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Articles from Keith Bray | Selfgrowth.com
- Redefing Work - by Submitted on Nov 07, 2008 from Keith BrayRedefining Work More support for “The Creative Theory of Recovery” I’ve been privileged to walk this earth for a while, do some great things, travel and work with interesting and progressive people. I’ve also seen far too many talented people what I would call ...
Views: 983 - Reflection And A Hard Head - by Submitted on Aug 06, 2008 from Keith BrayWhat a good weekend, but a great reminder that kids are for the young, and I don’t get smarter about some things with age. It was great to spend the time at my youngest daughters and in the company of a terrific son-in-law. All three of the grand kids were there, the oldest finishing off a ...
Views: 795 - Refocus: The Journey,The Journal - by Submitted on Oct 25, 2008 from Keith Bray15 years ago my personal, internal life hit a wall. Externally things looked OK, internally they were horrible. I was at a bottom spiritually and emotionally, self-esteem was gone, and those I cared the most about in my personal life were pulling away. I had lost sight of goal setting, had lost ...
Views: 791 - Remembrance Day - by Submitted on Nov 11, 2008 from Keith BrayRemembrance Day I awoke this morning well before first light. November 11 is a special day in my heart. A day to remember times and people past, and remember with gratitude. I have been fortunate to live in a time in history were I have not been needed to serve in active military service. My ...
Views: 730 - Resentments: Got Any? - by Submitted on Dec 29, 2008 from Keith BrayWith the emotions that go along with Christmas, the topic of resentments is a good one. For many years in my not too distant past, I came out of the Christmas season with some pretty good resentment. They didn’t appreciate; I didn’t get; she said; they should have; they did….. ...
Views: 833 - RESPECT-ask Aretha;it's important - by Submitted on Feb 19, 2011 from Keith BrayTHE IMPORTANCE OF RESPECT in RECOVERY Quotes about respect When I was asked to do an article on respect, my thoughts immediately flashed to Aretha Franklin’s 1967 theme for the feminist movement- “R.E.S.P.E.C.T”.- which upon examination of the lyrics, tells us that she will do anything in ...
Views: 1473 - SABOTAGING SUCCESS - by Submitted on Dec 20, 2010 from Keith BraySABOTAGING SELF? How are you sabotaging yourself? "If you play it safe in life you've decided that you don't want to grow any more." -- Shirley Hufstedler How are you sabotaging you’re potential for change? We unconsciously use defense mechanisms to shield us from situations we perceive ...
Views: 1509 - Scared To Take Chances? - by Submitted on Jul 16, 2008 from Keith BrayScared To Take Chances? Being afraid to try and fail was part of the turmoil I faced before making a decision to regain my life and recover from the demons. I get some great readings, and this one from Hazelden resonated! If you're never scared or embarrassed or hurt, it means you never take ...
Views: 2090 - Seeing The Past - by Submitted on Jul 21, 2008 from Keith Bray-flashback to my 20’s, it’s not me today I went to a concert over the weekend to see Credence Clearwater Revival, or what’s left of the group. The music was great, it really was good old rock and roll, but the feelings were funny! There was a lot of gray hair in the crowd, ...
Views: 806 - SELF ESTEEM CONTINUED - by Submitted on Mar 08, 2011 from Keith BraySelf Esteem Continued To me, self esteem is the most important possession a human being can have. We were born innocent, and the lowering of self esteem occurred through life experiences and over time. They key point, we were born with self esteem and it still exists within all of us, but with ...
Views: 1353 - Self-Reflection - by Submitted on Jul 22, 2008 from Keith Bray-we all need it So far, it’s been a really interesting day. Things are now quiet, and I am reflecting on a few things that have happened lately. In response to one of my journals, I got some very constructive feed back on content and approach, and some constructive feedback on my web site ...
Views: 1398 - SELF-RESPECT = SELF-ESTEEM. Want some? - by Submitted on Feb 27, 2011 from Keith BraySelf respect = Self esteem Last week I had the opportunity to talk with you a little bit about the meaning of RESPECT. Ultimately, in the addiction world, we have to add SELF into the equation. How important is self respect/self esteem and have I got it?I have had the opportunity to ...
Views: 1502 - SELFISHNESS - by Submitted on Dec 23, 2010 from Keith BraySelfishness Every now and again I reflect back on my life to a time before I started what I know call a “co-creative process of life recovery”. There were many negative qualities that were at work most of the time. One that I really regret is selfishness. I wanted the world to see me as a ...
