Aloha and welcome to the sobriety rocks podcast, I’m your host, Kirk Waterman. Today we talk about Gentle and Loving

Nietzsche said, “The voice of beauty speaks softly; it creeps only into the most fully awakened souls”

When I was a child, I possessed a naturally gentle and loving nature. My heart overflowed with kindness, and I treated others with care and compassion. However, as the grip of addiction tightened its hold on me, my gentle and loving nature slowly began to fade.

Then, when drugs and alcohol no longer made the cold life I was living bearable, I discovered the rooms of addiction recovery. Here I found people who had love in their hearts and were making a difference in the world around them. 

So, I did what they did, and slowly began to rediscover the wonderful essence of my true self, rekindling the gentle and loving nature that once defined me. 

Over the years I’ve been able to extend gentleness and love not only to others but to myself. I’ve also embraced forgiveness, knowing that my past struggles don’t define me, but rather serve as steppingstones to growth, transformation, and connection to others.

Wherever you’re at or whatever shape your spirits in, know that your natural qualities of gentleness and love are never lost. They’re merely waiting to be rediscovered within you.  

Today we close with a brief calming meditation. So please, get comfortable, close your eyes, take a few slow, deep breaths, and join me.

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Aloha and welcome to the sobriety rocks podcast, I’m your host, Kirk Waterman. Today we talk about The Allure of Shortcuts

Bryant McGillsaid, “Every shortcut has a price, usually far greater than the reward.” 

I excelled in life as a child. I didn't take shortcuts and embraced hard work and dedication. Unfortunately, as I entered my teens, the allure of drugs and alcohol took hold, and lead me down the treacherous path of shortcuts and instant gratification.

Thankfully, I found a glimmer of hope when I hit rock bottom and wound up in the rooms of addiction recovery. This was a place where people believed in the power of doing things the right way and didn't take shortcuts.

So, I committed myself to their journey of self-discovery, healing, and transformation, free of short cuts. I was amazed that this was the place I learned that true fulfillment and success were earned through commitment, consistency, perseverance, and diligence.

Over the years, I’ve stayed true to my commitment to not take shortcuts, even when faced with challenges and temptations. Because of this, I’ve been able to build a wonderful life filled with stability, consistency, and a deep sense of fulfillment.

No matter what path you may be taking, know that you too can create a life filled with purpose and joy. Just stay strong, remain steadfast, be true to yourself, and reject the allure of shortcuts. 

Today we close with a brief meditation to remove suffering. So please, get comfortable, close your eyes, take a few slow, deep breaths, and join me.

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Aloha and welcome to the sobriety rocks podcast, I’m your host, Kirk Waterman. Today we talk about True Partnerships

Charles Darwin said, “It is the long history of humankind that those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed.”

When I was a child, I had an incredible gift for forming deep and meaningful connections with everyone around me. My genuine kindness and ability to understand others created strong partnerships and friendships. However, as I entered my teens, addiction began to consume my life, leading to a downward spiral that eroded these precious relationships.

Thankfully when I hit bottom and asked for help, I was brought to the rooms of addiction recovery. By taking the twelve steps of the program, particularly steps four through nine, I began to rebuild the trust and connections that were once lost. With each step of my journey, I learned valuable lessons about honesty, vulnerability, and the power of genuine human connections.

Over the years, the unity, recovery, and service of the program has transformed my life. I’ve been able to form strong partnerships and friendships, nurtured by trust, understanding, and compassion. My experiences have given me a profound understanding of the importance of authentic connections, and I’m blessed to get to share what I’ve learned with others on their own paths of recovery.

No matter what challenges we face, it is never too late to rebuild and strengthen our relationships with others. Remember connections and true partnerships with our fellows are what make life rich and meaningful. So, let’s cherish the partnerships and friendships we have, and nurture them with care and love, so others can see that it can be done too. 

Today we close with a brief peace meditation. So please, get comfortable, close your eyes, take a few slow, deep breaths, and join me.

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Aloha and welcome to the sobriety rocks podcast, I’m your host, Kirk Waterman. Today we talk about Imagination and Creativity

Albert Einstein said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.”

I possessed a vibrant imagination with boundless creativity as a child. I would paint colorful pictures with my thoughts, weave intricate stories, and dream of endless possibilities. 

Unfortunately, as addiction took hold of my life, my sense of wonder slowly eroded, and my creative spirit became stifled. By the time I hit bottom, I hadn’t created anything meaningful in a long time, and my imagination had seen better days. 

Thankfully, when I finally made it to the rooms of recovery, I found happy people with wild imaginations, who were creating wonderful things. So, with a glimmer of hope that I too could catch the zest for life these people had, I stayed.

