5-12-10 The Power of Admitting When Your Wrong

Its been a while since I last shared and I feel the need to express some gratitude tonight. It seems like I’m more inclined to express gratitude from my personal life experiences; the experiences that impact me the most. I feel this is better than writing about the negative things….Hopefully my small audience will benefit or relate to the things i write about.

Tonight i ran a house meeting at one of the sober houses and felt the need to apologize for some false advertising aspects on the website. Amenities promised and not yet delivered, a strict, structured curriculum drafted, but not perfected nor implemented the way designed in my initial drafting of the business, things in the house that need be fixed, etc..

I was in my head all day today, going back and forth about how to make myself still look good and not jeopardize the integrity and the respect of myself and the business and still offer some sort of apology. I realized on the way to the meeting that my EGO was getting in the way. I was Edging God Out (EGO). I wanted to apologize, but make excuses.

When i started to speak to my residents, Who i consider my brothers and sisters in recovery, i literally caught myself before i made the first excuse. I paused and commenced to apologize for the false advertising and all the things i promised and have yet to deliver. I laid it all out, not holding anything back. I humbled myself and literally looked everyone in the eye and deeply apologized. Understand that this ordeal may look bleak and minimal for an outsider, but for a house full of recovering addicts and alcoholics, It’s a BIG deal!! I was amazed at the feelings that took over me: joy, happiness, humbleness, gratitude, etc…Even several years in this life of honesty, sobriety and recovery I still get shocked at how powerful the truth is, it literally sets me free and proves itself as the only way to live.

New people and new relationships being formed, paths being crossed, endorphins flying, living a clean and honest life, family, simplicity, love and happiness, everything happens for a reason. Peace and Love, CC

New Years Toast

2009 was a remarkable year for me; new-found success, intense gratitude for my life and my loved ones and the meshing of newly formed relationships with unique new people. Moving forward into 2010, I vow to continue my commitment to the helping of others and service work. Here are ten great things that happened to me this past year in which I’m grateful for:

1.) Sober Living of AZ, LLC
2.) My new Bro, Beny and Leslee’s wedding
3.) Closer relationship with my sponsor Todd B.
4.) Quality time w my Grandma in Hawaii
5.) Helping Shark
6.) Ability to remain good friends with Tricia
7.) Commitment to exercise and my new interest in Bikram Yoga.
8.) My business partner and friend Jimmy W.
9.) Quality time and closer relationships with my parents
10.) My intimate connection to my Higher Power

To all those who have personally and profoundly affected me this past year and shared with me your life story and love, thank you. People are introduced into our lives for a reason, nothing is a coincidence, it’s in that where the mysterious, puzzling and spiritual side is revealed. For me, this is the coolest aspect of life. Sometimes we figure out immediately why certain people are introduced into our lives, sometimes it takes us a lifetime, but it’s always for a reason, and that reason is bigger than anything we can put a finger on. Thats my take!!

Be safe, stay warm, spend time with the family for we never know what tomorrow brings, treat yourself right, abide by the golden rule, play nice in the sandbox, wear your seatbelt, use yor bluetooth when driving, recycle, support your local economy, go to the gym, and remember that it’s not about what you do or dont have, its about who you are and how you act, especially when there’s nobody there to see it!!

Love, Chris

Sober Living AZ Announces the Opening of Scottsdale Sober House

Located near Scottsdale and Shea in Scottsdale, AZ, this 1960′s updated and modernized sober living house is geared towards our more professional clientele. Structured sober living in Scottsdale, check it out:
http://soberlivingaz.com/scottsdale_sober_house.html

Amenities:
-All meals are provided for
-Cable TV, DVD player, computer with high-speed Internet access, washer/dryer
-On-site house manager
-Clean, comfortable, nicely decorated, affordable, non-discriminatory, low-drama living
-Relaxed recovery oriented environment
-Court progress & verification letters
-Random & targeted alcohol & drug testing
-Experienced with dual-diagnosis/co-occurring disorders
-Ample storage and parking spaces available
-Employment, mental health, medical, & 12-step meeting referrals
-Walking distance to public transportation and 12-step meetings

Call Chris Cohn at 602-478-3210
email chris@soberlivingaz.com
www.soberlivingaz.com

as seen on http://www.sobernexus.com/blogs/sobernexus/archive/2009/12/17/b1331bf94b4249e6a923fc3966266920.aspx

Dept. Of Health Press Release: New Additives in Cocaine

From a treatment and recovery standpoint, this is pretty disheartening:

8-25-2009

Today, Sober living of AZ, LLC has accomplished something every recovery based business thrives for: the opportunity to further become positive factors in people’s lives while helping our community. Jim and I sat down with a group of Diversion Counselor’s and Probation Officer’s for the City of Tempe in an attempt to make some of their clients our sober house residents. In Associating our business with representative’s of the City of Tempe, we look forward to being a healthy and prosperous liaison between the State of Arizona’s parole boards, Social Services Dept.’s and Diversion Programs and clean, structured transitional living environments.

Jim and I are thrilled about this opportunity to further our relationships with good, positive members of our society who are trying to make a difference in people’s lives. We hope this relationship can continue to grow for many, many years down the road.

Hope all is well and God Bless!!!

CC and JW.

Sober Living Homes Scrutinized in West L.A.

I just watched a video from abc news in Los Angeles regarding concerns from residents in neighborhoods where sober living homes are located. (see link below)

Being involved in the sober house business and a participating member in the sober community where my homes are located, I feel that people have the wrong idea of the exact nature of this deal.

First and foremost, we are in the business of helping people and being of service to others by providing safe, clean and involuntary living quarters; residents are not forced to enter!! They come at their own accord, desperate to better their lives and their loved ones by getting clean….These are good people suffering from a disease called alcoholism and/or drug addiction. Secondly, all residents are required to attend 12-step meetings.

