Pain and Suffering

September 9th, 2019 | Posted by TJ Woodward in Addiction & Recovery | Addiction Discussions | Addiction Education | Counselor Education | Grief | Health & Wellness | Integrative Living | Mindfulness | Spirit Recovery Blog | Uncategorized - (Comments Off on Pain and Suffering)

Pain seems to be a part of the human experience. Naturally, most of us prefer to feel loved, safe, and connected rather than sad, lonely, or afraid. But the latter feelings seem to be a part of life. In Buddhism, the First Noble Truth states that: “Pain in life is inevitable but suffering is not. …
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Finding Purpose

August 14th, 2019 | Posted by TJ Woodward in Addiction & Recovery | Health & Wellness | Integrative Living | Mindfulness | Spirit Recovery Blog | Uncategorized - (Comments Off on Finding Purpose)

When we talk about purpose, we generally refer to something in the outer realm, something we want to do. We tend to believe that if we achieve this thing or that thing, then we will acquire what we want, whether that’s fulfillment or happiness or a better standard of living. We often look at our …
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Addiction is a Brilliant Strategy

August 3rd, 2019 | Posted by TJ Woodward in Abuse | Addiction | Addiction & Recovery | Addiction Discussions | Alcohol Addiction | Counselor Education | Drug Addiction | Health & Wellness | Integrative Living | Love Addiction | Mindfulness | Spirit Recovery Blog | Uncategorized - (Comments Off on Addiction is a Brilliant Strategy)

We often hear addictive behavior described in other terms—as a disease, or as a coping mechanism. Both can seem inherently negative in connotation. They suggest that that there’s something wrong that needs to be fixed. “I am an addict and that’s what’s wrong.” In the western medical model, the problem is the disease of addiction, …
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Awakened Living

July 25th, 2019 | Posted by TJ Woodward in Health & Wellness | Integrative Living | Mindfulness | Spirit Recovery Blog | Uncategorized - (Comments Off on Awakened Living)

When we have forgotten the truth of who and what we are, we are living unconsciously. Our thoughts and behaviors are taken over by the old habits, patterns, and conditioning of our past. We lose our freedom of choice in how to respond to life. When we are not awake to our true nature, we …
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What is Spiritual Disconnection?

July 16th, 2019 | Posted by TJ Woodward in Addiction | Addiction & Recovery | Addiction Discussions | Addiction Education | Health & Wellness | Integrative Living | Mindfulness | Spirit Recovery Blog | Uncategorized - (Comments Off on What is Spiritual Disconnection?)

“I am whole and perfect in every way.” From a spiritual perspective, life’s journey can be seen as an attempt to reclaim this truth. In fact, even our addictions can be a result of our attempts at restoration. Even our addictions can come out of the attempt to restore the connection to our true nature. …
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Evidence or Conclusion?

July 9th, 2019 | Posted by TJ Woodward in Uncategorized - (Comments Off on Evidence or Conclusion?)

Most of us are taught that we come to a conclusion by gathering evidence. If we look at the “facts” of a situation, we will be able to determine the correct conclusion. Our entire legal system is based on this, and many in the scientific community adhere to this structure of knowing as well. I …
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What is Unresolved Trauma?

July 2nd, 2019 | Posted by TJ Woodward in Addiction & Recovery | Health & Wellness | Integrative Living | Mindfulness | PTSD | Spirit Recovery Blog | Trauma - (Comments Off on What is Unresolved Trauma?)

The word “trauma” can bring to mind certain ideas or associations. War zones may come to mind, or serious accidents, or the loss of someone close to you, or childhood abuse. You may have read about research on the physical, mental, and emotional impacts of PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder) on returning soldiers and victims of …
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The Law of Caring in Recovery

January 24th, 2019 | Posted by Sherry Gaba in Uncategorized - (Comments Off on The Law of Caring in Recovery)

Can you think back to a time when you were involved in some type of activity, perhaps at work or school, where you were trying to achieve a goal, but the goal was of little personal importance? Perhaps you were doing something a partner was passionate about or maybe it was something your boss required …
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Understanding The Anxious Avoidant Relationship Trap

January 14th, 2019 | Posted by Sherry Gaba in Uncategorized - (Comments Off on Understanding The Anxious Avoidant Relationship Trap)

There are many different types of dysfunctional relationships. In codependent types of relationships, a common pattern of behavior that can be found is the anxious-avoidant trap. Sherry Gaba explains this pattern in full detail in her book, The Marriage and Relationship Junkie, and once you know the trap, it is easy to see. The dynamics The …
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