Everything about us is connected, the within and the without. Every word, every action, every thought having significance,from the positive to the negative, touching everything and everyone. Consider still pond. Toss a pebble into the center and concentric rings from the disturbance begin emanating on the surface towards the shores of the pool.Observe carefully and you will see the rings rebound back from the shore at oblique angles, eventually touching even the seemingly obscured nooks and crannies of the pond’s shoreline. This is the observable part of the reaction,but what of that which happens beyond our sight? As our pebble falls through the water it continues to send out waves, reactions, though invisible to our eye but there nonetheless, eventually touching every part of the pond and every creature swimming in it.
The pebble’s effect reverberating through the pond is akin to the effect our thoughts, words and actions have in our lives and the world about us. What we are truly reverberates throughout the world, mostly unseen or consciously noticed, but the effect is there nonetheless. The analogy of “a butterfly flaps its wings in Africa and a drought happens in China” to suggest that the smallest actions can influence major change is illustrative.
Never doubt your importance or connection with the Miraculous. We are all children of the Most High, so regard yourself accordingly, asserting your true place in thought and deed,reaping the positive consequences of a life lived in purpose, a demonstration of Divine Love and understanding, for in so doing, all Heaven rejoices. Miracles Of Recovery.
Tag / Heroin
Rejoicing Butterfly
Rejoicing Butterfly
Everything about us is connected, the
within and the without. Every word, every action, every thought having significance,
from the positive to the negative, touching everything and everyone. Consider a
still pond. Toss a pebble into the center and concentric rings from the
disturbance begin emanating on the surface towards the shores of the pool.
Observe carefully and you will see the rings rebound back from the shore at
oblique angles, eventually touching even the seemingly obscured nooks and
crannies of the pond’s shoreline. This is the observable part of the reaction,
but what of that which happens beyond our sight? As our pebble falls through
the water it continues to send out waves, reactions, though invisible to our
eye but there nonetheless, eventually touching every part of the pond and every
creature swimming in it.
The pebble’s effect reverberating through the pond is akin to the effect our
thoughts, words and actions have in our lives and the world about us. What we
are truly reverberates throughout the world, mostly unseen or consciously
noticed, but the effect is there nonetheless. The analogy of “a butterfly flaps
its wings in Africa and a drought happens in China” to suggest that the
smallest actions can influence major change is illustrative.
Never doubt your importance or connection with the Miraculous. We are all children of the Most High, so
regard yourself accordingly, asserting your true place in thought and deed,
reaping the positive consequences of a life lived in purpose, a demonstration
of Divine Love and understanding, for in so doing, all Heaven rejoices.
Miracles Of Recovery
© Vincent Lee Jones Living In Spirit
All Rights Reserved
Fear Is A Bluffer
Fear Is A Bluffer
We all began this journey standing by the side of the
road of Spiritual Awakening and destiny, deciding what to do. When we decide to
Live on the Spiritual Basis we move from the shoulder and into the vehicle of
our journey to freedom from the bondage of self. While standing on the shoulder
we were rationalizing and justifying why we are putting off taking the trip, all
the while watching vehicle after vehicle stop and pick up other travelers. Wishing
to embark ourselves but fearful of what the journey will entail. Fear would keep
us on the shoulder, a mustard seeds worth of faith gets us off it.
As with all travel, there are costs. The fare for this journey being
willingness, action in purpose, open-mindedness and honesty. Faith the motive
power of our vehicle. And though along the way we will come to know the Shining
Cities on the Hill of peace, serenity and freedom there is no “final”
destination, for our trip is never ending, always climbing to new heights of
awareness and understanding in Spirit as long as we remain teachable. Our
driver and guide? No less than the Miraculous, the very Creative Intelligence
that lies at the heart of everything, providing all we need in good measure to
make the journey.
Yes, it will be a long and often strange trip but the
only one that truly matters. Along the way the only real adversary, Fear, will keep
cajoling us, suggesting, even screaming at us to disembark for we really
shouldn’t trust the driver, we should climb out and sit by the side of the road
“to think” about ourselves, morbid reflection ascendant. By resisting the
adversary’s clarion call and trusting in God to guide us our freedom is
assured, the sights and vistas along the way remarkable beyond words, our continued
awakening in Spirit breathtaking, and if we remain diligent in the path we have chosen, Fears’ voice will become
quieter and quieter for we now know the truth: Fear is a bluffer.
