Long-Term Recovery: Spiritual Spackle

Today, I want to introduce you to the concept of Spiritual Spackle. It is what took me from bitter to grateful and from abstinent to being in recovery. To understand what Spiritual Spackle is, let’s start with a story from my younger years:

Long-Term Recovery: The Gratitude List

I sat with my family, opening presents Christmas morning while sipping hot tea and thought about how much my life has changed. I was satisfied spending time with my family, watching movies and having a family day at home. I was grateful for all I had instead of focusing on what I didn't have. I was content and happy. It was not always that way.

I used to wake up after hitting the snooze  button several times. I would get dressed stressed. I would skip breakfast, or grab something greasy and unhealthy on the way to work. People driving the speed limit or slower would instantly kick in my road rage because I was running late and they obviously could care less about it. My mornings sucked, and it bled into the rest of my day.

RISE UP and Keep Your New Year's Resolution

Almost 2/3 of New Year’s resolutions are not attained. In fact, 25% of those resolutions don’t last a week! As people who have the ability to focus and pursue things we want, pushing all else to the wayside, this is not an issue we should have. The reason so many fail is because they do not set themselves up to be successful. Here are 6 steps to help you RISE UP and achieve your goals:

Long-Term Recovery: You Never Have to Use Again

I remember being at a meeting and hearing someone say, “Relapse is part of the process.” I sat there, thought about it for a minute and realized that is one of the dumbest things I had ever heard.

Relapse may be part of some people’s road to recovery, but some people stop and never use again. Telling people that relapse is part of the program is done for a reason and I understand that. I believe it is done so that when people relapse, they are not ashamed or embarrassed of their relapse and never come back to a meeting again.

That said, there are way better things to tell someone than relapse is part of the program. Someone telling me that can actually fuel my relapse.

I prefer something that I heard at a meeting about 15 years ago.