Sure enough, as my heart healed, my imagination and creativity began to reemerge. By the time I finished the initial recovery process, my imagination was afire, and I was once again expressing my authentic self in several creative ways.

Over the years, my imagination and creativity have never waned. In fact, they’ve flourished. Not only bringing me immense joy, but also serving as a powerful means of self-expression and healing.

If your imagination and creativity haven’t been as alive as you would like, don’t give up hope! You too can find comfort and inspiration in many unsuspected places. So embrace your imagination, nurture your creativity, and let them guide you towards a life filled with limitless possibilities.

Today we close with a brief guided meditation for building focus. So please, get comfortable, close your eyes, take a few slow, deep breaths, and join me.

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Aloha and welcome to the sobriety rocks podcast, I’m your host, Kirk Waterman. Today we talk about Entirely Ready

Tao Te Ching said, “When the student is ready the teacher will appear. When the student is truly ready... The teacher will Disappear.”

I approached life with a sense of readiness and open-mindedness when I was a kid. However, in my teens, the grip of addiction took hold of my life, I lost my sense of readiness, and found myself unprepared for the struggles and obstacles life presented.

Then, in the depths of despair, I hit rock bottom and became entirely ready to do whatever it took to recover and turn my life around. So, with newfound determination, I embarked on a journey of healing, self-discovery, and personal growth. 

I confronted my past, addressed my pain, and rebuilt my life from the ground up. Today, by staying entirely ready, I’ve been able to make meaningful connections, live a life of purpose, and successfully navigate everything that comes my way. 

No matter what challenges you may be facing, or how unprepared you may feel, there is always hope for a brighter future. By being entirely ready to do the work, and embracing everything life throws your way, you too can find strength, healing, and the extraordinary life that awaits you.

Today we close with a brief setting yourself free meditation. So please, get comfortable, close your eyes, take a few slow, deep breaths, and join me.

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Aloha and welcome to the sobriety rocks podcast, I’m your host, Kirk Waterman. Today we talk about Finding Your Silver Lining

Terry Virts said, “It's funny how, when things seem the darkest, moments of beauty present themselves in the most unexpected places.”

When I was a boy, I found the positive ‘silver lining’ in nearly everything I experienced. But, once I started drinking and using, hope and optimism began to fade, and I soon found the negative wherever I looked.
 
Then, in the depths of my addiction, I was brought to a detox center and introduced to the greatest silver lining an alcoholic addict could ask for. The people, the program, and the rooms, of addiction recovery.
 
Who would have known that after years of carelessness, I would be welcomed by an amazing community of people making a difference in the world. They offered me understanding, support, guidance, and love, and became my beacon of hope.
 
They taught me tools to navigate the ups and downs of life and showed me that the silver lining wasn’t just a fleeting glimmer. It was a new, wonderful way of living that allows me to find the positive in every situation, whether good or bad.
 
Today, as I reflect on my journey, I see that the silver lining I lost as a child, has been restored. It’s a gift that accompanies me through all of life's challenges, guiding me towards growth, gratitude, and a deeper appreciation for the beauty within every experience.
 
No matter where you are, what you’ve done, or what’s been done to you. Please know, that even in the darkest moments, there’s always a silver lining waiting to be discovered.

Today we close with a brief body scan meditation. So please, get comfortable, close your eyes, take a few slow, deep breaths, and join me.

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Aloha and welcome to the sobriety rocks podcast, I’m your host, Kirk Waterman. Today we talk about Risk Good to Pursue Great

William Shakespearesaid, “Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them.”

I was born with potential for greatness. And as a young lad, I began to capitalize on it. Unfortunately, once drugs and alcohol infiltrated my life, that greatness began to fade, and good became acceptable.
 
Over time, mediocrity replaced good. And before I realized it, misery replaced mediocrity, and soon became the norm.
 
Then, when I could no longer drink or drug away the pain of my miserable life, I pleaded to the universe for help, and was quickly brought to the rooms of 12 step addiction recovery.
 
Here I met people who had also pawned off the greatness of their lives for the lies of addiction. But, they had found a way back. And not just from miserable to good, but from the pits of despair to great!
 
So I followed in their footsteps, and quickly left mediocrity behind as I had my initial spiritual healing as a result of the unity, recovery, and service of the twelve step addiction recovery programs I belonged to. 

Once that happened, I took even more action so that I could make the climb from good to great. I used every means possible to fully heal my mind, body and spirit. 

