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Articles from Keith Bray | Selfgrowth.com
- 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: 784 - Live And Let Live - by Submitted on Aug 05, 2008 from Keith BrayA good reminder for me. I started on the journey to get a life back that had fullness, happiness, hope and serenity. I worked very hard at that process, have had a spiritual awakening, and benefited from the advice of professionals and peers who had walked before me. I wanted what I perceived ...
Views: 906 - My Inside Versus Your Outside - by Submitted on Aug 01, 2008 from Keith BrayWhat a great reminder I had today. This is something, without thinking about, I know I periodically do! How about you? They say you can’t judge a book by its cover, yet publishers spend a fortune to create great covers. As a person, for years, I did all I could to create a great exterior, ...
Views: 1558 - I Got An Unmerited Gift. Interested In One Too? - by Submitted on Jul 25, 2008 from Keith BrayBy definition, unmerited means undeserved, and the gift I was given, the gift of life recovery-was seemingly undeserved. Why me? The question has no answer that I understand. For a long period of time, my life was in decline, some periods slow, some much more rapid and obvious to others. I was ...
Views: 984 - Are You Ready For Change? It's Coming. - by Submitted on Jul 24, 2008 from Keith Bray“The reality is that changes are coming . . .They must come. You must share in bringing them. --John Hersey Change. It's scary. It's hard. It's needed. Sometimes it feels good; other times it feels bad. But one thing is for sure: it keeps on happening. Just when our life seems settled, ...
Views: 648 - Little Dark Clouds - by Submitted on Jul 23, 2008 from Keith BraySome days I feel like a cartoon character and not my beloved Popeye. I am the person you see in the cartoons with the little black cloud over my head every where I go. I’m thankful that I don’t get this way often, and know it will pass, but the feeling is here, right now. I think ...
Views: 1135 - 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: 1382 - 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: 793 - 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: 2074 - Do It Because You Like The EFFECT?? - by Submitted on Jul 15, 2008 from Keith BrayDo It Because You Like The EFFECT?? I get some great stuff from friends who are in recovery from one thing or another, or just recovering from people and the past. The Following hit me right between the eyes. Can you relate? "Men and women drink (drug, overeat, cut, use sex, gamble, ...
Views: 735 - Are Your Expectations Growing? They Should! - by Submitted on Jul 14, 2008 from Keith BrayI read something over the course of the weekend that was a good reminder and provoked some thought in me. A numbers of years ago, I was not happy with the life I was living, and addictions were playing too big a role in my daily living. I had frequent moments where there was obvious insanity in ...
Views: 570 - Can You Help?? - by Submitted on Jul 11, 2008 from Keith BrayA weekend is in process, and I pray that my golf game gets better. It’s a wonderful journey when the worst thing you have to worry about is your golf game. Friday, I played the worst round I’ve played in years, and didn’t even mutter a curse word. I may be getting too mellow! I ...
Views: 616 - Getting In Your Own Way. Do You?? - by Submitted on Jul 11, 2008 from Keith BrayA Thought: Limited expectations yield only limited results. Our thoughts determine our actions, and when our thoughts are negative, our successes are few. What we hold in our mind is certain to be reflected in the day's activities. And we are capable of fueling our thoughts positively, if we ...
Views: 735 - Is Personal Change Possible? Success? - by Submitted on Jul 10, 2008 from Keith BrayIs Personal Change Possible? Success? - a Couple of great questions that I have come The last day and a half has been hectic but interest! Coaching is all about asking questions, and having the client find answers with. Yesterday I was asked if it were possible for people to make significant ...
Views: 683 - Do You Understand Coaching And The Benefits To You? - by Submitted on Jul 09, 2008 from Keith BrayDo You Understand Coaching and The Benefits To You? - A review for me too, and why I know it’s my life purpose. Man, life has been busy and with the different holidays, a little confused over the last few weeks. Days go by, and I wonder where time goes, and sometimes I am guilty of losing ...
Views: 777 - Must Practice Principles In All Affairs? - by Submitted on Jul 08, 2008 from Keith Bray-living a life with new behavior in play!! So here we are, at the end of the page, and oh what a challenge. We’ve gone through all this work. We’ve had a “spiritual awakening as a result of THESE steps” and now we have to live the life? So what are these principles ...
Views: 1190(1 vote) - Carrying The Message-Do We? - by Submitted on Jul 07, 2008 from Keith Bray-to keep what is given, you must be of service to others Funny, I wrote a blog for today earlier, and for some reason, lost it within my computer! We are nearing the finish line in this review of the steps/footprints, and today I look at “the ask” that we carry the message. Before I ...
Views: 1363 - Age-Taking Things Away? - by Submitted on Jul 06, 2008 from Keith BrayLast night, we went and saw the new Indiana Jones movie. I remember the original very well, the special effects were incredible and the story had me at the edge of my seat. I loved it. While the flick I saw last night had great special effects and some spectacular location shoots, I found it ...
