admin May 30th, 2009
As most of you know, I co-founded Recovery Coaches International (RCI) in September 1995. Back then I would walk down to the corner post office here in Santa Monica to retrieve new memberships and dues, make deposits at my local bank and balance the books by hand. Since that time the energy, efforts and momentum have grown substantially.
This year we’re establishing ourselves as a recognized non-profit entity as we move in the direction of organizing and expanding our vision. We also have a devoted team of officers and Board of Directors as RCI continues to be a dynamic grassroots organization finding its bigger voice throughout our country and beyond.
Last month we formalized our growing database and put out invitations to become part of our community as members and/or supporters. I’m super excited about the formation of a quarterly ezine which I’ll be coordinating, and we continue to look for ways of collectively spreading the word while educating others about the benefits of coaching those in any stage of addiction recovery.
I welcome all of you to learn more about us and become a part of this movement so please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any questions, ideas or just want to compare notes.
admin May 18th, 2009
Last night we had a relatively small earthquake here in Southern California, and no matter how many of them I’ve experienced, it always feels like a stark reminder of the power, magnificence and unpredictability of our planet. As a result, the delicate nature of life and mortality also comes into clearer focus. When I visited Kilauea last summer (the active volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii), I was awestruck, and in a smaller way, the earthquake also takes me into the wonder of nature and falsifies the idea that somehow we have any control over our environment.
After 21 years of living in Los Angeles and witnessing every imaginable natural disaster, I’ve grown to believe that these so-called tragedies are part of the natural evolution of the earth, and we simply chose to develop this metropolis in a highly-vulnerable region. By choosing to settle here, I choose to live with the earth moving from time to time, the wildfires raging every fire season, the mudslides often following the fires and sometimes flooding when an “El Niño” year is upon us.
Accepting life on life’s terms and making informed choices based on these factors is often the best we can do. So if you feel the Earth move beneath you, just remember that it’s a reminder of being alive and another chance to take stock of what really matters.
admin April 26th, 2009
After 12 days of living with this cold, a few things have dawned on me. First of all, it’s a nuisance and an inconvenience. Secondly, it has served as a reminder to slow down which I do appreciate from time to time. And third, it helps me reminisce about my grandmother. Rose was her name and she lived for almost 90 years — and died in 1998 just 3 months shy of her 90th. Whenever I reflect on my inner coach team, Grandma is always sitting at the head of the table because she was coaching others well before coaching was even called coaching. If she had a specialty area, it was always about life balance and impeccable self-care. And here is an example of her simplicity and clarity:
After I moved to Los Angeles in 1988 we would talk every Saturday morning, and she would always ask me 3 questions:
- Are you eating right?
- Are you getting enough rest?
- Are you working too hard?
I’m forever grateful to my grandmother and carry her with me wherever I go. As a result of having her in my life, I now ask myself these questions on a regular basis, and I hope that you’ll do the same.
admin April 18th, 2009
It’s become crystal clear these past few weeks that I’ve needed to slow down whether or not I choose this “de-celeration”. Two weeks ago I had minor surgery–a very non-threatening type of skin cancer called basal cell carcinoma, and this weekend I’m home with a nasty cold as it’s in the 70’s outside. My body generally knows before I do that it’s time to slow down and these inconveniences have done just that–a chance to slow down, stay home and listen to my body as it heals.
Life balance is something that most coaches discuss with their clients at one time or another, but how many of us truly practice what we preach on a daily basis? My intention is to invite this awareness into my life with greater frequency as I walk alongside my clients. And I welcome you to do the same.
admin March 28th, 2009
Here in Southern California the beginning of Spring is always marked by the end of the rainy season. As the rains subside (we actually could have used more rain this season), the air is filled with aromas specific to this time of year e.g. night-blooming jasmine, roses and freesia. With the advent of Spring comes many markers including the Spring Equinox, Passover and Easter — traditions based on centuries of recognition.
As Recovery Coaches, we cross all spiritual traditions and backgrounds as we work with clients from all walks of life coming to us with a similar intention - living life in recovery to its fullest. This is one of the many privileges of coaching those in recovery. Our clients are diverse, and we get to meet them exactly where they are. A sacred agreement one might say especially when the possibilities for a more meaningful, fulfilling life is the shared understanding.
