During these Covid19 days, I thought we could all use a few uplifting words about finding connection and peace during life challenges.
So, I decided to try a short video rather than a written blog. I hope you enjoy it.
PS: I just couldn’t resist sending this dear picture! Who is your rescuer?
A 5-Minute Message: Connection and Peace of Mind TO PLAY VIDEO, CLICK HERE (or below)
FREE “WORRY LESS NOW” WORKBOOK So many of you have requested a workbook, and HERE IT IS! A 55-page PDF with writing space for every exercise. (If you just want the workbook, reply to this email)
Paperback Book Bulk Order ($10 each plus shipping in US); send order to glanger2202@gmail.com (Includes workbook)
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Gigi Langer holds a PhD in Psychological Studies in Education from Stanford University. Formerly crowned the “Queen of Worry,” Gigi resigned her post many years ago and now lives happily in Michigan with her husband, Peter and her cat, Murphy.
The Bubble Hour podcast seeks to inform, educate and help people identify with the stories, conversations and interviews with people who are just like they are, so people know they aren’t alone.
A couple of weeks ago, Jean and I recorded a wonderful conversation about her recovery and mine. We talked about our “soft spots,” the whispered lies (stories) underlying our shortcomings, codependency, infidelity, abuse, being a highly sensitive person, depression/anxiety, and the importance of healthy sober buddies.
Jean’s very popular blog header states, “How I Secretly Quit My Secret Habit of Secretly Drinking.” She goes on to write, “I am learning to walk without the crutch of alcohol. I began writing this blog on my first day of sobriety. Gulp. I drank quietly in private and have managed to quit just as privately. I didn’t stay quiet about it, though. My story is all here. The purpose of this blog is to help make me accountable and, as it turns out, to encourage others along the way.”
According to Jean McCarthy, “Nobody can take the first tentative steps towards sobriety without first getting past denial, but even once they are past denial, the stigma surrounding alcoholism is so strong that people are reluctant to seek help.”
Unpickled is one of the top 15 recovery blogs (rated by “Port of Call.”) with thousands of followers.
Sober Survival Guidefor Any Social Occasion
The perfect gift for the summer! Stay sober with family and friends at social events & parties. Buy the survival guide here
Insights and lessons from hundreds of interviews and blog posts about life after alcohol, practical exercises to build your readiness for awkward situations, bonus information for friends and family, and other useful tips.
Gigi Langer, 34 years sober, holds a Ph.D. in Psychological Studies in Education and an MA in Psychology, both from Stanford University. Through her writing, coaching, and speaking, Gigi has helped thousands of people improve their lives at home and work. A former professor of teacher education at Eastern Michigan University, she lives in Michigan and Florida with her husband, Peter, and Murphy, their cat.
Get Gigi’s award-winning book, “50 Ways to Worry Less Now.” (4.8 Stars on Amazon). Available in audio, ebook, paperback. Click HEREfor FREE workbook & special offers.
“This book is a winner.” –Karen Casey, Bestselling Hazelden author
I’m noticing two major reactions to the “stay-at-home” orders.
Which one is your way of coping?
Get really busy with projects, walking, cleaning, etc. or
Veg-out with TV, reading, music, and other “less active” diversions.
Guess which group I’m in?? The latter. Aside from the essentials (connecting with family and friends, meditating/praying, and light exercising), what’s keeping me “busy?” NOTHING!
After a life-time of achieving this and that, my reaction is to just relax, and indulge in whatever tickles my fancy. And I’m loving it!
For example, I just spent a couple hours on the lanai listening to two of my favorite entertainers: the beloved Brazilian crooner, Caetano Veloso and our Michigan favorite, Vienna Teng. Here’s a story from Brazil and a song of hope from Teng.
Seen in Brazil: A Puzzling Crazy-Quilt
In 1974, I lived in Sao Paulo while my second husband worked with IBM computer systems.
One day, I accompanied a Brazilian friend to her dentist appointment. Up, up we went to the 40th story of one of the many famous Niemeyer skyscrapers dotting the Sao Paulo skyline.