Views: 718 - Do You Limit Your Ask? - by Submitted on Jul 03, 2008 from Keith Bray-many ask for “things” I thought about and journal about the need for prayer and meditation yesterday. Meditation is a listening skill. I was familiar with prayer. As a child, I learned to pray in Sunday school and even in real school. We said grace before meals, and the like. As my ...
Views: 1135 - Prayer and Meditation. MEDITATION? - by Submitted on Jul 02, 2008 from Keith BrayPrayer and Meditation. MEDITATION? --not just something bearded guys do on Asian mountains As I went through the steps, this meditation thing might have been the item I misunderstood most. I had been exposed to prayer since I was a little guy. I am surprised in my coaching, when clients and I ...
Views: 1324 - In To Action. Ready? Amends - by Submitted on Jun 28, 2008 from Keith BrayThis action scared the living twist out of me! What was hammered through my thick skull that the amends I made were for my benefit, not for the benefit of the person I was making amends to. I was carrying the garbage, and this step in my journey was for me to clear up my garbage, and I was told ...
Views: 1044 - Free Rent In Your Head? - by Submitted on Jun 27, 2008 from Keith BrayResentments can kill As we look at making amends, I was reminded again today about resentments. If I’m ever going to return to my old ways of dealing with the less pleasant side of life, it will likely be due to a resentment that I allow to remain unresolved. If my head is an apartment ...
Views: 1765 - Do You Have Any Idea Where You're Going??/Life Direction - by Submitted on Jun 26, 2008 from Keith BrayDo You Have Any Idea Where You’re Going??/Life Direction The above question can be found as part of a collage of questions on a bill board in Dallas. They are questions from God. Upon seeing this, it made me reflect. There was a time that I had no idea of where I was going. Then as they ...
Views: 832 - Ready For More Steps/Footprints? - by Submitted on Jun 23, 2008 from Keith BrayReady For More Steps/Footprints? I can get off track with the best of them! I was rolling along on a step review which I like to do annually, and ensuring the “footprints” I use in my practice are in sync with what must happen to live a quality life. Life got in the way. In the ...
Views: 662 - Do You Understand Detachment? - by Submitted on Jun 17, 2008 from Keith BrayDo You Understand Detachment? I’m off at 6 in the morning for golf, so an early blog! For years, I have heard about detachment, often loving detachment. As the child of an alcoholic who went on to be a practicing addict in several areas, it is not a term I understood, particularly with ...
Views: 1091 - 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: 2936 - Can You Confess? And Why? - by Submitted on Jun 16, 2008 from Keith BrayCan You Confess? And Why? One day this week, I had a response to a blog about being honest with yourself in taking a personal inventory. It was great to get a response; it’s nice to know someone actually reads what I write. The response was about being a former Catholic and the real ...
Views: 742 - On A Run of Bad Luck? And Wonder Why? - by Submitted on Jun 14, 2008 from Keith BrayFor a long time I thought I was on a run of bad luck! My wife had left me, friends were pulling away, and nothing seemed to come together at work, not to mention I never won the lottery or even a lucky draw? Ever had that feeling?? Just plain bad luck. It’s funny after I decided to seek ...
Views: 765 - How Many Personalities Hanging In Your Closet? - by Submitted on Jun 13, 2008 from Keith BrayI get a chance to go to some very interesting meetings with some very bright people. All should understand you meet very bright people in recovery programs; they were smart enough to do something about their living problems. Today a person stated that during his “dark” days, he has ...
Views: 709 - 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: 1123 - Ever Taken Inventory Of You?? - by Submitted on Jun 10, 2008 from Keith BrayOften in my life I have been guilty of taking the inventory of others! In my journey of recovery, I was asked to take an inventory of myself. That was different. I had found myself at 46 with no idea of who I was or how I became the sad person that I was. As I got into a program of recovery for ...
Views: 1453 - 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: 1042 - First Steps-Do You Remember? - by Submitted on Jun 06, 2008 from Keith BrayMy parents and family have told me about my first steps. I certainly don’t remember them, but I am told I was an “early” walker. Seems I was early at trying a lot of things-booze, girls, dope, motorcycles, lying, stealing, cheating! I was not early getting into a journey of ...
Views: 1423 - Affirmations-Do You Love You? - by Submitted on Jun 06, 2008 from Keith BrayYears ago I was introduced to the power of positive affirmations. Like those I introduce affirmations to today, at first I thought it was ridiculous. At Homewood, a great treatment center I was at in 1994, they gave us not only a sheet of self-affirmations, but a list of qualities and asked us ...
Views: 602 - Conscience - Found It? - by Submitted on Jun 05, 2008 from Keith BrayIt was a very interesting day yesterday. A day where I had a wonderful opportunity to lunch with a psychiatrist associate, then golf with a business coach I have known for years, but never had the opportunity to spend one on one time with. Upon reflection this morning, and looking at what has ...