I continue to grow with my clients one day at a time as we collaboratively move in the direction of more purposeful recovery, and this especially glorious Spring day, I’m reminded of my gratitude for this calling. May your Spring be a time of renewal and rejuvenation.
admin March 14th, 2009
March 14, 2009
I spent the past two days in a class entitled The Use of Assessments in Coaching given by the College of Executive Coaching where I did my original training in 2001-2002. I approached this required class with skepticism because I felt that the material was more relevant for executive and leadership coaching but found out something interesting. Assessments are simply information-gathering tools so we can be better coaches. For some reason I had always been hesitant to use assessments in my coaching–both with those in recovery and with those going through any kind of life transition. Yet, I’ve been missing something valuable by not considering what they might have to offer.
With that said, I’m still not sure what assessment tools would be most relevant for folks in recovery, but I am sure that more information can only benefit the process. As I approach the beginning of my pilot project, it’s become crystal clear that “evidenced-based coaching” is essential for the profession to move forward and keep up with other disciplines out there. However this “evidence” is collected–whether it be through assessments or research design, this will bring more credibility to coaching as a whole and to Recovery Coaching as a subspecialty. Although my ambivalence remains, this recent class reminded me of the importance of getting to know our clients and helping them to get to know themselves with all the tools available to us.
admin February 26th, 2009
February 26, 2009
This morning I’ll be attending the Board of Directors meeting of Recovery Coaches International (RCI), and this hits me on several levels. First of all, it sounds so grown-up to be part of such a group. In simplest terms, I suppose that a director simply helps find direction, and as a community of Recovery Coaches, we continue to find our organizational direction as well as our individual direction. For this I feel very grateful to be a part of this collective voice finding direction together.
Secondly, there’s something very comforting that it’s not up to us as individuals because I know that I’m not always good at asking for direction. Yet, recovery often requires a combination of taking direction and following one’s own compass. And with this information comes movement and eventually more momentum.
Now that RCI is in its 4th year of existence with a brand-new team of officers as well as a full Board, I continue to stay open to the limitless possibilities that will unfold as we move forward putting one foot in front of the other.
admin February 13th, 2009
Vitality, passion, aliveness. All signs of recovery, but how do you invite these life-affirming experiences into your life? Addiction is often about seeking the high or the adrenaline rush to feel more alive. The seeking is actually an attempt to break free from the flatness which is sometimes referred to as spiritual deadness. In recovery it’s often new territory to experience one’s aliveness both from the inside and the outside.
This is how it works for some of us:
- Surrounding yourself with people, places and things that enrich your life builds vitality. Compassionate, loving and like-minded folks nurture the parts of us that need to have contact with others and healthy connections bring more vitality.
- Being in safe places whether that be your own home or other venues provides a warm atmosphere for vitality to grow.
- Choosing healthier things to bring into your life (e.g. self-help books, nourishing food, etc) prepares you for more vitality physically, emotionally and spiritually.
It’s only human to seek aliveness and to choose life as part of recovery. All of us who choose a path of recovery are re-committing to life one day at a time. It’s how we seek the aliveness that counts and I welcome you to notice when you’re experiencing your vitality the most and how to cultivate that sense of aliveness and passion in your daily life.
admin January 27th, 2009
January 27, 2009
Its been a few months since the destruction of Mount Calvary but the spirit transcends the ashes. My 12-step fellowship had a retreat at another location this past New Year’s Weekend which certainly wasn’t the same but the spirit and determination of the retreat lives on. As bittersweet as it’s been along the way, my renewed connection with my higher power helps me to know that there truly is something greater than myself and I just need to trust that it will bring new possibilities as a result.
admin January 16th, 2009
This morning I attended a presentation given by the new medical director at Sierra Tucson who happens to have a background as a psychiatrist and an executive coach. He calls his approach to coaching “Re-purposing” and has some really cool ideas about infusing coaching into his programs. How exciting that coaching is finally showing up at our premier treatment facilities! Several years ago when I first started my journey into the coaching world and specifically into the Recovery Coaching world, treatment centers rarely had coaches as part of their milieus. Nowadays we’re being integrated into programs nationwide and international attention has also been given to how coaching can benefit those in recovery from addictions.
As I continue to look at ways to get the word out, I feel re-inspired to not only spread the word but create new and innovative ways of helping those who are hungry for coaching strategies and methods. The future looks brighter than ever and my enthusiasm grows as I share the gifts of Recovery Coaching.
