tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40049021282499366622024-02-20T12:06:42.122-08:00Mirror MirrorMy son is in prison and asked me to relay his words through a blog that he will write and I will type. Mirror Mirror is all about being able to see that life is not what is gained through our own selfish devices but what legacy we create to see a refection worth seeing around us. So please, read, comment, reflect hope, happiness and strength! Become a mirror of acceptance!Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073168663615871502noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004902128249936662.post-56698153573074477502018-02-03T05:11:00.000-08:002018-02-03T05:11:31.560-08:00<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">On 1/27/18 Kev writes and I type....</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Dreams: From Cocoons To Butterflies</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Change has been such a beautiful thing to embrace... This new year has brought new strength, new hope, and new life... I no longer feel like I'm crawling through life... My dreams have limitless potential, and I'm excited for what the future may bring... When I witness a butterfly flap it's wings so freely... I think about the process that was taken to reach that state of freedom... Through transformation and change emerges something more beautiful and free than before... I use this analogy to describe my own state of being... When we learn to accept ourselves instead of trying to escape ourselves - we end up finding who we truly are, and in return we learn to escape the confines of our own self made prisons... </span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">I am currently working on creating something that could truly help change the way we treat and manage the disease of addiction... Recovery is a gift worth sharing... When I started writing this blog my goal was to share each positive experience and insight that I've had throughout my own personal recovery... I wanted my words to reflect each of these moments... This blog is my mirror of positivity for each of you who read to find yourselves in... When we reflect something worthwhile in this world it creates a chain reaction... My dream is to create a place where recovering addicts can truly find themselves through the shared experiences of one another... Social media was initially created to help bring us all closer together through the sharing of our own personal experiences throughout life, but we have lost sight of that concept, and in return it seems to be dividing us... I plan on changing this by using the social media experience in a way that expands on one of the most important concepts found in traditional recovery groups - "The value of one addict helping another is without parallel, and we only keep what we have by giving it away." I'm looking for the right people to help me turn this vision into reality, and I'm lucky to have a mother willing to sacrifice her own time and energy in order to help me achieve this dream... I look forward towards the endless possibilities of a future more bright than I ever could have predicted...</span><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><br style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Today's Positive Affirmation: Let my life be a beacon of hope guiding others towards a worthwhile existence...</span>Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073168663615871502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004902128249936662.post-53569677079482352032017-11-11T08:49:00.000-08:002017-11-11T08:49:42.170-08:00The Flow OF Things To Come<span style="font-size: large;">On October 31st Kev writes, I type...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I really believe there is this connected life force that flows through all things....it can be beautiful and destructive all at once, the kind of thing that can unite nations or tear them apart. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I see that same force work its magic throughout my own daily life.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">In my own personal recovery process doing service work is truly the life force working through me to connect me to others. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I feel as if we are all searching for some kind of perfect happiness and for me today my perfect happiness is feeling peaceful. I receive that peace when I know I am truly helping others...It's a beautiful thing when you are able to release your honesty and by doing so you're able to ignite a fire within the person standing next to you...like a chemical reaction between two souls. A massive bond is formed through sharing our experience, strength and hope with the next person. That to me is what living is all about. Taking that kind of connection we experience and turning it into genuine action shows us true progress not just within ourselves but in the world that surrounds us. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I feel it's important to me to share my ups and downs with you. It has been a while since I've written on here. For a short time I was uninspired. It can be a very emotional experience inside these walls at times. I've been focusing my time and energy lately getting back into some other things that help inspire me. One of those things is my art. Being able to express my creativity artistically has always been an important part of my life. Doing so has already helped me gain insight into other projects I am working on and has brought me back here to tell you about it. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I wish that those of you who read what I write on here are able to find peaceful happiness in your own lives. I will be writing more often and my wish is to keep inspiring those of you who read this to support and spread my message of hope. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I look forward to seeing comments from readers and I am always looking for people to correspond with who will brighten my life and inspire me even more. If you wish to do so, please e mail my mom and she can explain how to get in touch with me. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I look forward to what the future has in store and I send all my light to each and every one of you!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Today's Positive Affirmation: Inspiration comes from being brave, and eliminating our fears.....</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073168663615871502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004902128249936662.post-46856785542333321402017-09-04T09:59:00.000-07:002017-09-04T09:59:49.997-07:00Replacing Spiritual Materialism With Contentment Of SpiritOn 9/3/17 Kev writes, I type...<br />
<br />
Something very beautiful happened yesterday. I guess you could say I had an important realization...<br />
<br />
