 "I just trust. Perhaps I won't see why or how, reasons might be invisible or out of reach for now. Still, I trust: myself, this path, and the winds meeting us both. I simply trust, no understanding required. Understanding is a bonus." (Darcy Lubow) Thank you, Cat Caracelo, for permission to share this image.
 Trick or treat!
Truth or dare? BOO! It’s that time of year again, where things and beings that have been buried or brushed aside, hidden in the dark or locked away, get their time in the lime light. Ghosts, ghouls, goblins, disco kings, gypsy queens, magicians and fairies, oh my! In the spirit of Halloween, imaginations are aflame. As the custom goes, costumes are being created and purchased for their night whee anything goes. Whether going to a late night party or school recital, everyone is included in getting their costume on. Dressing up as someone else is the tradition, one that I have participated in plenty since childhood. The ritual of exploring my mind for what it could come up with, a unique someone to pretend to be, brought with it fun and frustration. Finding some creative entity to become for a day was fascinating and a fair amount of pressure. Looking at this cultural pattern now, it makes sense that I had such a fondness as well as some loathing for what I was doing growing up. The potential elaborate character and costume I could wear and be held magic in it. If I could be anything without having others judge me, who would I be? At the same time, the push to contort into someone or something that I am not held strain and anxiety. Wasn’t I enough, just me? Couldn’t I dress up in some outlandish outfit or not do my hair, just because? Why does Halloween have to be my one chance? Having a special day to be someone different, or relax more fully and visibly into part of who I really am, happens just once a year. Really? What if instead of putting on a mask for Halloween, you took one off? Who do you want to let go of being, even if for one day? What aspect of you is ready to be revealed and let out to play? What might be revealed if you disrobed a role or persona you’ve taken on instead of inventing another to put on? Consider this, these words right here, as full permission to be what you really want to be for Halloween. Take off a mask and enhance part of you that has been hidden for far too long. Why buy a costume when you are fully clad with vivaciousness already? Who knows, maybe you’ll discover who you dare to be (and be seen) will come out to play year round… For more clarity on what is ready to be revealed, explore success on your own terms here. In the Flow and loving the ride, Darcy  Recovery is a hot topic in my life. This mere eight letter word has become an all encompassing term that refers to many states of being, physical experiences and mindsets. Like many terms, what it means for me is likely different than what it is for you. Though definitions and experience differ (we are all unique after all), there are common themes when it comes to recovery that I have noticed over the years in this lifestyle. Clarifying the meanings and definitions of the words and terms I use brings balance into my life. To be impeccable with my word, live honestly and stay aligned with my values, I speak consciously. Getting clear about what recovery is in my life opens the door for more gratitude, knowledge and possibility.
I am empowered as I claim my personal relationship to a recovery lifestyle. As Life Coach and creative guidess Cat Caracelo recently reminded me, ”the more you know the more you know.” This simple and profound reminder conveys the value of mindful living, having a willingness to speak the truth, and explore what is present inside and out (all key concepts of recovery). Defining what I know about recovery now spurs more insight, learning and possibility for growth. The more I know, the more I know. Here is some of what recovery means to me: 1. Recovery is transforming illness or hardship into teacher. 2. Recovery is making choices based on the question “is this serving my wellness?” 3. Recovery is riding the waves of change and choosing wellness as I go. 4. Recovery is a shift in perspective and perception. 5. Recovery is daring to be awake and aware. 6. Recovery is pulling my own covers when it is called for. 7. Recovery is tucking myself in when I need to be cared for. 8. Recovery is moving forward gently and courageously. 9. Recovery is black and white and every color in between. 10. Recovery is merging what is linear with circular patterns of wholeness. 11. Recovery is choosing my words with care. 12. Recovery is stating yes…and rather than okay…but (hello, personal responsibility!). 13. Recovery is seeing that nothing is totally personal. 14. Recovery is forgiving so that I can be free. 15. Recovery is showing up for what comes and reawakening to the present moment. 16. Recovery is making choices from a place of faith. 17. Recovery is expanding into miracles. 18. Recovery is dreams coming true. 19. Recovery is healing happening. 20. Recovery is surrendering to the truth of the situation at hand and letting it be part of the journey. 21. Recovery is feeling feelings and letting them move on through. 22. Recovery is cultivating self-knowledge. 23. Recovery is discovery, getting to know my own inner landscape. 24. Recovery is practicing honesty with self and others. 25. Recovery is releasing old patterns that perpetuate fear and limitation. 26. Recovery is a spiritual development adventure. 