I want to share with you that "my publisher" has accepted a proposal for me to write a book of meditations and reflections. On one hand I am delighted-on the other hand I am intimidated. The book will be a daily reflection on things that get in the way of our relationship with God---things that prevent us from living the abundant life God wishes for us. The reflections will focus on our anxieties, our attachments and our addictions.
I am intimidated by the need for 365 reflections by mid February. And even more I am intimidated by the awareness that I may not have 365 meaningful things to say!
However the whole reason for my book on women's recovery from addictions and this blog, is to say we can take chances, we can do things we didn't know we could, we can make changes. I'll keep you posted on how that's working out!!!
What risks do you want to take?
Blessings-Penny
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Friday, October 7, 2011
sooth
Our newly adopted lab/golden retriever mix is certainly providing entertainment, energy and dog hair to our home! In looking for something to manage her shedding, I came across a spray-on product that promises "soothing relief for those itchy and irritating spots" on her skin or coat.
I was thinking,wouldn't it be wonderful if we could have a spray-on product for soothing relief of those irritating spots in our lives?
What spot in your life could use some soothing?
How might you provide some soothing? --a deep breath, a phone call to a friend, a whispered prayer?
Blessings-Penny
I was thinking,wouldn't it be wonderful if we could have a spray-on product for soothing relief of those irritating spots in our lives?
What spot in your life could use some soothing?
How might you provide some soothing? --a deep breath, a phone call to a friend, a whispered prayer?
Blessings-Penny
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
anxious and tense
Sometimes I become aware of a tension in my body that surprises me. While reading the paper I will notice my shoulders are tight or I'm clenching my jaw. My life is pretty calm. My kids are ok. Money is tight but not alarmingly so. Where does this tension come from?
I think an awareness of this tension is important on several levels. It is important to pay attention to the messages our bodies are telling us. It is important to think through what is going on not only in our external lives but internally. For me the tension has been there for so long in the way I lived my personal and professional life,it's a way of being for me. And it used to be a trigger, the excuse, for drinking. I knew what would relieve that tension---at least short term. An awareness of that tension and thinking it through remains a major part of my ongoing recovery.
And when the tenseness is there, I say Julian of Norwich's prayer-"All will be well, all will be well."
Can you and I really trust that "All will be well?" Do we have that faith?
Blessings-Penny
I think an awareness of this tension is important on several levels. It is important to pay attention to the messages our bodies are telling us. It is important to think through what is going on not only in our external lives but internally. For me the tension has been there for so long in the way I lived my personal and professional life,it's a way of being for me. And it used to be a trigger, the excuse, for drinking. I knew what would relieve that tension---at least short term. An awareness of that tension and thinking it through remains a major part of my ongoing recovery.
And when the tenseness is there, I say Julian of Norwich's prayer-"All will be well, all will be well."
Can you and I really trust that "All will be well?" Do we have that faith?
Blessings-Penny
Thursday, September 22, 2011
"Spirited Woman"
I am delighted to share with you that my book "Broken by Addiction, Blessed by God-a woman's path to sustained recovery" has been selected by the "Spirited Women" web site as one of their "Top 12 New Books for Fall 2011." As many of you know, writing a book and finding a publisher are monumental tasks in this day and age. Then there is the whole project of letting people know about the book---as in marketing! Being selected on the Spirited Women website reaches another audience. Hopefully the book will reach some additional women challenged by addiction and give them support and encouragement for their recovery.
The book "Sophia-The Feminine Face of God" written by Karen Speerstra is also featured on Spirited Women this Fall. Karen is a close friend, a prolific, creative writer, a woman who moves beyond her own challenges with energy and enthusiasm to live the life we are called to. Read about her book on the "spirited Women" website also.
I encourage you to visit the "Spirited Women" website and connect with women like yourself-women looking to give and receive support from other courageous women.
Blessings-Penny
The book "Sophia-The Feminine Face of God" written by Karen Speerstra is also featured on Spirited Women this Fall. Karen is a close friend, a prolific, creative writer, a woman who moves beyond her own challenges with energy and enthusiasm to live the life we are called to. Read about her book on the "spirited Women" website also.
