April 17


Recovery is not all about concepts, ideas, or wordy books (or fucking podcasts). Most of it is about simple, actionable moments; just like being a good person is not about your intent to be a good person. Instead, you must do good things to be a good person. That is the same idea about recovery. It takes effort. What does that mean? Going to meetings, doing inventories, making amends, and helping others do the same. It doesn’t mean that we don’t fall short - we definitely do - but it means that we try. We make an attempt. Not a half-hearted attempt, either. We can’t do half the work and expect the full results. You will need to sacrifice some things to get the desired results. 
Reflections
Are you doing your best? Are you doing things half-assed? 
Daily Challenge
If you are in a recovery group, dust off those books, start again at page one, or get back to where you left off. 



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366 Book - April 17

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Health & Fitness

Mental Health

May 3


“I'd rather go through life believing I’m an alcoholic/addict than go through life drinking/drugging, trying to convince myself I'm not.” –Unknown
What defines an addict or alcoholic? You’re the only one who can determine if you are an addict/alcoholic because it has more to do with your relationship with the drink or drug than anything else. But let’s give it a try here. Two factors determine whether you are an addict or alcoholic. One aspect is that once you start drinking or drugging, you can’t stop; one is too many, and a thousand is never enough. We can’t put the brakes on and always desire more once we start. The next factor is that once we have stopped, we obsess about when we will start again. In certain recovery circles, this is known as "the allergy of the body and the obsession of the mind.” If you have it, you know it, and you can quickly identify yourself as an addict/alcoholic and move forward with that truth. 
Reflections
Do you know you’re an addict/alcoholic? Have you decided how you want to go through life?
Daily Challenge
Look up: https://www.cdc.gov/alcohol/faqs.htm – The words “drinking/drinks/drink” in the Alcohol Use Disorder section at the bottom of the page can easily be replaced with drugging/drugs/drug, etc.



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366 Book - May 3

May 2


In 2022, I interviewed one of the founding members and drummer, Ryan Dusick, from Maroon 5. And Ryan’s accomplishments in beating skins and matching tempos and rhythms did not compare to what he was doing today. With his newfound sobriety, he has become a therapist and is committed to helping others find and enjoy recovery. He also wrote a book about his journey: "Harder to Breathe - A Memoir of Making Maroon 5, Losing It All, and Finding Recovery". Isn’t that better than playing drums in a rock band? I mean, isn’t it? How well he must sleep at night these days. Less anxiety, a lot less fucking vomit, no pain, just peace and a restful evening. Knowing he did his best to help others in the world do their best, too. That sounds like its own reward. 
Reflections
What makes you happy? Where do you find your peace of mind?
Daily Challenge
Listen to the episode mentioned by searching for “harder to breathe sober pod.”



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366 Book - May 2

May 1


The 12 Steps of Recovery do not have a corner on the market of sobriety. There are many ways to get sober. You don’t need to work the 12 Steps, but you should be prepared to live sober. That’s where the 12 Steps help in that process. The 12 Steps borrowed, stole, regurgitated, and reconstituted the same principles that all well-balanced people have lived by since the dawn of time. There is nothing new in the “Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous.” It contains nothing that hasn’t been published in all the other helpful books of the past. The principles of honesty, hope, faith, courage, integrity, willingness, humility, brotherly love, self-discipline, perseverance, spirituality, and service have been in place and practiced in various philosophies, faiths, and religions. The only thing that the 12 Steps and A.A. did differently is put it into a language that the addict/alcoholic could understand. The message came with compassion, proper depth, and weight. 
Reflections
Have you ever read the “Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous”? Why not? What could it hurt?
Daily Challenge
Just read it: https://www.aa.org/the-big-book - For free! 



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366 Book - May 1

April 30


Setbacks. Downfalls. Missed mortgage payments. Repossession and desperation. We know the extent of our disease, and it involves more than just feeling like shit all the time. We have creditors and bankruptcy behind us and ahead of us. We have our mother’s wedding ring that we pawned just to get a bottle or bag. We have real damage that can span a lifetime. Disheartening to look back, huh? Sure it is. Who wouldn’t be saddened by a life of fuckery and bullshit? But no matter how messed up it was, it can be overcome. Though it may never feel like it, you can start down the path of redemption. This is the classic story of “The Hero’s Journey,” and it’s the fabric of all good stories. You have refused the call to overcome these deficits a few times, but not this time. This time you can - and will - slay the dragon, bring back the gold, get the girl (or man, we don’t judge), and live. Happily ever after.
Reflections
Sobriety is not the end of the story; it’s just the beginning. How will the rest play out from here? Are you ready?
Daily Challenge
Write it out. What’s your journey so far? Write it down. The best is yet to come.



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366 Book - April 30

April 29


The “Big Book” of Alcoholics Anonymous states (on page 52), “We were prey to misery and depression.” Some of us, thank God, can say this isn’t us. But for some of us, it’s the constant theme of our lives. It’s not that we asked for or welcomed it, but we are certain that we are cursed and that misery and depression follow us wherever we go. And some of us (like your illustrious author) relished the idea of being miserable. It was the perfect excuse: the all-encompassing reason to act the way I did, think the way I did - and it was the perfect reason to continue drinking the way I had been. “If you had my life, you’d drink too,” a lot of people exclaim. Some of us have even said those exact words. If you ask anyone with long-term recovery, they will tell you that it does get better and that you deserve to be happy. 
Reflections
Do you believe that you deserve to be happy? Why not? Really?
Daily Challenge
If you are having trouble with depression, there is help. 
Visit: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/suicide/suicide-prevention-hotlines-resources-worldwide



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366 Book - April 17

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