| 33rd Annual Altoona Round-up |
Altoona Lake Dam in Cartersville, site of the Altoona Round-Up | | |
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| Definition of a hero:
he·ro Pronunciation Key (hîro) n. pl. he·roes
1. In mythology and legend, a person, often of divine ancestry, who is endowed
with great courage and strength, celebrated for their bold exploits, and
favored by the gods.
2. A person noted for feats of courage or nobility of purpose, especially one who has risked or sacrificed his or her life.
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Happiness is when what you think, what you say and what you do are in harmony.
~Mahatma Gandhi | | |
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Endurance is nobler than strength, and patience than beauty.
~John Ruskin |
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The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.
~Helen Keller |
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The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience,
but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.
~Martin Luther King, Jr. |
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| Thursday, August 19, 2010 Volume 2, Issue 39
Our primary focus is our own recovery and rebuilding our own lives. We will lead by example and not interfere with another's recovery. |
Live with Integrity and Live Your Best Life |
Are you the kind of person you say you are?
Do you have the integrity you want to have?
Are you living little lies that keep you from real happiness?
Ask yourself: When you hear a juicy piece of gossip, do you pass it on? Do you think it's harmless to tell little white lies now and then? Do you let other people make important decisions for you? Use this action plan to build your spiritual backbone! Be the person you really want to be, and live your life with integrity!
Three Steps to Restoring Your Integrity
Life coach Cheryl Richardson says that if you are not living with integrity, your goals become hard to reach, you attract people that make you feel bad, and you lose your trust in yourself. If you feel you are out of touch with who you want to be and are breaking promises to yourself, use these three steps to restore your integrity!
Step One: Create an "Absolute Integrity List." Make three promises to yourself to restore your integrity.
Step Two: Create a personal vision statement that gives you clarity about your beliefs and will lead you to become the person you've always wanted to be.
Step Three: Identify where you are not being truthful in your life.
Cheryl says that your mission is not where you currently are, but where you want to be. Be sure to write all of these things down in the present tense-claim it!
It is important to take small steps over time. You're going to screw up. It's a hard and scary thing. "It's hard at first, I've been there!" - Oprah
Strengthen Your Spiritual Backbone
Everyday things you do-telling little white lies, gossiping, not standing up for yourself-can erode your spiritual backbone.
Step One: Stand Up for Yourself!
When you don't live a life that reflects your true priorities, your "spiritual backbone" becomes out of alignment. You cannot live an authentic life if you continue to do things for people that you don't want to do. Learn to say "No" to the things that don't reflect your beliefs.
Step Two: Be Honest...No 'Little White Lies!'
People often tell white lies to avoid confrontation in their lives. Once you start telling these little lies, you begin to distrust yourself and harm your self-esteem. Doing this can take a physical and spiritual toll by draining your energy.
Step Three: Stop the Gossip!
Gossip is a way of avoiding confrontation and a great example of how we break our integrity with ourselves. If gossiping about others makes you feel powerful, perhaps you should look at why you feel powerless. When you gossip and feel badly about yourself afterwards, you're betraying yourself. |
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|  What happens at an Al-Anon or Alateen meeting? Al-Anon members take turns sharing their experiences in applying the Al-Anon principles to their lives. They do not give each other advice. This peer-to-peer exchange of experiences helps them discover choices or new ideas to apply to their lives. Are there electronic Al-Anon meetings? Yes. Meetings on-line and by telephone supplement, rather than replace, face-to-face Al-Anon meetings. To request a list of electronic meetings, visit www.al-anon.alateen.org, or send an e-mail to wso@al-anon.org. A valuable coping tool- that I discovered at my first meeting By Linda D., Wisconsin
When I went to my first Al-Anon meeting, my mission was to find out how I could get my husband to stop drinking. I was confused and very conflicted about what to do. "Can you tell me how to get him to stop? Should I leave him or should I stay?"
One member shared an Al-Anon saying about alcoholism: "I didn't cause it, I can't control it, and I can't cure it." I needed to hear these words.
I thought I had caused my husband's alcohol abuse because at times he told me that I was the reason he drank. I thought he would stop if I could become a better wife, mother, or housekeeper.
I had tried to control his drinking by hiding bottles, pouring them out, or by trying to keep him away from places where he might drink.
