The Phoenix · Where Is Your Hope? Is your hope these days in a vaccine? A new political or economic vision? More public attention to ending racism or climate warming? Whatever we look to outside of ourselves is always transient. A more reliable basis for hope comes from within our own hearts and minds. What| The Phoenix Spirit
Let me introduce you to the Grande Dame of recovery in the upper Midwest. She is a beautiful, historic wood mansion built in 1887, bright cheery yellow trim on brown. She is beautiful not only for the structure but for what she holds. She IS 2218! She IS the world’s longest continuously running Alano and| The Phoenix Spirit
There is great power in learning from someone who has “been there before.” People with similar lived experience may be able to listen and provide hope and guidance in a way that is uniquely received. So-called “mental health peer support” has existed for decades. Since the 1990s, the concept of “consumers as providers” has become| The Phoenix Spirit
I'm Ryan J, a recovering alcoholic/addict. Born and raised in Minnesota. Raised by both father and mother and with a younger sister. In the suburbs of the Twin Cities. My childhood was a loving, secure and supportive family. No disfunction to speak of. Supportive and given freedoms that a typical child should have. Breakfast, lunch| The Phoenix Spirit
Perhaps you’ve wondered whether a career in addiction counseling would be a good fit for you. You’re sober, or have recovered from an eating disorder, gambling addiction, or substance abuse. You’ve cleaned up your life, helped a few others change theirs, and now you feel you could do more. You’d like a job that supports| The Phoenix Spirit
Let’s say you’ve landed in treatment. For the first time. Or for the umpteenth time. You can’t believe you’ll be stuck here for weeks, maybe months, with all these annoying people around you. You can’t believe you landed here, period. Your brain is pure fuzz. Your body craves just one thing – and you can’t| The Phoenix Spirit
In the past few days, since news was shared that a beloved friend is dying, several people have come to me to ask what they can do. This friend is such an exquisite human; it is no surprise that so many people want to help and that there has been such a beautiful outpouring of| The Phoenix Spirit
About this time last year I ventured to the North House Folk School in Grand Marais, MN, for three days of basket weaving. Yep, Basket Weaving 101. Ostensibly, the adventure was to create and take home our very own, personalized, Birch Bark Berry Basket. In reality, the trip was much more profound. None of us| The Phoenix Spirit