Views: 1848 - Sensitivities? - by Submitted on Oct 16, 2008 from Keith BrayYesterday in conversation with a friend who is starting a journey, I asked for input about a topic she might be interested in. Without knowing it directly, and not answering what I had asked, she did answer! It is amazing how early on we can find a bit of dark in the bright light. I am reminded ...
Views: 1271 - Serenity and the Squirrel Cage - by Submitted on Jan 29, 2009 from Keith BrayWhen I started by own personal journey to recover a life I really wanted, and a life free from addictions, I longed for serenity. I felt the squirrels were constantly running lose in the cage I call my head. They gave me no peace. Today, they are still there at times, but on an ever increasing ...
Views: 899 - Sick As Your Secrets?/Transparency - by Submitted on Jun 12, 2008 from Keith BrayWhat a great reminder tonight, and it tied in to closing off my personal inventory. I, like many others, had secrets buried deep inside of me that I honestly thought I die with. No one ever had to know. Today I am aware that these secrets caused guilt and shame daily, and some I had buried so ...
Views: 1137 - Simplicity - by Submitted on Dec 08, 2008 from Keith BrayThere is an old expression that rings true so often. “I could complicate the Lord’s Prayer”. Not withstanding that the Lord’s Prayer is a complicated document, I think we all know the intended thought behind complicating it. Often wonder how nice it would be to walk the ...
Views: 833 - Sitting In Judgement - by Submitted on Dec 14, 2010 from Keith BraySITTING IN JUDGEMENT No judgment Everything in life holds both a blessing and a curse. We deny this when we label the events of our lives as either good or bad. The following old Zen story illustrates this lesson most effectively. A farmer had a horse but one day, the horse ran away and so ...
Views: 1436 - Someone Gave Me A Compass - by Submitted on Oct 15, 2008 from Keith BraySomeone Gave Me A Compass Early in my journey, someone gave me a compass. What the heck is this about I wondered? One of the great discoveries I have made as I get stronger on the journey, the divine spirit I know is there trusts me enough to give me freedom of choice. This spirit is also the ...
Views: 828 - SPIRITUALITY-SOME THOUGHTS - by Submitted on Apr 06, 2011 from Keith BraySPIRITUALITY-SOME THOUGHTS I work with people who simply put, want to make major change in their life. The reasons vary and may include addiction, abuse, stress, and depression. The common denominator is that the zest for life is not what they want and personal relationships are stressed or ...
Views: 1369 - Step 1: The Mirror Told Me So - by Submitted on Jan 01, 2009 from Keith BraySTEP 1/Twelve Steps Each year I like to run through the 12 steps as written in the book Alcoholics Anonymous. These steps were an adaptation of many works before them, and are a universal truth for all people who want to enjoy good mental Hygiene and an abundant life. They have been adopted by ...
Views: 934 - Step 3: Turn it Over - by Submitted on Jan 03, 2009 from Keith BrayEach year I like to run through the 12 steps as written in the book Alcoholics Anonymous. These steps were an adaptation of many works before them, and are a universal truth for all people who want to enjoy good mental Hygiene and an abundant life. They have been adopted by some 150 self-help ...
Views: 2315 - TAKING PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY - by Submitted on Jul 09, 2010 from Keith BrayTAKING PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY S...t happens; there is no doubt that this is true in my life and yours. We have no control over most things external to ourselves! What happens to us is not as important as how we respond. From my friends at Hazelton, a great way to look at things. Read and ...
Views: 1585 - Taking Risks- Getting Outside The Box - by Submitted on Aug 22, 2008 from Keith BrayI’m a real Canadian, and as such, a hockey fan. Wayne Gretzky is a hero. I was coaching a client this morning who shared a great statement he ascribed to “The Great One”. “You’ll miss 100% of the shots you don’t take” How true is that? What do we miss ...
Views: 735 - Thanksgiving - by Submitted on Oct 10, 2008 from Keith BrayHere in Canada, we are starting our Thanksgiving weekend. While timing is great to get a long weekend, the name thanksgiving means so much more to me than three days were the work world shuts down; it brings gratitude to the forefront! Around me the trees are changing color. The reds in some of ...