27. Recovery is learning new habits and embracing “the beginner’s mind.” 28. Recovery is finding the faith muscle and exercising it. 29. Recovery is waking up to the authentic self. 30. Recovery is a quest of mapping the landscapes of where I’ve been and where I am now. 31. Recovery is remembering and releasing stories that no longer define me. 32. Recovery is activating imagination and visioning. In the words of Brene Brown, recovery is all about “daring greatly” to be me. 33. Recovery is realigning with my true self in all my shades and shapes. 34. Recovery is retelling the story to uncover what is ready to be heard and healed. 35. Recovery is revising the meanings I have given things that really aren’t true. 36. Recovery is reinventing identity and claiming new truth. 37. Recovery is questioning my thoughts and changing my relationship to them. 38. Recovery is redesigning patterns and lifestyle choices so they propel me in wellness. 39. Recovery is reclaiming core values, dreams and goals. 40. Recovery is practicing self-care. 41. Recovery is committing to self-love. 42. Recovery is aligning with principles that support thriving. 43. Recovery is acceptance. 44. Recovery is taking an honest inventory. 45. Recovery is making conscious choice and taking conscious action. 46. Recovery is paving my own path and learning from the experiences of others. 47. Recovery is claiming self-direction and getting to know the language of my inner compass/intuition. 48. Recovery is participating fully in life. 49. Recovery is acknowledging the spectrum of experience. 50. Recovery is taking responsibility for my experience and choosing again. 51. Recovery is returning to faith in the process even when fear comes 52. Recovery is more than a word. It is a lifestyle, a choice made again and again. 53. Recovery is a verb and a noun; an action and a thing. 54. Recovery is giving myself what I want from others. 55. Recovery is sharing with others what I want for myself. 56. Recovery is embracing my humanness and tending to the wounded places. 57. Recovery is letting substances go (goodbye, drugs and alcohol!). 58. Recovery is allowing clarity, joy, peace, freedom and fulfillment to come. 59. Recovery is trusting the process, even when I don’t have a clue how it’ll “all work out.” 60. Recovery is opening to the forces that are spinning this world ‘round. 61. Recovery is relaxing into the wonder. 62. Recovery is being the best friend I can be, to myself. 63. Recovery is treating myself with the honor, respect and affection. 64. Recovery is extending my love to those nearest and dearest to me. 65. Recovery is realigning with what fits with my life now, and doing it again and again and again. What does recovery look like in your life? Do you identify with any of these aspects of being? The more you know, the more you know… so let’s get to exploring, shall we? Share with me what comes and how a lifestyle of recovery is benefiting you. As always, I am here to support and cheer on. Loving the awake and aware life, Darcy This article is featured in Simply...Woman Magazine at http://www.simplywoman.com/darcy-lubow-defines-recovery-for-her-and-maybe-for-you/ “To be a success, I choose love often.” Yes, I'm going to talk about it. The S word: Success. The word and concept of success is excessive in western culture. Be better, do more, have this or that and you are a success. Does this message sound familiar? More likely than not, you are fed some pressure to succeed on an hourly basis. The vague term “success” leaves room for judgment and comparison, not to mention stress. Right? When I catch myself rushing to do or be something, striving and pushing, I practice pausing to question what it is I am trying to achieve. Does this thing or state of being even match what I desire? Or am I attempting to win someone else’s approval and formula for success? The pressure to succeed is real. I feel it and you probably do, too. Good news: this pressure to succeed is a gift in scary costume! The definition of success for someone else doesn’t have to fuel fear. In fact, it can be an invitation to explore our authentic desires and define what successful living means for us. Choosing to turn pressure into possibility is a key concept in the reinvention and recovery lifestyle. Choosing to love and claiming opportunities in all experience is the courageous act of living consciously. (These are items on my Successful living list!) Why do you do what you do? Is it in alignment with your definition of success? If you have any difficulty identifying what success is for you, scan your daily calendar. What do you spend your time doing that brings joy, peace, connection, inspiration or satisfaction? What do you dream of doing some day? What activities, rituals or relationships do you value and prioritize? (For more on the value of rituals, check out this WOW Post.) Looking at your days and dreams are a guide for discovering and defining what your version of success looks and feels like. Now give these a go: Success looks like _____________________________________________________. I will know I am succeeding when I ________________________________________. One definition of success that doesn’t fit for me is ____________________________. To live my definition of success more today, I will _____________________________. Perhaps by now you have uncovered some areas where you are striving for someone else’s success. Insight is powerful stuff! With awareness and a stellar support system, all choices can be empowered ones. You have everything you need to succeed because you define thriving for you. Where is success waiting to be acknowledged in your life? How is thriving ready to enter your world today? Here’s to your version of success! In the Flow, Darcy |
Darcy Helene MeehanAs an advocate of Reinvention + Recovery, I work with clients to achieve balance, alignment and purpose in all areas 
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