Recovery In The Pines

11/17/2025

2 Corinthians 4:8-9
We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

Rethink Care
"To be clear, resilience is not simply about bouncing back from adversity; it’s about dealing with disruptive forces while adapting with integrity in response to changing circumstances, eventually leading to the experience of thriving. Adaptive resilience is a skill that can be deliberately cultivated and developed in the face of chronic negative stress and constantly increasing demands, complexity and change."

The Basics
1. Know what you're aiming at.

2. Develop deeply personal "whys".

3. Create the plan.

4. Get into action to strengthen your resiliency.

The Lesson
Create / review the best version of you (your top 5 - 10 character assets you wish to master mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually, and socially) followed by SMART goals, personally and professionally, and healthy hobbies. These collectively are your purpose.

Then, caft powerful "whys" with at least one "why" to the negative that would disgust you if you quit on life. Your "whys" should bring an immense increase in energy and / or tears to your eyes when you think about them. Go deep!

Commit time daily to complete, at minimum, 1 activity (1+ hour action) and 3 - 5 micro habits (2 - 5 minute micro actions) that move you towards your goals.

It is by getting into action that you strengthen your best version, your will to live, and your "whys". Purpose and "whys" can't just be a thought. They require action. Action increases hope. Action increases your capability to handle complex things with maximum efficiency and effectiveness, ultimately increasing your resiliency.

Questions? Need help with this? Reach out to us at: info@recoveryinthepines.com

11/17/2025

11/16/2025

Colossians 3:10
And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

LinkedIn
"The first step to becoming that new you is rejecting the deeply ingrained limitations in your mind saying you aren’t that person. This is what it means to kill off the old you. You shed your past identity and embrace a new version of yourself that reflects who you want to be.

Once you internally kill off the old you, you must begin to show up as the new you in the external world, aligning your thoughts and behaviors so that your new you becomes reality."

The Basics
1. Aim high. Know what you're aiming at and why.

2. Choose your sacrifice.

3. Cut loose the things holding you back.

4. Build your BEST version.

The Lesson
Create / review the best version of you (your top 5 - 10 character assets you wish to master mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually, and socially), followed by SMART goals, personally and professionally, and healthy hobbies. When we have a clear definition of what we're aiming at, and we have deeply personal "whys" for achieving these goals, we increase our success for transformation.

Meditate on the fact that for you to become the BEST version of you, you have to sacrifice. Without living each day with purpose, you will stay stuck with the same life.

Assess all the things that are holding you back from achieving your best life. Create the plan to remove them decisively from your life. Pay attention to where you've become comfortable with the things that have been holding you back. Cut them loose quickly.

Invest time daily to push yourself to work on your best version. Break up the actions into healthy activities (30 - 60 minute events) and micro habits (2 - 5+ minute actions) that grow you towards your goals. You can increase the complexity, frequency, and intensity of these actions as you gain a mastery of them.

Questions? Need help with this? Reach out to us at: info@recoveryinthepine.com

11/15/2025

Isaiah 41:10
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Medium.com
"Comfort, while soothing and familiar, can often be a gilded cage. It provides a sanctuary from discomfort and uncertainty, but at the same time, it limits our potential. If there’s a goal that has been eluding you, it’s likely that it lies outside your current comfort zone. To achieve it, you’ll need to push your boundaries, challenge yourself, and step into the unfamiliar."

The Basics
1. Get off the Hedonic treadmill.

2. Focus on purpose over the pursuit of pleasure.

3. Know what you're aiming at.

4. Your "whys" matter.

5. Put in the effort.

The Lesson
Be cautious of collecting things in pursuit of comfort. This produces a false sense of security, but ultimately just makes you soft and your life stagnant.

Focus on your personal development and purposeful goals as a priority over your pursuit of comfort. When you give up comfort for change, the path will start to become clear.

Create / review the best version of you (your top 5 - 10 character assets you wish to master mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually, and socially), followed by SMART goals, personally and professionally, and healthy hobbies.

