Sober New Year’s Parties and Resolutions? Not a Fan…
I am not a fan of New Year’s Eve parties and nights out. I find all that hugging and Happy New Year chanting a bit much and incredibly uncomfortable. In my active drinking days, I would rarely remember midnight as I almost always blacked-out – either awake or asleep. What I do love is […]
What is This Thing Called Addiction RECOVERY?
This is not a trick question. Nor does it have a “right” answer. However, there is a wise old saying by Yogi Berra that sums it up, “If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else.” And with addiction recovery, it is up to each one of us to define […]
Gratitude, Thankfulness and Recovery in the Real World…
I went away to a retreat last weekend. I was feeling a bit “rusty” in my recovery and decided I could use a tune-up. One of the things that hit me like a gong at a Buddhist temple while I was there, was the fact I had stopped doing a daily check on the […]
The Power of Words in Recovery – The Best of Excursions Magazine
We are all seeking pleasure in our lives. Especially those new to recovery. After a long stretch of misery cloaked in the “reward” of an addictive substance, folks who have quit their drug of choice are looking for the real deal. Listening to Our Readers… Many of our Excursions articles stand the test […]
Michigan Recovery – Hiking Your Way to Sober Success!
I was at a presentation last month. An august fellow in a well-cut suit was so excited about his topic (convincing us that voting to legalize recreational marijuana was a bad idea), he actually jumped up and down at the podium. DO (jump)! NOT (jump)! ALLOW (jump)! THIS TO HAPPEN IN MICHIGAN (jump, jump)! Sometimes I […]
Why Did You Choose Alcohol and/or Drugs Over Me?
 It’s seven o’clock and the school play is starting. Or it’s your birthday dinner with all the relatives. You could be sitting awkwardly with your boss at an introductory lunch, or waiting at the agreed upon spot for a morning walk. Whatever the commitment, you are looking at your watch with your heart in […]
How to Be a (Sober) Legend in Your Own Lifetime…
You know the saying ‘The only constant is change’? I know it’s a terrible cliche, but boy is it true. I’ve been noticing this recently with regards to my emotional and physical health. I get in a good rhythm with things and I’m firing on all cylinders being happy and healthy and I […]
The Brain and Body Healing Effects of a Sober Tropical Vacation
I returned recently from a five-day, sober tropical vacation in Puerto Rico. To put the result into the proper perspective, I missed my connecting flight on the way home. I couldn’t muster enough rancor to be snippy to the customer service representative who rerouted me. What, Me Worry? My originating flight was an […]
When the Booze Soaked World is In Your Face…
Sometimes it’s just in my face a whole lot more. You know… the fact that I live in a booze soaked world. Some days it’s just more evident than at other times. Most days I get to potter about my community, interact with my friends, spend time online, look after my kids, and […]
My First AA Meeting… Scared to Death
The sounds of laughter trickled down the hall and up the stairs, carried on the currents of coffee and lingering stale cigarette smoke. I stood at the top railing, peering down. There was no one was in sight, but I could hear them. I looked back behind me, through the double doors of the […]
