When I entered a recovery program and I was exposed to the 12 steps, I was terrified. I saw that "Higher Power" was mentioned in step 2 and I was distraught. Growing up in a strict religion and household I had come to the conclusion that God hated me, that I could not do anything that would please Him and that I was doomed to Hell.
I do not blame the church for my distorted perceptions because it did teach confession and that God does forgive us... but somehow in my warped dysfunctional mind I never "heard" that part. As a result, I believed in a Higher Power that was vengeful, unloving and punishing. I believed that there was no hope for me and I was a bad person and that God hated me.
When I saw that Higher Power was involved with recovery, I knew the program was not for me. The only problem was that I had no where else to go. I had hit a bottom in my alcoholism and drug addiction and I was emotionally dead, and physically I was damaged forever. Recovery in a 12 step program was my last desperate grasp at finding a life worth living. I would have stood on my hands and walked through broken glass if that would have stopped me from craving and obsessing over alcohol and drugs any longer.
By desperately listening, I learned that a person does not even have to believe in God to be a part of the 12 step program. Alcoholics seeking recovery who have no understanding of a God can simply find something greater than themselves to believe in. Often, using the recovery group is a simple way for a person struggling with the concept of God to find hope.
Most have to admit that a group of recovering alcoholics has more power together than one lone alcoholic floundering through life. This very basic concept of a Higher Power often leads the recovering alcoholic to expanding their vision and belief in a much greater Higher Power... whatever that may be.
It does not matter what a person calls their Higher Power. It can be God, The Universe, Buddha, Mother Nature or whatever. What matters is how the person perceives their Higher Power and the belief and faith that their "Higher Power" will keep them sober.
Most practicing alcoholics and addicts have heard for many years from others that they never will be good enough, can do nothing right and are disappointments. As a result, alcoholics and addicts believe this about themselves. They believe they are worthless and no matter what they do it will never be good enough. As an addict, I had no self-esteem and was clinging through life with my distorted views because I was constantly drunk or high.
However, there is help available. I am a first hand example that an alcoholic and a drug addict can get well by recognizing their hitting bottom, seeking professional help and then finding a recovery group. The combination of both helped me to reclaim my life and learn to truly live without hiding behind my addictions.
Of course, learning to function without alcohol and drugs was a process... it did not happen overnight. I drank and drugged for 10 years and I knew that the horrific darkness that I felt inside was not going to go away quickly. But the pain did start subsiding and I did find a new sober life of happiness.
Loved Back to Life is a book about the journey of an alcoholic and drug addict woman whose battle with the disease turns from hopeless to inspiring and amazing. The author, Amy "AJ" Crowell, M.B.A. is a recovered alcoholic and addict who has not had a drink or a drug since April of 1988.
All is exposed in her life, growing up with a raging alcoholic father and ghost-like codependent mother. The book reveals the progression of a teenager's life beginning with alcohol and drug experimentation to full blown alcoholism and cocaine addiction to narrowly escaping death as a young adult. This is a MUST read for every parent because it divulges secrets of an addicted teenager indicating the warning signs to watch for with their own child. Those who are concerned with a family member's, friend's or co-worker's addiction will find help in understanding the scope of alcoholism and what can be done to find assistance.
The book is a shocking realization of what many of our youth (and adults) are doing to themselves without caring about their futures. It exposes how alcohol and drugs are harming their minds and bodies causing depression and contributing to many suicides.
"Powerful, compelling and authentic. Author Amy Crowell writes from the heart, aims for the head and strikes a chord in the soul. Loved back to life is a mesmerizing first person account of salvation, redemption, and victory. It is a story exacted from the twisted turmoil and debris of a hopeless addicts tumultuous encounter with the reality of the consequences that accompany the self-realization of a life spiraling out of control. Crowell masterfully weaves her insights and observations from the real-life stories shared by other contributing addicts into a dialogue and template for hope, change, and recovery. A true self- help book in every sense of the word, her final offering is an inspirational helping hand to anyone struggling with the pangs of addiction or the destructive and far-reaching effects of a loved one's chronic indiscretions." --Dr. Richard DiCenso, Author of Beyond Medicine
Daring to be Yourself
The aim of the new book, Daring to be Yourself by Peter Shepherd, is to help you achieve a 'wide-awake' state of consciousness, with integrated use of left and right brain abilities, forming the bedrock for breakthroughs in personal consciousness and spiritual insight. The practice is based on the premise that we have learned disabilities that set boundaries to our action and knowing. But no one need accept that they must remain as they were shaped by their hereditary body-mind and by the conditioning of their childhood and culture.
This 264-page eBook for Kindle (or the free Kindle Reader application for all platforms) is like a "best of" the Trans4mind site, all brought together for your convenience. But much more than that, it's also an incredibly powerful program for personal growth. Remove the barriers to self-knowledge and reveal your full potential with this step-by-step approach... Daring to be Yourself
Our Blog features excerpts from the book plus current news, views and links.
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"I realize many people use praise in ways that sound frivolous...but I must tell you that your book has changed my life AND I mean that in all ways. I found the entire work wonderfully upbeat, readable and valuable! It really was quite a wakeup call. In the midst of my "trials and tribulations" I had failed to be "me." Anyway, this "talk with you" really did change my life. Thank you! I needed this kind of "kick in the pants." It worked. WOW! You made a huge difference in my world."–Becky, USA
A digital copy of Daring to be Yourself is included with purchase of the Start a New Life! home-study course - which is effectively the practical "workbook" that accompanies the book by Peter Shepherd.
Working through this course enables you to dare to be yourself and design a brand new life. Expressing your true needs, wants and feelings, you can start to live your life's purpose!
After you have purchased the course, Peter Shepherd is available whenever you wish by email, to guide you every step of the way from where you are now, until you are established in a brand new life - the life that you have designed... Start a New Life!
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