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Articles from Keith Bray | Selfgrowth.com
- Freedom From Addicionts-Monday - by Submitted on May 19, 2008 from Keith BrayWell, we are coming to the end of the first good weather (supposedly) long weekend of the year. For my American friends, we celebrate “Victoria Day” the weekend ahead of Memorial Day, a tie to our British roots. I feel for those with cottages and those who are campers. If people were ...
Views: 778 - Getting In Your Own Way. Do You?? - by Submitted on Jul 11, 2008 from Keith BrayA Thought: Limited expectations yield only limited results. Our thoughts determine our actions, and when our thoughts are negative, our successes are few. What we hold in our mind is certain to be reflected in the day's activities. And we are capable of fueling our thoughts positively, if we ...
Views: 740 - Got Resentments And Faith? - by Submitted on Oct 12, 2008 from Keith BrayOne of the beauties of a long weekend is that I usually get to catch up on some reading, and the read in combination with quiet time, leads to some new thinking. To summarize something I just read, it stated, if you profess a love of a higher power in your life, and carry resentments with you, ...
Views: 754 - Gratitude-A Reminder - by Submitted on Aug 14, 2008 from Keith BrayGratitude-A Reminder Last night I was a t a meeting, and old timers were welcomed. A couple of people glanced my way, and I guess it a fitting title in that fellowship. I should be grateful. I was there again, and free from addictions. Over the last period of time, we have had some major ...
Views: 712 - GRATITUDE-HOW QUICK I CAN FORGET - by Submitted on Jun 03, 2008 from Keith BrayGRATITUDE-HOW QUICK I CAN FORGET The last few days I have a wonderful opportunity to spend time at a golf club I belong to. Late yesterday we played a “fun” competition where the winners enjoyed a great steak dinner and those who finished second had beans. Nice beans, with franks, ...
Views: 786 - H.O.W.? - by Submitted on Oct 03, 2008 from Keith BrayMan, I enjoy Thursdays. Sometimes the simple gems I hear or am reminded of resonate so strongly in me. The acronym “HOW” falls into this category. The world is filled with insanity, and most of the time insanity as a part of life (my definition-repeated behavior expecting a different ...
Views: 813 - Having Fun Yet? - by Submitted on Sep 07, 2008 from Keith BrayHaving Fun Yet? Recently, life has been full of challenges that a larger than the norm. When issues are directly related to blood family, they can be more stressful than most issues. Money gets in there too. On a frequent basis, I ask myself, “Are We Having Fun Yet?” I began the ...
Views: 719 - How Many Personalities Hanging In Your Closet? - by Submitted on Jun 13, 2008 from Keith BrayI get a chance to go to some very interesting meetings with some very bright people. All should understand you meet very bright people in recovery programs; they were smart enough to do something about their living problems. Today a person stated that during his “dark” days, he has ...
Views: 717 - Humility Is Freedom - by Submitted on Sep 23, 2008 from Keith BrayFrequently I am reminded of what asset humility is. Frequently, when I think of “humility” I think of “humiliation”. My actions were responsible for humiliation to both myself and others I care about, and humiliation is not something I want! I am slowly starting to learn ...
Views: 973 - HUMILITY:A TOUGH CONCEPT - by Submitted on Feb 26, 2010 from Keith BrayHUMILITY: TOUGH CONCEPT Every time I get a good reading focused around humility, it causes me to reflect back. I can remember back to the time when I was sure humility had something to do with humiliation, and gosh knows that my life style had caused enough of that. I was not openly boastful ...
Views: 1522 - I Got An Unmerited Gift. Interested In One Too? - by Submitted on Jul 25, 2008 from Keith BrayBy definition, unmerited means undeserved, and the gift I was given, the gift of life recovery-was seemingly undeserved. Why me? The question has no answer that I understand. For a long period of time, my life was in decline, some periods slow, some much more rapid and obvious to others. I was ...
Views: 991 - I Have the Right To Be Wrong - by Submitted on Sep 08, 2008 from Keith BrayIt’s taken me a long time to learn, and I was reminded again in working with a client today, I have the right to be wrong. Oft times, upon reflection, I am wrong. New behaviors dictate that when I know I am wrong, I promptly admit it, and make amends when needed. I’ve also learned ...
