“Keynotes” are my brief comments about life and recovery and are intended to provide insight, inspiration, wisdom or humor to your day. Yesterday I had the opportunity to assist 2 people who are invested in making their marriage better. What brought them into my office is that their behavior had devolved into something that wasn’t … More Keynotes # 14: Staying inside the Problem Solving Box

“Keynotes” are my brief comments about life and recovery and are intended to provide insight, inspiration, wisdom or humor to your day. Step 10: “Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.” I’ve grown to love Step 10, because it helps me to “balance the books psychologically, spiritually and behaviorally” … More Keynotes #13: My Daily Inventory

(Originally posted on July 9, 2016) “Keynotes” are my brief comments about life and recovery and are intended to provide insight, inspiration, wisdom or humor to your day. I’m reminded of what I heard from Dr. Cliff Mitchell at a conference I attended last September (2015), in Dallas, the city that I live in. Dr. … More Keynotes # 12: Your Primary Focus During Times Like These

“Keynotes” are my brief comments about life and recovery and are intended to provide insight, inspiration, wisdom or humor to your day. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, … More Keynotes #11: Relax the Strings

“Keynotes” are my brief comments about life and recovery and are intended to provide insight, inspiration, wisdom or humor to your day. I had the opportunity to hear these simple yet profound words spoken by a wife who wanted to use her energy in her marriage effectively. She recognized that pushing, pulling, controlling or manipulating her … More Keynotes #10: Partnering Against The Problem

“Keynotes” are my brief comments about life and recovery and are intended to provide insight, inspiration, wisdom or humor to your day. I’m reminded of the early 1990’s song “Everybody Hurts” by R.E.M. (you could view the video here). If you were to watch the video, we’re given a glimpse of people who quietly carry … More Keynotes #9: When Everybody Hurts

“Keynotes” are my brief comments about life and recovery and are intended to provide insight, inspiration, wisdom or humor to your day. “68° to 72°” is actually the “comfort zone” that I try to stay within with my behaviors. I know that I’m sometimes tempted to soar beyond 72° (where I’m short, irritable or inconsiderate) or … More Keynotes #8: 68° – 72°

“Keynotes” are my brief comments about life and recovery and are intended to provide insight, inspiration, wisdom or humor to your day. I’ve always liked this scripture in the Bible, as it has helped me to think through and deal with my anger (and other feelings) constructively: “If you become angry, do not let your … More Keynotes #7: Dealing swiftly with Anger

“Keynotes” are my brief comments about life and recovery and are intended to provide insight, inspiration, wisdom or humor to your day. Do you practice daily recovery rituals that get your day off to a positive and constructive start? Do you exercise, read scripture, pray, meditate or focus on how you wish your day and … More Keynotes #6: Morning Recovery Rituals