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Articles from Keith Bray | Selfgrowth.com
- Affirmations-Do You Love You? - by Submitted on Jun 06, 2008 from Keith BrayYears ago I was introduced to the power of positive affirmations. Like those I introduce affirmations to today, at first I thought it was ridiculous. At Homewood, a great treatment center I was at in 1994, they gave us not only a sheet of self-affirmations, but a list of qualities and asked us ...
Views: 605 - Age-Taking Things Away? - by Submitted on Jul 06, 2008 from Keith BrayLast night, we went and saw the new Indiana Jones movie. I remember the original very well, the special effects were incredible and the story had me at the edge of my seat. I loved it. While the flick I saw last night had great special effects and some spectacular location shoots, I found it ...
Views: 719 - AM I INSANE? - by Submitted on Jan 07, 2011 from Keith BrayAM I INSANE? I had not thought this question out very well back in the 90’s. While I did crazy things, the life I was living would have indicated that at times I was nuts, but no one would have considered me insane. I had a responsible job, a family, a home, two or more cars, no debt, ...
Views: 1546 - And Who Heals Me? - by Submitted on Aug 15, 2008 from Keith BrayAnd Who Heals Me? Over a year ago, I went on a journey to look at some real fuzzy philosophical questions. “Who Am I?”was dealt with years ago, but “What Is My Purpose?” remained vague. I went on a real journey to discover what it is about past employment that I loved ...
Views: 782 - APPLES and TREES - by Submitted on Sep 08, 2009 from Keith BrayAPPLES and TREES We often hear that the apple does not fall far from the tree. Did that ever come home to roost this week. I received a phone call from my adult son late yesterday afternoon. In this economy, he has gone through a rough patch with employment even with an MBA and Chef ...
Views: 1327 - Are Written Goals Important? - by Submitted on Oct 08, 2008 from Keith BrayTo me, the simple answer to this question is yes. The complex answer, another yes! In both my recovery to a more abundant and joyous life, and my reaching fulfilling work (and golf results), goal setting is a key. If I don’t have targets, write them down, and measure against them, how will ...
Views: 844 - Are You Afraid To Be Different? - by Submitted on Sep 22, 2008 from Keith BrayAre you afraid to be different? After doing a coaching session this morning, and spending a weekend in what will eventually be our new home town, I thought the question asked and information shown below (Received from Express Coaching-Dr. Randin Brons) was right on the money! Unfortunately, ...
Views: 1137 - Are You Allergic to Success? - by Submitted on Nov 16, 2008 from Keith Bray(An adaptation from a business article) Success allergy? How can that be? Success is a concept, not something you eat, drink, wear or come into a physical contact with. Even so, it does appear that a large number of people just may be allergic to success. Perhaps, not in the sense that you ...
Views: 1291 - Are You Hooked Like a Bass? - by Submitted on May 27, 2008 from Keith BrayTechnology Addiction? Tomorrows Pot? There is no doubt that during the later part of my life, technology in communications has exploded. Is it good or bad, and how many are becoming addicted? I’ve certainly had some comments about this on the Big Life web site in my Free From Addictions ...
Views: 851 - Are You Living In Today? - by Submitted on Sep 17, 2008 from Keith BrayARE YOU LIVING IN TODAY? There is real joy in working with others. They, in part, keep me totally focus in the day. I help my clients to identify their dreams and make them a reality. By the journey they take is taken a day at a time. Again, the words of others ring true. “Living or ...
Views: 742 - Are You Ready For Change? It's Coming. - by Submitted on Jul 24, 2008 from Keith Bray“The reality is that changes are coming . . .They must come. You must share in bringing them. --John Hersey Change. It's scary. It's hard. It's needed. Sometimes it feels good; other times it feels bad. But one thing is for sure: it keeps on happening. Just when our life seems settled, ...
Views: 649 - Are Your Expectations Growing? They Should! - by Submitted on Jul 14, 2008 from Keith BrayI read something over the course of the weekend that was a good reminder and provoked some thought in me. A numbers of years ago, I was not happy with the life I was living, and addictions were playing too big a role in my daily living. I had frequent moments where there was obvious insanity in ...