Views: 770 - I Want Change. WHY? - by Submitted on Feb 04, 2011 from Keith BrayYOU WANT CHANGE. WHY? Another great question prompted from my coaching mentor, Dr. Randin Brons “Idea Engineer”. I work with intelligent people who are prepared to invest time, and in the case of my clients, money, to get a better life than current. To get what they want, they must be prepared ...
Views: 1308 - Impact on Family/Dad May Die - by Submitted on Dec 06, 2008 from Keith BrayThis week, I think I’ve gone through the most impactful and emotional occurrence of my recovery journey. I have watched death several times as people start, and then leave the journey to a better life. Addictions are a terrible disease. They kill. So does the impact of poor mental ...
Views: 724 - Importance Of Feedback-Life Coaching - by Submitted on May 21, 2008 from Keith BrayYesterday, I had a mentoring session with a fellow coach, and attended my online class. Funny how you hear things when you should (if you listen) and how one thought can lead into another. Yesterday I gave thought to benchmarking progress along the journey and how hard it can be to recognize ...
Views: 1788 - In My Head-And Not Paying Rent - by Submitted on Aug 19, 2008 from Keith BrayFor a number of years, I have been told resentments will tear me apart if I don’t deal with them. I was told, and it remains true today, that resentments are like a tenant in an apartment building who occupy space but pay no rent. The space in my head is at a premium, and I need it to be ...
Views: 1380 - In To Action. Ready? Amends - by Submitted on Jun 28, 2008 from Keith BrayThis action scared the living twist out of me! What was hammered through my thick skull that the amends I made were for my benefit, not for the benefit of the person I was making amends to. I was carrying the garbage, and this step in my journey was for me to clear up my garbage, and I was told ...
Views: 1053 - Insanity? Restored to? - by Submitted on Aug 07, 2008 from Keith BrayInsanity? Restored to? I think we all go through rollercoaster rides. Even though I’ve been on the recovery journey for a while, things happen, we face stress, and even though we try to turn it over, a black cloud appears! This isn’t the first one I’ve had, nor will it be the ...
Views: 822 - IS ADDICTION A DISEASE? GOT IT? - by Submitted on Feb 23, 2011 from Keith BrayIS ADDICTION A DISEASE? I certainly have my own thoughts on this question. Understanding the “disease” nature of addiction, because it gave me peace of mind, saved my life. Trust me; I’m not trying to be dramatic. From being free of active addiction for over 16 years, I know that the disease ...
Views: 1338 - Is Personal Change Possible? Success? - by Submitted on Jul 10, 2008 from Keith BrayIs Personal Change Possible? Success? - a Couple of great questions that I have come The last day and a half has been hectic but interest! Coaching is all about asking questions, and having the client find answers with. Yesterday I was asked if it were possible for people to make significant ...
Views: 693 - Laughter On The Journey | Life Coaching And Addiction Recovery - by Submitted on Oct 11, 2008 from Keith BrayThis getting your life back together, setting goals and being accountable is serious stuff! That being said, Laughter plays a very important role along the way, and one of the new skills I have picked up is a genuine ability to laugh at myself. I found the following quote and reading a good ...
Views: 1003 - LEADER or FOLLOWER? - by Submitted on Dec 09, 2008 from Keith BrayLEADER or FOLLOWER? The best leaders are those who know how to follow. --Anonymous Coaching is about asking powerful questions. Leader or follower falls into that category, and it is one I contemplate often because of the wide spread implications. Give it some thought. Am I a leader or a ...
Views: 3428 - Life Is A Game - by Submitted on May 26, 2008 from Keith BrayAnother weekend over, and some very good reminders and perspectives. I was very fortunate to get three golf games in on three days, and to have a chance to do something nice for my dear old mother. Friday we had a good buddy down from Peterborough. He is a great athlete, about my age, and has ...
Views: 775 - LIFE ON THE MERRY-Go-ROUND - by Submitted on Jan 21, 2011 from Keith BrayLIFE ON THE MERRY-GO-ROUND I’m generally not a computer pack rat, and tend to keep my inbox, sent and so on with little stuff in them. That being said, every now and again I hold on to something which I’ve read and intuitively know it is going to be very real on an upcoming day. Below is ...
Views: 1339 - Life Out of Whack? H.A.L.T. - by Submitted on Feb 15, 2011 from Keith BrayLife Out of Whack? H.A.L.T. Today is February 9, 2011 and it is mental health awareness day in Canada. A reminder to all, 20% of the total population suffers from a “mental health” issue in their life. Be aware of it, and if you are in that 20%, have the courage to seek help. There are no ...
