Honesty-RecoveryFit Podcast - 2021

What is your definition of Honesty? Are you honest with others? But more importantly are you honesty with yourself?  We are not referring to the "I shall not tell a lie" type of Honesty but more-so the Adherence to the Truth version of the term.  Rick Hagaman discusses and shares how the application of the principle of Honesty can have a tremendous effect on our progress, growth, and evolution (recovery). Honesty can be truly transformational when I apply "Objective Honesty" to myself but... without judgement.  On the other hand, the tainted and possibly dishonest view  I have of myself can be a barrier to my growth as a person. Untainted & objective honesty can lead to uncovering these barriers so that I can then apply further recovery principles and; therefore, Solution. Without the ability to examine these areas in need, I may remain mired in dysfunction and pain. Rick shares productive methods in which one can apply honesty and how Honest evaluation without judgement can lead to freedom and recovery. 

Rick discusses character defects that may be exposed during this pandemic, when access to the "tools" that we normally use have been torn away. We must show a willingness to identify and admit that many of the methods we have used to cope are either no longer available or are painfully dysfunctional. For many, the dysfunction or limitation of these of these characteristics have now been brought into the light. In order to recovery we must now see them as dysfunctional and apply the principle of Willingness to do so. Discover how a willingness to look at one's defects will open us up to progress & growth that under regular circumstances may have never surfaced. Learn how the application of willingness can turn a difficult period into a time of immense growth, progress, & evolution (recovery)

Rick discusses the value to ourselves and to the greater good in this podcast on the principle of Community. What is Community and why should I even care? During these unpredictable and chaotic times our associations and alliances with Communities mean more than ever. Rick stimulates thought around the communities that you are a part of, want to be part of, or maybe don't want to be a part of as they currently stand. How can our awareness and then action relative to these communities provide progress, growth, and recovery in our lives? Rick evaluates 3 specific communities in his discussion including: political affiliation, COVID stance, and social equally movements (BLM). Community is essential like never before and can make a difference in not only your life but the world around you. Find out how!

Rick discusses the fundamental principle of honesty and the benefits we receive when we face what might be difficult truths about ourselves in an attempt to seek recovery. Rick examines the regression of honesty during the COVID-19 pandemic may be leading us as a society toward further complications an challenges. Denial can be a powerful concept to overcome but it is through "objective" honesty that we can identify what is TRUE and act in a manner consistent with our truth.

Rick discusses the value of perseverance and provides some tips on how to keep it going.

Integrity is basically doing the right thing because it is the right thing to do. It is not doing something because you want some sort of accolade, praise, or reward. But what is the “right thing” to do?  Understanding what integrity might look like when faced with difficulty can be something that may take time and practice to connect with. Integrity can be that “gut feeling”, instinct, or that little voice inside our heads that tells us what we may know to be “right” but often ignore. 

For many of us, addiction or other dysfunctional behaviors have muted that “voice” of integrity to the point that we can almost no longer hear it, which will take consciousness and practice to discover and access again. If we are able to clear our mind and connect to integrity through actions such as meditation, prayer, service, or physical activity then we can create ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES that increase the probability that we achieve that which we desire. 

How does the principle of integrity apply during these strange and unprecedented days? We must have the COURAGE to uncover defects or shortcoming that may have surfaced, have the INTEGRITY and ACCOUNTABILITY to work on them, and then have FAITH in the process of recovery. Remember that recovery is a personal journey and that these principles need to first be applied to us. How can I act with integrity in the world if it doesn’t truly exist in me?

Rick discusses the effects and benefits of COURAGE along with some techniques to be aware of during these strange and trying times. Fear can have a dramatic effect on the decisions we make on a daily basis. These times of quarantine, masks, opinions, protests, unemployment, finger pointing, and extreme limitations can surely allow fear to cloud our decisions.  The fear is going to be there; but it will take COURAGE to see through it and take action even in the face of Fear. 

These COVID-19 days of the pandemic are unprecedented for all of us! The circumstances that we must now live under can bring up thoughts, actions, and behaviors that I may not be proud of. Identifying and then addressing some of these shortcomings is going to take Courage. But by having the courage to address and work on these personal defects I can experience recovery and make my life and the lives of those around me significantly better. The willingness to look at oneself and then take action towards solution will definitely take courage, but will also allow us to become the people we strive to be. 

Faith is a belief in something that cannot be proven so is by definition, difficult for many of us to accept. But what if I was to tell you that we have faith in hundreds of things on a daily basis? Well...we do and it's far less complicated then we usually make it out to be.
 
The application of Faith is even more impactful when facing a situation that I have never experienced before, like what we are facing right now with this COVID-19 pandemic. Similar to our recovery, the actions and behaviors we apply during these unprecedented times can mean the difference between life and death. But we are going to need to have Faith. This podcast explores specific methods of applying the principle of FAITH to the COVID-19 pandemic to allow you to progress, grow, and recover during these difficult times!

My Faith will be increased through my experiences and will increase exponentially when I walk through a situation that is frightening or challenging. When I get through a tough situation by applying Faith, then my faith will grow. The more I experience it the greater it becomes and the more likely I’ll be able to apply it the next time it’s needed. So Faith is Experiential but I must be willing to TAKE ACTION and then TRUST THE PROCESS!

When the solution to a difficult situation doesn’t seem apparent, it’s easy to become Hopeless. I think most would agree that the COVID-19 pandemic would fall into that category. So now, HOPE is more important than ever. But Hope must come with ACTION otherwise it could end up being False Hope. I can hope for peace and serenity during these difficult times but what can I do to bring this into reality? I need to get into ACTION!

But what actions can I take to foster Hope? Well hope starts with shifting our attitude to one of optimism. This will include seeing the good in every circumstance. What are some positive things that may come as the result of this situation that I see as negative? Quite often there are unforeseen positive effects that come from challenging and even tragic events….and we refer to these surprise benefits as "A Bit of Silver." 

Once I’ve been able to identify the positive consequences, which may have otherwise never happened except under these unprecedented conditions, I start to develop Hope. I start to focus on the good that can come from this situation and expect more Positive Outcomes. When I shift my actions and attentions to the positives then I can live in Hope while spreading this hopeful energy to others. Together we can overcome and emerge stronger than ever before. This is Hope!

Rick discusses understanding the true definition of Discipline and it's real-life application to everyday challenges including but not limited to the COVID-19 circumstances. What actions can we take to implement and apply Discipline to life situations that may have the biggest impact to our progress, growth, & evolution = Recovery