u/Any_Amphibian6501

Just for today 19AUG26 "First things first"452 days clean & sober NA Recovery Cash App- $Shepard806
The first thing I did was accept that I have a problem and my life was no longer manageable. I learned the importance of creating a routine and being part of a community (NA and church). Those are the first steps of recovery. I practice mindfulness techniques to stay in the here and now to the best of my ability. That's what keeps me grounded, clearly focused on goals and continuing to move forward. I put my past, and my future, in the hands of God. Just for today I'm doin' ok.

Mindfulness 101 with Shepard w/ shepardscove Meditation Awareness Here and Now Focus Quiet Time Mental Health Presence
Wanna donate? Cash App- $Shepard806
This video goes over the basics of mindfulness. I talk about what mindfulness is and a few ways to get into the present. I talk about awareness and distractions that we wanna look out for. Finally, I talk about meditation and a few simple techniques. I know it doesn't look like it, but I put a lot of time into making this video. I truly hope it helps someone.

Just for today 18AUG26 "How long do I have to go?" 451 days clean NA Recovery Cash App- $Shepard806
I have to admit, I haven't been going to meetings as often as I'd like to. As it's noticeable in the way I feel. I'm fighting the desire to isolate and go back to old, unproductive, habits. Going to church helps, but it's not quite as comforting as being around a bunch of addicts. Especially addicts with the desire to stay clean. I'm gonna finish posting this video and I'm gonna go talk to Homeboy upstairs (God) for a few.

Just for today 17AUG26 "Tell the truth" 450 days clean and sober NA Recovery Cash App-$Shepard806
I used to hide from the world all the time. I wouldn't go out, I wouldn't answer the phone, if I even had one. And you can bet I would tell you whatever you want to hear at that moment to make the conversation as short as possible. Telling the truth makes it a lot easier to remember what you told somebody. It was true. I catch myself still trying to isolate when things aren't going so well. The difference is now I recognize it and I refuse to let it take over. Prayer and mindfulness techniques help me get through the tough times. It's usually me that gets in my way.

Just for today 16AUG26 "Up or down" 449 days clean and sober NA Recovery Cash App-$Shepard806
There really is no pause button when it comes to spirituality. I'm learning this first hand. I planned on coming out of jail and spending a little time every morning on prayer, gratitude and spirituality. I let life get in my way. I haven't been taking that time every morning like I planned. Recently I haven't had much motivation and my attitude has been kinda blah. It's time to kick this life back into gear. We're either going up or down, I refuse to let life bring me down.

Just for today 15AUG26 "Over time, not overnight" 448 days clean NA Recovery Cash App-$Shepard806
It certainly does take time to fix the damage done. And these tools we need to use... they're hard to hold on to. It's easy to read the "how to fix me" directions, but it ain't easy to apply those directions on a daily basis. These Just for today readings, that I do every day, are keeping me sober. If I don't post a video someone will ask if I'm ok. That means the world to me. It is taking time, and sometimes it doesn't feel like it's worth the trouble. Being able to form that thought, and clearly type it into this description, tells me that it's working. Just for today, I am sober.

Just for today 14AUG26 "Letting go of our limitations" 447 days clean NA Recovery Cash App-$shepard806
I hear a lot of "you can't". Almost on a daily basis. I try not to let the negative words, from those who question my abilities, dictate my actions. I have plans and goals. it's easy to let the obstacles in life become road blocks or boundaries. Through mindfulness techniques I spend more and more time right here, right now. I refuse to let the bad memories and experiences tell me what I can or can not do.

Just for today 13AUG26 "Difficult people" 446 days clean and sober NA Recovery Cash App-$Shepard806
I was a "difficult people" for a long time. I am learning to have patience, Lord knows I have received a lot of patience through the years. I have been praying for Him to guide me in His will. I have found that His will shows kindness and forgiveness. This is totally new to me. I still need to make my list of the people I need to make amends to. Then I need to make those amends. It's been seriously eating away at me.

Just for today 12AUG26 "Enough!" 445 days clean and sober today NA Recovery CASH APP-$Shepard806
It took a lot for me to decide that I had enough. I was way too busy kickin' my own ass to even think about recovery. I realized that I was tired of being powerless while I was sitting in a jail cell. As my mind began to clear, I started to create goals and make plans. I hadn't thought of anything but the next bag or bottle up to that point... It took that little bit of clarity to realize that enough was enough. I am so thankful for a new chance at life. Just for today, I have renewed hope.

