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self-esteem (10)
It's hard to believe, but another year has come and gone!
For me, personally, I have continued to remain clean & sober, and been proud to pass the message of recovery onto those who are still sick and suffering, or simply not living with enough self-esteem or self-confidence in order to reach their full potential.
I make no secrets about the fact that for many years - decades, actually - I was simply going through the motions in life, rather than living each day with a purpose.
However, after being released from prison in 2004 and getting my book, "Jew in Jail" published, I now wake up each and every single morning with gratitude and fulfillment, proud of how far I have come, yet knowing there is still much more to be done.
I have learned that true happiness is derived not from material possessions such as money, cars or jewelry, but by peace of mind, goodwill towards others, and love of family and friends.
For 2014, I hope to be blessed with even more opportunities to spread the message of recovery from addiction and keep motivating and inspiring others, no matter what difficulties they are experiencing, either via my blog, book, or in person at the various venues I am asked to attend.
What does the new year have in store for you?
Hopefully, 2014 will be the greatest year of your life, as you surround yourself with positive, loving people, who help make you the best person you were born to be!
After all, you are definitely worth it!
If you haven't read my book, "Jew in Jail" yet, I strongly urge you to do so.
http://ning.it/Lk20hZ
It tells the story of how I was finally able to decide to turn my life around from my past addictions to alcohol, drugs and gambling, under the worst conditions imaginable of being a minority behind bars.
In addition, I also invite all of you to check out this speech I delivered in October of 2012 to a group of inmates who graduated from a drug program at a jail in Richmond, Virginia, to demonstrate that, regardless of one's past, it is possible to overcome any difficulty and go on to lead a productive, positive and successful life.
http://youtu.be/dE4DFCbXRF4
I had such a great time this past Saturday signing copies of my book, "Jew in Jail" at the local Barnes & Noble in Poughkeepsie, New York.
There is just something about meeting and talking to strangers who seem extremely interested to know what it was like for me as an addict - and minority while behind bars - to spend nearly six years in prison, and learn how I was finally able to "arrest" my past addictions to alcohol, drugs and gambling.
As bad as that experience was for me, not only did I come out of it as a much better person, but I am now able to help others who might be going down that same destructive path of either having trouble with an addiction, or living with low self-esteem and self-confidence.
I wrote "Jew in Jail" as I was serving my sentence in prison, and was brutally honest about everything I was going through at the time.
Whenever I go to book signings, speaking engagements, or A.A., N.A. & G.A. meetings, I am the same exact way, because my purpose is not to glorify anything in my past, but to demonstrate that change is possible if one wants it badly enough.
If I can help you, my readers, in any way possible, please feel free to reach out to me.
Like we say in the meetings, "We can't keep what we have, unless we give it away!"
I also hope you decide to read "Jew in Jail," because I am very proud of how I was able to write it under the toughest conditions imaginable, and want my story to inspire others!
Simply put, after doing things wrong for so many years, I just want to live my life now the correct way, while also assisting those who are in need as much as I can.
Without a doubt, these past five years and nine plus months have been the best of my 51 year life so far.
Recovery has helped me reclaim my life, self-esteem, self-confidence, and purpose for being.
Even though I nearly died of an alcohol and drug overdose way back in 1989, and then also spent nearly six years incarcerated as a result of my past addictions to alcohol, drugs and gambling from 1998-2004, it wasn't until I woke up on the morning of October 31, 2007, and decided that I had finally had enough of the never ending maze that my life had turned into.
I was ashamed and embarrassed that, although I possessed a college degree in journalism and had worked for many prestigious media companies in the Tri-State area, I had succumbed to the disease of addiction.
However, not long after entering the Coney Island Hospital Chemical Dependency Outpatient Program, I learned that I was human and that recovery was indeed possible.
Today, after having graduated from the program in 2009, I am now the president of the alumni committee and speak to the current clients there, as well as recovering addicts at other programs, hospital detoxes, jails, schools, etc., and understand the importance of giving back to share the message to those who are still sick and suffering.
I also speak about the book I wrote while incarcerated, titled, Jew in Jail, to reinforce the fact that it is never too late to change, and that there is absolutely no shame whatsoever in asking for help.
