18 Comments
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Dana Leigh Lyons's avatar

Such a beautiful, powerful share and practice, Sondra. Sending heart-sourced blessings for grace, steadiness, and serenity. ❤️

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Sondra Primeaux's avatar

Thank you 🙏

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Heidi's avatar

“Midlife Solution” yes!!!!👏🏼

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Sondra Primeaux's avatar

🙌🫶

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Kimberly Kearns's avatar

Sondra, wow just beautiful. Thank you for this. I just took my fear inventory for the first time this past week and am continuing to work through my step four. I am grateful for all I’m learning about myself through this process as I truly think it’s making me better equipped to handle whatever is thrown at me. I too resort to flight mode and often look to escape, even after not drinking for almost four years. And I believe I’m finally understanding the benefit of not running away when the crazy shit gets thrown at me. Sending you so much love and comfort on your journey ahead! ❤️

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Sondra Primeaux's avatar

I like very pragmatic tools: the steps, inventories, calling someone. As uncomfortable as it is, I need the tether. And thank you 🩷

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Molly Moynahan's avatar

Yes to all of this. I love your metaphor of Break glass…” approaching 40 years this December and there has been every challenge possible (divorce, death of beloved friends, parents, child careening through life) but I’m good as are you!

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Sondra Primeaux's avatar

I'm sorry about your challenges, but I love hearing that the usefulness of recovery tool never expires 🩷

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Chris Falk's avatar

Gold Medal in Future tripping...I can so relate (and I get stuck looking in the rearview mirror at times too). I relapsed a couple times in '17-18 and do not recommend:( Great perspective, thank you for sharing and best wishes with the recent diagnosis.

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Sondra Primeaux's avatar

Most I know would not recommend either. Glad you made it back. Thank you.

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Chris Stanton's avatar

A powerful essay, Sondra. I'm sorry you have to face this new challenge, but you obviously have the tools to do so. I've stayed sober through some extremely difficult situations but, as you said, that yearning to just "check out" for a while can be very powerful. Aren't our brains fun? Wishing you all the best.

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Sondra Primeaux's avatar

Aren't they? Never boring. And thank you.

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Jennifer Trainor's avatar

I’m sorry about your diagnosis. I hope you continue to navigate it this courageously. ❤️

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Sondra Primeaux's avatar

Thanks so much 🙏

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Dr Vicki Connop's avatar

So sorry to hear you're facing this diagnosis, but appreciate your honest sharing from the midst of it all ❤

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Sondra Primeaux's avatar

Thank you 🙏

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Sarelle McCoard's avatar

Fear inventory is a tool that I am grateful is there, although I use it much less in early recovery. Just a couple of weeks ago I dusted it off and am always amazed at how the process gives me clarity. Helps me see my part, and that by sharing with another I find relief from the fear. Like you Sondra, my tools of writing, creating, sewing, are essential. Not just break the glass, but integrated into my days and weeks. When I lose track, I take a few days off of work. Life changing new of the health variety are scary and a whole new territory to navigate. Your 10 years of sobriety has prepared you to move gracefully through your challenges. (Note that graceful looks different for use all). Sending you love and the power of the 10 cups!

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Sondra Primeaux's avatar

I appreciate your perspective and wisdom, as always, Sarelle. You are correct, so many of my tools are just integrated into my day now, like a stabilizer, and help change what I can (usually that's my emotional state). Thank you. xo

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