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Don't let something trivial take over your life. Your health or your family come first and there's no reason why a task should take over your life.

Book by by Brené Brown When our embarrassments and fears lie, we often listen to them anyway. They thwart our gratitude, acceptance, and compassion—our goodness. They insist, “I am not worthy.” But we are worthy—of self-discovery, personal growth, and boundless love. With Brené Brown’s game-changing New York Times bestseller The Gifts of Imperfection—which has sold more than 2 million copies in more than 30 different languages, and Forbes recently named one of the "Five Books That Will Actually Change Your Outlook On Life"—we find courage to overcome paralyzing fear and self-consciousness, strengthening our connection to the world. A motivational and inspiring guide to wholehearted living, rather than just the average self-help book, with this groundbreaking work Brené Brown, Ph.D., bolsters the self-esteem and personal development process through her characteristic heartfelt, honest storytelling. With original research and plenty of encouragement, she explores the psychology of releasing our definitions of an “imperfect” life and embracing living authentically. Brown’s “ten guideposts”  are benchmarks for authenticity that can help anyone establish a practice for a life of honest beauty—a perfectly imperfect life. Now more than ever, we all need to cultivate feelings of self-worth, as well as acceptance and love for ourselves. In a world where insults, criticisms, and fears are spread too generously alongside messages of unrealistic beauty, attainment, and expectation, we look for ways to “dig deep” and find truth and gratitude in our lives. A new way forward means we can’t hold on too tightly to our own self-defeating thoughts or the displaced pain in our world. Instead, we can embrace the imperfection. ISBN-10 : 9781592858491 ISBN-13 : 978-1592858491 Publisher : Hazelden Publishing; 1st Edition (August 27, 2010)

Book: Waiting by Marya Hornbacher For those who don't believe in God, feel disconnected from the ideas of God presented in organized religion, or are simply struggling to determine their own spiritual path, Marya Hornbacher, author of the New York Times best sellers Madness and Wasted, offers a down-to-earth exploration of the concept of faith. Many of us have been trained to think of spirituality as the sole provenance of religion; and if we have come to feel that the religious are not the only ones with access to a spiritual life, we may still be casting about for what, precisely, a spiritual life would be, without a God, a religion, or a solid set of spiritual beliefs. In Waiting, best-selling author Marya Hornbacher uses the story of her own journey beginning with her recovery from alcoholism to offer a fresh approach to cultivating a spiritual life. Relinquishing the concept of a universal "Spirit" that exists outside of us, Hornbacher gives us the framework to explore the human spirit in each of us--the very thing that sends us searching, that connects us with one another, the thing that "comes knocking at the door of our emotionally and intellectually closed lives and asks to be let in." When we let it in and only when we do, she says, we begin to be integrated people. And we begin to walk a spiritual path. And there are many points along the way where we stop, or we fumble, or we get tangled up or turned around. Those are the places where we wait. Waiting, you'll discover, can become a kind of spiritual practice in itself, requiring patience, acceptance, and stillness. Sometimes we do it because we know we need to, though we may not know why. In short, we do it on faith. Marya Hornbacher is the author of two best-selling nonfiction titles, Madness: A Bipolar Life and Wasted: A Memoir of Anorexia and Bulimia. She has also authored a recovery handbook, Sane: Mental Illness, Addiction, and the 12 Steps, and a critically acclaimed novel, The Center of Winter. Also available as an E-book – available to purchase from your favorite e-book retailer. ISBN-13: 9781592858255 Publisher: Hazelden Published Year: 2011 Formats

Comment about one or more of these promptss You can’t change people…but you can understand them better. Who do you wish you could better understand? Why? If you weren’t in recovery, what would life be like today? Are you worried about something? What is it? How are You Coping with Worry? Dear past me… Dear present me… Dear future me…

The relapse and overdose rate has increased by 30% since March 2020. Mental health issues related to our lockdown and the pandemic are especially hard for people with depression. NAMI, The National Alliance on Mental Health, has a helpline: 800-950-6264 available Monday Through Friday 10am - 6 pm. Or Text “NAMI” to 741741 24/7 for free crisis counseling

Admitting we are powerless over alcohol can be our toughest jobs. Ways to Follow Step 1 Speak at an AA Meeting Tell Someone If You Feel Like Drinking Work With A Counselor And/Or Get An AA Sponsor Tell someone if you do drink. Keeping your mistakes to yourself only makes it appear like you are in control when you’re not.

