Elizabeth L. āBizzyā Chance, CRS, is the founder and owner of Busy Living SoberTM, a network dedicated to bringing addiction out of the shadows and educating society that addiction is a disease, not who you are. She is a leading expert in the field of recovery management, widely known for her work as a consultant, family coach, and her social media presence.
Elizabeth earned her certification as a Certified Recovery Specialist (CRS) from the state of Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of George Washington University with a degree in communications, and her work experience includes time at QVC and CBS Television.
Elizabeth is in long-term recovery herself over a decade. Hence, she feels able to form a compassionate and meaningful bond with addicts. She has always gravitated towards anyone new to recovery because of her own personal story, which gives her an innate sense for helping them achieve and maintain recovery.
Busy Living SoberTM is to eliminate the shame of addiction through open and honest communication.
Elizabeth currently resides in Wayne, Pennsylvania with her husband and three teenage children.
“The definition of addiction is the inability to control oneās use over a substance.ā
God, I offer myself to Theeāto build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt.
Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will.
Take away my difficulties, thatĀ victory over them may bear witnessto those I would help ofThy Power,Ā Thy Love, andĀ Thy Way of life.Ā
May I do Thy will always.
Note that Iāve highlighted the second sentence because this simple request has completely transformed me from a fearful, addicted woman to the peaceful, happy person I am today.
So, letās pick it apart, shall we? Ā Ā
RELIEVE ME OF THE BONDAGE OF SELF
What does the ābondage of selfā look like? Itās the fear-driven self run amok, perpetually seeking love and security in all the wrong places. It wages a constant battle of self-sufficiency, all while crying, āI shall manage.ā This āme, myself, and Iā thinks it has everything handled, but it keeps failing, especially in relationships.
Faced with failure, it just keeps trying harder and harder to control people, places, and things. Such a mind suffers from the delusion that, if everything were different, it could finally be happy.
When in the grip of the bondage of self, we are often
angry and judging
dishonest (to ourselves and others)
selfish and inconsiderate
greedy for material and emotional security
unable to take responsibility for our actions (often blaming others)
Many refer to this driving fear as the āegoā because it āeases God out.ā In short, the egoās bondage of self shuts out higher powerās loveābut only until we wake up and ask God to change our perspective.
THAT I MAY BETTER DO THY WILL
So, whatās Godās will, anyway? I believe itās to love God and one another. Unfortunately, when the egoās in charge, weāre anything but loving. And we certainly arenāt peacefulāthe one state in which our minds are most receptive to inspiration and generosity.
When we notice ourselves bound by worry, fear, condemnation, and anger, we can ask our higher power to take over our minds. For example, when reading the news, I often become scared about my own safety. If Iām clear and honest with myself, I admit that Iām disturbed, and then simply ask, āHelp me to see this differently.ā Ā
Because our minds love to focus on the negative, I need to make this request quite often; but eventually, I find my body and mind at peace. As the bondage of fear is released, my spirit opens to giving and receiving loving care. As I join with others in growth and service, my life becomes joyous.
But, then something else will scare me, and I’ll feel the fearful self tightening its hold. When I tune in and notice that I’m tense, I can then ask to see things differently. I might say a prayer, meditate, call a trusted friend, or read inspiring lessons. Again, I’ll have to stick with it to recover my peace of mind and again trust spirit’s grace.
Perhaps the only error we make is in resisting the human experience by letting our ego scream āNo!ā to whatever we donāt like. But, over time, we relinquish our need for control by getting quiet and receiving healing, courage, and comfort.
The more we cultivate this conscious contact with a power greater than ourselves, the more weāre guided to the right attitudes and actions. And soon, we trust that, in spite of appearances, āAll is wellā in the realm of spirit. What a relief!
InĀ Worry Less Now,Ā Gigi shares her personal journey as a prisoner ofĀ fear, worry, and substance abuse, along with practicalĀ techniques anyone can use. Award-winner with rave reviews: Amazon 4.9 stars.
Get special offers on the paperback, e-book, and audiobook HERE.
Gigi Langer has been sober 34 years, and holds a PhD in Psychological Studies in Education from Stanford University. Formerly crowned the āQueen of Worry,ā Gigi resigned her post many years ago and now lives happily in Michigan with her husband, Peter and her cat, Murphy.
