Welcome to this latest chapter in my story of continued healthy, happy years of sobriety. Over the years I have woken up and had that same old feeling of "things gotta change" or "I really sick and tired of how things are going." Well in this next part of my podcast program I will demonstrate how I use the steps plus some other tools that I originally used to get clean as a way to continue to transform myself into the healthy individual I dream of being. It all begins with the feeling that I want to change something then the next step is commitment.

Step 1 of the recovery programs helps me dissect my behavior and look hard at myself. This helps me begin to remove bad attitudes and change the habits that were bringing me down. As I go through this process though I see now how my success and my feelings kinda yo-yo up and down. Identifying this has been a breakthrough in gaining stability in my until I experience a lot more feeling up than down. As well as what to do to bring myself up or prevent going too far down cause I'll see it coming.

There are some basic keys to living a sober life. Don't drink or use, obviously. Also start by just showing up and then have some discipline. I think a cornerstone to living a healthy sober life also includes continuing to learn and apply. On today's show I quote Charlie Munger from an address he gave to a graduation class. I read it as part of starting my day. It help me to get my thoughts into the right place for me and the result was today was a great day.

Well today in true From Booze to Buddha form I begin off track and then circle around to talking about the third part of our teaching, wisdom. I feel I understand it well for myself what I find challenging is expressing it well for others.

Today we continue talking about a reading from The Teaching of the Buddha. Describing the meaning of concentration of mind.

The teaching of the Buddha was the first book that I read and connected with. Earlier in my recovery from drugs and alcohol I struggled with the spiritual nature of the program of the 12 Steps. I am an agnostic, I was back then and I still am today but I have spiritual beliefs and I live a spiritual life based on the teachings of the Buddha. A few days ago I read from the teachings about the way of practice and now I'd like to share it's meaning to me and how I apply it for my continued success.

Clean and sober 24 years is not something I brag about it's been a lot of work. I attribute my long lasting success to continuing to work on my personal growth as well as knowing that without reminders and effort it can be possible or even easy to slip into a mindset that believes I'd be safe to use again. Although not using now feels easy because right at the root using is not someone I want to be. I want to be able to face my life without turning to drugs and alcohol as a crutch for my fears and feelings.

The philosophical question "can a leopard change his spots" is about whether a person can change something that is part of their base nature. Can I change a core behavior that has been a part of me since I was born or very young. If I was born with it like core personality trait or one that I grew into and held for my whole life, can it be changed?

I believe it can. I didn't always but through the work in personal and spiritual growth I have come to see a new character in myself. I have new core personality traits, ones that I am proud of.

Today I talk about, I think, a lot of things/ideas about continuing to grow, find happiness, stay clean and sober and achieve success. Just talking about some of the tools that are in my toolbox and how I have never forgotten they are there or to use them.

Alcoholics Anonymous meeting rooms usually have a little sign on the wall that say "One Day At A Time." I think I finally get what that means or it has evolved into an understanding that I us as a principle in my life.

Gandhi said " The future depends on what we do in the present." The teachings on karma and merit tell me that where I will be tomorrow is dependent on what I do today. So if I just focus on today, one day at a time, I can accomplish great things or at least become who I want to be, choose the things to do and have the outcomes that I've been hoping for.