Views: 573 - Are Your Roots Deep? - by Submitted on Jan 17, 2009 from Keith BrayFortunate are the people whose roots are deep. --Agnes Meyer Co-Creative Life Recovery is a program of action and change. It has a spiritual (not religious) component as part of a holistic approach to getting the life YOU want. It is a process that is taught and requires commitment and work. It ...
Views: 910 - ASKING FOR HELP - by Submitted on Nov 11, 2010 from Keith BrayASKING FOR HELP We roll into a new week, and I look forward to it! Interesting things happened last week, one in particular that reminded me that I have no control over people in my life, particularly my adult children. While I can’t control them, I am amazed, with all the work I have done on ...
Views: 1456 - ASS/U/ME - by Submitted on Sep 27, 2008 from Keith BrayThis is one I’ve wanted to do for a while. I’m just back from my favorite Saturday morning meeting, and it is always a great reminder of where I was, and what has changed! I am eternally grateful. It stops me from taking things for granted, from assuming! Even though I have been on a ...
Views: 863 - Attitude: It's Everything - by Submitted on Jun 27, 2009 from Keith BrayAttitude. A great word and it reflects in every aspect of our lives! "And we have ceased fighting anything or anyone -- even alcohol (or other addictions or destructive behaviour). For by this time sanity will have returned. We will seldom be interested in liquor (Or old behaviours).If ...
Views: 1615 - Awakening To Purpose - by Submitted on Nov 05, 2008 from Keith BrayPosted November 5th, 2008 by Keith • A NEW EARTH • Creative Theory of Recovery • Keith Bray. Life Coach Awakening To Purpose Last night I watched the world change. As I was going to sleep, US voters showed courage to change; they made a decision I did not think I'd see in my ...
Views: 691 - Balance-Have You Got It? - by Submitted on Sep 25, 2008 from Keith BrayFrom post at www.hopeserenity.ca I got up early this morning, and while taking my quiet time, the word BALANCE kept playing through my head. I have the privledge of coaching several people and helping them to articulate and move towards goals in various parts of their lives. As well, I do a ...
Views: 834 - Believing In You | Life Coaching And Addiction Recovery - by Submitted on Oct 28, 2008 from Keith BrayBelieving In You! Over the weekend, I was asked by a friend about the similarities of people I coach on “Life” issues and in the area of addictions. Throw in people I work with on a “service/volunteer” base and there is one huge area in common. Those who are struggling or ...
Views: 992 - BETWEEN THE EARS - by Submitted on Jan 05, 2011 from Keith BrayBetween The Ears “Life is a game played on a 5 inch course, the distance between your ears” As well move into a new year, the above statement is worth remembering, only because it is true. It is adapted from a quote Bobby Jones made about golf. I am often struck by the similarities between ...
Views: 1551 - Blogging-Why?? - by Submitted on Jun 04, 2008 from Keith BrayI have been journaling, and posting my journal as a blog for some time. Why? I am a member of a group of coaches who can be found at Big Life.ws, and have been part of a share group about blogging. I am trying to put into practice what others are telling me about blogging. I look for the input ...
Views: 730 - Can You Confess? And Why? - by Submitted on Jun 16, 2008 from Keith BrayCan You Confess? And Why? One day this week, I had a response to a blog about being honest with yourself in taking a personal inventory. It was great to get a response; it’s nice to know someone actually reads what I write. The response was about being a former Catholic and the real ...
Views: 744 - Can You Feel Your Feelings? - by Submitted on Dec 30, 2008 from Keith BrayThis is a time of the year when for a lot of us, emotions and feelings run high. Family, or lack of family; friends or lack of friends; loneliness, big ups and big downs, and of course the lingering resentments, something many feel at this time of the year. One of the big challenges I faced in ...
Views: 1917 - Can You Help?? - by Submitted on Jul 11, 2008 from Keith BrayA weekend is in process, and I pray that my golf game gets better. It’s a wonderful journey when the worst thing you have to worry about is your golf game. Friday, I played the worst round I’ve played in years, and didn’t even mutter a curse word. I may be getting too mellow! I ...
Views: 618 - Carrying The Message-Do We? - by Submitted on Jul 07, 2008 from Keith Bray-to keep what is given, you must be of service to others Funny, I wrote a blog for today earlier, and for some reason, lost it within my computer! We are nearing the finish line in this review of the steps/footprints, and today I look at “the ask” that we carry the message. Before I ...