Views: 1368 - Life's Purpose Through Patience And Waiting - by Submitted on May 24, 2008 from Keith BrayI've started to realize that waiting is an art, that waiting achieves things. Waiting can be very, very powerful. Time is a valuable thing. If you can wait two years, you can sometimes achieve something that you could not achieve today, however hard you worked, however much money you threw up in ...
Views: 734 - Like To Be In Control? - BigLife.ws - by Submitted on Sep 18, 2008 from Keith BrayWhen we live with fear and a lack of self confidence, we need to be in control. Do you see the need to control people, places and things in yourself? Daily, I use the serenity prayer, and on some days, with great frequency. In my professional life, it is easy to slip in to this mode and to be ...
Views: 839 - Little Dark Clouds - by Submitted on Jul 23, 2008 from Keith BraySome days I feel like a cartoon character and not my beloved Popeye. I am the person you see in the cartoons with the little black cloud over my head every where I go. I’m thankful that I don’t get this way often, and know it will pass, but the feeling is here, right now. I think ...
Views: 1143 - Live And Let Live - by Submitted on Aug 05, 2008 from Keith BrayA good reminder for me. I started on the journey to get a life back that had fullness, happiness, hope and serenity. I worked very hard at that process, have had a spiritual awakening, and benefited from the advice of professionals and peers who had walked before me. I wanted what I perceived ...
Views: 917 - Live Today-Things Change Quickly - by Submitted on Sep 10, 2008 from Keith BrayI awoke this morning to a brilliant blue sky, and an awareness that something subtle had changed. I have a funeral to attend today. I attend meetings on a fairly regular basis. I am a creature of habit, and have been sitting in the same area of the meeting for years. I look around the room and ...
Views: 703 - Make a Silk Purse from Your Sow's Ear - by Submitted on Feb 11, 2009 from Keith BrayThere was a point in my life, a decade plus ago, I was living in insanity. I was doing things that were negative repeatedly, but expecting a diffrent outcome. I was less than honest, leading a double life- one for the public and a diffrent life inside of me, I suffered frequent depression and ...
Views: 1039 - Make It A Good Day? - by Submitted on Oct 02, 2008 from Keith BrayWhen I got up Wednesday morning, I had a choice to make. I choose to make it a good day. There is enough craziness going on in this world, the talk of economic collapse, and gosh help us, elections on both sides of the border. Here in Canada, as far as leadership goes, I don’t find any ...
Views: 648 - Maybe An Addiction Problem? - by Submitted on Apr 01, 2011 from Keith BrayDo you have an addiction problem? You’re reading this because you are looking for information about “addictions”. I address this to two groups of people in particular. * The person who thinks s/he has a problem. * The person trying to drink/drug/behave in moderation. Many are here because ...
Views: 1402 - Mirroring - by Submitted on Sep 29, 2008 from Keith BrayA weekend just past and the first client of day completed, and my head turns to a technique known as mirroring. Funny, as I work with clients to bring out the talent within them, I find myself asking questions that I am, in part, asking of myself. It is true that we see ourselves in others. In ...
Views: 968 - MORE ON ANGER - by Submitted on Oct 25, 2010 from Keith BrayMORE ON ANGER Today, I had the pleasure of reading an exert from a book called “In God’s Care” by Karen Casey. What a great reminder about the power of anger. How many people do you run into in your own life that give off vibes that make you feel like there is a volcano present and just about ...
Views: 1111 - More On Ego - by Submitted on Oct 31, 2008 from Keith BrayPosted October 31st, 2008 by Keith * A NEW EARTH * ADDICTION * Certified * CREATIVE THEORY * DREAMS * EGO * Life Coach * www.hopeserenity.ca MORE ON EGO! While I haven't journalled about it in a while, ego, the duality and things Eckhart Tolle has written ...
Views: 775 - My Inside Versus Your Outside - by Submitted on Aug 01, 2008 from Keith BrayWhat a great reminder I had today. This is something, without thinking about, I know I periodically do! How about you? They say you can’t judge a book by its cover, yet publishers spend a fortune to create great covers. As a person, for years, I did all I could to create a great exterior, ...
Views: 1568 - My Stroke Of Insight-A New Earth-Spiritual Experience - by Submitted on May 22, 2008 from Keith BrayI was really taken by the Oprah web casts of A New Earth and Eckhart Tolle.It certainly added a lot to my spiritual journey, and gave me some great perspectives that I am using with others while coaching them through a process to help them awaken spiritually. I have continued to watch Oprah and ...
