Book Review: The Huffington Post Complete Guide to Bogging

Book Review (In Process):

The Huffington Post Complete Guide To Blogging by the Editors of the Huffington Post

Simon & Shuster, 2008 ISBN 13: 978-1-4391-0500-9

x + 230 pgs.

To preface. Although my intention with this humble blog is to focus on Mental Wellness and recovery from "mental illness", it will be helpful for me to say now what this blog will NOT be (at least for the first few dozen posts, anyway.). I am not going to make this into an online diary where I tell of my triumphs and woes daily (or semi-daily). I will interject a helpful experience I've had on occasion, but for now I'm going to focus my attention on reviewing books I've encountered and sometimes find helpful.

During my first year of sobriety, I've gone on a weekly basis to the largest thrift store in Stockton, CA and have started to accumulate a considerable library. I now have covering 1/4th of my living room floor over 300 books I've yet to read. About a 1/3rd of them are in the self-help genre. So at least every other day I'll post a review of what I've read so far...and also books I've gotten from the Library...like the one I'm about to review now.

Actually, it isn't fair to do so right now, since I'm only about halfway through, but what I've read so far has been helpful. I'll go to the news sites like Google News for material if appropriate, and the book recommends that I post often and find my own voice.

My ambitious goal is to get at least 100 people reading this on blogspot & my Facebook page by the end of the year. Then to double it each year until 2015 (or thereabouts) I make it into the Technorati Top 100. Hey, I can dream can't I?

Anyway, I do recommend this book and of course, let me give a mention to the #1 blog on the Technorati Top 100, the Huffington Post. As time permits, I'll be going there more often.

As always,

TJS

I Got Cable T-V Now, And I Love/Hate It

A few weeks ago, a couple of salesmen from Comcast came to where I work and gave a sales pitch. I know I've said in the past that I was proud of the fact that before I only watched an hour of broadcast T-V a week, when I did look at the tube, it was DVDs. So I signed up.

I got over a 100 channels, and yes, just as I (and maybe you) suspect, most of it is junk, promoting lifestyles I find abhorrent, people I would have nothing to do with in real life and an agenda I do not buy into. I do like the documentary channels and the weatherscan channel is helpful. When I have it on, I have it on the digital music channels. I like having uninterrupted music without announcer intrusions.

The question I ask myself (and it's a good one to ask yourself, too) is when I watch a program or movie, is will this help me achieve what I want in Life? Will it enhance the Quality of Life for myself and others? Or is it just mindless entertainment. Yes, I do want to be entertained, I just don't want to be in that group of people who just consume hours of visual candy. I intend to continue to spend more time reading and writing than I do watching T-V. For example, I have found myself watching VH1's Celebrity Rehab 3 & Sober House, with "Dr." Drew. As a former alcohol addict, I find this "reality" drama amusing. Indeed, the people in this show, as they believe they have a "disease"...find themselves acting in a diseased fashion! Incredible.

Anyway, use media, just don't let it use YOU.

TJS

Book Review: The Truth About Addiction and Recovery

The Truth About Addiction and Recovery: The Life Process Program for Outgrowing Destructive Habits

by Stanton Peele, PhD & Archie Brodsky with Mary Arnold

Fireside, 1991 ISBN 0-671-75530-7

430 pages

It has been a little over 14 months since I had finally given up consuming alcohol for good. Since I was introduced to "recovery" through the 12-Step faith healing program of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) in 1988, I have had brief periods of sobriety in between 4 residential rehabs, one employee assistance program and one outpatient program. None of this worked. Until I finally realized that I needed to stop poisoning myself with alcohol and find something better to do.

So the Life Process Program Dr. Peele, et al. outlines in this accessible book, gives a way addicts can find meaning outside of their destructive habits. I no longer believe addiction is a "disease". It was a way I chose to deal with the world, but whether it was inherited from my parents, or whether it was from my environment I don't know. I do know that I'm much better off not consuming any more alcohol. This book gives the explanation is to why alcoholism, drug abuse, smoking, over-eating, gambling, shopping, etc. are NOT diseases. AA & the other 12-step "fellowships" want you to believe that only their "spiritual" approach is the best way. It isn't. For much more evidence than I can provide here, I invite you to read the Orange Papers:

Orange Papers

And of course, check out Stanton Peele's website as well.

I do not self-identify as an "alcoholic". Yes, alcohol was a center of my life for over 25 years, and I would say that I'm a former alcohol abuser. To-day I choose to live my life free of that chemical and also I do not obsess about it. The only time I give it any thought is during my work time as a Wellness Coach and my writing here and on Facebook. The rest of the term I devote to other pursuits which I'll mention here in due time.

Anyway, get this book, whether at the bookstore or at the library. It'll be a good start, much better than that mess entitled "Alcoholics Anonymous" a.k.a. "The Big Book".

Also, some more options for recovery from addictions:

Lifering

SMART Recovery

And finally, here's a great oldie by one of the pioneers of the secular recovery movement, Jack Trimpey:

Yes, Virginia, there is a cure for alcoholism!

Happy Trails,

TJS