I can't cure it. I realized the mission that had brought me to this meeting wasn't really my mission at all. It wasn't my job to get him to stop drinking. I felt such relief from the burden I had placed upon myself.
I got the support and understanding I needed by coming to Al-Anon.
"I thought I had caused my husband's alcohol abuse because at times he told me that I was the reason he drank." I found comfort and relief from my stress By Mary Beth C., Maryland At my first Al-Anon meeting I saw others enjoying the peacefulness I desired. Their strength and hope was so attractive that I found myself trusting it before I realized that I was doing so. I needed what they talked about, even though I didn't know how to put it into words. The more I listened, the more I learned. It was like discovering a new language that I hadn't known existed. They talked openly about fears, insecurities, trying things, failing at things, and discovering solutions. For the first time in my life I'm relieved of the pressure to have everything under control. I don't have to have all the answers. Al-Anon gave me insight into my troubled relationships By David C., Ohio As a Native American, I saw many of my relatives succumb to the disease of alcohol addiction. Early death was a common outcome. Only a fortunate few found sobriety in A.A. and lived to enjoy happy and prosperous lives. Although I had my own episodes with alcohol, it wasn't until I discovered the fellowship of Al-Anon that I began to gain insight into my problems. Understanding alcoholism as a family illness helped me understand my need to over-control my environment, my inability to understand healthy boundaries, and the deep-seated insecurities that haunted every corner of my existence. Several marriages to daughters of active alcoholics created the pain that led me to Al-Anon, where I learned that it was fear that motivated my desire to over-control people, places, and things. This fear, coupled with anger issues related to childhood abuse, led to a merry-go-round of unhealthy relationships. Single mother finds strength to cope with challenge of son's drinking By Peggy J., Arkansas I came to Al-Anon desperate for help in dealing with my son's alcoholism. I thought I was responsible for his illness and couldn't understand why my efforts to cure him always ended in failure. I was a divorced mother, totally on my own financially. I couldn't afford to lose my own health and sanity. What a blessing it was to learn that it wasn't my fault, that I hadn't caused it, couldn't control, or cure it. I began learning how necessary it was to take care of myself. I learned to respond, rather than just to react By Connie S., Iowa I have learned that how I react to my alcoholic son is my choice. That used to be a foreign concept to me. I've always been very reactive to crisis. In Al-Anon, I became aware that I am in charge of my emotions. No matter what decisions my son makes, I do not have to let myself become physically and emotionally defeated. I can love him-and for the first time, I am hopeful that I can find peace. | |
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Barriers To Effective Classroom Listening |
Sometimes we set up barriers within ourselves to counteract good listening habits. Check to see if you have any barriers.
After the next lecture you hear, read each item on the list. Decide if the behavior is true of you. YES answers are a source for a change in your behavior to make yourself a better listener.
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1. I usually think of this class as boring. |
yes |
no | |
2. I pretended to be paying attention. |
yes |
no | |
3. I didn't like the instructor's mannerisms(e.g. pacing, phrasing,cough). |
yes |
no | |
4. I tried to make notes on everything which was said in class. |
yes |
no | |
5. I tried to write my notes in complete sentences. |
yes |
no | |
6. The subject for this class was way too difficult for me. |
yes |
no | |
7. Some personal problems kept my mind busy during the lecture. |
yes |
no | |
8.I didn't waste paper in copying down information from the chalkboard or the overhead tranparencies. |
yes |
no | |
9.I was really angry about something the instructor said in class. |
yes |
no | |
10. I definitely enjoyed distractions(e.g. late student, books falling) more than the lecture. |
yes |
no | |
11. I spent much of the lecture with a good daydream. |
yes |
no | |
12. I didn't really understand the lecture but asking questions is not my thing. |
yes |
no |
If you discover you need help to address any of these issues, please discuss this with your program director or your recovery coach. |
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How are you spending your precious, powerful thoughts? Are you spending them on the things you desire or on the things you detest?
Would you waste your money buying things you didn't even want? It makes no more sense to waste your thoughts on those things you don't want.
Your life unfolds in accordance with your most pervasive thoughts. Your actions, and the results they bring, flow directly from what you think from moment to moment.
Can you create and nourish a rich and detailed vision of yourself living the life you wish to live? Yes, of course you can.