As you know by now, I’ve been a guest on several podcasts, and I love it!
Aside from connecting with such awesome folks, I can stay in my pajamas because there’s no video!.
I think you’ll be fascinated by each of them.
How Are We Growing through COVID? “Meet Me in The Field” Podcast with Freddie Van Rensburg
I met Freddie on Twitter and we immediately hit it off in our first interview about our recovery and Worry Less Now (Listen to it here).
Recently, he talked with four of us about how our spiritual practices have helped us during the COVID epidemic. You’ll love listening to Frank’s Christ-centered approach, Raymond’s insights and speaking career, and how Brad was saved from a disastrous decision about his fitness business.
It’s a fascinating group, all led by Freddie’s infectious humor and wisdom. Thank you, Freddie for creating this wonderful podcast! Learn more about Freddie’s fabulous books, blog, and addiction counseling at freddie.org.za/ Twitter: @RensburgFreddie
Overcoming Anxiety and Childhood Trauma “PTSD And Beyond” Podcast with Dr. Deb Lindh
I loved getting to know Dr. Deb, as we discovered that we both were at Eastern Michigan University, but not at the same time! Then we shared about growing out of the childhood trauma.
In our one-on-one interview, we discussed the characteristics of adults from dysfunctional families, and how substance abuse, codependency, and sexual compulsions manifest in people with PTSD. Finally, we explored our favorite tools for healing old wounds so we can make healthier choices in our lives.
Much thanks to Deb for this great podcast! Learn more about Dr. Deb’s PTSD coaching, workshops, online support chats, and her bestselling book (with Brian Tracy) on healing stress at drdeblindh.com/ Twitter: @PTSDandBeyond
Gigi Langer has been sober 34 years, and holds a PhD in Psychological Studies in Education from Stanford University. Formerly crowned the āQueen of Worry,ā Gigi resigned her post many years ago and now lives happily in Michigan with her husband, Peter and her cat, Murphy.
In Worry Less Now, Gigi shares her personal journey as a prisoner of fear, worry, and substance abuse, along with practical techniques anyone can use. Award-winner with rave reviews: Amazon 4.8 stars.
Get special offers on the paperback, e-book, and audiobook HERE.
Harriet Hunter (Beth H.) is one of my favorite people! About two years ago, we met in a Facebook group for non-fiction authors, and we connected immediately. Since each of our books was about leading a peaceful, addiction-free life, we shared a tent at the 2019 Venice FL book fair. That’s where we were in this pic!
Here’s how my zany, creative, and big-hearted friend, Beth, describes her mission: “Using practical tools, principles and promises, I show others what continues to work for me, and how anyone can be free from the bondage of self, regardless of their situation. Employing a change of perception through the 12 Steps, the fellowship, and the village that is recovery is what propels us.” You’ll want to tune in to Harriet’s wise words in these ways:
PODCAST: Sundays 2 P.M. EST, “Miracles of Recovery“
BOOK: Miracles of Recovery: Daily Meditations of Hope, Courage, and Faith
“MiraclesĀ is for everyone: for those still in active recovery, sitting on the fence, contemplating whether to jump in or run. It is for the old-timer, and for the family and friends of alcoholics who, just like me, have suffered their own personal and agonizing hell becauseĀ of our destructive activities, and who now find that they, too, are alone and lonely.”
Special offer now on Harriet’s award-winning daily meditations ($15 includes paperback + free e-book/PDF)Ā Ā Buy it HERE
ARTICLE Ā “Turning Desperation and Fear into Miracles”
“As an alcoholic/addict still in so much pain from the loss of my family, I felt more alone than I had ever been.Ā Each day, driving through eight states with prominent mountains and magnificent lakes, I wrote, and I cried. And through the pain,Ā gratitude was born.”Ā Read about Harriet’s journey from tragedy to hope as “Miracles of Recovery” came to be,Ā Ā Read it HERE
Gigi Langer holds a PhD in Psychological Studies in Education from Stanford University. Formerly crowned the āQueen of Worry,ā Gigi resigned her post many years ago and now lives happily in Michigan with her husband, Peter and her cat, Murphy.
In Worry Less Now, Gigi shares her personal journey as a prisoner ofĀ fear, worry, and substance abuse, along with practicalĀ techniques.Ā Amazon 4.8 stars. Find special offersHERE.