While in the waiting room, I read an article about the survivors of a recent “towering inferno” fire in this very same town. The scandal was that this modern-era skyscraper had no fire-protections and, as a result, many lives were lost.
Perhaps it was this story that drew me to the window to peer down from the great height. At first, I couldn’t make sense of what I saw: a multi-colored quilt of shiny turtle-tops.
What could it be? As I studied the image far below me, I realized I was looking at many hundreds of Volkswagen “bugs” parked in a huge dirt parking lot.
At that time, about 80% of Brazilians owned VWs, with only a few color choices. Imagine the difficulty of finding your very own yellow bug (the color of mine) in a huge parking lot!
The inventive “Paulistas” had solved this urban puzzle by parking all the yellow cars in one section, the blue ones in another, and so on. The result was this bumpy, shiny quilt seen from the dizzying height above. I wish I had taken a picture!
A Song of Hope from Vienna Teng
“The Atheist Christmas Carol” isn’t only about the holidays and it’s not really “atheist.” It’s about HOPE, the best reaction we can have during uncertain times. Listen to this gorgeous song here, posted with its lyrics!
Savor these lines especially. “Don’t forget, don’t forget, I love, I love, I love you.”
Vienna reportedly said, “I don’t have enough faith to be an atheist.” Hmmm.
Gigi Langer, 34 years sober, holds a Ph.D. in Psychological Studies in Education and an MA in Psychology, both from Stanford University. Through her writing, coaching, and speaking, Gigi has helped thousands of people improve their lives at home and work. A former professor of teacher education at Eastern Michigan University, she lives in Michigan and Florida with her husband, Peter, and Murphy, their cat.
Get Gigi’s award-winning book, “50 Ways to Worry Less Now.” (4.8 Stars on Amazon). Available in audio, e-book, paperback. Click HEREfor special offers.
“This book is a winner.” –Karen Casey, Bestselling Hazelden author
I’ve been sensing a seismic change in and around me, extending out to the entire planet. This viral threat has prompted many of us to reach deep down inside for something bigger and stronger than our fear.
I might call it an urge for loving connection.
Love is a force for goodness that wipes out all worry and negativity. And I believe it’s essential to our survival right now.
Choose love rather than fear—every moment.
If we spread fear, it amplifies, with perilous results, such as war, stealing, hate-speech, demonizing of politicians, and so on.
Love, however, heals all separation, judgment, and condemnation; and it too amplifies as it’s shared.
So, I ask you to decide right now: Are you going to succumb to fear and separation, or will you rise up in loving connection?
Be a love finder, not a fault-finder
This lesson from Attitudinal Healing* says it so simply: “Be a Love Finder, Rather than a Fault Finder.”
Finding fault is criticizing others in the arrogant belief that “we know better,” thus casting them out of our hearts. Unfortunately, such destructive thoughts only make everything worse—in our own minds and in the world.
How, then, do we become love finders?
We connect our hearts with one another via thoughts, prayers, and spoken words of hope, care, and affection. We choose to see the light in each person, regardless of their words and actions. We get out of the “judge’s seat” and leave it to a power much wiser than us.
So, let’s start now by making our “survival strategy” one of loving connection rather than fault-finding!
*Attitudinal Healing was developed by Gerald Jampolsky, one of the early students of A Course in Miracles. These essential lessons of love are taught world-wide to heal illness and negative thinking.
Gigi Langer, 34 years sober, holds a Ph.D. in Psychological Studies in Education and an MA in Psychology from Stanford University. Through her writing, coaching, and speaking, Gigi has helped thousands of people improve their lives at home and work. A former professor of teacher education at Eastern Michigan University, she lives in Michigan and Florida with her husband, Peter, and Murphy, her cat.
Get Gigi’s new book, “50 Ways to Worry Less Now: Reject Negative Thinking to Find Peace, Clarity, and Connection” (5 Stars on Amazon). Available in audio, e-book, and paperback Click HERE for special offers.
“This book is a winner.” –Karen Casey, Bestselling Hazelden author
