September is Recovery Month
Recovery Month promotes the societal benefits of prevention, treatment, and recovery for mental and substance use disorders, celebrates people in recovery, lauds the contributions of treatment and service providers, and promotes the message that recovery in all its forms is possible. Recovery Month spreads the positive message that behavioral health is essential to overall health, that prevention works, treatment is effective and people can and do recover.
(Source: lahacienda.com)
Soulshine Sobriety
I think every human at one time wonders and asks God to show them what their purpose is and it is usually a constant question. I am blessed in my sobriety to be given my purpose — to stay sober and help other alcoholics. It’s actually pretty easy since I have experience in this area. I don’t have to go to school, read a book or figure it out. I know what it is like. Now, my experience cannot be all things to all people; there is nothing in this world that can be all things to all people.
These homes are generally a group of newly sober people living together. Sober homes and half-way houses can be a positive experience for those who need housing in early recovery, especially for those motivated for change and committed to their recovery program. La Hacienda Treatment Center strongly recommends that you fully research each home you are considering. We offer this list of questions to assist in that process so you may make an informed choice. It is important you feel comfortable with the information you receive and that you feel confident this is an environment you believe you can be successful in. Thoroughly researching a home you are considering is a good start in that direction. Give some thought to the questions and ask those questions that are relevant to your situation. Some answers may be evident based on your observations.
October 27, 2012 - November 1, 2012
Bucket List
Sobriety isn’t boring! Think about what you want in your life, write it down, and see your Higher Power work in your life. When you first got into the program, you might have heard that if you wrote everything down you wanted in your life, you would probably sell yourself short. As life changes, change your list, put the impossible on there! What is on your bucket list?
Somewhat to our surprise, staying sober turns out not to be the grim, wet-blanket experience we had expected! …But for most members of AA, living sober is really living — a joyous experience. We much prefer it to the troubles we had with drinking.
- Living Sober, Preface
Remember Christopher Shaw?? He has been kind enough to do some research on Sober Online Networking. There are a lot more out there than I thought! I am a member of Intherooms.com. It’s hard to keep up with everything!
(Source: lahacienda.com)
Spiritual Poverty
A middle aged couple, while driving to a banquet one evening decided to discuss the closeness of their relationship. To make her point the wife reminisces, “Remember when we were first dating and even after we were married a while, whenever we drove somewhere, I always sat in the middle and you would put your arm around me. I would rub your shoulders and when we stopped at a light you would lean over and give me a kiss. It seems like we never do that anymore. We now sit on opposite sides of the seat. Why is that?” The man turned to his wife and replied, “Well, I’m driving so you are the one that moved over.”
Moving away from God can happen for a number of reasons. We have already discussed being busy and being caught up in emotions. Other reasons include feelings of entitlement, self-pity, and self-centeredness. It is import for us to make a conscious effort to sit in that middle seat again with God, to move closer and practice those things that give us access to the sunlight of the Spirit. While it is a given that one’s prayer life must not falter during the holidays, it is also prudent to remember and practice service work and gratefulness.
For the past 20 years, my family has made a conscious effort be involved in service work either through a local church, a civic organization, or a nonprofit organization. We have grown closer through activities such as building houses with Habitat for Humanity, serving food to the homeless at the SAMM shelter, Christmas caroling at a nursing home, delivering presents to children through Project Angel Tree, or leading songs in a church service at the Strong Foundation home in San Antonio. In addition to helping, we keep our perspective on the meaning of the holidays; it also brings our family closer together.
My grandma used to say “count your blessings.” It was such a trite phrase to me as a child. Now, in contrast, I can look toward the holidays and remember, I have a roof over my head, I have a job I love, I have a family that I am proud of, and no matter what goes wrong I can still be grateful. Each holiday I experience is one where I won’t be stumbling around drunk and embarrassing myself and others, I won’t wake up in jail or in a ditch, and I won’t have to regret it. I now think I understand the profundity of Grandma’s words.
(Source: lahacienda.com)
Welcome to the La Hacienda blog! My name is Kristen Black and I am an employee and alumni of La Hacienda. I have been working for La Hacienda since October 2005. My new role is Interactive Media Coordinator and my hope is that this blog will connect our alumni, familes and referral sources. My goal is to bring La Ha to you! Peek around for all sorts of great information and if you have any questions feel free to contact me, kblack@lahacienda.com. Sincerely, Kristen
man i can relate to that…
You’re never alone in recovery
the cause of most of my probelms…