My day had started with emotional upheaval that I would later realize was caused by my own thinking. I had allowed myself to become consumed by my own insecurities, and in doing so I brought turmoil to a relationship I hold very dear to my heart. I'm starting to understand that when we try to fill ourselves up with the things that lie outside ourselves in order to find happiness, those same things mostly end up becoming what brings us pain. Spiritual materialism is really what addiction is all about...we become addicted to finding happiness, pleasure, love, etc., when we can't seem to find it within ourselves. It's only if you truly can love yourself, that you can truly trust in the love you have for another.<br />
If you really think about it-everything inside the physical world is temporary yet we try so hard to hold onto what can't be held onto. The moment is what truly counts..<br />
I lost complete control over my emotions yesterday, and as the day progressed, the situation seemed to get worse...my mind became more chaotic..<br />
I could not find any stillness in any moment and I found myself taking steps backward into the negative thought process I know all too well. Something happened though, I realized after getting off the phone that I was not getting anywhere by allowing myself to be completely consumed by what I could not control..that the only thing that was going to bring me true peace in this situation was myself, by replacing my spiritual materialism with contentment for my own spirit.<br />
I was completely crazy at one point..but I've learned to use the tools that I know work for me,and one of those is to know to reach out to someone when I need help. I'm in prison but there are men in here that can help me with my emotional distress, because like all human beings and like this blog is intended to do, we are all able to reflect into one another. <span style="background-color: white;">I now understand that I don't have to feel like I'm the only one that is going through something. I sought out someone who is in recovery like I am, and I also really ended up finding help in the people I asked to help direct me towards that person.</span><br />
After speaking with someone, I decided to go work out. That helped with the anger but when I was done I found myself still spinning inside so I talked again with that same person and he told me, " why don't you just meditate because what you really need to do is clear your mind of all that temporary stuff." I thought those words were so wise, and so I meditated. I was actually able to sit still in that state the longest I've been able to since attempting to practice on a daily basis. It helped me see just how caught up my mind was..I can't count the times I had to stop and start counting my breaths over again , but it was the best lesson I've had yet because I was finally able to let go for once.<br />
As far as the relationship that I hold dear to my heart...I realize this- love can't be something I use to fill some type of physical need for happiness. That has to come from within. I have to just enjoy what I do have within that love and cherish it. I don't know what may come of this situation, but I can show respect and how I value the relationship by giving it space to breathe. All I can hope for is that by creating some space through respect and self control that I'll be able to guide that love back to its proper place in my life. One of the greatest things I am able to understand today is that sometimes we have to learn how to hurt in order to love stronger. We become better human beings by doing so.<br />
So, today, I choose to replace spiritual materialism with contentment of spirit and understand true happiness will inevitably start from there...<br />
<br />
Today's Positive Affirmation: "Greater in battle than the man who would conquer a thousand-thousand men , is he who would conquer just one- himself." - BuddhaSherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073168663615871502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004902128249936662.post-46451218070946520312017-08-05T13:40:00.000-07:002017-08-05T13:40:12.856-07:00Diagram Of A Fall<span style="font-size: large;">On 8/1/17 Kev writes and I type..</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Have you ever had a glass slip from the dinner table, and you just watch it shatter on the floor right before your eyes? You just watch it and do nothing to stop it. I've witnessed my own mind do the exact thing on a daily basis. What if you could learn to catch that glass before it hits the floor? What if you could be in tune with your thoughts and catch yourself before things shatter in your life? This is really what learning to live in the moment is all about...being able to have a clear understanding of our minds gives us a greater insight into ourselves. When we learn to understand the delusions that exist inside of us...we begin to realize what drives our anger, pain and ultimately our suffering.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We may not have total control of the outside forces or the perceptions of others, but one thing we do have control over is our own minds..we all have the ability to control the way we allow our minds to react to those outside forces.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">When we are able to leave our perception of self, and be content with who we are, we begin to transcend the boundaries that oftentimes hold us back from enjoying life to it's fullest. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Define your existence through concentrating on each moment, and learning to accept them each for what they are. Each breath that we take holds the essence of who we are inside, learning the inner working of our soul brings us closer to our spiritual nature and allows us the chance to reach a higher state of existence. When we leave our preconceived notions of self behind us, we not only learn how to catch that glass falling from the table-we learn how to set the table for a feast worth having..a feast called life...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Today's Positive Affirmation: I leave selfishness behind by first learning to accept myself, and is doing so I learn to accept others, and truly love them for who they are......</span>Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073168663615871502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004902128249936662.post-56038142696287333332017-07-29T09:50:00.000-07:002017-07-29T09:50:26.782-07:00Falling Towards The Sky<span style="font-size: large;">On 7/26/17 Kev writes, I type:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Someone told me recently that-"we can only grow from the ground up, and that we can't grow down..If that were the case we would all be spiritual masters and there would be no reason for us to be human." </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I couldn't have said it better myself. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I was living in the shade for so long before now that I could never allow myself to grow...Sometimes we have to cut down the things that block us from the sun, and allow light to finally shine into our lives. In order to truly grow we have to be willing to pick the weeds from our souls...Our gardens can become overgrown with the burdens we face daily in our lives, and it's up to us to clear the way...