Race & Culture
Learning To Meditate
Learning to meditate is hard. This is my experience with learning to meditate. I was coming up on six months clean and sober. My sponsor's sponsor, which I jokingly used to call my grandsponsor, was coming up on 40 years sober. I used to enjoy talking with old Bill often. He was kind, respectful, direct and openhearted. These were all qualities that I had desired, but did not know how to express them myself, or know many people who did for that matter. So I used to like to talk with him whenever possible. He was one of the few people I trusted even a little.
One night after a meeting, Bill came over and sat next to me. He smiled that soft, gentle smile that typically held me feel safe, if only momentary. On that particular Friday night, I was not able to tap in to his smile in order to shift the sadness, desperation and frustration I was experiencing. Bill noticed this immediately. He leaned over, put his right hand on my left elbow, "How are you doing young man?". Bill was old enough that he forgot pretty much everyone's name, and we were all either Young Man or Young Woman, regardless of age or any other identifying factors.
I let out a deep sigh, and felt my belly clinch, "I'm not doing so good Bill. I'm going to meetings, I talk to my sponsor, I hang out with all recovering friends, I pray every night before I go to bed every morning when I wake up and I still feel miserable. I feel like it's never going to get better for me and there's nothing I can do about."
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Self-Doubt & The Big Question Mark
I am fascinated by how many strong, courageous and successful people have layers upon layers of self-doubt. Self-doubt creeps into almost every nook and cranny of their being. When others see them as bright, amazing and enjoyable, they see themselves as stupid, mediocre and a burden. This is where self-doubt interrupts the ability to achieve our internal and external dreams and aspirations.
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The Six Types of Courage
Courage. Bravery. Boldness. Fearlessness. When I think of courage, I see an image of someone standing by themselves with shredded clothes full of blood and sweat. Other images of courage that appear in my mind are a parent carrying children through a storm or desert or a group of people holding hands with eyes filled with tears, caring for each other as if there is no other choice but to love and love more. I recall an image of a person in the flood water of New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina bringing supplies to their family....
When Trauma Blocking Gets in the Way
Dear Therapists & Counselors – A Letter From A Fellow Human
What a beautiful letter by the client of a therapist. It feels great to be acknowledged in this way for all therapists and counselors. COVID-19 has created a sudden crisis of people needing support. We are here and will continue to be here when you need us. I am grateful to share my skills, knowledge and experience with so many people that are experiencing great challenges right now, and throughout life. The pandemic has created a whole new set of life obstacles for us mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually and energetically. Please know you are not alone and there is support available. No one needs to go through this or any traumatic experiences alone. YOU MATTER AND ARE NEEDED!
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Being Better Humans Support Group
We have an amazing Support Group for Everyone! We have been meeting every other Monday on Zoom! Come join the circle!
What are we doing?
We are a group of people discussing their honest feelings on relationships, drugs, love, sex, money, and work. We’ll pick a topic, trade stories, have a moderated discussion, and maybe scream, cry, or yell (if needed). We’ll dive in deep and not let fear keep us from expressing who we really are. We’ll explore what makes us amazing and far from amazing, where we need to grow and what gets in the way of growing, how to trust ourselves and others and what obstacles get in the way of trust. We’ll find what environments support our safety, and how to set boundaries in those that don’t. Most importantly, we’ll just practice being our authentic selves. We may include meditation, movement and other practices designed to create clarity, presence and truth. What we do will be guided by what shows up at every session. We will have assignments between sessions to reflect more deeply and practice whatever we worked on together.
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Better Men’s Support Group!
We have created a Men’s Support Group on Zoom! We have six men already participating! We have been meeting bi-weekly since the Spring and it is amazing. Get your seat at the table.
What are we doing?
We are a group of men discussing their honest feelings on relationships, drugs, love, sex, money, and work. We’ll pick a topic, trade stories, have a moderated discussion, and maybe yell (if needed).