Miracles Of Recovery
© Vincent Lee Jones Living In Spirit
All Rights Reserved
Unlocking Our Secret Room
Unlocking Our Secret Room
When I truly began applying spiritual principles in my life, not just paying them lip service, I had to address my “secret room.” Employing rationalization and justification I had sold myself a bill of goods to neatly lock away the things I was not proud of:poor choices, general bad behavior, secret fears, resentments, etc. out of sight. When the time came to ruthlessly face my past the reasoning that locked these things away melted like a late spring snow. The process required placing them on paper and then saying them aloud to a trusted spiritual adviser. When this was completed it felt as if an actual weight had been lifted from my shoulders, it was a stunning moment. This happened long ago and in the intervening years I have watched the same transformation happen in thousands of lives, the only requirement for successful consummation of the process being that they were thorough and honest in clearing out their secret room, for The truth will set you free.
A few weeks after revealing the inventory of my secret room, I asked the Miraculous to enter every nook and cranny of my life, to short circuit the false notion that there exists any aspect of my life that God is unaware of. Looking back, it seems foolish to believe I could “hide” things from God, which is defined by omnipotence and omnipresence, but I did. A wise teacher said tome many years ago “live your life as if it was being filmed, a permanent record available to any who would care to look.” In truth, no camera eye follows us around (thankfully), but the “eye” of God does (thankfully). Clear out your secret room if you have not already, for God already knows what is in it. Tear the door of your secret place off its hinges, and live in the light, free of the fear that hides within the shadows.
Miracles Of Recovery
© Vincent Lee Jones Living In SpiritAll Rights Reserved
Trudging the Road of Happy Destiny
Trudging the Road of Happy Destiny
We triumph over life’s inevitable
challenges not by the exercise of willpower or brute force but by tapping into
the power of the Infinite. Many paths lead to our ultimate awakening, and most
begin with spiritual discomfort wrapped in fear. Sickness (our own or a loved
ones), addiction, financial stress, a failed relationship and death (a loved
one or contemplating our own) are all beginnings, for truly “the only
instrument sharp enough to cut away the excess of self is pain.” The
greatest gift we can give ourselves is a foundation in faith before these
assaults on our serenity begin. The pain and discomfort of dealing with the
ultimate questions of living will not be avoided, but we will have a clear-cut
set of directions to follow out of the wilderness to peace of mind and heart.
To follow this path we must set aside our preconceived ideas and don a new pair
of glasses and “Become quick to see where spiritual people are right and make
use of what they offer.” Laying aside our prejudices we listen and learn
with our heart, for in the end, isn’t finding a way out more important than who
provides it? If you were drowning and a rope appeared before seizing it would
you first question who held it? So, we put aside any lingering prejudice
against any spiritual path and make use of what they have to offer, taking what
we need at this time and leaving the rest (remember, this selfishness is God inspired and is part of our growth) and
join them in “trudging the road of happy destiny.”
Miracles Of Recovery
© Vincent Lee Jones Living In Spirit
All Rights Reserved
Extravagant Promises? No.
Extravagant Promises? No.
The promises from Living on the
Spiritual Basis are pearls beyond price: “We are going to know a new freedom
and a new happiness. We will not regret the past or wish to shut the door on
it. We will comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace…That feeling of
uselessness and self-pity will disappear…Self-seeking will slip away. Our whole
attitude and outlook upon life will change. Fear of people and of economic
insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle situations
which used to baffle us…When we look back, we realize that the things which
came to us when we put ourselves in God’s hands were better than anything we
could have planned…As we felt new power flow in, as we enjoyed peace of mind,
as we discovered we could face life successfully, as we became conscious of His
Presence, we began to lose our fear of today, tomorrow or the hereafter. We
were reborn.”
“Are these extravagant
promises? We think not…They will always materialize if we work for them” (Alcoholics
Anonymous).
If this and more is promised to those suffering from addiction, could you
expect anything less in your life? Place your will and life into the hands of
the Miraculous and this and so much more is yours, for it is the Promise and
God keeps all His promises.
Miracles Of Recovery
© Vincent Lee Jones Living In Spirit
All Rights Reserved
Miracles Of Recovery
Vincent Lee Jones
714-366-1725 vlj@miraclesofrecovery.com
Specialties:
- Assisting those not only struggling with addiction in all its forms and guises, but their loved ones as well.