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Standing on the horizon lines of endless possibility- I feel like I'm falling towards the sky, and there's no telling where I could go, or where my happiness will take me...There is no real destination only limitless potential in all of us...When we begin to live in the moment- we truly begin living life, and in doing so our actions change the world around us. When we can exist in the present without fear, we open up the possibility of an even greater state of realization and existence that transcends even death..I've been learning that sometimes falling is really growing...I've learned to catch my breath, and in return regain balance in my life...Resentment, fear, anger and pain can be like being held under water...We can choose to swim or drown in our own personal sorrow, but when we learn to breathe...we no longer end up needing to run from who we are. We exist.., and we create the boundaries and limits by which we create the world around us...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Today's Positive Affirmation: By living in the present moment all possibilities become reality, and I become the master of my own happiness...</span>Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073168663615871502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004902128249936662.post-31704930470042362972017-07-20T17:34:00.003-07:002017-07-20T17:34:50.423-07:00Life SupportOn 7/8/17 Kev writes, I type:<br />
<br />
We all need assurance in our lives. When you were a child, there was no greater sense of worth that you could feel that would take the place of having the support of those around you. Even when they did not fully agree with certain choices you made, but were able to find comfort in the fact that you were happy...it made you feel more confident in the way you carried yourself and lived your life. It is important for us to first be able to support our own decisions...we must be able to wholeheartedly believe in what we want for ourselves, and understand that no matter what the rest of the world might think...we ourselves can accept what we are choosing to do in our life.<br />
Family to be is not just defined by immediate blood-related family. Family to me is defined by the people in our lives who offer the positive support that helps guide us towards a better existence. They are there to hold you accountable for your actions, but never there to try and control the person you aim to be..their support should be guided by love. No one should ever want to pull the plug on your life support if you are truly fighting for something, or believe that what you're doing is good for your own life.<br />
I will always be here to offer those I love unconditional support by being there for them through any situation..but I will never offer support to someone I love if I believe that what they are doing will be a negative force in helping them achieve the best life possible for themselves..we all need the right life support to keep breathing that next breath, and to keep putting one foot in front of the other even when the world fights against us...<br />
<br />
Today's Positive Affirmation: I will continue to fight for those who fight for me, and give my heart to those who truly know what it means to love and be loved bck.<br />
<br />
<br />Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073168663615871502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004902128249936662.post-76010700557783766952017-07-20T17:13:00.000-07:002017-07-20T17:13:09.397-07:00The Yin and Yang of Selfishness and SelflessnessOn 7/7/17 Kev writes, I type:<br />
<br />
I believe it's necessary for there to be a balance of selfishness and selflessness in our lives. It is vital for me to be selfish about my own personal recovery because unless I am able to be the best person I can be, I will be useless to those around me. This type of selfishness allows me to be a more selfless person in the long run...when I'm able to feel true contentment within myself, I'm able to better understand how I can be of use to others in a positive light.<br />
In active addiction my selfishness was one of my greatest burdens not only on my family and loved ones but on myself as well. I was completely self-involved with a negative force that left me spiritually bankrupt, and caused me to lose sight of what it truly is to live. If you really think about life..everything we achieve and do positive in our lives really provides some type of service or inspiration for others. By being selfish about a process that allows me to change for the better...I become a more selfless individual dedicated towards the betterment of my fellow man. It becomes truly about learning how to find the balance between the positives and negatives in our lives..There's a yin and yang between selfishness and selflessness, If you were able to change the negative perceptions of the world with your words, art, intellect , talent, etc., would you not be selfish about being the best you could possible be at what it is you do? The greater understanding that you have of yourself, the greater you benefit the person next to you by gaining a greater understanding of how you are able to use your own experience, strength and hope to do so....If you are selfless for selfish reason you end up contradicting the entire meaning of being selfless.<br />
Selflessness is defined through actions that benefit others with no intended benefit for yourself . When we find balance within ourselves, and become vital parts of our community.. we end up becoming the cogs in the gears of positive progress. I'll continue to say that human nature will always be about learning to live for each other by first learning to live with ourselves.<br />
<br />
Today's Positive Affirmation: I will find balance within myself in order to bring balance to those around me.Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073168663615871502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004902128249936662.post-40481557363640499732017-07-04T06:23:00.001-07:002017-07-04T06:23:47.829-07:00Choose YOUOn 7/4/17, Kev writes and I type...<br />
<br />
I used to ignore the man I was choosing to be, and also ignored the man I was losing...<br />
When you drift from yourself, it gets hard to find your way back to shore. I can remember feeling like I never knew who I was or who I was supposed to be anymore..I felt like a walking contradiction....I was becoming the guy who could swat down a fly while at the same time say I would never hurt a fly. My heart had a hole I could never seem to feel...<br />
I wanted to reset my mind. I wanted to be a different human being because I didn't know me. I felt like I was screaming inside , but no one could hear me..I didn't understand back then what it was to truly be alive...I was so caught up in trying to find someone to love, but yet I couldn't seem to choose to love myself...<br />
It's crazy to think how I was back then and where I am now as a person. That hole I could never seem to fill was created through my own distorted perception of self...we define ourselves through the way we view ourselves. The mirror we use to do that is only a burden when we allow the outside to define who we are inside. When we learn to look past what we think the rest of the world sees as us, we will always be beautiful...<br />