If your not familiar with the key concepts of AA or NA, here they are: Say sorry to those you have harmed, seek forgiveness and forgive yourself. Relieve yourself of all resentments against people, places and things by inviting a higher power into your life. A Higher Power of your choosing (God, your dog, nature, a tree, Buddha, The Great Spirit, etc… for me it was my St. Bernard Scotty who died while i was in treatment. I rescued him but in reality he’s the one that rescued me.) Lastly, and the most important step is being of service to others and passing this spiritual program onto the next guy.

I don’t know about you but I’d rather live next to somebody who dedicates their life to doing the next right thing and helping others. If you live next to a sober house, and it’s very possible you do, invite the goodness and love into your lives and realize that these dudes are good people….you don’t have to “lock your doors” like the schmuck in this video mumbles.

http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/video?id=6948765

Take a moment, PLEASE. Watch the video and tell me what you think. I admit I’m biased because I’m an advocate and involved in the sober living business, but I need the criticism and feedback from “normies!”

I hope everyone who reads this can go, right now, and help somebody who needs it…notice how you feel afterward! Thank You,

CC

7-25-09

So many great things have been happening in my life and I feel like sometimes i take my sobriety and personal recovery for granted. These things i speak of, such as new people in my life, my sister getting married to a great guy, my progress in school, my sober living house, my parents, my dogs, my health, my spiritual progress, etc…wouldn’t even be thoughts in my mind if i was the old Chris. Sometimes, especially as of late, ive been blessed with so much to be grateful for that it’s overwhelming. I have to stay grounded and surround myself with good people who do good things.

I dont really have a premise for this post, but just really wanted to put it out there how grateful I am for my life, how special my family is and how strongly I believe that nothing, and i mean absolutely nothing happens in God’s world by coincidence. The people we meet and form relationships with, the casual hello to a stranger, the smile from a dog, the saying thanks to somebody, the helping out someone in need….these things, for me personally is where I get the most satisfaction and happiness in my life; it’s what fortifies my spiritual foundation and raises my awareness for the existence of a higher power, whatever or whomever that may be!

Life is a trip, no regrets, live in the moment, tell your loved ones you love them as much as possible, say hello to a stranger, smile at a passer-byer, give a homeless person a dollar, mentor, volunteer..

goodnight yall, thx for reading.

Awesome couple of weeks…

Leslee and I

These past couple weeks have been unreal to say the least. First and foremost, My sister got married in Hawaii to a great guy and new great friend, Beny Rabuchin. Beny’s as solid as they get, my sister is an unreal catch; they are very lucky to have found eachother. I got to hang out with my Grammie who’s in her late 80′s and shlepped all the way from Chicago with my Aunt for the wedding. This was her first trip out of Chi-town in a very long time….I’m so grateful that she made it to Les’ wedding and that i got to spend time with her. Perhaps the most stimulating and strongest “God Moment” came when i was walking down the aisle escorting my mom to her seat at the wedding and she leaned over and said ,”Im so happy your here and sober and it means so much to me I love you.” I was touched with grattitude, thanks and love.

So back in Phx, looking after my dogs while the Tinney sister’s are out of town, in my second class for my Masters degree and running my sober house business. I feel like sometimes I take for granted how lucky I am to have such a phenomenal family. Leslee, I love you so much. Your the best sister a kid brother could ask for; ive learned so much from you. I look forward to witnessing your new family evolve and  I love you forever.

Till next time, CC

12:00 am wednesday…

Hello everyone (which means probably like 2 people!!)

You’d think after working out in the AM, then going back and swimming in the afternoon in 108 degree weather, I should be tired. Well, I’m not.

Today my sponsee “Steve” was released from the hospital where i picked him up. He’s back in my sober house, after 2 weeks in the ICU and a surgery to remove a cist in his lungs…BRUTAL. Thank God he’s still with us. I’m confident that this dude will, after he asks his HP to remove his resentments, reach his hand out to the newcomer and take him through the steps…and then the cycle continues.

Having a sponsee has put an entirely new perspective on this deal for me, especially when he almost died. God directed me to his bedroom that AM and together we saved my boy’s life!! This is powerful stuff! His bottom has been reached; stay tuned for the miracle to happen.

Shot out to the Mayflower Center in San Rafael, CA. Possibly the best drug/alcohol rehab centers in the world, in one of the coolest, classiest cities in Norcal…..www.mayflowercenter.com

lets get this blog out to the struggling alcoholic, pass it along to everybody you know!!

CC

VEGAS

Scott Brandeberry and me in Vegas, awesome times!!!

What an amazing week!

Hi Yall, This past week was one I will never forget. First, my dad took me fishing in Eagle River, Wis where we had an unbelievable time together. That’s our favorite spot in the world; so many solid memories from growing up at our house on Catfish Lake. My goal is to have a home there someday so my family can experience the awesomeness of the Northwoods.

Then i met my best buddy Scotty in Vegas for the first annual Hardbat Classic ping pong tourney. My friend Jordy is chairman of the league and, I’m pretty sure the innovator and idea guy behind the event. We had a blast! We did Vegas sober and had more fun than most, i guarantee it! It was awesome seeing my boy Scotty; we both got sober at the same time and our personalities are almost identical. We found a really nice diamond necklace in our hotel room safe. We turned it in to security and i pray the owner of that necklace will be notified of the find. Doing the right thing made both of us feel pretty good about ourselves and provided some mid-day inspiration and spirituality! THEN I ran into my Sister Lesleee who was out there for her bachelorete party. She was having a blast and we had a phenomenal time together, i love you LES!!

Im once again very grateful for my friends, family and my sobriety!

CC