The holiday season is upon us and it can be a season of joy. Does it feel like everyone is getting into the Holidays and you’re just not feeling it? Any family can feel the stress of the Holidays, but when we are dealing with substance abuse or addiction we especially need to pace ourselves.
Try to take some time to breath and slow it down during the upcoming weeks. It doesn’t have to be hectic or stressful. If you can keep your regular exercise routine as well as get an extra walk or yoga session in, that can help as well.
Take time each day for self care.There is nothing more refreshing than to get through the holidays feeling calm and peaceful.
Speaking of gifts, Mary Cook was kind enough to share her interview from YouTube. You can watch the interview here.
I’m happy to announce that Lisa Fredericksen has won Mary’s book, Grace, Lost and Found. Congratulations Lisa!
Have you watched a video on addiction and recovery lately? Sometimes rather than reading about addiction, a video gives a visual impact that can drive home the point so much more clearly. There are some excellent videos out on the subject of addiction and recovery.
Here are three you might want to check out:
Collision Course, from my friends over at Pathway to Prevention, teaches young teens and their parents about the prevalence and risks of substance abuse so they can make choices to avoid addiction. I just watched Collision Course recently and I highly recommend it.
Overtaken is another powerful video on the devastation of addiction. Two moms accomplished their goal of making a short length documentary featuring the struggles of addiction through the lives of young adults.
HBO Addiction is full of excellent information about addiction, and gives an overall view of addiction, treatment and recovery, as well as the science behind it.
Here’s a recap of last month’s posts:
- The Power of YOGA for Your Recovery: 15 Reasons to Start Practicing (Part 3)
- Gratitude This Thanksgiving
- Grace Lost and Found: An Interview with Mary Cook
- Meditate for Your Recovery from Addiction (Part 2)
- How Running Promotes Long Term Recovery (Part 1)
- How to Feel Empowered When Your Child is Addicted: 7 Tips
- Monthly Message – October 2011
A Little Inspiration
Of course, I’ve most loathed those parts of me that are dark and troubled – depression, anxiety, high sensitivity, eating disorders…. the parts that make me feel like I don’t belong because I’m often trying to keep my head above water when others seem to be swimming laps around me.
And yet something wiser whispers, “Enough.” It is this voice that calls me home: Love your tender humanity. Love your imperfection. Love your sensitive soul. No more will I hate you. No more will I blame you. Beloved, I will care for you. I will hold you kindly.
With this perspective, I hold loosely onto that list of “faults.” I care for them with wisdom. And I detach a bit – I’m not the sum of my challenges; nor my mistakes. Why should I feel ashamed for being human; for needing love and forgiveness like everyone else?
I breathe and let go. I exhale and feel space. I come home.
The heart is big enough.
Swami Kripalu said that each time “we judge ourselves we break our own hearts.” Oh, beloved, join me in this holy refrain – I will break my heart no longer. When the voice of self judgment arises, forgive it. Forgive everything. Please, please; let’s stop the war.
Please, please: come home. ~Karly Pitman
Peace to you and your family this holiday season.
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- Accept and cope with your family's addiction.
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- Find peace, serenity and joy
I have been going through a period of heavy self-judgment lately so this one especially resonated, “Swami Kripalu said that each time ‘we judge ourselves we break our own hearts’.” Thank you, Cathy, for another wonderful post. I ditto your recommendation for HBO Addiction and will watch the other two you recommend. All the best for a lovely holiday season to you, and thank you for Mary’s book!
Hi Lisa,
So easy when we are dealing with addiction at any time in the journey, to self judge. I know I have spent time second guessing myself, until I realized how painful that really is and how it doesn’t accomplish anything.
The videos are all good and tell the story of what addiction can do to someone’s life. Congrats again on the book!
Cathy recently posted..Monthly Message – November 2011
Hi there!
I’m Sol and I must say this post went straight to my heart.
We’re here to experience contrast, to experience bad things to better appreciate the good we have.
I know what addiction looks like. I’ve seen it on my closest family. While one would maybe wail at their misfortune, I’ve realized it has helped me learn compassion. You can’t say ‘I know how you feel’, because how can one truly understand how another feels?
For those that suffer, life may not be easy, but they show us that even in the deepest pit that life’s worth it.
Thanks for the post!
Sol | Some Insight Required recently posted..Using Your Emotions When Writing
Hi Sol,
Empathy and compassion are truly wonderful gifts that we can give to another. We cannot truly ever walk in someone else’s shoes, but being able to truly relate to someone else because of our personal experiences even if they’re not exactly the same, is the most beautiful way to support one another. Aside from permanently losing someone, working your way through challenging times may be one of the greatest gifts we are given in life. Thanks so much for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
Hi again Cathy,
Thanks. I truly appreciate it!
I agree with the points you make and believe you agree with me. True, losing someone may put a dent in us (it usually does). In that case, I think that slow and steady progress is the way to go. The best thing we could give to them is moving on in our own right as a human being and not be stuck in the loop. True, this is hard for very many of us, myself included… but having a strong support system really helps!
Sol | Some Insight Required recently posted..Using Your Emotions When Writing
Hi Sol,
Parents, can have a hard time with this when addiction is the issue, because of the feeling that we should be able to fix our kid’s problems. Moving on is the way to let go of the past and live in the present. Addiction of any kind impacts so many more than just the addicted person. But support does help us all. Thanks again for your comment.
Cathy recently posted..Monthly Message – November 2011
Hi Cathy,
I have seen addiction first hand in my family. The one thing that my mother taught me. Is with addiction when you love someone you are dealing with 2 different people. One when they are not using any drugs or alcohol and another when they are.
Love them both, but don’t enable them. With the holidays upon us this can be a hard time. Thank you Cathy for the words of wisdom when it comes to this problem.
Blessing to you,
Debbie
Debbie @ Happy Maker recently posted..The Signs of a Happily Married Couple