Allow yourself to fashion that vision, to nourish it, to expand upon it with your thoughts, and by so doing, to truly live it. The more you focus your thoughts on what you do desire, the more surely you bring those desires to life.
Make positive and meaningful use of the awesome power of your thoughts. Where your thoughts most frequently go, your life will surely and quickly follow.
~Ralph Marston |
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These tasty tomatoes are topped with breadcrumbs for a flavorful dish with a fancy presentation. Serve with baked chicken and fish for a well-rounded diet.
Ingredients
4 medium tomatoes
1/2 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. onion powder
1/8 tsp. dried basil
1/8 tsp. dried oregano
Dash pepper
1/2 cup fat-free saltine cracker crumbs
Methods/steps
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cut off tops of tomatoes; remove a little of the pulp. Place tomatoes in a shallow baking dish. Stir together remaining ingredients, except crumbs. Sprinkle mixture over tops of tomatoes. Top with crumbs. Bake 20 to 30 minutes, until tender.
Additional Tips
Ready in 30 min |
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California Corner |
Addiction and Recovery: Who Will Enable Your Addicted Loved One When You Quit?
from Tricia Thibodeau
Program Director, California
"Enabling" can be described as a behavior pattern of the significant people in the life on an addict or alcoholic. "Enabling" involves rescuing the alcoholic/addict from the negative consequences of his or her behavior. When the addict has those negative consequences of his/her addiction removed, the significant other is, in effect, "enabling" the addict to continue drinking/drugging. The significant other enablers the addict to stay in active addiction. This effect is usually not the intention of the worried and caring family member or friend. Most of the time the significant other is trying to "help" rather than hurt. People who love an addict/alcoholic may see the link between the drinking/drugging and the problems associated with it. They erroneously believe that if they can intervene and solve the problems associated with the drinking/drugging, that the addict will be able to regain control over his/her life.
Family members often seek help for the addict or their relationship with the addict, before the addict seeks help. In doing so, they usually learn about "enabling" and are instructed to stop picking up the pieces for the addict. They become hopeful that when they stop enabling, that the addict will have to get sober. Family members often become angry and confused when other "enablers" move into the forefront and take up where they left off.
Alcoholics/addicts in active addiction often have layers of enablers. When the family members of addicts finally get to a place where they can detach, either with anger or with love, there are often others willing to step up and take over their enabling roles. These second, third, (and so forth) layers of enablers could be made up of parents, spouses, friends, coworkers, boss, clergy, community agencies, etc. The ways that they enable is much like the primary enablers (parents and spouses). They provide money, food, shelter, transportation, etc.
Second tier enablers can become engaged in the same struggle over control that primary enablers do. They try reason, logic, argument, bribery, shaming, lectures, and threats to get the addict to step up and take responsibility for his/her life. They tend to suffer from the mistaken assumption that the addict can take control if s/he just would.
For most alcoholics/addicts to take control of his/her life, it is necessary to receive appropriate treatment for addiction. It does not matter where an addict is addicted to crank, pot, or prescription drugs. Most people need professional help to put their addiction into remission so that they have an opportunity to resolve the other problems in their lives. Significant others of addicts/alcoholics initially mistakenly think that the addiction will go away if the problems associated with it are resolved. One example is financial irresponsibility. Addicts can become financially responsible once sober, but cannot become sober by becoming financially responsible. It does not work that way.
Like other family members, the second tier of enablers often believe that if an addict can get a better place to live, a job, disability benefits, (or any other desired element), that they can feel better and become motivated to quit drinking/using. Significant others often operate from the mistaken assumption that the alcoholic/addict drinks and uses because of the circumstances of their his/her life instead of the probability that the negative circumstances exist because of the drinking/using. Most people do not start drinking or using to escape from problems. They start drinking/using for fun, recreation, or socializing. Problems, such as low self esteem, trauma, unresolved grief, and other troubling conditions can help create a climate where addiction can occur. Many factors come together to create addiction, and it is erroneous to point out one or two factors as the cause.