From: Mark Kaplan - CDRC, Meeting Coordinator To: All Meeting Leaders, I have some exciting news! CDRC is preparing to re-open our doors on June 29th and I wanted to reach out to each one of you and alert you and your groups to let you know what we’ve done to prepare the meeting facility for your return. We have had our facility completely disinfected during our closure and have set rooms up to minimize potential surface transmission and appropriate distancing in accordance with all CDC, state, regional and local regulations. We have made the health and safety our top priority for all those who utilize our space. To that end there are some important things for you and your group to know regarding the "Office Space Work Guidelines for Employers and Employees" and "Mass Gatherings Guidelines" that the CDRC will be implementing per NYS' Directive. WHAT THE CDRC IS DOING TO PRIORITIZE HEALTH AND SAFETY All meeting groups will be required to complete the NY Forward Safety Plan prior to beginning meetings again. The CDRC will request a copy of this document prior to each groups return. Each group must also have this onsite at every meeting. NY FORWARD SAFETY PLAN TEMPLATE https://www.governor.ny.gov/sites/governor.ny.gov/files/atoms/files/NYS_BusinessReopeningSafetyPlanTemplate.pdf A designee from each group will need to be trained/review and confirm receipt of proper disinfecting protocols. All meeting groups will be limited to a maximum of 17 people or less (per NYS guidelines allow 25 but our largest meeting room will hold 17 with social distancing). An acceptable face covering will be required at all times, in all areas of the building and parking lot. Proper social distancing of 6ft between individuals will be required in the meeting rooms -- therefore the maximum number of people per room may be less than based on those guidelines. (Our Room Maximum is as follows: (Capacity with 6 foot spacing: A-17, B-11, C-6, H-5, E-4, S-3) Floor markers will be used to identify where each chair should be located. Tables and additional chairs will not be permitted in the room. Outside food and beverages will not be allowed in the building, nor will any on-site food or beverages be provided. The kitchen will remain closed until further guidance from NYS Only one person will be permitted in the bathroom at a time. Groups will be asked to wipe down chairs and shared surfaces with EPA approved disinfectant provided by the CDRC upon leaving the room and will be required to properly dispose of waste in a plastic bag and remove it from the building by placing it in the dumpster in the back of the parking lot. Upon completion of a meeting, individuals will be asked to promptly leave the facility. Proper social distancing practices must be followed in the parking lot. IN ADDITION, CDRC WILL Provide hand soap, hand sanitizer and disinfectant onsite for all visitors to use and will complete a thorough cleaning of the entire building at the close of each day. Provide disposable face masks for those who forget to bring their own. Post CDC and DOH approved signage throughout the building outlining: Proper face coverings to be used Steps for safe and effective disinfectant use How to protect yourself from the spread of COVID-19 How to stop the spread Post CDRC specific building, meeting space and parking lot guidance. Screen each individual that enters the building – using a short questionnaire and a temperature check – and anyone who has a temperature of 100 degrees or higher will not be permitted to enter the building. Immediately notify building management and the county health department upon learning that any individual that entered the building has come down with COVID related symptoms, has tested positive for COVID or has been in contact with someone that has tested positive for COVID HELPFUL RESOURCES TO HELP MEMBERS PLAN Some additional information that might be helpful as you plan your return to live meetings can be found on the HMB Area 49 website : https://aahmbny.org/reopening-ad-hoc-committee-report/ . This report has suggestions across a vast number of considerations for group meetings and not all will apply to each group, so take what you like and leave the rest. WHAT CDRC NEEDS FROM GROUPS/MEMBERS BEFORE THEIR RETURN Your groups interest in returning on the same days/times? When you would like to return to live meetings? Would your group would like to remain virtual for a longer period of time, but continue paying rent to hold your spot? Would you like us to look into additional rooms for you to use during or on the same day/time at the same rental amount being paid for your current space? This information will help us appropriately plan and accommodate each of you. We know that this has not been an easy time for you and your fellowships, and that there is an eagerness to begin meeting in person again. We want your thoughts on your return and to discuss with you options that will make this transition as smooth as possible for you and your groups. Re-opening information can also be found on our Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/cdrcinc/ We are in need of additional volunteers to meet the additional responsibilities surrounding the required protocols put in place. Volunteers are critical to the CDRCs success and if anyone is interested or knows someone that is interested they can call or reach out to our volunteer coordinator Dan Meher at - dduke7@aol.com or myself. I am available via email: kaplanmark20@gmail.com or by cell : 518-222-9988 to answer any questions or concerns you might have. I look forward to talking and seeing all of you very soon!