It does not matter if the rest of the world thinks you're perfect when you learn to choose YOU. What I know today is that we are all created from the same fabric, Some of us are more rough around the edges than others are...some of us have scars or imperfections, but underneath we are all the same. We laugh, we cry, we live , we die. When we truly learn to love ourselves, we end up learning how to truly live by starting to live for others...Choose YOU...<br />
<br />
Today's Positive Affirmation: I choose to see the beauty in every person by first recognizing the beauty in myself...Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073168663615871502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004902128249936662.post-3822770651121645512017-07-04T05:57:00.000-07:002017-07-04T05:57:11.626-07:00Rubber BandsOn 6/25/17 Kev writes, I type...<br />
<br />
We will always face challenges to get us where we want to be in our lives. Sometimes, the harder we push against our opposition creates even great resistance. We must always be persistent with our ambition...every challenge is like a rubber band..Our persistence will be the force that allows us to break free from its resistance. We can't allow ourselves to be defeated by opposition and must realize everything cannot happen all at once.<br />
Persistence creates cracks in resistance. A cracked rubber band is weak and eventually breaks. It takes time, however. Nothing worth having will ever come easy. We have to fight for it and just as in a fight, what we are fighting against will always push back. It's in those moments that we cannot give up..standing your ground in the face of adversity is true strength..eventually every rubber band will break...<br />
Our relentless determination becomes the weapon we use to defeat our challenges in life...push against the resistance that holds you back from what you want in life and don't allow your self to be pulled back into a state of defeat.<br />
There are times the greatest resistance we face in our lives is the resistance we create for ourselves through our negative actions and thoughts...Our inability to accept ourselves can make us spiritually bankrupt and hold us down from becoming the best person we can be. When we learn to accept ourselves, we make it easier to accept life and we gain a greater understanding of our true purpose.<br />
The toughest resistance we face is the resistance from within. When we learn to break free from the chains that hold us inside through personal acceptance , we no longer allow ourselves to be defined by outside perceptions. Our progress will then be determined through our persistent effort to change.<br />
Success is a limitless horizon and the only thing blocking the light in our path is merely our own shadow...<br />
<br />
Today's Positive Affirmation: The only resistance that is acceptable is the resistance to never give up!Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073168663615871502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004902128249936662.post-54029925358180188282017-06-17T13:29:00.005-07:002017-06-17T13:29:44.281-07:00MonstersOn 6/15/17 Kev writes and I type:<br />
<br />
The monsters we carry inside are the most deadly monsters that exist. They feed off negativity and if left to their own devices-begin to consume the true people we know ourselves to be. They try to eat us alive from the inside out, and attempt to fill our souls with lies...<br />
The resentments that we can't let go of become these monsters that live inside...They grow teeth, and devour our hearts. When we can't let go of our resentments we end up falling into the bellies of our own beasts. I know this from firsthand experience. I had to learn how to be able to let go of all the extra baggage that I allowed myself to carry around. I had to learn to live life on life's terms.<br />
I keep a shield on my heart today, and attempt to live my life with completely pure intentions. By letting go of our spiritual wreckage we end up clearing a path to a better way of life...<br />
<br />
Today's Positive Affirmation: I learn to walk with my shadows next to me in order to see where I need to never let myself stray...Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073168663615871502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004902128249936662.post-78045576310608136842017-06-17T13:17:00.000-07:002017-06-17T13:19:52.000-07:00See Through My Eyes, And Take What you NeedOn 5/27/17 Kev writes and I type:<br />
<br />
I remember standing in the booking area of the Mahoning County jail almost two years ago. I was filthy, bloody and literally a bag of bones...I was disconnected from everything. For the second time in three years I had found my way to a place I thought i would never see again..<br />
I remember a deputy standing behind me spraying me with some type of cleaner..I can only imagine how I must have smelled that day. I had been holed up in a vacant house that one of my drug dealers owned. Needless to say..there was no running water inside.<br />
I told the deputy checking me in that I wished I was dead...I was promptly placed on suicide watch and put in a medical cell. I can remember every second of those first four days...<br />
I look back now and even though I am still incarcerated..It's still hard to fathom who I was two years ago. Most people would cringe at the idea of sharing any of that being a part of their life but I've learned to accept my past , and I understand that I'm able to help addicts through sharing these sometimes negative experiences. If I can help another human being see clearly where they are heading on their self-destructive path and help them gain courage through my experience to find a better existence..all my suffering will be for a greater good in the end. If we can learn to be open and honest with ourselves, we gain the strength to move forward and in so doing we truly learn to live our lives through sharing them for the benefit of others...<br />
This is my true purpose. See through my eyes, and take what you need...<br />
<br />
Today's positive affirmation: I will have no fears and no walls hiding who I truly am...Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073168663615871502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004902128249936662.post-88179054559344103032017-06-10T16:53:00.000-07:002017-06-17T13:19:21.005-07:00I Would Rather Be Naked Than invisibleOn 5/26/17 Kev Writes, I Type:<br />
<br />
Most of us spend our entire lives trying to run from who we truly are...we need to realize that the only opinion that matters is the one we have of ourselves. Pointing fingers can feel like swords, but when we are able to accept who we truly are inside-we arm ourselves with a shield that is impervious against outside judgement.<br />
I know what it feels like to be judged by people...as a recovering addict you end up dealing with the stigma associated with that label. On top of being a recovering addict, I also face the stigma with being labeled a convicted felon. What I understand now is that a label is only able to control us when we choose to believe that label defines us....If we end up believing in what others want us to think of ourselves, we end up trying to hide who we truly know ourselves to be...<br />
Don't be afraid to show your scars. Vulnerability is really a beautiful thing. It allows people to relate with you. We should not fear being judged for what mistakes we have made in out lives. We should be able to understand that in order to overcome these setbacks, we must first be able to embrace them.<br />
