Recovering Meth

From a trip to Chicago, to moving into a new house, to working on my physical fitness, life has been fast paced. With all that has been going on, it's easy to overlook the blessings each day carries. At times I get caught up in the past or lost in what the future may bring. This episode shares some ways I pull myself into the present. I don't want to miss out on the blessings each day carries.

The previous episode shared about recognizing the need for closure when it comes to several incomplete relationships that I have been consumed by, since the age of 12 years of old. Unknowingly, these have had a negative impact in my life, recovery and spiritual walk. Those chains had been broken when I found closure atop a mountain in prayer. As the burdens lifted, life again throws some heartbreaking news in the mix. Because I choose to follow Jesus and live a life without substances, that does not make me immune to the pain and struggles of life. They do allow me to have another perspective to navigate and overcome what life throws my way. What does recovery look like to me? Listen. Relate. Be Inspired.

Emotions are insanely powerful. They are frightening, uncomfortable, likeable and confusing. They are part of the human experience to say the least. How does one come to terms with them, especially while in recovery, and the waves are relentlessly hitting? This episode shares my experience of processing a season of heavy emotions. They aren't necessarily new, but the fact that I am processing them clean and sober made them all the more real. During the processing of feelings, I was able to uncover a need for closure from the incomplete relationships that I have held on to. The question was posed, "am I ready to let them go?" If so, how do I find closure from these incomplete relationships if they involve loved ones who have all passed on? Listen. Relate. Be Inspired.

Do you accept hardship as a pathway to peace? This past week has been a consuming wave of emotions. Joy, confusion, hurt, proud, worthy, unworthy, lonely, and the list goes on. A recent step out a relationship, 3 years clean and sober, and my actual birthday have revealed some dark emotions that reminded me of the significant people that have passed away in my life. This episode shares a lot of my confusion, trauma, but most of all, hope. I share how, though this season of my life has been very interesting, I am still holding onto what matters in my life today. Listen, relate, and be inspired.

Changes in life are inevitable. Planned or unplanned. Career changes lead to new responsibilities and new stressors. Relationships open up vulnerability. Quitting smoking, leads to a whirl wind of emotions. All these changes quickly sprung up during this season of my life. This episode shares about insecurities, vulnerabilities, stress, and the ways I am overcoming to acceptance. Accepting that I am learning, growing, and making progress. Accepting that I will never have it perfect. Listen, relate, and find comfort knowing that you are not alone with the experiences you may have during this season of your life.

The premiere episode of season 2, kicks off with an emotional release of anger, hate, and blame. Unknowingly, I've allowed those elements to consume me. To hold me back. It wasn't until a a conversation with a friend, where they posed the question, "has that 13 year old boy, fully forgiven your mother?" May seem selfish, but truthfully, I hid those feeling so far within myself. 19 years later, I am finally able to let go and release those. Almost 3 years of clean time, and I am still healing. "One day at a time."

Deaths from addiction are nothing but heartbreaking and unnecessary. Especially when help is readily available. Yet, they happen. This episode takes a stroll down 17th Ave and Colter to remind myself of some people I have meet during my active addiction. Regardless of what we may have been doing, they were/are good people that I have had in my life. Take a stroll with me and hear the encouragement you need to hear today.

Jordan and Justin join this episdoe of the podcast. Both on their own recovery journey and both share their experience, strength and hope. Jordan shares his very real and relatable background with addiction and how he is striving to become the best possible version of himself. Justin shares his troubled childhood and how that ultimately influenced his lifestyle of addiction. Both men share their hope with the Recovering Meth podcast listeners. A follow up in 3 months is definitely needed with these two gentlemen.

Self-condemning is one thing that I still struggle with today. My actions, my thoughts, what I've said or didn't, are all very deceiving when it comes to fueling the shame and guilt that lead to my self-condemning. I find comfort in the phrase "progress not perfection". Most of all, I am a Child of God and I find strength and comfort in His word. Knowing that I am forgiven is supremely what helps me overcome my self-condemning tendencies. Listen as I share my experience, strength and hope.

What sins are you holdiing on to that you need to let go of? Isn't it time you let yourself free but giving it over to God? This episode talks about "lust" and how it has been holding me back from the promises of being joyous and free that come along with recovery. If I ain't careful, it could consume me enough to fall back. So I chose to let it go and share my truth.

My will is nothing but selfishness and chaos. I've lived 17 years of my will running wild to know that. Yesterday, I was spiritually weak and found myself fighting for my will to superceed God's will for me. It was nothing but fustration and pure ugliness. Little did I know, there was a bigger picture than only my perspective. God always had and will have a hand on everything that I do. Listen to hear how I was almost over taken by my negativity. Are you living by your will, or God's will?

In this episode, we get a new perspective about the blessings and struggles that come along with recovery. Javen & Jordan join me in this episode of experience, strength and hope.

"Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace." A beautiful piece of the serenity prayer that tends to be overlooked too often. In this episode, I speak about how a sudden depression has settled in these past few days. Seems fitting because I recently started facilitating "relapse prevention" classes. Did I take my own advice when it come to techniques to help prevent relapse? Listen to find out how I am getting through this season of my life. Be sure to check out recoveringmeth.com

"Two addicts sharing their experience is unparalled to anything else." -NA Literature. Quincy is a young man who I have seen making strides while on his recovery journey. This episode is simply two men on the journey of recovery, sharing experience, strength & hope. visit recoveringmeth.com

Grinding and grinding. Working and working. When was the last time you got some rest? Not sleep, but actual rest. In most cases, it's a lot easier said than done. Personally, God knew what I needed before I even asked. He blessed me with a cold, so I could realize that I too needed rest. I have to always remember that I am on the journey of recovery and must, get myself the rest that I need. When we keep going and going, the whispers of temptation become more lucrative because we are so worn from the everyday work, work, work. Even the energizer bunny dies out. So don't die out, get some well deserved rest. visit recoveringmeth.com

In this episode, 2 guests join to share their relapse experience. We are bombarded with relapse prevention information and techniques to help handle those situations. Yet, chances for relapse are shockingly high for anyone on the road to recorvery. Our 2 guests, had 3 months of clean time between themselves, yet relapsed. This episode is to get the perspective of someone who has recently relapsed. What was going through their mind? What happened to the teachings of all the support groups? Listen in to find out. visit www.recoveringmeth.com

Life is truly precious. Tell the ones you love, exactly how much you appreciate them. Be thankful for you have in your life. This episode is dedicated to everyone who has lost a loved one, due to addiction. It's heartbreaking. Know that resources are available. Share those resources. I pray this episode teaches that 1 person who needs to hear this. Be inspired. visit recoveringmeth.com

It's a blessing to know that inspiration lives within us all. We have that power to inspire and be inspired. Hardships and triumphs, who do you share those with? The nay-sayers? Or those that will elevate you into greatness? Visit recoveringmeth.com

Life after drugs was unimaginable early in my recovery. It scared more than anyone will ever know. Only because it was so foreign. After months of investing into myself, I realize life happened before addiction. Life happened during addiction. Yes, life will happen after drugs. It's a life that I am able to create by taking the time needed to invest into myself by beginning my recovery journey. visit recoveringmeth.com

During my addiction, I know I wasn't living life, but moreso, just going through the motions. I wasn't able to recognize the blessings I had. I powerlessness I still have. When I take a few moments and slow things down, I am able to recognize the smallest things I tend to over look. I am able to rrecognize that I am strong because I can admit that I am powerless over things. Meth and alcohol are definitely some of the things I am powerless over. Are you able to recognize and admit you are powerless? visit recoveringmeth.com