There are a lot of emotions that appear throughout recovery, especially as we discover more about who we are as a person. It can be incredibly nerve-wracking to learn about embarrassing or hurtful things that we said or did while
When someone is grateful, they’re willing to express kindness because they recognize what something – or someone – has done for them. Similar to appreciation, gratitude occurs when we affirm the goodness we’ve received in life. Previous scholars have noted
Addiction recovery is typically not the only issue that people may face; alongside it tends to come with this need to fill a “void” in one’s life – and unhealthy coping mechanisms can only perpetuate these negative cycles. It is
Families are an integral part of a person’s journey of healing in recovery. With the right resources, they can often be very helpful to them in navigating their way forward. Watching a loved one fight addiction is difficult. Quite often,
Addiction is difficult to give up, even after it has taken everything. When someone decides to enter recovery, they begin a new journey of healing. The benefits do not outweigh the challenges at the beginning for many people, because it
So you’re out of treatment, and you’re ready to take on the world! That Pink Cloud feeling is in full effect and you’re ready to dive into the world of recovery. And why not? You’ve spent time at a well-respected
Mindfulness is all about how to tap into the present moment with loved ones. A state of mindfulness can help people become more in tune with how they feel, the way they think, and behavioral patterns. The state of mindfulness
When people try to stay sober, they often wonder why people talk about spirituality. The struggle with a concept about a higher power in recovery may come from thinking about why do they have to be spiritual. This means recovering
Expectations are funny things in that they can elevate you to a certain level due to self-competition. You want to get better for yourself, meet those goals, and hit those deadlines because they make you feel good. When it turns
Stress management is something people may take for granted they can do on a regular basis. Until it is no longer an option to make it work, people often think they can manage their stress levels well. Maybe a doctor’s
Dear Renewal Lodge Visitors,
My name is John Bruna, co-founder of the Mindfulness in Recovery® Institute, and more importantly, a grateful member of the recovery community. I am incredibly fortunate to have found my recovery in 1984. Of course, I did not achieve continuous recovery through willpower or my own efforts, but through the guidance and caring support of countless others that selflessly taught me how to live through the 12 Steps.
My journey of recovery brought this once homeless, shame-based, traumatized, insecure young man to a life far beyond anything I could have ever imagined. I discovered self-worth, the joy of helping others, the gifts of parenting and grandparenting, and most importantly the ability to live a meaningful and purposeful life with integrity.
One of the greatest gifts of recovery is that I have the opportunity to give back and help others discover their self-worth, dignity, and the skills to fully live lives that they find truly meaningful. This is the inspiration for developing the skills of Mindfulness in Recovery® (MIR) to meet the needs of new generations struggling with alcohol and other substance use disorders. MIR is a set of evidence-based skills designed to help people fully integrate their tools of recovery in ways that are personalized, practical, and in alignment with their deepest values.
While we train counselors and therapists throughout the United States and abroad, I personally have chosen to work directly with the amazing team and clients at Renewal Lodge to develop the model MIR 12-step program for the nation. I choose Renewal Lodge because of the vision of its mission and the dedication of its team. Renewal Lodge is an extremely rare environment in which the staff embodies the very mindfulness and 12-step practices and skills they offer their clients. The results have been beyond my expectations. It is an honor to be here and I treasure my personal time with every client I meet.
With Gratitude,