Being clean and sober feels great - not only physically, but mentally, emotionally and spiritually - and provides me with the peace of mind and tranquility that is priceless.
Never will I take anything in life for granted, from a beautiful sunny day, to seeing children playing and enjoying themselves without a care in the world, and I owe it all to those professionals who work in the field, as well as the thousands of other grateful recovering addicts who share their stories and allow me to share mine too.
If there is one piece of advice I can give to those reading my story now who are still in the grips of addiction, it is to always keep in mind that, no matter what troubles you may be going through at any particular time in your life, someone else has already experienced the same problems and difficulties, and was able to persevere with the help of others and move on to lead a healthy and productive life.
In recovery, one is never alone, and I encourage those who are still battling this disease to always seek out someone to talk to, because keeping things bottled up is never the correct strategy.
In closing, this recovering addict wants everyone to know that they possess greatness, and no matter what anyone did in their past, it does not have to define who they are as a person.
Live recovery one day at a time!
If you haven’t read my book, “Jew in Jail” yet, I hope you do.
It is chock full of insightful information on how I was able to recover from my past addictions to alcohol, drugs and gambling while incarcerated, and go on to lead a happy and healthful life myself.
I also always welcome comments from you, my readers, about my blog, book or website, because receiving feedback from you is what drives me to be my best and help others.
Until next time, everyone, have a great day, and week ahead!
Having manners and respect for yourself and others is something that people should not have to be reminded of.
It is just basic common sense, yet very often, is completely void in society.
Children learn their behaviors from adults, so if a parent doesn't demonstrate good manners and respect, the chances are that their offspring will not either.
However, that's not to say that other outside influences and stimuli cannot cause one to adapt to society's norms and, in turn, develop a good sense of self-esteem and self-confidence, which can be passed onto even more people, thus tipping the scales to the correct and accepted everyday behavior we should all take part in and expect.
Ask yourself if you ever "poured it on" by saying please before asking for something you wanted, and perhaps even thank you, after you succeeded, but only did so because you knew it would help your cause.
Now think how much better, and ultimately easier it would be to simply incorporate please and thank you into your everyday normal vocabulary, rather than needing to bring it out of storage only when it benefited you.
It would not only make your life a great deal easier and provide you with a good sense of self-worth, but it very possibly could also lead to a domino effect, thereby making those around you better people as well!
There is too much complaining and blaming of our problems on others these days, so why not get back to basics and start with proper manners and etiquette in order to get the ball rolling towards making our society a finer and more friendlier one!
Please?
Thank you for reading!
My book “THE POWER OF LABELS” is now available in the site of AuthorHouse. http://www.authorhouse.co.uk/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?BookId=SKU-000632506 - it's the link where you can buy my book.
The subject of the book is the distortions in our perceptions of ourselves which we accumulate throughout our lives when communicating with others. These distortions (conditionally called “labels”) gradually turn into our beliefs, complexes and unproductive models of behaviour which stand in the way to achieving our goals and diminish our satisfaction with life. The book analyses the reasons behind this psychological phenomenon and provides ideas and guidelines as to the ways to handle it (by eliminating labels or undermining their power), so that our potential can unfold, we can improve our self-esteem and get closer to our true self.
Something different from all you had read till now. I am sure, THE POWER OF LABELS will bring you insights about your own life. The book is for all ages and almost all situations where someone slaps us label. In each chapter, some of you will recognize yourself and will say "It seems to be written for me". I suggest some simple exercises and tips for dealing with labeling. At the very least, the book will make you think about how you interact with others and how you allow them to treat you.
My first book in english language is now available in AMAZON
@IndieWriterSupp
It is human nature to sometimes feel that we are lacking in one aspect or another in life.
Whether it is our ability to solve mathematical equations, capacity to hold an intelligent conversation, or confidence to get on the dance floor and strut our stuff, we were all provided with these talents the day we were born.
It is merely up to each and every one of us to put these innate skills into use on a daily basis, and to have the necessary self-esteem to realize that there is nothing we can't do if we apply ourselves.
