You Don’t Have to Do This Alone: Why Connection Matters in Recovery

My name is Burk Jackson. I’ve been in recovery for 31 years, and I’ll be honest with you — it hasn’t been a straight line. I’ve made mistakes. I’ve stumbled. I’ve had moments where I wasn’t sure I’d make it through. I’m not going to pretend otherwise, because pretending otherwise isn’t why I’m here. Connection Is the Foundation of Recovery But here’s the one thing I’ve never stopped doing, not once in three decades: staying connected with other people in recovery. That might sound simple. It wasn’t always. There were stretches in my earlier years where I was traveling overseas […]

Looking down the barrel

It’s funny that I’m in the last week of my time in Lo De Marcos. After almost eight months of being here and establishing a simple life, it’s interesting to see how I feel and what I want as the deadline looms. Someone asked me if I was ready to leave, and my response was, “absolutely not”…. As the adage goes, though- “it’s better to leave when you want to stay than stay when you want to leave.” That’s certainly the case for me today as I sit on the beach listening to a podcast as I write this. I […]

The Adaptive Mind: Unraveling Einstein’s Wisdom on Intelligence

The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.  – Albert Einstein Albert Einstein once proclaimed, “The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.” In this profound statement, Einstein encapsulated the essence of intellectual prowess – the capacity not only to comprehend but to adapt in the face of evolving circumstances. This essay delves into the depths of this timeless quote, unraveling the significance of adaptability as the true measure of intelligence.   Understanding Intelligence in a Dynamic World In the 21st century, the world is characterized by rapid technological advancements, shifting cultural landscapes, and unprecedented global interconnectedness. The […]

A Full and Thankful Heart

Gratitude is a powerful emotion that can have a significant impact on our well-being and happiness. It involves acknowledging and appreciating the good things in our lives, such as our relationships, health, accomplishments, and experiences. By focusing on these positive aspects, we shift our attention away from what we lack or what we wish were different, and instead, we recognize the abundance and richness that exists in our lives. There are many ways to cultivate gratitude in our daily lives, such as keeping a gratitude journal, expressing appreciation to others, or simply taking time to reflect on the things we […]