Addiction is a powerful word full of emotion. To me it is any unhealthy habit we do for a short term relief or pleasure that in the long term weighs negatively on our lives and despite this result we continue our active addiction. I am by no means a doctor, clinical specialist or anything of the like. I have however lived with an addiction to alcohol and marijuana for several years and understand how powerful addictions can become. Six months ago I had an epiphany while climbing South Sister in Central Oregon that has literally redirected my life. Life had gotten out of control and I was falling deeper into my addiction. It was miserable, unbearable and I felt alone in a crowded room. In the days, weeks and now months that followed I took action to create a more fulfilling life. A life that I had only dreamed of. I am here to give you some hope. Whether you or a family member are struggling with an addiction to drugs, sex, shopping, consumerism, video games, TV, food or anything else; freedom is possible. My goal is to help you create healthy habits and break the pattern of unhealthy habits in your life so you can begin truly experiencing your full potential. I have begun to understand what led to this horrible but necessary life experience and more importantly how to replace my unhealthy habits with healthy inspiring daily habits. Remember, we are trying to retrain our brain to follow healthy lifestyle changes in an effort to replace unhealthy habits. These are some but not all of the steps I have taken to manage this deadly, draining disease known as addiction. "The secret to changing is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new." - Socrates Start with the Five I’s
Additional Tools to Create Positive LIfestyle Changes There are other things I have done to overcome my unhealthy addictions. Many of which Leo Babauta wrote about in his article The Habit of Change Cheat Sheet. The ones that I have found most useful and imperative to my success are the following:
“My past has not defined me, destroyed me, deterred me, or defeated me; it has only strengthened me.” Dr. Steve Maraboli If we truly want to stop an unhealthy habit then we must begin paving new neural pathways in our minds one small step at a time. Start today by taking the first right step. Identify what you want to change. This is by no means an exhaustive article on how to cope with what you may be dealing with, but I hope you found it enlightening and inspiring. Fear not change, fear no change at all. If you are struggling with an addiction at this time and would like to talk then please feel welcome to contact me. I would be happy to share more tools that might be of help to you. Summit as Friends! Scott Today, I was reminded of what skiing really means to me. It is more than just a sport. It is a way of life, a passion and something I simply can't not do. Skiing has brought more to my life than I ever imagined at the age of 5. I have enjoyed some of the most amazing moments with my family, built new friendships, experienced some of the most amazing sensations and come to find a place of zen. Skiing has been woven into my soul like another line of DNA. Skiing happens to take place in one of the most beautiful arenas in the world. The mountains! I have learned a lot in the mountains and come to truly respect them. They have taught me the value of nature, family, friendships, spirituality, physical and mental strength. The mountains are a place of complete peace, freedom filled with crisp air and endless opportunity. Skiing brings me to places that instill a feeling of peaceful freedom. Without it my life would not be in such simple balance. A balanced life is seemingly a challenge for us all. We race from job to job, task to task and often forget that slowing down is a key to the success of keeping the scales balanced. I am looking forward to another amazing season of backcountry skiing in Oregon with my good friends. We will surely create some amazing stories, videos and photos that will open others minds to the sheer beauty that we are so blessed with in nature. There is truly no feeling like skiing down a mountain. Summit as Friends! Scott |
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