Views: 800 - That God Thing - by Submitted on Jan 18, 2009 from Keith BrayAs I reflect on the week that was, I can’t help but remember how many times a fear of god and not understanding spirituality came up. My own belief is that to have any real contented success in life, you need a “spiritual”, not necessarily a religious, foundation. Why do many ...
Views: 875 - The Crab Bucket Syndrome - by Submitted on Aug 30, 2008 from Keith BrayWhat a fabulous day yesterday with my grand kids. With no other adults around, and with the range of things that we did, I loved seeing the day through the eyes of children; and being “silly” at times also. I’m so grateful that the journey I’m on allowed me to have a day ...
Views: 2738 - The Doctor's Opinion - by Submitted on Jan 20, 2009 from Keith Bray"The Doctor's Opinion" -It Defies Psychologists Why Co-Creative Life Recovery may be the best option to those with addictions; it works for everybody! A spiritual awakening plays a key role in the recovery of a life ANY person wants. While it works for those with addictions, it works for ALL. ...
Views: 1103 - The Face In The Mirror - by Submitted on Aug 21, 2008 from Keith BrayI like others, can be sensitive to what others say, and what I perceive they think, about me? Can anyone relate? I have a very deep faith that the higher power in my life exists within (as well as outside) me. As I go through my journey, and with the beliefs I have, I must be mindful that ...
Views: 845 - The God Thing-Me? - by Submitted on Jun 08, 2008 from Keith BrayHad some great feedback over taking a first step, powerless and unmanageable! Thanks. I learn from hearing from others. I sometimes wonder if I’m not addicted to golf. Played twice over the weekend. Each day, even on the occasions of playing very poor shots, I am amazed by how I ...
Views: 1058 - The Journey-Building Self-Esteem - by Submitted on Jun 02, 2008 from Keith BrayThe Journey-Building Self-Esteem My life is not perfect. I make a lot of mistakes. Sometimes, I stumble and fall. I am a work in progress. And when I remember that simple fact, I am better for the experience. It's easy to start on a path of change and get so busy doing what we need to do that ...
Views: 680 - The Power Of We | Life Coaching And Addiction Recovery - by Submitted on Oct 09, 2008 from Keith BrayWhen I started on the journey to recover a life that was happy, joyous and free, and life filled with hope and serenity, I quickly learned the power of “WE”. While addictions were active in my life at the time, they were not the problem that stopped me from achieving the life I ...
Views: 786 - The Truth of the Steps-A Recovery Day - by Submitted on May 23, 2008 from Keith BrayInteresting day today. It’s interesting when you go to a closed 12 step meeting and run in to someone you know from another part of life. I have no concerns about people knowing I’m in recovery. I accepted that I was powerless over a few things fourteen years ago, and that began my ...
Views: 980 - The Wisdom - by Submitted on Oct 01, 2008 from Keith BrayAs a part of each day, I start with the “Serenity Prayer” to get a focus for the day. This has become an ingrained daily habit, but as can happen, sometimes we don’t pay attention to things we do so frequently. Today, from Hazelden, I received a great reminder, and it was ...
Views: 958 - The Wizard of Oz: A Different Look at Coaching - by Submitted on Jan 27, 2009 from Keith BrayPeople really have trouble at times getting their head around coaching. As pure coaching as a discipline is new to a lot of people, let’s see if this analogy from my school-Rhema International- rings some bells. There have always been coaches; we just don’t know how many we are ...
Views: 1686 - Things Don't Change; We Do - by Submitted on Sep 02, 2008 from Keith BrayThings do not change; we change. --Henry David Thoreau For a man who is in the coaching business, and is on the life journey I’m on, I find the title statement PROFOUND. Think on it and see if you can see the depth of the thought. I spent a good portion of my life thinking I could change ...
Views: 7570 - THINK YOUR TOUGH? - by Submitted on May 05, 2010 from Keith BrayTHINK YOUR TOUGH? Real Tough People Show Feelings Alex Karras was a hard nosed football player. In his day, if you looked up “tough” in a dictionary you might have found his picture. Alex on “tough”: It takes more courage to reveal insecurities than to hide them, more strength to relate to ...
Views: 1416 - TIGER GETS HONEST! - by Submitted on Nov 26, 2010 from Keith BrayTIGER GETS HONEST “At first I didn’t want to look inward. Frankly, I was scared of what I would find—what I had become. But I am grateful I did examine my life because it made me more grounded than I’ve ever been; I hope that with reflection will come wisdom.” –Tiger Woods This is the first ...