Craft powerful "whys" to achieve your goals. Your "whys" for your goal must be more powerful than your "whys" for comfort. You will pursue the greater "why".

Invest time daily to work on your best version and other goals. Break up the actions into activities (30 - 60 minute+ actions) and micro habits (2 - 5+ minute actions). You can increase in frequency and complexity as you gain competency. It is easier to get into massive, right action when you break it up into consistent, small steps. The path to change will continue to unfold as you get into action.

Questions? Need help with this? Reach out to us at: info@recoveryinthepines.com

11/14/2025

Matthew 5:37
But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

Psychology Today
"I have found it helpful in my work with myself and with my psychotherapy patients to view saying 'No' to one thing as a way to say 'Yes' to something else. When we are able to preside over our lives with this kind of wise judgment, then we can feel better about our decision to decline something good because we know we are choosing to accept something that we deem better for us at that given moment. Such an approach takes the sting out of the inevitable guilt, regret, and disappointment that we all feel when we say, 'No.'”

The Basics
1. Know what to measure your "yes"s and "no"s against.

2. "Yes" isn't always helpful and "no" isn't always selfish.

3. Honor your commitments. It shapes who you are.

4. Know what your "yes" is saying "no" to, and vice versa.

The Lesson
Create / review the best version of you (your top 5 - 10 character assets you wish to master mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually, and socially), followed by SMART goals, personally and professionally, with healthy hobbies. Measure your "yes"s and "no"s against this definition of your best life.

When you say "yes", is it integrated with your best version and do you intend to honor it? If not, your "yes" isn't helpful. If you say "no" and it is integrated with the best version of you and what is the healthiest for someone else even though they may want a "yes".

Make sure whether you give a "yes" or "no", you will honor it. Choose wisely. These little word responses have a major impact on the actions you take and your relationships. They set up your actions and impact your integrity.

Whatever you say "yes" to, realize that is saying "no" to anything you could do with that time or what may be in opposition to it in other ways, and vice versa.

Questions? Need help with this? Reach out to us at: info@recoveryinthepines.com

11/13/2025

Proverbs 25:28
A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.

Harvard Business Review
"An ability to override short-term impulses that conflict with long-term goals is a hallmark of successful people. Research has shown that people with strong self-control have better health, relationships, finances, and careers."

The Basics
1. Know what you're aiming at and why.

2. Identify your cues.

3. Inventory your favorite unhealthy desires.

4. Have a series of healthy alternatives.

5. Create a cognitive gap between activation and actions.

The Lesson
Ceate / review the best version of you (your top 5 - 10 character assets you wish to master) followed by SMART goals, and healthy hobbies. We have a greater capability to engage self-control when we have a clear definition of what we're aiming at, and we have potent reasons "why".

Create a list of people, places, things, and experiences that activate impulsive reactions. Seek professional help if necessary to identify what activates your fight, flight, freeze, or fawn response.

Inventory a list of your go-to desires when activated ... mood / mind altering substances, s*x, food, money, foods, anger, avoidance, etc. Which of these are more important than living out your best life?

Be prepared with a list of healthy activities to offset your favorite unhealthy desires. The more you practice healthy offsetting actions, even when you aren't activated, will build greater self-control when you need it.

When activated ... PAUSE. Remember what you're aiming at and why, and get into healthy action quickly.

Questions? Need help with this? Reach out to us at: info@recoveryinthepines.com

11/11/2025

Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

Positive Psychology
"The word 'equanimity' comes from the combination of two Latin terms: aequus, meaning 'even, level' and animus, meaning 'mind' or 'spirit.' Equanimity is characterized by the ability to remain calm, composed, open, and non-reactive in the face of challenging or distressing situations.

Luckily, equanimity is not just a psychological trait with which we are born, but also a state of mind that we can actively cultivate."

The Steps
1. Pause between emotion and action.

2. Get grounded.

3. (Re)orient your framework for control in the present.

4. Decide and act.

The Lesson
M + C = E & A
Our (M)ind + (C)haracter result in (E)motions and often trigger (A)ction. Create PAUSE between Emotions and Actions. We make 40,000 - 60,000 decisions in a day, and 95% of our actions are on autopilot. What if your autopilot is solely reacting based upon survival or emotions?

