tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16015712825615636372024-03-05T11:32:15.654-08:00Sober at LastBeing sober at 36 after a lifetime of drinking is second chance at life for me.Bren Murphyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15484789907845282383noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601571282561563637.post-50743339204329773112017-04-04T00:08:00.001-07:002017-04-04T00:08:36.386-07:00Letting Go - Self Forgiveness - Struggle Story - Addiction - Mindfulness<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gRNVuDmQ-Xg" width="480"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17384598731914001463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601571282561563637.post-25241637165758330572017-04-04T00:07:00.001-07:002017-04-04T00:07:57.913-07:00Mindfulness Video Training Online Day 6 - Mindful Change Cycle<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ASY1PwJs9GM" width="480"></iframe>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17384598731914001463noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601571282561563637.post-9347607713975864392017-02-24T15:36:00.001-08:002017-02-24T15:36:25.502-08:00Mindfulness in NewcastleMoonlight Mindfulness your opportunity to relax, be yourself and experience the calm and stillness of mindfulness with Bren Murphy from MindBodyCalm - Mindfulness Newcastle. <br />
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At King Edward Park, 13 March from 6pm - at the top of King Edward Park. Seated on the very top of the lookout, you get to experience the full scope of the horizon - which is perfect positioning for the end of the mindfulness experience where the moon appears to emerge from the ocean.<br />
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This moon cycle is based on the polarities of black and white - work versus play - helpful versus unhelpful thoughts. We have been trained to see things as opposites and in conflict with each other - as though the world is a confrontational place where opposites are adversaries. but this in fact is not true.<br />
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It's more likely that the whole universe is part of a unified whole - resembling a circle or spectrum - so that the more extreme the opposites, the more similar they become.<br />
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Join me, Bren Murphy on a journey into mindfulness and explore what might be your first Full Moon event - Moonlight Mindfulness.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mindbodycalm.com.au/">http://www.mindbodycalm.com.au</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.mindfulnessnewcastle.com.au/">http://www.mindfulnessnewcastle.com.au</a><br />
<a href="http://brenmurphy.net/">http://brenmurphy.net</a><br />
<a href="http://facebook.com/mindbodycalm">http://facebook.com/mindbodycalm</a><br />
<a href="http://twitter.com/br3nmurphy">http://twitter.com/br3nmurphy</a><br />
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#fullmoon #mindfulness #moonlight #brenmurphy #mindbodycalm #mindfulnessnewcastleAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17384598731914001463noreply@blogger.com1Newcastle, NSW, Australia-32.885101 151.72394970000005-33.098470999999996 151.40122620000005 -32.671731 152.04667320000004tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601571282561563637.post-4799192861607146322016-04-22T04:33:00.001-07:002016-04-22T04:33:12.652-07:00Sober Coach Professional Recovery Sobriety<h2 style="text-align: center;">
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Successful Recovery with a <a href="http://www.thelifecoach.net.au/sober-coaching" target="_blank">Sober Coach in Australia</a></div>
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Bren Murphy </h2>
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Australia's Sober Coach Professional</h2>
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Navigating the first week of your sober recovery </h3>
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with a professional <a href="http://sobercoach.net.au/about/" target="_blank">Sobriety Coach</a>.</h3>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2Sydney NSW, Australia-33.8674869 151.20699020000006-34.711976400000005 149.91609670000005 -33.0229974 152.49788370000007tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601571282561563637.post-80023509312807686432013-11-29T02:52:00.002-08:002013-11-29T02:52:41.943-08:00Just Killing Time<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
When I dropped out of law school and chose drinking over university - I felt a weird feeling that I was somehow letting my grandparents down and becoming a loser.<br /><br />Even to this day I can still see the stupid fucking tartan coat they stood by me as I tried it on at a local dressmakers joint and was all awkward and uncomfortable in the hot summer heat. A chunky tartan coat I didn't fit after a summer of swimming and drinking hardcore like a lazy seventeen year old. And it sat lonely and pressed and clean and waiting sor some never to happen court appearnace because I couldn't afford a car. Or was too scared to drink drive.<br /><br />But my grandparents had always held a grudging nothingness about being successful - and my own personal resistance was just another sort of way of holding out from them. To this day, 2013, they are withering quietly in some under-staffed nursing home and completely unable to acknowledge the birth of any of my three children. <br /><br />Like I should somehow make the first move - and be the more humble and accepting and open to them when they have failed so completely with their own dead twin brother and unborn foetuses.<br /><br />Just killing time.<br /><br />And forgiving Betty and Ray. And Margaret and Patrick.<br /><br />All is forgiven but looking back it is not forgotten yet - perhaps when I am sprinkling dust or whatever over your grave hole - perhaps then there will be some forgiveness.<br /><br />Perhaps then, with the sprinkling.<br /><br />Perhaps.....<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2Eleebana NSW 2282, Australia-32.9896051 151.63641970000003-33.0162411 151.59607920000002 -32.962969099999995 151.67676020000005tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601571282561563637.post-86171025194633002412013-10-14T16:04:00.000-07:002013-10-14T16:04:26.434-07:00Christmas Shopping 2013 Sydney<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.huntervalleyhampers.com.au/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="Fresh crusty breads, gourmet cheese and fruit for a fruit basket" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI5EbeDK15OZIQvZuaCIzsplII4xEqhnOQrRrDYoShe2L4LGUo66WyS9IWyyp8Bfshy9g-lMGtuhNcfdplxZaw5KeanQnr0TB46sxam1tGPHClvxYXosjszgc0VYkDiVMUe5xkANepAbhc/s1600/vintage-gourmet-2013+114v250.jpg" title="How do I send a Christmas Hamper to my Sydney Friend in 2013?" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.huntervalleyhampers.com.au/" target="_blank">Sending a Gift Hamper at Christmas 2013 is a simple <br />and effortless way to keep in touch and show you care</a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #b45f06;">Checklist for Just Before Christmas</span></h2>
