My first calls for help weren’t loud enough – given the deserted condo grounds three stories below. No tracks in the snow. Not even a bird or squirrel in the oak trees outside the screen. The sun was low, showing streaks on the sliding glass door that had closed with a solid, unmistakable click. I| The Phoenix Spirit
Grandiosity can be a huge hurdle for those in recovery from addictions. John Driggs shares ways to lessen grandiosity in our lives.| The Phoenix Spirit
Recently I had some catch up time with a supportive person at our regular meeting spot. While chatting she told me that she and her husband were out driving recently and unexpectedly another driver broadsided them. This incident has since caused them inconvenience due to having to take time for car repair as well as| The Phoenix Spirit
This article first appeared in our April 2007 issue of The Phoenix Spirit. Many people believe that punishing and explosive anger is a sign of power, confidence and "being on top of your game." In face, this is not the case at all. Disrespectful anger and even all out rage actually come out of a| The Phoenix Spirit
"Happiness is nothing more than good health and a bad memory." Albert Schweitzer I am happy to report that after much searching I have at long last found the key to happiness. Well at least I've unlocked my personal definition of contentment and I'm happy to share it. It wasn't long ago I believed happiness| The Phoenix Spirit
Sometimes you just have to blurt out the truth. That’s what happened in 2012 to Ken Barlow, chief meteorologist at KSTP-TV. He was standing before thousands of walkers gathered in support of the Minnesota chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Barlow had agreed to host this annual benefit walk, and as he| The Phoenix Spirit
Shame definitely has a place in our lives when we’ve done something wrong or hurt someone else. But it has no place in our lives when all we are doing is simply being a human being or being different in some way we cannot help.| The Phoenix Spirit
I live with my girlfriend in what you might call a mutual arrangement. It’s about all we can handle. Neither one of us wants to be married. We’re both successful career people. It works for us. That is until recently. Last week my girlfriend said she would like to have a baby. I half facetiously| The Phoenix Spirit
One of my favorite analogies that I have heard while in recovery is that working through a recovery program is like playing a game of whack-a-mole – the minute one addictive behavior is pushed down (or quelled for the time being), another one pops up to be dealt with. I heard this analogy while sitting| The Phoenix Spirit
The Phoenix · Minding the Mind “Mindfulness allows you to live deeply every moment that is given to you to live.” Thich Nhat Hanh Zen Buddhist master, teacher, and writer Thich Nhat Hanh died in January of this year at the age of 95. He introduced many Westerners to the practice of mindfulness and the| The Phoenix Spirit