If you are Passionate about changing lives with the message our community brings, and want to put it into action, our volunteer team might be exactly what you're looking for. Can you spare an hour or two to bring back Hope? We need YOU!!! We know we are looking for someone just like YOU and we couldn't accomplish this without your help.  For more details, please TEXT Dan @  518-441-6193. Thanks, Everyone!  We Love and miss you, and we are so EXCITED to see you SOON!!!! :)

You may be eligible for a charitable contribution deduction for your donation to CDRC, even if you don’t normally itemize your charitable contributions. A measure in the federal corona virus relief bill grants taxpayers an above-the-line deduction for up to $300 in annual charitable donations starting in 2020. This is available to those who take the standard deduction (who do not itemize). It is an “above the line” adjustment to income that will reduce a donor’s adjusted gross income (AGI) and thereby reduce taxable income. For more information, consult your CPA or financial advisor.

From http://www.recoverymonth.gov/personal-stories Donald Roberts Friday, April 13, 2018 - 18:15 Prior to recovery, I spent 18 years as a daily drug and alcohol user; I was in and out of jails/prisons regularly, I had severe mental disorders, I felt lonely, broken, hollow, and desperate for change.  My history is not unlike many who struggle with addictions; however, this story is not one of addiction, it is a story of recovery. My journey into recovery started October 6, 2009.  I fell asleep drunk and woke up the next morning to an FBI raid.  As I sat in jail (once again), I realized that I had been trying to control my addictive behavior for years, and I had failed.  I needed help, and I was finally ready to seek it out. Over the next couple of years in prison, I started attending 12-step meetings and completed a 12-week nonresidential drug abuse treatment program.  That gave me some coping skills, helped me change some criminal thinking errors, and introduced me to 12-step programs.  When I was released, I immediately started attending 12-step fellowships in the rural community I returned to.  I got a sponsor, I worked the steps, I started doing service work for my home group, I attended meetings every day, and I did not associate with anyone still using. This early recovery foundation was vital for me.  I was able to completely change my social niche and had a safe place to pursue the inner transformation necessary to recover.  In these early years, my recovery was centered around practice, practice, practice.  Change occurred slowly, my recovery community was patient with me and loved me through the process.  Around 4 years of recovery, I could really see the difference within me, and in all the relationships in my new life. At this time, I started attending college, pursuing degrees in social work and chemical dependency counseling.  The school experience was also very important to my recovery.  I had no work history, I was a convicted felon, and my self-esteem was very low.  School helped me build confidence in myself, taught me how to move through different social settings and be professional.  Eventually, I replaced those old prison numbers behind my name, with new educational letters behind my name.  I had become employable. I had learned in recovery, that service to humanity can be an important principle for recovering people to practice.  So, I carried that with me into my work.  I opened a peer support drop-in center in my rural area.  It has become a huge success in an area that was hurting for treatment options.  I also became an addiction counselor for a newly developed drug treatment court.  Today, I can see the difference I am making in the lives of many people.  This recovery adventure has taken me to places I could never have imagined myself going.  Today, the song in my heart, is one of gratitude and beauty. Thank you, All My Relations, it is good!