The rest of the world will appreciate someone who is able to grow from their mistakes more than the person who chooses to wallow in their own self-destruction.<br />
I would rather be naked than invisible...I accept where I've been, and I realize that without those moments I may never have ended up discovering who I truly am inside.<br />
So, here I am. You can choose to take me or leave me, just know that in the end I am completely OK with either/or. Don't be afraid of who you truly are. Our ability to share ourselves with the rest of humanity will always be our greatest weapon in changing the course of history...<br />
Be proud not only your accomplishments...be proud of your failures as well because without them you would not be the person you are today...<br />
<br />
Today's positive affirmation: I will not be afraid to shine, because I know that all light shines brighter in a little darkness!Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073168663615871502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004902128249936662.post-40017347606326203182017-05-20T09:14:00.000-07:002017-05-20T09:14:05.394-07:00The Will To Truly LiveOn 5/17/17, Kev writes and I type:<br />
<br />
Have you ever wanted to accomplish something so badly that you would do anything to make it happen? I truly believe that most of our wildest dreams are only impossible when we stop believing that they are...We make our own heaven or hell right here on earth...The possibilities of what we can achieve only has limits when we make a conscious decision to draw a line.<br />
Our consciousness connects us to a hallway of infinite doors...We hold the keys to each entrance. That thing you want most in life becomes possible when you truly decide to make it possible. I believe we all have the power to will the life we want to live into existence. If you really think about it, our minds hold the answers to everything we truly want. We know what to do but the hardest part is to place one foot in front of the other to reach that destination. The extent of our belief in what we can achieve will define the overall existence we make for ourselves..<br />
If you want something in life, then truly believe and love it. Love is about being able to give yourself to that one person , thing or idea. With real love we are able to create anything...with love we are able to will an entire world into existence....True love is how Jesus Christ was able to perform miracles..With a love for all things we begin to understand that anything is possible. That love must first come from within, because we can't give something back if we first do not have it within ourselves.<br />
Don't turn your back on your hopes and dreams. Love them and nurture them with all that you are..Believe in that love and you will begin to watch those dreams become a tangible reality. Don't be afraid of the path it takes to get you where you want..put one foot in front of the other and let love be your guide..even when things may seem impossible and when at times you see no end in sight, realize that love will conquer all, and that as long as your heart still beats...you will always have the will to truly live...<br />
<br />
Today's Positive Affirmation: I will define my existence through a love for all life.<br />
<br />
"Where there's life there's hope" - TerrenceSherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073168663615871502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004902128249936662.post-73181762792563971702017-05-20T08:53:00.000-07:002017-05-20T08:53:00.051-07:00#Victory Favors The BraveOn 5/11/17 Kev writes, I type:<br />
<br />
What does it mean to be truly brave? I feel like our victories in life can be determined by how brave we are in the face of our greatest adversity. The success we achieve throughout the course of our lives is accomplished through having the courage to be who we truly are...Victory favors the brave, because only those who are dauntless have the strength to fight for what they want. We get nowhere by succumbing to defeat or by giving up before the miracle happens...Sometimes, in the darkest moments of our lives -by being brave- we can find that one light that guides us towards the happiest moment we may ever find....<br />
There's a famous quote that says "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." Standing on that ledge called change can be a scary place to find yourself. Change itself goes against our very nature as human beings..., but having the courage to take that leap of faith can sometimes be the deciding factor between victory and failure...Face yourself in order to find yourself, and your whole world will change. Bravery is about being able to fight for what you know is right...Sometimes the only difference between winning a battle is being able to know how to lose first in order to find the strength to win the war..Victory favors the brave and the brave use their hearts as weapons, not their hands . With love we win all wars, with unconditional love, we arrest the possibility of war and find victory over hate..Bravery is LOVE and victory favors the brave.<br />
<br />
Today's Positive Affirmation: I have the courage to not only face myself, but the courage to change the world with love, because I know victory favors the brave!Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073168663615871502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004902128249936662.post-33138580980183970052017-05-07T06:26:00.002-07:002017-05-07T06:34:10.177-07:00Damage ControlOn 5/2/17 Kev writes, I type:<br />
<br />
I believe we are all damaged in some way, shape or form-no matter how big or how small that scar may be. Suffering is a major part of life, and our very existence depends on our reactions towards the adversity we face. We cannot let the dents and bruises upon our spirit become a fatal malady that holds us back from living our lives to the fullest. Part of being alive is about learning how to stand back up when we fall down hard. If we choose the live life in resentment,,we may never escape those moments that attempt to hold us down.<br />
When we get into a minor fender bender, we accept the situation, confront the other person, trade insurance information and attempt to find the best way to repair our damage. I feel this is very similar to how life works. We face experiences that may test our daily life.. we can either choose to accept each situation as it comes, and learn from that experience or we can allow ourselves to remain trapped in that one moment. When we allow our world to be dictated by the very things that destroy us from the inside, we end up not only hurting ourselves continuously but we end up hurting those that are close to us.<br />
I've had to learn to accept myself in order to let go of my past. I've found that through practicing maintenance or as I like to call it "damage control" on a daily basis, I'm able to live life on life's terms and gain a more sincere insight into myself. My heart, mind and soul are no longer trapped in separate cages and I've been able to find a new sense of freedom and growth through my own self examination. I'm able to accept myself and in return accept others for who they are...<br />