Views: 1227 - Time Takes Time - by Submitted on Jan 15, 2009 from Keith BrayOver the first couple of weeks of the New Year, I have reviewed the 12 Steps as part of trudging the road to happy destiny, looking after my own mental hygiene, sharing to help and putting together an E-Book. I love to keep those steps simple. A lesson I had to learn early in my journey, and ...
Views: 729 - TO THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE - by Submitted on Jul 13, 2010 from Keith BrayI am reminded by fellow coach Phil Evans of the following truth. The most common 'theme' that I introduce to new clients when working in the Life Coaching realm, is the critical importance of being true to oneself! It's just so darned easy to get into doing everything for everybody else, but ...
Views: 1408 - Tonight, I Heard a Miracle - by Submitted on Dec 22, 2008 from Keith BrayI’m very fortunate, the things I’m involved in and the new life I’ve been given allow me to be positive about life most of the time. I also have a sense of realism. I have had the good fortune to see tremendous growth in the lives of others on a frequent basis and in nearly ...
Views: 679 - TOP 10 REASONS I USE - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2010 from Keith BrayTOP TEN REASONS I USE From my friend Patrick Meninga at “Spiritual River”, I want to share this article with you. If you see yourself in it, you need to talk with someone before you become a statistic! The Top 10 Excuses that Addicts and Alcoholics Use to Justify Their Addiction – and Why it ...
Views: 1512 - Vision- Got One? - by Submitted on Aug 27, 2008 from Keith BrayThere is a daily blog that I love done by a fellow named Patrick who resides in Michigan. It can be found under “Spiritual River” and is one of the best feeds I’ve been exposed to on the net! I am hoping Patrick and I find a way to work together, I love a lot of his ...
Views: 643 - Want To Get Rid Of Your Character Defects? - by Submitted on Jun 17, 2008 from Keith BrayAt this juncture of creating new footprints in the journey of life, I was well aware, more so than I’d ever been, of my defects of character. Awareness is wonderful, but I wanted change that would give me a much better life. I wanted my defects gone! By this time, many things had changed ...
Views: 2951 - WE ARE "CREATED SELVES" - by Submitted on Sep 16, 2009 from Keith BrayWE ARE “CREATED SELVES” Shakespeare said it, “This above all; to thine own self be true”. In a journey of life recovery, a transformation to a new and more abundant life, had not one of our real problems been true to our selves and selfishly so? For me the answer to this was yes; but I know ...
Views: 1194 - WHAT AM I THINKING? - by Submitted on Dec 10, 2010 from Keith BrayWHAT AM I THINKING? "I never know what I think about something until I read what I've written on it." -- William Faulkner Years ago I was in a treatment facility trying to learn how to live life on life’s terms. To say my mind was a super speedway would have been an understatement. Disjointed ...
Views: 1247 - Where Are You At Today? - by Submitted on Aug 28, 2008 from Keith BrayIt has been a crazy Thursday from very early in the morning, and tomorrow will be more insane. We call it “Grampy Day”, my annual venture into the world of fun with my two oldest grand kids sans parents or other adults. Golf, fishing and whatever else my little heroes want. I’m ...
Views: 793 - WHO'S BEHIND YOUR SUCCESS? - by Submitted on Dec 13, 2010 from Keith BrayWHO’S BEHIND YOUR SUCCESS? Behind an able man there are always other able men. --Chinese proverb The similarities between this and the saying “Behind every good man is a good woman” are striking. How many say “I am self-made”? No one succeeds alone. Most of us have had a strong desire in ...
Views: 2518 - Why I'm Here - by Submitted on Sep 24, 2008 from Keith BrayWhy I'm Here * View * Edit Posted September 23rd, 2008 by Keith First and foremost, I'm here to attract clients. I am a life coach who has helped clients to achieve the results they want, and have also helped others to create a life journey that is free from the effects of ...
Views: 826 - You Are Special and Unique - by Submitted on Sep 09, 2008 from Keith BrayYou Are Special and Unique As I do my coaching thing, there is one thing that is a mainstay. Each of us is special and unique. Each of us has talents, and each of us is capable of setting goals and achieving them. I am a recovered person from addictions who is constantly recovering. This ...
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