In the moment, do a 5-4-3-2-1 grounding. What are:

5 things you can see

4 things you can touch

3 things you can hear

2 things you can smell

1 thing you can taste

This will help bring you to the present moment if you're in fight, flight, freeze or fawn mode.

Remind yourself of the best version of you (your top 5 - 10 character assets you wish to master mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually, and socially). Remember who you say you want to be as the best version of you.

Remember "why", at your deepest motivation, you want to act as the best version of you in ALL situations. This will help keep you from getting drawn into the of chaos.

Now, decide to act. Get into action with micro steps (2 - 5+ minute actions) that are integrated with your best version. As you act, you gain a sense of control, creating calm, walking you out of the "fire" storm.

Questions? Need help with this? Reach out to us at: info@recoveryinthepines.com

11/10/2025

You're Not Just Hurting Yourself...

11/09/2025

Romans 12:19
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”

Medium.com
"You see, toxic people often possess a need for control and dominance, and they achieve this by manipulating your emotions. When they can elicit strong reactions from you, whether it’s anger, frustration, or sadness, it gives them a sense of power and superiority. They thrive on the chaos and turmoil they create in your life because it validates their sense of self-worth.

So, what can you do to break this toxic cycle and protect your mental and emotional well-being? It starts with learning not to react when faced with their provocative behavior."

The Basics
1. Remember who you say you want to be and why.

2. PAUSE before responding.

3. Respond. Don't react.

4. Don't become JADED.

The Lesson
Create / review the best version of you (your top 5 - 10 character assets you wish to master mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually, and socially). Craft powerful "whys" for achieving these. This is the version of you that you want managing difficult situations.

Between emotion (stimulus) and action (response), PAUSE. Give yourself the opportunity to be mindful of what is in the moment and choose your choices instead of being fueled by emotion or mood.

Use the pause to become aware of what is, get into acceptance of things as they are, and seek the healthiest path of progress as a way to respond.

Assess and accept when you racted with unhealthy behavior. Don't Justify, Accuse, Defend, Explain, or be in Denial about it. That will only leave you JADED. Get to work on healthy self-care, getting into action on the best version of you, and being of service to others. This will help you handle more complex conflicts in the future with maximum efficiency and effectiveness.

Questions? Need help with this? Reach out to us at: info@recoveryinthepines.com

11/08/2025

Romans 8:6
The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.

Vocal
"Ultimately, the choice to attach ourselves to what is spiritually superior is a profound act of self-discovery and personal growth. It is a testament to our unwavering commitment to live a life of purpose, authenticity, and inner fulfillment. And as we embark on this journey, we become beacons of light, inviting others to embrace their own spiritual paths and discover the transformative power of connecting with something beyond the tangible world."

The Basics
1. Know what you're aiming at.

2. Assess how you used your time.

3. Cut away the distractions.

4. Be purposeful with your actions.

The Lesson
Start by aiming at a goal. In your personal life, create / review the best version of you (your top 5 - 10 character assets you wish to master mentally, emotionally, physically, spiritually, and socially). This will let you hone things of your spirit before you add on things in the world.

Next, inventory, with rigorous honesty, how well you are doing towards your goal and the actions you're taking. How much time did you waste on meaningless activities addicted to comfort? How much time did you spend on chasing pleasure and avoiding pain vs doing purposeful actions to stay healthy and experience more life in your day?

Look at all your distractions. Create the plan to remove them decisively from your life. They drain your time and energy.

Then, create the plan of purposeful activities (30 - 60 minute events) and micro habits (2 - 5+ minute actions). Start small. It's easier to discipline yourself to put them into action.

Commit time daily to complete, at minimum, one healthy activity and 3 - 5 micro habits that move you towards your goals. If not, you're likely to get distracted instead of the things that make you integrated.

Questions? Need help with this? Reach out to us at: info@recoveryinthepines.com

11/07/2025

You are as Sick as Your Secrets!