We all go through emotional times. What I need to do is to figure out what it is that’s controlling my emotions.

This has been an emotional week for me and it’s really hard to admit that I struggle, too. I want to show the world that I’m strong. But isn’t strong also admitting that you, too, need an emotional boost now and then?  Sadness and disappointment happen to all of us. It’s what we do with these emotions that matters.

We all go through emotional times. What I need to do is to figure out what it is that’s controlling my emotions. I ask myself whether I’m spiritually fit? Doing the next right thing?  What my part is in my stress? I know that taking care of myself is so important. I also know that I need to give myself a break. I need to be honest with myself, step back, and assess what’s working and what’s not. If I can’t be honest with myself, I can’t be honest with anyone.

I gave up drinking years ago, not knowing then that I would find my way to a life filled with direction and purpose. I needed — not wanted — to quit drinking. By clearing my head, I found that I had to deal with this thing called feelings. No more drinking them away, no more numbing the pain, or crying in my beer.

How can I stay closer to my Divine Spirit, God? Is there something that I need to give up? I gave up drinking years ago, not knowing then that I would find my way to a life filled with direction and purpose. I needed — not wanted — to quit drinking. By clearing my head, I found that I had to deal with this thing called feelings. No more drinking them away, no more numbing the pain, or crying in my beer. I had to learn how to move through, work on, and talk through my emotions — fears, anger, sadness, and grief. I also had to learn how to deal with positive emotions like happiness and joy.

This week I have been praying, meditating, reading. Asking for guidance and direction to heal, I’ve turned to people with whom I can confide and be vulnerable. I’ve learned through life coaching that I will do more and be more emotionally committed to an outcome, when I make a plan. Through life coaching I figure out what next to do. I’m not told by someone else what I should do. I’m moving forward, not sitting and feeling sorry for myself. Though I did go through that emotion, I didn’t let it settle in and stay long.

I have to stay in every moment of every day. It is a lesson I’ve learned in recovery. My business name is centered around One day, One Neigh at a Time. How am I in every moment? If my moment is sad or lonely, I know that I need to adjust and work on how I can change my next moment. Sometimes, I even give myself permission to be sad and angry today, knowing that tomorrow I will figure out a way to move forward — even if it’s just getting out of bed and walking down the road a bit. I move forward. I call it moving toward the light. I know that getting stuck in the dark is never healthy for my heart, mind, or soul.

A horse stays in the moment. They don’t think about who’s feeding them, if they will be ridden, or if it’ll be cold.  They don’t worry. I am working to be more like them and the good news is that I’m a work in progress. I won’t settle for anything less than becoming the best I can be. My God wants nothing less of me than to be working on becoming healthy. Since I don’t know yet what healthy truly looks like, I am striving always to discover it. Doing nothing is not an option. . .I did that when I was drunk.

Share YOUR Story as a Guest Blogger

Stories are powerful — they can educate, they can inspire, they can change lives. Knowing you’re not alone in this journey is critical in a successful recovery. I have been sharing my story on this blog for over a year now and I have seen the impact of story on the lives I have touched. Now, I’d like to invite YOU to tell your story on my blog and have that same chance to change lives — including your own.

Here’s the scoop:

  1. Stories can be published anonymously, so there’s no need to worry about backlash.
  2. Anyone who submits a story will receive a package of three 30 minute phone coaching sessions with me.
  3. I will hold a drawing for a session “in the barn” with the horses for one lucky local participant!
  4. To submit your story, send an inquiry email to kathy@oneneighatatime.com and I will guide you through the process.