Views: 753 - Blogging-Why?? - by Submitted on Jun 04, 2008 from Keith BrayI have been journaling, and posting my journal as a blog for some time. Why? I am a member of a group of coaches who can be found at Big Life.ws, and have been part of a share group about blogging. I am trying to put into practice what others are telling me about blogging. I look for the input ...
Views: 728 - GRATITUDE-HOW QUICK I CAN FORGET - by Submitted on Jun 03, 2008 from Keith BrayGRATITUDE-HOW QUICK I CAN FORGET The last few days I have a wonderful opportunity to spend time at a golf club I belong to. Late yesterday we played a “fun” competition where the winners enjoyed a great steak dinner and those who finished second had beans. Nice beans, with franks, ...
Views: 776 - 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: 666 - Powerless. Who Me? - by Submitted on May 29, 2008 from Keith BrayPOWERLESS. WHO ME? I’ve got a friend going for wedding #3 tomorrow, I’m best(questionable) man, and pre-wedding golf game. Thus an early post! It’s been a day to really think about powerlessness. Years ago, I came to realize that I was powerless over my addictions, and my ...
Views: 870 - Do You Do Nothing Enough? - by Submitted on May 29, 2008 from Keith BrayI go crazy when I do nothing for extended periods of time. It can wear very thin. Very often, life is just the opposite, I do not have the time to just do nothing, and nothing can be therapeutic. Can you relate? Back in the “old” days being hyper active all the time, meetings, ...
Views: 692 - Are You Hooked Like a Bass? - by Submitted on May 27, 2008 from Keith BrayTechnology Addiction? Tomorrows Pot? There is no doubt that during the later part of my life, technology in communications has exploded. Is it good or bad, and how many are becoming addicted? I’ve certainly had some comments about this on the Big Life web site in my Free From Addictions ...
Views: 850 - Life Is A Game - by Submitted on May 26, 2008 from Keith BrayAnother weekend over, and some very good reminders and perspectives. I was very fortunate to get three golf games in on three days, and to have a chance to do something nice for my dear old mother. Friday we had a good buddy down from Peterborough. He is a great athlete, about my age, and has ...
Views: 765 - Life's Purpose Through Patience And Waiting - by Submitted on May 24, 2008 from Keith BrayI've started to realize that waiting is an art, that waiting achieves things. Waiting can be very, very powerful. Time is a valuable thing. If you can wait two years, you can sometimes achieve something that you could not achieve today, however hard you worked, however much money you threw up in ...
Views: 728 - 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: 960 - My Stroke Of Insight-A New Earth-Spiritual Experience - by Submitted on May 22, 2008 from Keith BrayI was really taken by the Oprah web casts of A New Earth and Eckhart Tolle.It certainly added a lot to my spiritual journey, and gave me some great perspectives that I am using with others while coaching them through a process to help them awaken spiritually. I have continued to watch Oprah and ...
Views: 607 - Importance Of Feedback-Life Coaching - by Submitted on May 21, 2008 from Keith BrayYesterday, I had a mentoring session with a fellow coach, and attended my online class. Funny how you hear things when you should (if you listen) and how one thought can lead into another. Yesterday I gave thought to benchmarking progress along the journey and how hard it can be to recognize ...
Views: 1780 - What Is Life Coaching?(The Key To A Big Life) - by Submitted on May 20, 2008 from Keith BraySo You Want the “Big Life”? Getting it through coaching Written by Gary Glasscock and Keith Bray Whether it is in life, sports, fitness, career, relationships, health, or executive performance, more and more people are turning to personal coaches to help them achieve goals they set ...
Views: 913(1 vote) - Freedom From Addicionts-Monday - by Submitted on May 19, 2008 from Keith BrayWell, we are coming to the end of the first good weather (supposedly) long weekend of the year. For my American friends, we celebrate “Victoria Day” the weekend ahead of Memorial Day, a tie to our British roots. I feel for those with cottages and those who are campers. If people were ...
Views: 768 - Insanity-Awakening-Recovery - by Submitted on May 18, 2008 from Keith BrayWith a smile on my face, I say, “will restore us to sanity”! It’s Sunday, and for the second day in a row, I headed to the golf course with anticipation. For the second day in a row, it began to rain part way through the golf game. For the second day in a row, I finished the ...
Views: 868(1 vote) - Brightening One Day-Addiction Recovery - by Submitted on May 16, 2008 from Keith BrayIt’s always interesting to see what a difference 24 hours can make, even two hours. I am a life transformation coach, coach based on many of the principles Eckhart Tolle put forth in A New Earth, I have a strong spiritual foundation, have helped many others, have been addiction free for a ...
Views: 894(1 vote)