Message From A Listener

Here is a message emailed to me by Chris who asked the question about meeting attendance used in Episode 10. I wanted to share it with everyone!

youhi shawn

WOW! Thank you so much for addressing my question on the podcast, I really appreciate it. It blew me away that you used the entire podcast for it, so hopefully it will resonate with other listeners out there.

In the beginning, meetings were great. I met a lot of cool people and found a sponsor right away. Meeting attendance was an integral part of my recovery. After a while, I stopped going to meetings because they lost their usefulness and relevance FOR ME. They say recovery can sometimes be a selfish program, so when meeting attendance started to feel stagnant and unproductive to me, I stopped going. This is no one’s program but my own, so I’m not trying to downplay the benefits of meeting attendance, I just found solace in other things. I realized that I could still learn, grow, and stay clean as well as got on with my life without having to schedule everything around meetings – there is a “gray area” FOR ME. This perspective might anger some other addicts but I know that what I am doing is working FOR ME. A year ago I was in jails and institutions and today I am in school and working two jobs. I am not trying to brag, but I definitely am proud of my progress and I DO attribute it to the foundation I laid down in my early recovery through meetings and having a sponsor. I know recovery is a constant process so I still keep my white tag on my keychain as a daily reminder of where I’ve been and to keep me focused on where I’m going.

I have found that nothing is certain with recovery so I never rule out going back to meetings when I have time. I am grateful for your response and fresh perspective on this topic. Listening to this episode prompted me to touch base with my old sponsor. It felt good to reconnect. Thank you Shawn for providing this forum as it has helped me and hopefully others as well.

A friend in the struggle, Chris Logan

P.S. – I love the meditations. I recognized that they are excerpts from Kahlil Gibran’s “The Prophet”, which has been another positive influence on my recovery journey.

Thanks again Chris for the support!!

Itunes

Just in case you didn’t know Recovery Podcast is also available through iTunes 4.9 Just go into iTunes and search for Recovery Podcast. When you find it click subscribe. This is a great way to get the Recovery Podcast to your computer. Thanks for being there!

Episode 10 – Do Meetings Really Make It?

Episode 10 is now live. On this episode I talk about going to meetings and whether it is the only way to recover from addiction. I also talk a little bit about sponsorship and finding a spiritual connection with a person or a group of people that was not possible when I was practicing my addiction(s). Thanks for being there. Send in more questions and comments to keep this thing fresh. I really love doing this podcast and hearing from everyone. As always thanks for being there.

Shawn

Iris

Tomorrow I will finish episode 10 and post it. I hope everyone has had a great week. Thanks for all of your questions, stories, and quotes. I am going to be answering questions on this weeks podcast. I really can’t say again how much I appreciate all of the support for this podcast. I am continually trying to improve it and make it better for all of you. I hope everyone enjoys their weekend and I will be back tomorrow with the podcast. Thanks for being there.

Shawn

A Beautiful Group Of People I See!

I just am amazed at how this podcast and this site has grown. I am so grateful for all of the comments and emails. I just want to thank everyone for being there. It really makes it a joy to do the podcast. I really want to give the blog more time and effort in the next couple of weeks. I have had a pretty busy month and haven’t had as much to give as far as writing. I am going to try to update the blog more often. I would also like for you to email me stories from your day relating to recovery or just life so I can post them here. Lets inspire each other. After all inspire means in spirit. Talk to you soon!!!!

Shawn

Episode 9 – Those Darn Character Defects

Episode 9 is ready to take up your hard drive space. Download now from our feed or from the download page.  I hope everyone enjoys. On this episode I celebrate my life and also talk about character defects. Ooooh what a subject!!! Enjoy!

Shawn

Late Weekend Publication

Another long week for me. But everything is really good with my new job and I can’t complain about anything else. Episode 9 will be out tomorrow evening. I hope everyone is having a great week. Talk with you tomorrow. Thanks for being there.

Shawn

Episode 8 – My Friend Todd

Episode 8 is now available from all of the usual places. On this episode I talk about my friend Todd who is now with his higher power. I also talk about how it is losing a friend. I hope you can learn something from this. It certainly has been eye opening for me. Please vote for us at PodcastAlley.com for July. Let’s help carry the message.

Thanks,

Shawn

Episode 8 Coming Soon

Boy has it been one hell of a week. Episode 8 is on the way tomorrow. I will have it up sometime in the evening. Don’t forget it is a new month and if you want to I would appreciate it if you voted for the Recovery Podcast at PodcastAlley.com Have a great day and look for the next episode tomorrow.

Shawn C.