<br />
Today's Positive Affirmation: "Love? What is it? Most natural painkiller there is. LOVE." ..William S BurroughsSherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073168663615871502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004902128249936662.post-89876882187502758472017-04-30T10:07:00.001-07:002017-04-30T10:07:27.044-07:00Transplanting A New Way OF LifeOn 4/27/17 Kev writes, I type:<br />
<br />
We all feed off each other..One of the most amazing things I see happen in recovery based meetings is the new way of life that is found through the shared experiences of one addict helping another...When I thoroughly worked the twelve steps with a sponsor... I have learned by living the steps on a daily basis that I would be able to transplant the new way of life that I had found into the next person struggling. The death of our old habits can offer life to the next person in need... gaining the understanding that we are no better or worse than the person next to us - will help us to become an asset for each other.. We can always learn from one another. Even when someone displays a negative thinking pattern or chooses to live their life in a destructive way..we can still learn from watching their experiences and using them to gain a greater insight into what we must do in our own lives to eliminate that same scenario from happening to us...Our shared experiences are what makes this crazy world go round...we don't have to agree on the choices people make, but we can use what we learn not only from our own negative choices, but from the negative choices of others to better our lives and in return help better the lives of others who are in similar situations....<br />
When a surgeon transplants a new heart....he would never choose to transplant a defective organ into someone in need of a healthy replacement. This same concept holds true to life in general. In order to convey the right message we have to first practice what we preach. Plus, how could we convey an experience we have not yet lived? By demonstrating the benefit of being a good person, we in turn create an image that others can learn from...we plant the seeds of a new life much the same way a surgeon transplants a healthy organ into a person needing that new organ. We can transplant a new way of life and give the world a better heart and a better beat to follow...<br />
<br />
Today's Positive Affirmation: I will be the healthy example that breathes new life into those in need..Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073168663615871502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004902128249936662.post-43819993735410765082017-04-30T08:35:00.001-07:002017-04-30T08:35:27.340-07:00Taking The High RoadOn 4/23/17 Kev writes, I type:<br />
<br />
On of the biggest things I've learned to practice on a daily basis is the concept of acceptance.I feel like most people in today's world struggle with this concept, and in return it becomes the reason why we are constantly at war with one another. All the hate, aggression and violence usually seems to stem from our inability to accept each other's differences..in return no common ground is found.and nothing seems to change. We end up spending more time tearing each other down instead of working together to make our world a better place. Until people are able to look past blatant ignorance and realize that no matter what our cultural differences may be , no matter what the color of our skin may be, no matter what our spiritual preferences may be and no matter what gender we end up choosing to love. we are all human beings,,,<br />
I'm not saying that we have to surrender our own opinions. or that we stand down in the face of oppression; what I'm saying is that when we end up leaving our minds closed to the possible things we can learn from one another...we end up losing ourselves in the process. I've learned that sometimes to win the fight we must be able to take the high road..That road is found through acceptance.<br />
You can't reason with rage, you can't reason with hate..So, instead of choosing to give into what rage and hate creates which is violence, we show our strength through acceptance. Love is the only thing that is truly able to defeat hate. rage and violence. By being the best human beings we can be, and keeping an open mind,...we become able to gain greater understanding for the capacity and power of love. Love is the cornerstone of peace, and through peace we can begin to learn how to exist together.<br />
Let our shared experiences become the driving force that leads us through the darkness and into a brighter world. My journey us defined by progress rather than perfection..I choose to live each day with an understanding for all those who enter my life, even when our minds may clash. I try to learn from each person I meet. I don't understand all the mysteries that this world holds, but one thing I do understand is that love conquers all....<br />
<br />
Today's Positive Affirmation: I choose to understand that my journey may be different than the person standing next to me. but I know there will always be a lesson to be learned from each person that I meet,,,We build a temple within ourselves, and lay each stone with love.Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073168663615871502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004902128249936662.post-88732146724186649882017-04-16T07:17:00.000-07:002017-04-16T07:17:01.047-07:00RiseOn 4/16/17 Kev writes, I type.....<br />
<br />
Sometimes the pain we endure throughout our lives can leave us feeling completely defeated...pain makes us feel loneliness even when we are surrounded by the ones who truly love us..pain makes us hate the world around us..pain makes it hard to live life on life's terms. The trials and tribulations of our lives are merely an aberration. They are moments that pass like changing seasons but when we allow our heart, mind and soul to become trapped in separate cages...we become fractured versions of ourselves floating is a state of suspended hopelessness. We must not allow our spiritual wreckage to become a wasteland of crowded distortions defined by our inability to accept life on life's terms.<br />
We spend so much time fighting to acquire control over what is mostly uncontrollable...Life. We will never be able to control the force that drives the rain through the leaves, or ever truly know what comes after we close our eyes for good until we meet death. Life is the gift we are given, and the time between our birth and that last breath is a blank canvas waiting to be painted...When we decide that we are unable to lift that brush any longer, and we stop creating beautiful moments..we cease to live life and our picture remains unfinished. So, when that moment comes when we truly do meet death, we end up leaving the ones who love us wondering what we could have become...our half-finished picture hangs in their minds...<br />
I'm not asking you to ignore the pain life brings...I'm only asking you to not allow that pain to defeat you. Learn to understand that even in death nothing will truly die...We rise from the ashes through the memories we leave behind, because not even the illusion of time can contain the essence of our existence...<br />