References
By Peggy L. Ferguson, Ph.D., LMFT, LADC |
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Upcoming Events in Atlanta
*33rd Annual Altoona Round-Up
"See and Share Love"
August 20 and 21
Friday 20th
8:00pm Tim T. ~ AA Speaker West Lake, OH
9:30pm Watermelon Cutting
Saturday 21st
8:00pm Bill S. ~ AA Speaker~Atlanta, GA
9:30pm Ice Cream Social
10:00pm Entertainment
*Pool Party
August 28, 2010
1 pm - 5pm
Food, Fun, and Water!
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Georgia Association of Recovery Residences
Announces Registration is Open for our
3rd Annual RECOVERY AWARENESS FAIR
CEs for GACA, GAMFT, LPCA and NASW
Friday, September 24, 2010 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Co-Sponsored by:
Alina Lodge
Bank of America
Calloway Labs
Cumberland Heights Recovery Center
Four Circles Recovery Center
GACA
Georgia Council on Substance Abuse
Skyland Trail
Talbott Recovery Campus
Keynote:
"Working with Resistant Clients: The Alina Lodge Experience"
Michael Hornstein, CEO/Executive Director, Little Hill-Alina Lodge
Barbara Allen Anderson MA, MAC, CCS, CACII, Southern Regional Manager Little Hill-Alina Lodge
Register at www.garronline.com
Message from the GARR President:
The GARR-sponsored Networking Fair is an unmatched opportunity for outreach and community for those that serve in the field of addictions recovery. We hope you will join us for this valuable day of cutting edge information and networking with outstanding professionals!
~ Beth Fisher, GARR President
Cost of Registration as an Attendee is:
$60 - GARR Member
$75 - Non-GARR Member
Cost of Registration as an Exhibitor is:
(Includes one 6-foot table, 1 Attendee Admission, Free Wireless Connection)
$75 - GARR Member
$100 - Non-GARR Member
AGENDA OVERVIEW
Friday, September 24, 2010
8:30 - 10:00 Check In
Continental Breakfast
*Open Exhibits*
10:00 - 11:00 Roundtable 1 (Options Available)
11:00 - 12:00 Roundtable 2 (Options Available)
12:00 - 1:30 Lunch (provided)
*Sponsor Presentations*
1:30 - 3:00 Keynote Address
3:00 - 4:00 GARR Awards
4:00 - 5:00 Open Exhibits & Networking
The 3rd Annual Recovery Awareness Fair brings together addiction professionals, people in long-term recovery and their allies and others in celebration ofRecovery Month 2010. If you are interested in learning more about the Georgia Association of Recovery Residences (GARR), the Recovery Fair Co-Sponsors, hearing the Keynote Address by Michael Hornstein, or in meeting others who support addiction recovery, this event is for you!
Location: Embassy Suites 4700 Southpark RoadCollege Park, GA 30337
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Save the Date
The dates for the Fall 2010 Family Weekend will be September 24-26. Please SAVE THE DATE for the weekend. We will begin the weekend with a Social Event on Friday evening. Saturday will be filled with workshops for the family and for residents. Sunday will offer opportunity for individual families to meet with staff to discuss your resident. I look forward to seeing you all at our next Family Weekend
Hotel for Family Weekend
We have arranged for a HERO House rate at the Springhill Suites by Marriott for Family Weekend. Conveniently located a mile from our campus, it is a wonderful facility. Their website is www.springhillsuites.com/atlkn. You may reserve your suite for $87.00 by contacting Felecia Callahan at 770-218-5550 and ask for the HERO House rate.
"Aerodynamically the bumblebee shouldn't be able to fly, but the bumblebee doesn't know that so it goes on flying anyway."
~Mary Kay Ash |
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Kennesaw State University's Collegiate Recovery Center 5K Run for Recovery | |
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About The HERO House
The HERO House is a recovery residence for college students in early sobriety. We serve men and women in separate residences, based upon Peer-to-Peer Recovery Support, grounded in the 12-Step process. The HERO House is a community of students in recovery, sharing life experiences and helping each other achieve long term, quality sobriety and a manner of living that will make them outstanding contributors to our society.
Additionally, at the Higher Education Recovery Option, we work with students to return to school and to find the tools necessary to be successful while sober, on a college campus. We tell residents at intake that our program is typically a one-year program; however, we recognize some residents will finish early and some will need additional time. To successfully complete our program, residents need to complete a 12-Step Program, successfully complete one full-time semester of college, and to advance through all four of our levels of competency at The HERO House. |
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