Browsing: sober curator

NA BEERS AND CIDERS

All the Right Reasons: Los Angeles 20 Years Later

By Justin LambApril 18, 20248 Mins Read

In the summer of 2004, I left two restaurant jobs and moved across the country with my ex. We both…

MINNEAPOLIS / ST PAUL

SOBER IN ST. PAUL? Recovery Fitness Classes on Mondays + Fridays

By Ashley SunderlandApril 14, 20242 Mins Read

Exciting News! Amethyst Recovery Solutions has teamed up with True Earth Fitness and Pro Inspire Training to bring you something…

SPIRITUAL SUBSTANCE

The Mindful Molecule: How Mindfulness Affects Our Genetic Expression

By Lane KennedyApril 9, 202411 Mins Read

In recent years, the intersection of mindfulness and DNA expression has fascinated scientists and wellness advocates alike. I’m incredibly passionate…

LIFESTYLE

Rolling Sober: My Journey of Finding Freedom on Eight Wheels

By Contributor to The Sober CuratorApril 7, 20249 Mins Read

For some odd reason I have been thinking about this Keep On Truckin’ t-shirt I had in the late 70’s…

Continuing with our study of yoga philosophy, this month’s column delves into the yama, or ethical restraint, of asteya. What’s the difference between a drug addict and an alcoholic? The alcoholic will steal your wallet and run. The addict will steal your wallet and help you look for it. I’ve often pondered this old joke, which portrays the blundering drunk and the wily addict as thieves. But either way, they’re both thieves. And that’s what this month’s yoga philosophy column is about: the yogic principle of asteya, or non-stealing. Are you a thief? Back when I got sober a loooong time ago, the psychologists and counselors I talked to seemed to think many problems were unrelated. For example, my eating disorder couldn’t possibly be connected to my addiction problems, right? Wrong. Continuing research shows more and more that mental and behavioral problems often overlap and intertwine. Take stealing. Science’s current perspective seems to be that people can have shoplifting addiction or kleptomania, which sometimes correlates with substance use disorder. Researching this article, I found that in addition to teens shoplifting for thrills, it’s common for people in early recovery to steal things. Favored items include energy drinks, tooth-whitening kits, spices, and cell phone charging cables. Why? Take away substance use, and people crave a dopamine hit. The thrill of stealing petty stuff delivers. Interestingly, that buzz kill drug naltrexone takes the thrill out of drinking, drugs, and stealing. So, these things are definitely related. And if you’re sober enough to be reading this, you probably realize stealing is going to get you in trouble. So, stop it. Not only will you have better karma, but you might also stay out of jail. Okay, you’re not a thief. Or maybe this doesn’t describe you. Perhaps you were an honest drunk who never stole so much as a beer. Then asteya may sound easy. Even former juvenile delinquents might say to themselves, “Well, I’ve got that one covered. Gave up shoplifting at 15.” But there are other ways to steal, including leaning too hard on people for their time and energy. Perhaps you have a friend who’s been complaining about her relationship for years. After she spends an hour covering the same grievances you’ve heard 100 times before, she says, “I always feel so much better after talking to you.” But you don’t. You feel like you’ve been sucked dry by an energy vampire. This friend is stealing your emotional energy as well as your time. Or maybe you’re the emotional vampire! If you recognize yourself in the above description, perhaps you could be kinder to your confidantes by working through your problems in a journal, support group, or with a competent counselor. Or you could buy a pet rock to whine to so you don’t bore your cat to tears. Sometimes, we also take from each other by overusing somebody else’s skills. It’s lovely to help others out and to accept their help. But if we’re assuming that every weekend, our friend should snake our drains, clean our gutters, update our websites, hem our pants, or otherwise donate all their leisure hours to us, it’s time to learn to do these tasks ourselves or pay somebody to do them for us. Parents who work at home, self-employed people, or anybody with a flexible schedule are particular targets of time thieves. Asteya also involves not taking what is not freely offered. If we’re nagging people for favors, those favors are not being freely offered. When we steal what’s not ours, we usually operate from a place of lack or entitlement. Neither is a pretty locale. To ensure we’re not stealing, we should examine our relationships and consider whether we’re doing our fair share. Sometimes, we all face hardships and should be willing to give or take a bit more. But over time, we should strike an approximate balance. SPIRITUAL GANGSTER: Exploring Yoga Philosophy: Satya – Truth « The Sober Curator SPIRITUAL GANGSTER: Exploring Yoga Philosophy: Satya – Truth « The Sober Curator