<br />
Today's Positive Affirmation: The greatest love is defined through the compassion and understanding of those who have yet to understand...<br />
<br />Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073168663615871502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004902128249936662.post-45989812921088758032017-04-15T12:59:00.001-07:002017-04-15T12:59:54.000-07:00Morals Of A Raver KidOn 4/15/17 Kev writes, I type<br />
<br />
When I was in college I used to attend electronic dance parties known as raves....<br />
Looking back I realize that most of my participation at those raves were defined by excessive drug use and one night stands, but like every moment in life I am still able to find a significant meaning now even through the haze of that past party scene...<br />
I remember meeting a group of kids that I began to see at most of those events...they loved the music scene and even had a set of principles that they proclaimed to live by. They said that the scene itself represented what they referred to as PLUR..Peace, Love, Unity and Respect. Back then I really didn't understand what they were getting at, or maybe most likely I just thought they were just some crazy party kids, but now I feel like I have an understanding of what it is they felt...<br />
They found peace through the acceptance of one another . They found love through their music. They found unity inside the crowd, and they could respect each other's differences...<br />
I can remember the connection I felt inside those crowds... I guess that's what music is supposed to do, create connections where sometimes it feels like there can be no connection.These kids were able to do something that most of us can't seem to do, and that was be able to look past each other's differences, love one another for who they were, and enjoy life together..even if it was just for those music-filled nights.<br />
I find this realization to be pretty profound...it seems like in today's world we move further and further away from those types of connections..it seems as if we become more disconnected than connected even though technology would have you think otherwise...<br />
Life is like a dance, but we always seem to try and make it more like a fight.Those kids learned to treat life like a dance and I think we could all learn from the morals of those raver kids...<br />
<br />
Today's Positive Affirmation: If life is a dance..I choose not to leave others stranded on the sideline...Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073168663615871502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004902128249936662.post-11690394545258153862017-04-11T18:56:00.000-07:002017-04-11T18:56:56.598-07:00Unwrapping Our GiftsOn 4/11/17 Kev writes I type...<br />
<br />
I believe that every single human being on the face of this planet has something beautiful inside to offer the rest of the world. We all have special gifts. I feel like most of us spend our lives searching in the wrong places for what we already have inside. It's true that our experiences mold us into who we are, but I also believe that each of us have a special gift or talent that is already stitched into the fabric of who we are. Sometimes we have to pull the layers back until we are able to get close to the prize that's inside , and once we find it we have to hold onto it, nurture it and share it with the rest of the world.<br />
The greatest artists and writers didn't just create their amazing work to sit unnoticed, they offered up pieces of themselves to help benefit the rest of the world. Some gifts involve sacrifice...a doctor who trains his hands and mind to save lives, while a police officer puts his own life on the line to benefit his community. We should all be soldiers fighting for each other instead of always fighting against one another.<br />
Sometimes those experiences that test us the most in our life end up leading to a better understanding of what our gifts have to offer the rest of humanity. As we peel back the layers of our inner being we become closer to who we truly are. The real gift is about being able to find our individuality, and having the courage to share it with the rest of the world.<br />
I've always been a creative person .. I realize that after all I have gone through that my true calling for my gift will be the ability to help create a better world for those around me. I have hope that people will start looking more inside themselves for something special rather than always relying on something on the outside to make them feel complete..When we allow our true hearts to shine through the way we choose to express ourselves, we help create a world with less darkness...we give the gift of hope.<br />
<br />
Today's positive affirmation: I will allow the way I choose to live my life to reflect a gift of happiness for the rest of the world to share in..<br />
<br />Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073168663615871502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004902128249936662.post-62713626604463228912017-04-05T10:37:00.000-07:002017-04-05T10:37:09.159-07:00RootsOn 3/29/2017 Kev writes, I type..<br />
<br /><br />
We must never forget where it is we came from. In the garden of our existence, our roots create the blossom of who we become and sometimes who we strive to be. We must always be vigilant of the negative forces that surround us...if left unchecked, they can warp the perception we have of ourselves and stain the beauty of who we truly are. We should never allow our garden to become infested with unnecessary weeds. We change the world around us by first changing ourselves into the proper examples of that change... We can become the flowers that grow between the cracks in the pavement. By becoming the right examples we create the roots for the world around us to grow from. I see true hope in those who choose to lead by example, and the people who truly grow from their experiences, but never forget where they came from. The way we choose to nourish the roots of who we are will dictate the people we end up becoming....<br />
<br /><br />
Today's positive affirmation: I will never forget where I came from, but I will never let my past keep me from a brighter future...Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073168663615871502noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004902128249936662.post-79281835206100049142017-04-02T14:04:00.000-07:002017-04-02T14:04:51.456-07:00Footprints In CementOn 3/26/17 Kev writes, I type...<br />
<br />
We are always looking for a way to be noticed in the world around us, for that way to leave our mark. Have you ever noticed that when a construction company pours a new concrete sidewalk, how people can't help putting their name , their hand prints or their footprints in the new cement before it hardens up? We long to be noticed by one another in any way that we can.<br />
We can be noticed the best by each other by learning to become the best human beings we can, leaving our mark by being examples worth following. All species long to leave a legacy behind. We reproduce to prolong our existence, and try to leave a world worth living in for the future of our kind. How can we leave a better world for the next generation when most of us seem to be more caught up with our own selfish needs? The best footprints we can leave in the cement are the ones worth walking in..Our legacy should be for each other.<br />