Views: 616 - No Goals?? - by Submitted on Nov 02, 2008 from Keith BrayI constantly talk about coaching. Yes, this is in part because it is what I am professionally. But more importantly, it is because what coaching is and what it can bring to a clients life is not clearly understood. To those in self-help programs, coaching IS NOT sponsorship. The essence of ...
Views: 648 - On A Run of Bad Luck? And Wonder Why? - by Submitted on Jun 14, 2008 from Keith BrayFor a long time I thought I was on a run of bad luck! My wife had left me, friends were pulling away, and nothing seemed to come together at work, not to mention I never won the lottery or even a lucky draw? Ever had that feeling?? Just plain bad luck. It’s funny after I decided to seek ...
Views: 774 - Paradox In The Journey - by Submitted on Oct 07, 2008 from Keith BrayFor the last 14 plus years I have been on a journey. I had hit a wall in life, in particular the life I was living inside myself. The outside world may have thought things were OK. I had a home, 2 cars, the bills were paid and my consulting company was doing fine from a financial ...
Views: 852 - Paradox? - by Submitted on Nov 12, 2008 from Keith Bray* A NEW EARTH * certified life coach * Creative Theory of Life Recovery * Paradox Paradox In The Journey For the last 14 plus years I have been on a journey. I had hit a wall in life, in particular the life I was living inside myself. The outside world may have thought things ...
Views: 960 - Patience. What Is It? - by Submitted on Aug 09, 2008 from Keith BrayPatience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet. --Lida Clarkson We all want life to unfold according to our plan. After all, we are certain we know what's best for us. But hindsight quickly reminds us that few, if any, of us had included recovery in a Twelve Step program as part of our life's plan. ...
Views: 829 - PEOPLE PLEASIN' TIME - by Submitted on Dec 23, 2010 from Keith BrayPEOPLE PLEASIN’ TIME OF THE YEAR I don't know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.--Bill Cosby I am so blessed to have the space I do to work in. Today my view through my windows is of crisp white snow and snow clinging to mature cedars at the back of our ...
Views: 1344 - Powerless. Who Me? - by Submitted on May 29, 2008 from Keith BrayPOWERLESS. WHO ME? I’ve got a friend going for wedding #3 tomorrow, I’m best(questionable) man, and pre-wedding golf game. Thus an early post! It’s been a day to really think about powerlessness. Years ago, I came to realize that I was powerless over my addictions, and my ...
Views: 881 - PRACTICE,PRACTICE,PRACTICE - by Submitted on Dec 03, 2010 from Keith BrayPractice, Practice, Practice I’m a golf nut, and some may say certifiable. With the amount of golf tips and lessons I’ve had appear on my computer screen this last little while; it caused me to reflect on not only my golf game, but my life. I am a believer in asking for help, and when it ...
Views: 1237 - Prayer and Meditation. MEDITATION? - by Submitted on Jul 02, 2008 from Keith BrayPrayer and Meditation. MEDITATION? --not just something bearded guys do on Asian mountains As I went through the steps, this meditation thing might have been the item I misunderstood most. I had been exposed to prayer since I was a little guy. I am surprised in my coaching, when clients and I ...
Views: 1335 - Procrastination-Summer Is Over - by Submitted on Sep 03, 2008 from Keith BrayHard to believe, what we consider summer is over. School is back in, traffic is back to insane, and they days are definitely getting shorter. Seeing September 2 pop up in my calendar is shocking. There are so many things I had said to myself I would do over the summer, and of course, a lot of ...
Views: 813 - Ready For More Steps/Footprints? - by Submitted on Jun 23, 2008 from Keith BrayReady For More Steps/Footprints? I can get off track with the best of them! I was rolling along on a step review which I like to do annually, and ensuring the “footprints” I use in my practice are in sync with what must happen to live a quality life. Life got in the way. In the ...
Views: 671 - Reality Check - Transformation/Awakening-Free From Addictions - by Submitted on Sep 12, 2008 from Keith BrayReality Check Last night, in talking with a fellow who I work with as a guide and mentor, I was faced with a reality check. It was a reminder, and a mini-awakening. Seated in the room with me was a friend of long standing, a doctor, who through abuse of substance and things that can go with it, ...
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