I know we all can agree on the observation that life is especially difficult right now. Pandemics, politics, natural disasters, social injustice, general un-ease about the future. I wonder though, will we look back on this time, say 20 years from now and say that it impacted or affected our lives long-term? Or is it Read More
Author: gr8ful_collette
Problems to Solve or Processes to Manage?
Two and a half years into my sobriety journey, I am learning problems are not often solved permanently. They can manifest from a variety of sources and are not always alleviated by a single solution. In short, if a problem keeps recurring, it is usually a process to be managed. In my first year of Read More
What Keeps me Here
I’ve been thinking about the processes of starting and stopping, sliding and progressing, and even completely falling off the path. While the desire to move forward in a positive direction seems to have been planted somewhere deep inside, motivation is at best a flakey companion. I’ve had periods of time, okay decades, where I felt Read More
At least…
I know it’s been awhile since I posted; all my new year’s intentions about every other day have fallen away. Drifted into the land of “I Should” like a lot of other intentions and habits I’ve cultivated over the last few years. If you’re reading today and searching for inspiration…you may want to look elsewhere. Read More
See You Soon
There are only two lasting bequests we can hope to give our children. One of these is roots, the other, wings. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe I started to subtract blocks of time. To quantify my reality so I could digest it. To justify why I personally, as a mom of divorce and shared custody, am Read More
Musings from a sober anniversary
Last weekend, we spent our 12th wedding anniversary in San Francisco. We stayed at the Mark Hopkins, and took in a Giants game and the Immersive Van Gogh Exhibition. In between the two, we had appetizers and drinks at the Top of the Mark, the place where my husband proposed. This venue, with its panoramic Read More
Stops and Starts
You stop: Waiting for next time to be different. Waiting for five o’clock Waiting to feel better. Waiting not to feel. Waiting for “good times” Waiting for “me time” Waiting to celebrate Waiting to live And you realize that: It is different Every hour is significant You do feel better Feeling is part of life Read More
Alcohol Alternatives that will Make You Glad You Don’t Drink
One of the things about summer and hotter weather is that we tend to drink more. We’re thirsty and cool beverages taste good. As this is my third sober summer, my taste in alcohol free beverages has expanded to include more than just water, sparkling water, or diet soda. I want to share some of Read More
Nestled in the Center
Soul is a place, the innermost Russian nesting doll. Anne Lamott, Dusk, Night, Dawn This beautiful line by one of my favorite authors struck me with truth and sent my imagination on a journey. Through the stages and seasons of our lives, our souls remain nestled and protected in the center. Layers accumulate, not reliably Read More
Passions and Motherhood: Is there room for both?
The other day I made a list of the things I do daily, several times a week, and weekly. The list was fairly long. I was feeling overwhelmed, and thought that a list might bring more organization to my life. It also got me thinking about the role of mother that I play in my Read More