Now you should be thinking of your <a href="http://bestofnewcastle.blogspot.com.au/2013/10/christmas-2013-in-newcastle.html" target="_blank">last minute fresh produce, seafood and flowers.</a> <br /><br />Be careful as prices might fluctuate wildly between those sellers panicked that they may be overstocked and those who are <a href="http://gourmetgiftbox.blogspot.com.au/2013/10/highly-regarded-christmas-ideas.html" target="_blank">selling out and wanting premium prices</a>. <br /><br />With clean hands make your stuffing and cover and refrigerate in bowls. <br /><br />Likewise, Christmas sauces and desserts are best finalized now, if you have the <a href="http://sober-at-last.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/fruit-hampers-info.html" target="_blank">luxury</a> of a second fridge, it should now be filling up with items. <br /><br />Be careful to place the items into the fridge in the order you will be removing them- ie last in first out. This makes provision for less spills and minimizes the chances of dropping or ruining a completed dish with contamination from another dish. <br /><br />Above all, have fun and remember the most meaningful and enjoyable Christmas in 2013 will be shared in a completely stress free environment in Sydney. You deserve it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2Manly NSW, Australia-33.7985209 151.28612010000006-33.8512989 151.20543910000006 -33.745742899999996 151.36680110000006tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601571282561563637.post-59066104408965423802010-09-15T18:32:00.000-07:002010-09-15T18:32:35.574-07:00Recovery and Just Sleeping and RestingSpending some quality time going to bed early and rising when the birds are up and about, without having a hangover - it's like a new beginning. Sorry to soud a tad evangelical about this, but I haven't done anything else other than stop alcohol and I feel so unbloated, so alert and almost happy!<br />
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Am trying not to focus on what I am missing out on (ie that drinking is such a fun party and i won't be there) instead what i will say to my circle of friends who are all expecting to see me drinking heavily and almost prepare themselves for it when they see me.<br />
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Especially this weekend, we are going to stay at a friends' house for a night and they have seen me asleep on their loungeroom floor, drunk, a couple of times.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601571282561563637.post-88523570088917107902010-09-13T22:46:00.000-07:002010-09-13T22:46:42.587-07:00Day Two of SobrietyAm staying positive and drinking plenty of water to flush my system. <br />
Last night I went for a walk when I would normally have been getting started on the drink. <br />
I fell asleep reading a book and woke up this morning without the surly resentment of the hangover stun. Have been eating well too, avoiding salty shit and the stuff I used to eat with wine. <br />
Night two tonight, am confident I have worked hard enough today to be able to sleep well.<br />
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It is so easy to lapse into the self examination of the diarist and just start quoting lists and numbers and events. i will try not to do that in this blog, as that would soon become a drudge.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1601571282561563637.post-30963581729897010962010-09-13T22:13:00.000-07:002010-09-13T22:48:30.503-07:00My Last Day of DrinkingI am an alcoholic, even though I do not live under a bridge or have I lost my wife and family or my house or business - yet. Approaching my 36th birthday, I spent some time reflecting on where I was at and where I was heading in life. <br />
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To be totally honest, when I was drunk, everything was fine. But as happened every night, when I woke at 2am with a headache and full bladder, I would be overcome with grief and depression and feel almost suicidal that I was so weak to have let myself become alcoholic. I knew it had to end. <br />
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And not just stop for a couple of days or make a pathetic announcement that I would stop and then slowly build up my drinking over time until it was chronic again. Or tell everyone some story that I was exhausted and try and make excuses about it. <br />
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I made the decision and accepted that the bald, blunt reality is that I cannot control my drinking, and that it is a hopeless and shameful battle for me to think I can have a few drinks every now and then and be functioning. I admit that I think about getting alcohol everyday and plan my business and career around it.<br />
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I have been drinking alcohol to excess for more than a decade as a means to cope with whatever life events I was facing and even when there was nothing really doing, I would drink, cause i would be anxious that I would get anxious without it. So I drank also out of fear of not drinking and being sober at night before I fell asleep.<br />
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Yeah, so it was pretty fucked. So, being the completely hopeless alcoholic, on my birthday I committed to myself I would stop alcohol altogether in 100 DAYS! Yippee! I was doing something about it! I had made a commitment and admitted I had a problem.<br />
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So anyway, I gave myself carte blanche after that to drink myself basically to death. I drank dozens and dozens of bottles of wine, hot bottles of champagne in tumblers with ice, drinking tall bottles of beer in the car whilst my wife drive around town. The complete fucking rockstar alcoholic except I was not a rockstar. Just an alcoholic.<br />
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And I felt sad and depressed and life lost meaning and I was indulgent and lazy and moody and either drinking or asleep, sprinkled with some work in between.<br />
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And then on the last weekend, I really tried hard on the Saturday night and drank the house dry. Next thing, it is Sunday, the last day. And I see myself in the wardrobe mirror kneeling by the side of our bed, (so my wife wouldn't see) and glugging down Japanese Rice Wine. 18%, watery hard to say what it tastes like, salty rice juice?<br />
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And then I knew it was rock bottom.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2