Recovery Musicians Authors and Artists
The gift of writing and making art is a special God given ability which is a great source of inspiration. This art form can provide courage, strength and hope while also provoking thoughts in ways that are new to the reader. Many artists in recovery are able convey their journey into words of wisdom, music and/or art that empower and have a positive impact on the reader. We value their talent and are grateful for their hard work and devotion.
The Committee – A short movie by Sharon Ferranti
Sharon Ferranti is a director and talented movie maker. Here she has put her skills to work making a touching short film concerning “The Committee” that everyone wrestles with in their head. Thank you Sharon for sharing this important message. You can visit Sharon’s website by clicking here
An intriguing Alcoholics Anonymous print ad
The simplicity of this piece and the unconventional angle does not force any idea but says alot by leaving much to the immagination.
God Help Me
A short film by Rafael Vaz
Music by Jesus and Mary Chain
Letting Go – Author Unknown
To “let go” does not mean to stop caring,
it means I can’t do it for someone else.
To “let go” is not to cut myself off,
it’s the realization I can’t control another.
To “let go” is not to enable,
but to allow learning from natural consequences.
To “let go” is to admit powerlessness,
which means the outcome is not in my hands.
To “let go” is not to try to change or blame another,
it’s to make the most of myself.
To “let go” is not to care for, but care about.
To “let go” is not to fix, but to be supportive.
To “let go” is not to judge, but to allow another to be a human being.
To “let go” is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcomes,
but to allow others to affect their own destinies.
To “let go” is not to be protective,
it’s to permit another to face reality.
To “let go” is not to deny, but to accept.
To “let go” is not to adjust everything to my desires
but to take each day as it comes, and cherish myself in it.
To “let go” is not to regret the past,
but to grow and live for the future.
To “let go” is to fear less and love more…”author unknown”
Science Has No Solution by Parker
You can see more of Parker’s Recovery Art at his website AlcoholicArtistOutsider.com
Tim McGraw
Tim McGraw’s sobriety is a work in progress
In this interview Tim states “When I first started, I was really nervous. You could hear my voice quiver. So I started drinking a bit and that helped. A lot of entertainers have a few drinks before going onstage and don’t overdo it. Me, it turned into a bigger habit. But I stopped that. I was getting older, and I was thinking about my kids,” he says. He adds that getting sober has been a work in progress three or four years, but he has been completely done for over a year. “I think I’m more comfortable now. I can feel a real connection with the audience that maybe I was masking before.”
Tim McGraw singing “Better Than I Use To Be”
“Better Than I Used To Be” Lyrics
I know how to hold a grudge
I can send a bridge up in smoke
And I can’t count the people I’ve let down, the hearts I’ve broke
You ain’t gotta dig too deep
If you wanna find some dirt on me
I’m learning who you’ve been
Ain’t who you’ve got to be
It’s gonna be an uphill climb
Aww honey I won’t lie
I ain’t no angel
I still got a still few more dances with the devil
I’m cleanin up my act, little by little
I’m getting there
I can finally stand the man in the mirror I see
I ain’t as good as I’m gonna get
But I’m better than I used to be
I’ve pinned a lot of demons to the ground
I’ve got a few old habits left
There’s one or two I might need you to help me get
Standin in the rain so long has left me with a little rust
But put some faith in me
And someday you’ll see
There’s a diamond under all this dust
I ain’t no angel
I still got a still few more dances with the devil
I’m cleanin up my act, little by little
I’m getting there
I can finally stand the man in the mirror I see
I ain’t as good as I’m gonna get
But I’m better than I used to be
I ain’t no angel
I still got a still few more dances with the devil
But I’m cleanin up my act, little by little
I’m getting there
I can finally stand the man in the mirror I see
I ain’t as good as I’m gonna get
But I’m better than I used to be
Michael and The Messengers
Micheal and The Messengers – Theres A Heart Here
“There’s A Heart Here” is passionate with a light touch musically, the narrator welcoming all aspirants into a new way of life with “warmth and wisdom, faith and trust”. The lyrics are based on the promise that “we will love you until you can love yourself”. Click here to visit Mikes website.
Lost Generation By Jonathan Reed
David Crosby, founder of the 1960s rock group the Byrds and, later, leader of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, tells in excruciating detail the story of his rise to fame and subsequent depraved life as a slave to drugs. In a milieu dominated by rock’n’roll, sex and drugs, Crosby descended to a hell of addiction that ended only after his arrest on gun and narcotics charges and forced detoxification in a Texas jail. Now drug-free for over two years, Crosby is able to write candidly about his 14 years of addiction, seemingly sparing us none of the horrors. It is a harrowing tale. I really enjoyed reading this book. You can get Long Time Gone at Amazon.com or your favorite bookstore.
Chuck Negron’s best selling book “Three Dog Nightmare” has been honored with many awards for his frank narration of a down and out drug addict and then his road to recovery. Chuck says “The only reason I’ve included all the horrific life experiences that my journey has taken me on is because I want all people, young and old, to know what can be in store for them if they use drugs. I’m tired of people sensationalizing, glamorizing and romanticizing the drugs and rock-n-roll life style. People die, lives and families are ruined and careers are ended before they start.” You can get Three Dog Nightmare at Amazon.com, Yahoo Shopping or your favorite bookstore.
Recovery author and poet Dave Harm followed his addictions to drugs and alcohol to lows that few make it out of alive. He hit bottom only to find a shovel and started digging. Dave was homeless and suicidal. Life was not good for him or anyone that loved him. Through a little court initiated guidance and a moment of clarity Dave found the courage and power to get real with himself. Dave got clean and sober. God not only showed him a new way to live life without drugs and alcohol but also revealed to him a purpose. A calling to touch others through his writings. Determined to be a man of action in recovery, Dave began to write. His first book Damaged Merchandise is an inspirational book of
poems and short stories of what his life was like and what it is like now. His other book War Zone is the prequel to Damaged Merchandise. War Zone is related to most by those in recovery. It tells of Dave’s frustrations during his first two years of sobriety. Dave is currently working on his third book. Dave Harm also has many poems and short stories.
His material can be found at various websites including Authors Den and his own website daveharm.com. Dave publishes a monthly newsletter. Just e-mail him and ask to be added to the list. Among many recognitions, Dave was bestowed with the
title of United States Poetry
Ambassador for 2006. Dave Harm is a living example what happens when we live a life of action and purpose. There is no telling where one will be led if we are just willing.
by Jose Saramago
Fifteen thousand dry days have passed,
lost fifteen thousand times,
zero to fifteen thousand suns were born,
counted hourly
in the solemn, more grotesque gesture
to wind a clock invented
to seek, in the years forgotten,
the patience to go on living the rest.
Michael Z. has published a great book “The Wisdom of the Rooms”. Michael has cataloged some of the great quotes heard in meetings over the years and shares them in this book. I have prized mine and I know you will enjoy it also. The book has 52 weekly devotionals on quotes and inspirations from the 12 step program. One then is encouraged to do some journaling relating to the quote by answering 6 pertinent questions. This book is sponsor approved!
Here is a sample quote from the book:
God has only three answers to your prayers:
Yes
Yes, but not now
No, because I have something better for you
click here to read the full quote
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