SPIRITUAL GANGSTER

Exploring Yoga Philosophy: Understanding Ahimsa and Its Role in Sobriety and Personal Growth

By Teresa BergenMarch 17, 20246 Mins Read

Yoga is more than poses. The word yoga means “to yoke.” In this case, we’re trying to yoke our own…

#QUITLIT

The Sober Curator’s Holiday Book Gift Guide

By Alysse BrysonNovember 27, 202212 Mins Read

Does that sober someone in your life love to read? Give the gift of recovery books with our curated list of #quitlit that we think should be on the must-read list this holiday season!

#ADDTOCART

#ADDTOCART: You Will Love Williams + Worthy Gourmet Handcrafted Glazed Nuts

By Lisa CNovember 1, 20223 Mins Read

JUST GO NUTS For Recovery and #ADDTOCART!

Happy Every Hour Dry Soda CHERRY BOMB insta

NA COCKTAIL RECIPES

Get Your Cherry Sour Cherry Bomb On With This Delicious Recipe From DRY Rainier Cherry Botanical Bubbly

By Alysse BrysonJuly 19, 20223 Mins Read

Here’s to Zero-Proof Partying! We taste-tested DRY Rainier Cherry and we aren’t mad about it. If you love cherries with…

MUSIC - PLAY IT AGAIN!

Play It Again: 3 Pop-Punk Favorites And A Love Story

By Lisa CApril 13, 20226 Mins Read

3 Pop- punk favorites, Avil Lavigne’s love story and an inspiring recovery journey from punk rocker, Mod Sun.

ENTERTAINMENT

And Just Like That…”Is Miranda Hobbs, An Alcoholic?”

By Alysse BrysonDecember 15, 20216 Mins Read

Yes, I know everyone is talking about the Sex and the City reboot, including all of the curve balls that…

SOBER SPOTLIGHT

SOBER SPOTLIGHT: Robert Pidde, Seattle Based Comedian and Costco Enthusiast

By Alysse BrysonDecember 14, 20214 Mins Read

Sober Spotlight Q&A with Robert Pidde What’s your Sobriety Date? May 19th, 2019 Favorite Non-Alcoholic Beverage of Choice? Shirley Temple…

SOBER SPOTLIGHT

SOBER SPOTLIGHT: Michael Molthan

By Lisa COctober 17, 20217 Mins Read

Meet Michael Molthan, former drug addict and alcoholic, charismatic speaker, minister to The Missing Man and host of the podcast M2 the Rock.

SOBERCAST

The Sobercast With Six, By Sober Curator Analisa Six, Brings You An Astrological Forecast For The Month Of October 2021

By Analisa SixOctober 3, 202118 Mins Read

This month’s Sobercast with Six is all about evaluating what friendships serve you and balancing high levels of optimism with realistic expectations.…

MOVIE NIGHT

Movie Night With The Sober Curator: D-R-I-N-K-I-N-G Find Out What It Did To Re In Respect

By Lisa CSeptember 3, 20213 Mins Read

Respect covers Aretha Franklin’s rise to stardom and the little known back story including challenges with alcohol addiction.

SOBER SPOTLIGHT

SOBER SPOTLIGHT -Meet Joseph Conniff Author Of Causes And Conditions

By Alysse BrysonAugust 24, 20216 Mins Read

Today we are shining a Sober Spotlight on Joseph Conniff. He recently published his first book called Causes and Conditions:…

RECOVERY PODCASTLAND

Recovery Podcastland: Recover Like a Mother with Lane Kennedy – Featuring Special Guest Alysse Bryson, Founder of The Sober Curator

By Lane KennedyAugust 11, 20212 Mins Read

This week’s guest at Recover Like A Mother Podcast hosted by Lane Kennedy features Alysse Bryson. She’s the founder and…

IPA

Partake Brewing IPA Offers a Full Hop Flavor With a Low-Calorie Finish

By Justin LambJuly 29, 20214 Mins Read

Partake Brewing comes to us from our neighbors to the north, straight out of Alberta, Canada. Their story is unique…

MOVIE NIGHT

Movie Night With The Sober Curator – Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain

By Lisa CJuly 29, 20219 Mins Read

A look at the documentary about the life and death one of the world’s greatest story tellers through the lens of addiction and recovery.