I encourage you to visit the "Spirited Women" website and connect with women like yourself-women looking to give and receive support from other courageous women.
Blessings-Penny
Saturday, September 17, 2011
"The road is open"
After 3 weeks of the road to town being totally closed due to horrendous damage from Tropical Storm Irene, the words "the road is open" were shared from neighbor to neighbor with great delight. Smiles and laughter replaced concerns and fears.
Driving into town for the first time since the flooding we are all staggered by the extent of the damage. Whole hillsides are washed away. A once delightful mountain brook is the width of a river-bare on both sides. The total geography of the river road has changed. The work that has been done to create a new road is nothing short of miraculous.
And once again I think of the comparison of the devastation of the flood to the devastation of addiction. Truly for some of us whole parts of our lives are washed away by the consequences of addiction. For some of us the devastation isn't quite so horrendous but the pain of the broken relationships and poor choices remain.
The miracle for all of us is "the road is open." The road to a new life has been built by God's love, God's forgiveness, and the work of many people to build that new road for us.
Do we take the time to acknowledge the devastation and consequences of our addiction--especially when the desire for the drink or the drug returns? Do we use the memory of that pain to make the recovery choices?
Do we thank God and the people who have built the new road for us?
Blessings-Penny
Driving into town for the first time since the flooding we are all staggered by the extent of the damage. Whole hillsides are washed away. A once delightful mountain brook is the width of a river-bare on both sides. The total geography of the river road has changed. The work that has been done to create a new road is nothing short of miraculous.
And once again I think of the comparison of the devastation of the flood to the devastation of addiction. Truly for some of us whole parts of our lives are washed away by the consequences of addiction. For some of us the devastation isn't quite so horrendous but the pain of the broken relationships and poor choices remain.
The miracle for all of us is "the road is open." The road to a new life has been built by God's love, God's forgiveness, and the work of many people to build that new road for us.
Do we take the time to acknowledge the devastation and consequences of our addiction--especially when the desire for the drink or the drug returns? Do we use the memory of that pain to make the recovery choices?
Do we thank God and the people who have built the new road for us?
Blessings-Penny
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
9/11
We watched several hours of news coverage of the commenoration of the 9/11 tragedy-all the horrific pictures from that day and stories of heroes who saved so many lives. I thought alot about the thousands and thousands of people who did escape. They escaped the World Trade Center Towers. They escaped the Pentagon. And they escaped wherever Flt. 93 was headed...the U.S. Capitol or the White House.
How have their lives changed? Do they treasure this new life they have been given?
How has your life changed in this new life of recovery you have been given? Do you treasure the miracle? How?
Blessings-Penny
How have their lives changed? Do they treasure this new life they have been given?
How has your life changed in this new life of recovery you have been given? Do you treasure the miracle? How?
Blessings-Penny
Saturday, September 10, 2011
more on "the power is back on"
Recovery is sustained in daily turning on the light switch. If we don't, the darkness gradually deepens until we feel we are helpless and that life is hopeless.
Why don't we flip on the light switch? Often it is because we trust in our own power. We think we can do this by ourselves. And where has that gotten us? --to that sense of hopelessness.
How do we flip on the light switch? We join in fellowship with others-both self help and spiritual. We pray. Sometimes that prayer is as simple as "I could use some help here!" We read scripture. Look at the Psalms. Talk about places people felt hopeless!
We trust in the promises of God. Check out the Apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesians Chapter 3 Verse 20..."the power that is at work in us."
We flip on the light switch by reminding ourselves daily that His power is at work in us---and having our day and our choices illuminated by His power.
Blessings-Penny
Why don't we flip on the light switch? Often it is because we trust in our own power. We think we can do this by ourselves. And where has that gotten us? --to that sense of hopelessness.
How do we flip on the light switch? We join in fellowship with others-both self help and spiritual. We pray. Sometimes that prayer is as simple as "I could use some help here!" We read scripture. Look at the Psalms. Talk about places people felt hopeless!
We trust in the promises of God. Check out the Apostle Paul's letter to the Ephesians Chapter 3 Verse 20..."the power that is at work in us."
We flip on the light switch by reminding ourselves daily that His power is at work in us---and having our day and our choices illuminated by His power.
Blessings-Penny
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