go to War Against Yourself?
Your anger is screaming for your attention. Are you listening? ____ The angry person can be a little scary. But the person who is truly scary is the one who is no longer angry. Sometimes you can move past your anger, but not in a good way. One of my therapy client’s put it this … More The Person Who is No Longer Angry is Scary
Getting High on Recovery 