LIFESTYLE

“How To Start…From Scratch” Google TV Commercial Airs During The 2020ne Tokyo Olympics

By Alysse BrysonJuly 27, 20214 Mins Read

Thank you, Google. Whether you are a person that identifies with the 12-step community or not, this commercial is a…

NA COCKTAIL RECIPES

Just a Merry Mocktail Monday with @Tonix.Mocktails: Crushin’ It With Crushed Ice!

By Contributor to The Sober CuratorJuly 25, 20212 Mins Read

Crushin’ it on this JUST A MERRY MOCKTAIL MONDAY! Have you ever received a drink and immediately think… “Ooooo, they…

ENTERTAINMENT

Do You Have a TikTok Addiction? Here are 12 Sober Canadian TikTok Accounts That You Should Follow Right Now!

By Contributor to The Sober CuratorJune 14, 20217 Mins Read

TikTok and Recovery Videos are a trend that is here to stay. People have been sharing their stories of recovery, celebrating milestones, and even cheering on others on the path to recovery. Adding hashtags like #sober, #mentalhealthawareness, #soberlife, and #wesobernow, these users have taken to the airwaves of TikTok en mass, and in the process are destigmatizing sobriety.

HAPPY EVERY HOUR

Celebrating Dry July With Our Australian Sober Curators From @weareunwstd

By Contributor to The Sober CuratorJune 12, 20214 Mins Read

unwstd. is the future of socializing. We’re about social wellness. We’re a community for people who give af — the dreamers,…

ENTERTAINMENT

Sober AF Entertainment is Creating Sober Spaces in Fun Places

By Lisa CJune 7, 20213 Mins Read

Sober AF Entertainment is making sure sober sports fans and live music lovers have space for Sober AF FUN! Read on to learn how you can help.

SPEAK OUT! SPEAK LOUD!

Alcohol Took Everything From Me – A Poem by Sober Curator Danielle Tschernega

By Contributor to The Sober CuratorJune 7, 20211 Min Read

This is the space for stories of sobriety journeys. After removing drugs and alcohol, many addicts discover new talents, abilities and forms of self-expression.

SOBER SPOTLIGHT

SOBER SPOTLIGHT: Blair Sharp, Writer, Wife, Mother, And Psychometrist, Who Has A Passion And Enthusiasm For Sharing Parenting Tips & More With Those New To Sobriety

By Alysse BrysonMay 4, 20219 Mins Read

Today we are shining a Sober Spotlight on Blair Sharp, an alcohol-free wife and mom from Rochester, Minnesota. She’s also…

SOBER SPOTLIGHT

SOBER SPOTLIGHT: Meet Cynthia Wright, Founder Of Getting Your Sh*t Together Podcast, Queer Writer, Military Brat, Photographer, & Dog Mom

By Alysse BrysonApril 14, 20219 Mins Read

Cynthia Wright is a queer writer and military brat who has been crafting stories since she can remember. Get to know the Founder of Getting Your Sh*t Together Podcast

ACTIVATION BARS

Just A Merry Mocktail Monday With Tonix Mocktails: It’s Time To Shake It! Show Us Your Shaker Game!

By Contributor to The Sober CuratorApril 5, 20213 Mins Read

Shake it, Don’t Break it!
Barware… Bar tools… What do you use to shake up your tasty NonAlc Bevies? On this Just a Merry Mocktail Monday, let’s chat SHAKERS!

SOBERCAST

The Sobercast with Six, By Analisa Six, Brings You An Astrological Forecast Of The Action, Assertion, And Leadership Skills Needed In The Month Ahead

By Analisa SixApril 4, 202115 Mins Read

This month’s Sobercast with Six is all about action, assertion, and leadership. Spring has sprung, so shake off that winter coat and settle in With Analisa Six, Resident Astrologer, Dog Whisperer, and Sober Curator give us her April Forecast of the weeks ahead.