- Guide not only to classic 12 Step based recovery, but other modalities and paths since recovery is not one size fits all.
- As an avid hiker I incorporate nature into recovery, to slow down and appreciate the beauty and serenity found in simple things.
As someone who lost nearly everything to substance abuse and is intimately familiar with the day to day realities of recovery, over the last 30+ years I have successfully worked with thousands of individuals from all walks and strata of life: teens to the retired, people in the mainstream and on the fringes of society to the instantly recognizable, prosperous to those struggling to survive; representing the full spectrum of Spiritual beliefs and practices, suffering from all manner of substance and behavior-based addictions. Additionally, working with and providing support to the families of and those who care about the sufferer, since addiction’s powerful grip in all its guises and manifestations is often baffling to fully comprehend.
Some Career Highlights:
- Creator of Miracles Of Recovery
- Ordained Minister
- Published over 2000 pieces on The Spiritual Basis of Living at: Living In Spirit
- Over 600 recovery-based videos on YouTube at: Vincent Lee Jones
- Designed and built Treatment Centers, Sober Living Residences and Laboratories utilizing a workforce comprised almost exclusively of people new or returning to recovery, helping them to learn a trade and since many had relapsed numerous times, in concert with treatment professionals at Healing Path Recovery worked with them to begin truly building a foundation to live free of addiction. This program changed many lives.
- Worked pro bono with at risk students at Huntington Beach High School for 5 years.
- Have taught recovery/Spiritual principles as a Facilitator for 15+ years.
- Served on the Orange County California Intergroup Board of Alcoholics Anonymous as Board Vice Chairman and Chairman of Group Relations, worked as a committee Chairman for 5 years on the annual OC AA Convention and have handled the Prison and Jail correspondence for the Orange County Hospitals and Institutions Committee for 20 years. Past Chairman “Thursday’s Fellowship” 501 C 3.
- Founded a teaching group which studies the history of recovery in all its aspects, open to all who suffer and their loved ones, leading it for 20+ years and am a locally recognized recovery historian.
- Author of Hightower Chronicled.
Miracles Of Recovery
https://miraclesofrecovery.com/
Death from drug overdose claims over 70,000 lives a year in America
Most of these deaths are people under 30, who had had multiple stays in treatment. We have the tools yet we are failing.
The conversation with a parent concerning the overdose death of their child is one of the hardest things I have ever done or will ever do, and would hope to never do again, but if nothing changes, there will be far too many more.
Nothing changes, if nothing changes.
If you have lost someone to addiction and are tired of feeling powerless or are in recovery yourself and see the need for change, please donate and add your voice to help me remove the stigma of addiction, build bridges to the future and turn the current increasing tide of tragedy, suffering and death to one of joy, freedom and life. Your help and support will save lives.
With the steady increase in young people seeking help who are being poorly served by the current recovery communities, treatment modalities which abruptly stop due to Health Care Providers often arbitrary coverage guidelines, the current appalling lack of any real aftercare which has led to today’s unacceptably high relapse/overdose rates, and the increasing incidences of permanent mental illness from Synthetic Marijuana, Spice, Bath Salts and Crystal Meth, it is past time to act, to modernize the current recovery paradigm, to help all who suffer as well as those who love and care about them, to make sustainable long term healthy recovery real, affordable and available for the millions longing to be free of addiction.
Behind Every Cloud, The Sun Still Shines
When things are going well there is a natural tendency to slack off a touch, even in our spiritual work. The sun is shining, the clouds decorating a peaceful sky, perfect for watching lying on a soft bed of grass, peace immanent. Life is good. Though we do and should enjoy these times we must remain wary of complacency. Like the athlete who trains daily for occasional competitions, we pray and meditate daily to keep our connection to the Miraculous fresh and open for the inevitable storms that come to every life. Living on the Spiritual Basis we now understand the rain falls on the just and the unjust equally, not as punishment or Karma, but as opportunities to grow beyond limitation. Living on the new basis, the Spiritual Basis, today when a storm comes, we gently step back into the shelter of Spiritual Truth,out of the wind and rain, continuing to pray and meditate until the storm passes and peace returns. Having embraced eternity we now understand the truth of being, that behind every cloud, the sun still shines, and every storm brings the ingredients for growth and an opportunity to demonstrate faith and trust in a Power Greater Than Ourselves.