Views: 1365 - CHOOSING HOPE OVER FEAR - by Submitted on Feb 23, 2009 from Keith BrayChoosing Hope Over Fear What a great topic for the times we're in. I received a piece of this blog from the head hunting business and as you can see, received it earlier in 2009. When I got the courage to do what I had felt was my life purpose, I picked a company name that reflected what I had ...
Views: 848 - Conscience - Found It? - by Submitted on Jun 05, 2008 from Keith BrayIt was a very interesting day yesterday. A day where I had a wonderful opportunity to lunch with a psychiatrist associate, then golf with a business coach I have known for years, but never had the opportunity to spend one on one time with. Upon reflection this morning, and looking at what has ...
Views: 755 - Coping with Families - by Submitted on Feb 17, 2009 from Keith BraySome universal truths I have learned in my own process of life recovery and in working with hundreds of others. "Family" is an issue I hear about almost everyday, and deal with directly on many occasions in my own life. As today is a statutory holiday here in Ontario-"Family Day",- it is a very ...
Views: 943 - Courage And Willing To Change - by Submitted on Aug 08, 2008 from Keith BrayCourage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is that little voice at the end of the day that says: "I'll try again tomorrow." --Anne Hunninghake “A key quality that distinguishes a successful athlete, or a top-notch performer in any field, is the way he responds to his bad days. ...
Views: 959 - Differences- Sponser/Coach - by Submitted on Dec 12, 2008 from Keith BrayDifferences:Sponsor / Coach Twelve Differences between your Sponsor and your Coach: As I chose coaching as my profession, and shared with others that I’d look at working with addicted people and those affected by addiction as a niche within my practise, some who have the honesty to be up ...
Views: 864 - Do I Hear You? | Life Coaching and Addiction Recovery - by Submitted on Oct 27, 2008 from Keith BrayWe need to listen to one another. --Chaim Poto How basic is this statement. How often do I forget it? It is a good reminder to me. How often do I get so caught up in my own world I hear what you’re saying without hearing? Can others relate? Listening is an important skill to cultivate. We ...
Views: 661 - Do It Because You Like The EFFECT?? - by Submitted on Jul 15, 2008 from Keith BrayDo It Because You Like The EFFECT?? I get some great stuff from friends who are in recovery from one thing or another, or just recovering from people and the past. The Following hit me right between the eyes. Can you relate? "Men and women drink (drug, overeat, cut, use sex, gamble, ...
Views: 737 - Do You Do Nothing Enough? - by Submitted on May 29, 2008 from Keith BrayI go crazy when I do nothing for extended periods of time. It can wear very thin. Very often, life is just the opposite, I do not have the time to just do nothing, and nothing can be therapeutic. Can you relate? Back in the “old” days being hyper active all the time, meetings, ...
Views: 694 - Do You Have Any Idea Where You're Going??/Life Direction - by Submitted on Jun 26, 2008 from Keith BrayDo You Have Any Idea Where You’re Going??/Life Direction The above question can be found as part of a collage of questions on a bill board in Dallas. They are questions from God. Upon seeing this, it made me reflect. There was a time that I had no idea of where I was going. Then as they ...
Views: 833 - Do You Limit Your Ask? - by Submitted on Jul 03, 2008 from Keith Bray-many ask for “things” I thought about and journal about the need for prayer and meditation yesterday. Meditation is a listening skill. I was familiar with prayer. As a child, I learned to pray in Sunday school and even in real school. We said grace before meals, and the like. As my ...
Views: 1136 - Do you love yourself? - by Submitted on Aug 12, 2008 from Keith BrayDo you love yourself? What a great question and I thank Express Coaching and their Idea Generator for sending. It is probably the first question I drill to with the clients I take on, and one each of us must regularly ask ourselves! "At the heart of personality is the need to feel a sense of ...
Views: 720 - DO YOU OWN YOUR LIFE? - by Submitted on Dec 10, 2010 from Keith BrayDo you own your life? "The meaning of life is to give life meaning." -- Ken Hudgins When we own our lives, we accept what we've inherited and the experiences we hold in our memories. We also claim our right to create new conditions if we're not happy with what's come before. We assume ...
