Today's Wacky Wednesday is a story from Chapter 8 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum entitled The Heart of an Outcast. As we listen to Paul's story of being an outcast we have many questions to think about and discuss. Were you called names because of your appearance? Were you an outcast? What did you do to feel accepted? How were your feelings of self esteem and self worth? Did addiction numb those feelings?

Our group of guys in recovery from Australia, South Africa and the US answer these questions on today's episode. What is the one thing in the world you loved doing most before you became an addict? What was it during your addiction? What is it now in your sobriety?

I'm sure you'll be encouraged as you hear their answers about stolen joy in childhood, counterfeit comforters in addiction and restoration of a true identity in sobriety.

Here's the second episode for today's Wacky Wednesday. The topic is Chapter 7 of Phase 2 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. The title of the chapter is The Heart that Feels Alone, Abandoned or Rejected. We'll listen to the first story from this chapter about the childhood wounds of a man named Larry that I met in Lancaster County Prison in Pennsylvania. And we'll discuss questions including: How did your parental household dynamic affect your childhood? Did you ever feel that you were "just there?" Did you have a dormant childhood wound that blossomed in your teens and resulted in you being labeled rebellious? What words of rejection did you hear that scared you for life?

In this Wacky Wednesday episode we look at two stories from Chapter 6 of Phase 2 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. The chapter is entitled The Heart of Broken Dreams. As we dig deeper we look at questions including: Did addiction become your new dream life? What were your high school dreams? When did they die? What condemning words have you heard that killed your dreams? Thanks for listening to this episode. Feel free to send me any comments you may have.

This is a walkabout episode as we stroll together through Hot or Not Park. This park was designed to help people stay on a hot streak in their recovery. Here are some quotes we'll find on the park signs for discussion. "A lack of transparency builds distrust and a deep sense of insecurity." Dalai Lama

"Surround yourself with a bunch of like-minded people, and you'll soak up their habits like a starved sponge." Vir Das

"Don't compare yourself with other people; compare yourself with who you were yesterday." Jordan Peterson

This is the second Wacky Wednesday episode for today and it presents snippets from 3 stories from Chapter 5 of Phase 2 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. This chapter is entitled The Heart of Addicts Worldwide. Aspects for discussion include the following questions. How do you determine that someone is "safe" to open up to about your addiction? What keeps you dipping and dabbing as you cut down on your use but can't completely stop? What aspects of your addiction are you blase' about?

Today's Wacky Wednesday episode is the opening story from chapter 4 of phase 2 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. The chapter deals with forgiveness and this episode looks at one person's story of addiction. As you listen to Debbie's story reflect on the various levels of self forgiveness that she needed to find. We have 8 questions for discussion in this episode to start you on your journey of self forgiveness.

Today's episode is in response to feedback from episode # 239. Many people asked for more ideas to help them uncover their childhood wound. In this episode we look at six categories of childhood wounds: neglect, betrayal, guilt, abandonment, rejection and suffocation. If you would like to join an online group or have a one on one online session, contact me by email at [email protected]

In this Wacky Wednesday episode we discuss the introductory passages to Chapter 3 of phase 2 of the From Ashes to Destiny curriculum. The chapter is entitled "The Heart That Yearns for Peace" and we read the diary of Goo. He was a heroin addict in the Kensington section of Philadelphia and he wrote his "diary" on the walls of his abando on Sterner Street. Join us as we look as his struggle to quit, to say "this was my last high", to get help, to believe he could be one who makes it to sobriety.

Goo yearned for peace, to find the innocence and happiness of his youth. Are you ready to chase recovery? Do you yearn for peace? How will you make protecting your peace your new core value?

This is the first Wacky Wednesday episode as we will continue with two of these every Wednesday for the remainder of 2024. That will allow us to finish the curriculum and still have our regular episodes every Monday.

Today we look at questions about your drug of choice becoming your shepherd. Did it provide all your wants? Where did it make you lie down? What did it destroy? Did it rob your head of reason?

Tune in for these questions and more.