From Joe & Charlie Step Studies, H & I Service Work, AA & NA Sponsorship, Thich Nhat Hanh Retreats, Self-Realization Fellowship, A Course in Miracles, Bikram Yoga, silence retreats, meditation retreats, exercise, education, and so more. I was relentless in my pursuit to heal as much of the damage my spirit had endured all those years.
 
Then, out of the blue, one day I found myself with nothing but peace and love coursing through my veins. The amazing people I surrounded myself with were right, the work paid off, and the “greatness” of my youth returned! It looked different and felt better than anything I could remember.
 
All these years later, whenever I pursue great, by consistently and sincerely using the amazing tools I learned all those years ago, I usually get amazing or incredible. Don't get me wrong, sometimes I forget about great, and think good is enough.
 
But not today! Today, I’m risking good, to continue to pursue great, amazing and incredible. How about you?

Today we close with a brief peace meditation. So please, get comfortable, close your eyes, take a few slow, deep breaths, and join me.

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Aloha and welcome to the sobriety rocks podcast, I’m your host, Kirk Waterman. Today we talk about Letting Go or Being Dragged

Ron Kozak said, “Once you realize you deserve a bright future, letting go of your dark past is the best choice you will ever make.” 

In my drinking and using days I believed that holding on and hanging in, were signs of great strength. But, I held on and was dragged for far too long, through the muck of my poor choices, the depths of addiction, and eventually, the pain and regret of my dark past.
 
I had thought that I was being strong. But the reality was, it would have taken more strength to let go, than to hold on as tightly as I did. Then, with the pain too much too handle, I found the hardest part wasn't even letting go, but starting over and doing the work to build a better life.
 
Thankfully, the people I met in the rooms of recovery had been dragged, let go, started over, did the work, and found wonderful, happy lives. So, I bit the bullet, started over, did the work, and sure enough, I found a wonderful, happy life too.
 
All these years later I see how that one simple act of letting go was the keystone to happy, wonderful lives for me, my family, and so many other people.
 
Whatever you may be holding on to, or wherever you may be being dragged to, know there’s a wonderful, happy life right here for you too.  So please, let go, and join us!

Today we close with a brief mindfulness meditation. So please, get comfortable, close your eyes, take a few slow, deep breaths, and join me.

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Aloha and welcome to the sobriety rocks podcast, I’m your host, Kirk Waterman. Today we talk about going From Victim to Victor

Gandhi said, “Whenever you are confronted with an opponent. Conquer him with love.” 

As a child, I embraced life with joy and a victorious spirit. However, as I entered my teens, I fell into the destructive grip of drugs and alcohol, and gradually was transformed from a victor into a victim. Thankfully, when I reached my lowest point, I found sanctuary in the rooms of recovery.
 
Here I found former victims who were now victors. So, I embarked on the journey of recovery, and by the time I completed the steps, I had shed the victim mentality that plagued me for so long. I had blossomed into a victor, no longer blaming everyone else for my troubles.
 
All these years later I know the profound impact that addiction recovery has had on my life. It’s allowed me rise to above my circumstances, and brought me a life of purpose, meaning, and fulfillment, where I no longer see myself as a victim.
 
No matter how bad things may seem. Know that you too, can triumph over adversity, and find peace. So, please, join us, embrace the journey, and know that together, we never have to be victims again.

Today we close with a brief guided meditation. So please, get comfortable, close your eyes, take a few slow, deep breaths, and join me.

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Aloha and welcome to the sobriety rocks podcast, I’m your host, Kirk Waterman. Today we’re going to talk about A Time of Reprogramming

George Bernard Shawsaid, “Create your own miracles; do what you think you cannot do.” 

I was a happy and wonderful kid, full of potential and curiosity. However, the people around me preached one thing but lived another. The contradictory messages I received led me astray, and I began to mirror the behaviors I witnessed, ultimately succumbing to the grip of drugs and alcohol.

Fortunately, I reached a breaking point and made it to the rooms of recovery. Here, I encountered individuals who embodied the principles of "do as I do." So, inspired by their example, I committed to the twelve-step program, and was able to shed the shackles of negative influences and find a life of happiness and freedom.

Today, as I reflect on the incredible changes that addiction recovery has brought to my life. I see how the transformation from a negative "do as I say" person to a positive "do as I do" individual began in recovery and opened the doors to an amazing life filled with fulfillment and purpose.

Wherever you are on your path, know that by breaking free from the negative patterns of addiction and embracing the positive changes of recovery, you too, can create the life of your dreams.

Today we’ll close with a brief calming meditation. So please, get comfortable, close your eyes, take a few slow, deep breaths, and join me.

Find Treatment Centers

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