Views: 1375 - Do You Understand Coaching And The Benefits To You? - by Submitted on Jul 09, 2008 from Keith BrayDo You Understand Coaching and The Benefits To You? - A review for me too, and why I know it’s my life purpose. Man, life has been busy and with the different holidays, a little confused over the last few weeks. Days go by, and I wonder where time goes, and sometimes I am guilty of losing ...
Views: 779 - Do You Understand Detachment? - by Submitted on Jun 17, 2008 from Keith BrayDo You Understand Detachment? I’m off at 6 in the morning for golf, so an early blog! For years, I have heard about detachment, often loving detachment. As the child of an alcoholic who went on to be a practicing addict in several areas, it is not a term I understood, particularly with ...
Views: 1092 - Don't Look Now - by Submitted on Oct 26, 2008 from Keith BrayDON’T LOOK NOW! YOU MAY BE WINNING Frequently we read or are told how to tell when we need to look for help and the things to look for to notice when we are going backward. In my own experience, we do not often have an inventory list to check against when we are achieving. On a cloudy ...
Views: 651 - Easier, Softer Way - by Submitted on Aug 25, 2008 from Keith BrayThis is a phrase used in the bible of the original 12 step organization (known as the Big Book). As I have traveled the road of life, I often found myself looking for an easier, softer way to get what I wanted. In school, I dogged assignments and read other peoples notes. I have tried get rich ...
Views: 1952 - Ego And Addictions - by Submitted on Sep 19, 2008 from Keith BrayI am a believer that things happen for a reason, and people come in to your life when they should. I have talked in past blogs about my friend Patrick and the great Spiritual River daily blog he does. I look forward to a full collaborative “thing” with him. Who knows where it may ...
Views: 1503 - Ever Taken Inventory Of You?? - by Submitted on Jun 10, 2008 from Keith BrayOften in my life I have been guilty of taking the inventory of others! In my journey of recovery, I was asked to take an inventory of myself. That was different. I had found myself at 46 with no idea of who I was or how I became the sad person that I was. As I got into a program of recovery for ...
Views: 1454 - Family- The Weekend Thought - by Submitted on Aug 11, 2008 from Keith BrayOne of the most important things in my life is family, yet sometimes I wonder why. As I start a new week, the thought of family and relationships is foremost in my mind. Funny, I’m reminded, you can pick your friends, and you can’t pick your family. In these thoughts, I must remember ...
Views: 713 - Fear - by Submitted on Nov 07, 2008 from Keith BrayFour little letters, but an emotion that plays havoc on so many of us. Have you ever really sat and thought about how much “Fear” has impacted your life. For those who have experienced going through “The Creative Theory of Life Recovery”, they are always surprised to ...
Views: 904 - Finding Balance - by Submitted on Sep 26, 2008 from Keith BrayFor some reason, finding balance is a theme that has resonated deep within this week, and I’m not sure why. The past 2 weeks have seen our local 12 step community bury 2 members. Both too young, both at the time of death back using their substance of choice. In listening to comments, both ...
Views: 873 - First Steps-Do You Remember? - by Submitted on Jun 06, 2008 from Keith BrayMy parents and family have told me about my first steps. I certainly don’t remember them, but I am told I was an “early” walker. Seems I was early at trying a lot of things-booze, girls, dope, motorcycles, lying, stealing, cheating! I was not early getting into a journey of ...
Views: 1424 - FISHING POLE-FOOD FOR LIFE - by Submitted on Jan 25, 2011 from Keith BrayFISHING POLE-FOOD FOR LIFE Yesterday, I had posted something that asked for input and answers to a couple of specific questions. I am still looking for more input, and thanks to those of you who did respond. I got one great reminder and I have to remember it, and it may be a great reminder for ...
Views: 1402 - Formula For Failure - by Submitted on Sep 05, 2008 from Keith BrayWhile reflecting on the early part of my life, seeing and understanding what happened, and looking at how things played out, it is apparent the people pleasing, the need to make others happy, has played a large role in my life. I see the remnants of this behaviour, learned at a young age, still ...
Views: 744 - Free Rent In Your Head? - by Submitted on Jun 27, 2008 from Keith BrayResentments can kill As we look at making amends, I was reminded again today about resentments. If I’m ever going to return to my old ways of dealing with the less pleasant side of life, it will likely be due to a resentment that I allow to remain unresolved. If my head is an apartment ...
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