I am not claiming that we are all Isaac Newton, JFK, or John Travolta, but my point is that we can do anything we put our minds to, just like those who became famous in their respective fields did, and it only takes practice, determination and enthusiasm.
For me, alcohol, drugs and gambling became my Achilles' heel, which, upon deep introspection, I learned was caused by a lack of self-esteem and self-confidence on my part.
Consequently, by getting help for my addictions, I have been able to turn things around, which has resulted in my writing, "Jew in Jail," becoming a motivational & inspirational speaker, and enjoying a healthy and happy lifestyle, realizing that there is nothing I can't accomplish.
An important note to always remember is that there is absolutely nothing wrong with trying and failing at first, simply because it is part of the learning process.
On the other hand, not even making an attempt at something will only lead to "should've, could've, would've" later on in life, with the uncertainty of what might have been filling one's mind for years to come.
Put differently, an error of commission is much better than one of omission.
So, remember, you can do and become anything in life.
All it takes is a decision and the desire to try.
Until next time, always reach for the moon, because, even if you miss, you will be among the stars!
One thing I always make sure to tell my audience, when I am delivering a motivational & inspirational speech in order to increase their self-esteem and self-confidence, is that each and every single person can express their feelings by writing.
All it takes is a pen, piece of paper, and one's imagination and innermost thoughts.
Actually, in this internet age, the pen and paper aren't even necessary anymore, so it makes this "task" even easier!
For me, writing "Jew in Jail" (out by hand, incidentally) while serving my sentence in prison was incredibly therapeutic, at a time in my life when I was so down on myself for the situation I created.
It afforded me the opportunity to become introspective and reveal to myself why I had been acting out and behaving the way I was for so long, as well as figure out what caused my addictions to alcohol, drugs and gambling in the first place, which led to my arrest and incarceration for robbery.
Since returning home a free man in 2004, I have been busy promoting "Jew in Jail," speaking at drug treatment programs, hospital detoxes, jails, schools, and anywhere else people need to hear an uplifting story of redemption.
The one constant I continuously maintain when I speak is the importance for humans to release their feelings, which, for me, is best served through writing.
Writing is one activity that doesn't punch a time clock, allows the participant to be his or her own boss, costs nothing but time, and has the potential to affect so many people's lives in a positive way.
While I am not knocking good old fashioned conversation, I feel writing has one major advantage that the former doesn't, which is the ability to go back days, weeks, months, or even years later and reread what has been written to chart one's progress and discover if anything beneficial became of putting those aforementioned thoughts down on paper or computer screen.
Writing is also very personal, so whether you call it a diary, journal, or whatever, give it a try.
Your brain is chock full of thoughts, feelings, emotions and ideas, many of which you might not even realize you have, unless you sit down and unleash them one word at a time.
I'm sure you have the "write" stuff inside of you, waiting to come out, so don't delay.
Your skills and talents need to be showcased at once.
Plus, who knows - you just may have the next best seller at your fingertips!
This past Saturday marked nine years I have been home from prison, and being a free man is something that only those who have spent time behind bars can truly understand and appreciate.
Not being required to ask such simple questions, such as when to go to the bathroom and shower, or what time is permitted to visit the library or get exercise, is just the tip of the iceberg.
For me personally, I have more than merely the physical freedom that release from incarceration restored.
I am now more at peace with myself, comfortable in my own skin, loaded with self-esteem and self-confidence, and able to live my life as I want, as opposed to being a follower, which I was for so many years in the past.
However, perhaps best of all, I am clean & sober, and using what I have learned about myself and the disease of addiction to help others with their own recovery.
I only wish my beloved late father, Irving Goldstein, was alive today, in order that he could see that I finally started to do things right, and that everything my father always used to tell me from his own experiences, and the values he instilled into me, are something I rely upon so much each and every single day.
My book, “Jew in Jail,” will forever be dedicated to my father and how much I love and respect him for always being there for me, and I will continue to do my best to honor my father’s memory by living a fruitful life, including helping others.
Never will I take anything in life for granted, from the simplest of things such as a bright sunny day, to enjoying the company of family and friends, to my own health and well-being.
If it is true that the best things in life are free, then I would have to consider myself a multi-billionaire!