Life should not be about just fulfilling our own desires. Life should be about keeping life alive if that makes any sense to anyone besides me....<br />
The concept of suffering is one we all face together. By working together instead of against each other we build a better chance of defeating that suffering. When we learn form our own personal experiences and then choose to use what we've learned to help the next person going through what we have already experienced, to me that is one of the greatest gifts we can give to one another...<br />
We defeat suffering by learning from it and by becoming the best human beings through the process. Sometimes it's hard to get our of our own way before our hearts harden and turn to stone..Each day is like stepping in fresh cement...will your footprints be worth walking in? They can be if we try each day to represent something positive through acceptance and kindness.<br />
<br />
Today's Positive Affirmation: I will leave footprints worth following, and make a life worth living for others.Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073168663615871502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004902128249936662.post-47523502789600676222017-04-02T13:38:00.001-07:002017-04-02T13:38:39.065-07:00The ChaseOn 3/23/17 Kev writes, I type...<br />
<br />
The roadways to our success lie in the palm of our hands. We have the power to create the life we want for ourselves...our dreams are only imagined ideas until we begin to take action...Our actions and the way we choose to live our lives on a daily basis are the outward expression of how we feel inside. The way we conduct ourselves in society usually represents how we feel about ourselves..I know this to be true from personal experience...<br />
I used to believe that my drug use was my only real problem...I thought that if I just stopped using everything else would be perfect, but what I did not realize was that my drug use was just a symptom of the real problem..Me. Every single time I allowed myself to use drugs was a demonstration of how I truly felt about who I was....I did not know myself anymore... I was never able to find happiness within myself, and I used toxic relationships and drugs as a way to fill the void I had created inside. It was not until I became incarcerated for the second time in five years that I came to realize a different truth.<br />
That truth was that I needed to accept myself and learn to live my life one moment at a time.. If I allowed myself to be stuck in the past or get too caught up in the future...I would never truly learn to live. We chase tomorrow , but forget that the tomorrow we chase is only possible if we take care of today. Human nature is about learning to live for each other by first learning to live with ourselves...<br />
<br />
Today's positive affirmation: I will live in each moment with acceptance and the determination to succeed.Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073168663615871502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004902128249936662.post-76161507592972461922017-04-01T17:20:00.002-07:002017-04-01T17:20:29.192-07:00The LedgeOn 3/19/17 Kev writes, I type....<br />
<br />
There are moments in our lives that truly define us. Life is about having the right leverage at the right time. Most of our lives are spent trying to gain that leverage in preparation for that one moment. Some people spend their entire lives without truly living because they become so consumed by that moment that they have planned for inside their minds.<br />
We love feeling that we have control of everything when in fact we are not in control of really much to begin with. We can plan and work for something , but when it doesn't go our way we fall apart. Our inner ego is such a powerful force. It can be our driving force to accomplish miraculous things or it can be the thing that destroys us from the inside out...<br />
Life is unpredictable and the only thing we truly have control of is our reaction to it. When we try to control life itself, it tends to pull us apart. We allow our perceptions of ourselves to take on a life of their own.We end up losing the true identity of who we are with who we think we should be according to the rest of the world around us...Left to it's own devices our own self is capable of running wild . We can all end up standing on the ledge of existence face to face with ourselves holding onto our inner ego . It will attempt to pull us off , but if we find the strength to let go and stand our ground we will be able to see new horizons. Not allowing ourselves to be controlled by what's inside will bring about new purpose in our lives .,,<br />
The fear of the unknown can be a very scary thing. We can face life by living within each moment. If you are facing fear, anxiety and worry within your life....Push it off that ledge..Live in each moment. That's the terms we sign with life...<br />
<br />
Today's positive affirmation: I will attempt to live life on life's terms each day and in every moment.Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073168663615871502noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004902128249936662.post-49192520652747914892017-04-01T16:55:00.001-07:002017-04-01T16:55:08.964-07:00The Journey Is HappinessOn 3/16/17 Kev writes, I type....<br />
<br />
Most of us spend our entire lives trying to find happiness. We see happiness as some type of destination, or a fixed point in time where all of our fears, anxieties, and problems dissipate. I've come to find out that it's not the destination but the journey getting there that makes me truly happy.<br />
I've made plenty of mistakes, but I believe that this particular journey has allowed me to truly find myself as a man. I don't think I have ever been able to know myself like I do right now in my life. My journey has been about learning to accept myself.<br />
There can be so much unnecessary space filled inside our minds by things we don't need..sometimes we just have to take out the trash. By clearing the wreckage inside myself I've gathered the strength to build a better me.<br />
Our journey should never be about finding something to make us happy , our journey should be about happiness itself. What should truly make us happy is being ourselves. I feel the world around us is always trying to mold us into what it wants us to be and who it thinks we should be. I think it's more interesting when we can learn to follow what's inside of us, rather than what around us. The journey to happiness is happiness itself.<br />
We can find more smiles in our mirror by learning to accept who we are. Make your journey worthwhile every day by just being you. We must realize after all that we only have this day. Tomorrow is never guaranteed and nothing stays the same.<br />
Find your happiness in each moment, minute and second. Let your heart guide you to your smile and you will always be truly and utterly happy.<br />
<br />
Today's positive affirmation: I will let my heart let me guide me to my smile.<br />
<br />
<br />Sherihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12073168663615871502noreply@blogger.com0