Just for today 11AUG26 "Active listening" 444 days clean & sober NA Recovery (CASH APP-$shepard806)
There was no way I could actively listen when I was using. I was always going too fast or too slow. I would wait, impatiently, to say what I gotta say without hearing the speaker. Active listening is a great skill to strengthen. Not only do we learn from what's being said, but the person speaking feels respected. Active listening is a key ingredient for communication.

Just for today 10AUG26 Regular prayer and meditation 443 days clean Recovery (CASHAPP-$shepard806)
I've been trying to make meditation and prayer a part of every morning. I'm human, so it's still a work in progress. I know people that stay in constant prayer. Always thankful for each moment, good or bad. I use grounding techniques, frequently. I'll listen to my breathing as I take slow, steady breaths. I'll also look around the room and say, out loud, the name and color of 3 to 5 items I see in the room. These are great for being right here, right now.

Just for today 09AUG26 "The Power of love" 4442 days clean and sober NA Recovery (@shepardscove)
For a lot of years I misunderstood the meaning of the word "love". One of my favorite songs as a kid was "I need love" by L L Cool J. I had no idea what love really is. Or what I really need. I've learned that love starts from within. We need to learn to love ourselves and our Higher Power first. We need food, water, a spiritual connection to our Higher Power and some control over our emotions to be "functional" in our society. My new found love for God has made my life far more bearable. I actually look forward to getting out of bed and starting my day.

Just for today 08AUG26 "Responsible recovery" 441 days clean and sober NA Recovery (@shepardscove)
I still have issues being "responsible" for me. It's so much easier to let someone else do the decision making, but it doesn't give me that same feeling of accomplishment. With my lingering insecurities, every accomplishment is needed to keep my forward momentum. I want my cookie! 441 days seems like a a long time. After spending 40 years drunk and high, I need to re-learn how to think and act. It takes time. Just for today I will stay clean and sober and I will do something productive.

Just for today 05AUG26 "The shape of our thoughts" 438 days clean NA Recovery (@shepardscove)
I've devoted most of my time, over the last 438 days, to reshaping my thoughts. I have learned how to recognize, and accept, negative feelings. This gives me the chance to change the feeling before it gets outta control. Anger and anxiety used to control my actions. Now they are just feelings that I can change by changing my thoughts. I put my issues from the past and my worries about the future in the hands of my Higher Power. I put a conscious effort into staying in the present. Right here, right now. If I need to, I'll take a few deep breaths or I'll notice the details in stuff around me just to re-ground myself. It makes for a much better life. And I can be present and sober for it.

Just for today 04AUG26 "When is a secret not a secret?" 437 days clean NA Recovery (@sheparrdscove)
I've learned that telling secrets can get you in trouble. But it does relieve that burden. I have learned to put my past, and my future, in the hands of God. I have been doing my best to live in the present. I am still learning to not try to control everything and just be here, right now. Holding on to secrets creates a roadblock for progress. If nothing else we can write our secrets out on paper, then ask our Higher Power for relief. We can burn the paper afterwards...

***Last post for 30 days*** Just for today 03JUL26 "Quiet time" 404 days clean and sober NA Recovery (@shepardscove)
I'm about to have 30 days of "quiet time". This will give me time to work on my conscious contact with my Higher Power. I did the crime, now I gotta do the time. Back when I was using it was all about "catch me if you can". Now that I'm moving forward in life, I can see this as just an obstacle. I will continue to move forward with my plans and goals. This is just gonna give me some time to work on my much needed quiet time. Careful what you pray for, you just might get it...

Just for today 02JUL26 "Comparing" 404 days clean and sober today NA Recovery (@shepardscove)
I know I haven't lived the same life as you. My individuality is what makes me who I am. My recovery won't look the same as anyone else's. i'm learning how to do my recovery as I go. I talk to my Higher Power frequently. I refuse to allow negative thoughts and feelings to stay with me. I'm not looking forward to going to jail tomorrow, but I will put this in God's hands and I have faith everything will be ok. No matter what path we're taking, or what we've been through, we are all looking for a better way of living. One that doesn't require us to chase that bag or bottle.

Just for today 01JUL26 "A simple program" 403 days clean and sober NA Recovery (@shepardscove)
A simple program that ain't always all that simple. How can it be, I gotta deal with me? And I'm always there. I'm still working on keeping it simple. I can't help overthinking, isolating, and just not giving a shit. I''m trying to do as much as I can for as many people as I can. I know service is important. This ain't easy, people annoy me. This 30 day vacation will give me some time to work on my mindfulness techniques.