The Phoenix Spirit

26/08/2026

Social phobias are like overactive smoke detectors—they warn us when we really don’t need warning.

Hey, I’m just a regular guy. Well, almost. Sure, everybody sees me as this nice guy—which I am—but what they don’t see is that I’m scared to death of socializing. It’s a dirty little secret

15/08/2026

Many of us idealize achievers and winners because we want to be like them, but we’re oblivious to the self-imposed suffering that their perfectionism can cause.

“If I had to live my life again, I’d make all the same mistakes—only sooner.”  —Tallulah Bankhead “What shows isn’t always what counts.”  —Anonymous Endlessly obsessing about our appearances and knowing the right people. Spending excessive amounts

01/08/2026

The reason we're disenchanted is that we haven't learned to be pleased when things don't go our way.

I used to think I was the best judge of what would make me happy. That changed one auspicious day. All at once, my trusted car of 20 years died on an old country road,

20/07/2026

It was at that moment, when I made that choice, that’s when good things started to happen because I truly stayed committed to that choice.
https://thephoenixspirit.com/2026/07/from-trials-to-triumphs-sobriety-spurs-local-artists-success/

20/07/2026

I reviewed the connection between these events: when my dog died, how gardening helped me during COVID-19, and finalizing the end (legally) of a destructive relationship. They all had one thing in common: Trauma.
https://thephoenixspirit.com/2026/07/the-power-of-poetry-writing-your-way-out-of-trauma/

12/07/2026

How real food rebuilds the brain in recovery

What often becomes the last priority when you are in the middle of addiction and recovery? Food. So much else is front and center that eating well slips to the bottom of the list. As

12/07/2026

Ask the Expert: Therapist Kimberly Luebke about maintaining relationships when addiction is involved.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what led you to specialize in substance use and relationship counseling? Hello! My name is Kimberly Luebke. I am a licensed alcohol and drug counselor and the

08/07/2026

For many people leaving jail, prison, or a detention center, the transition back into the community can be one of the most vulnerable times in their lives. Access to mental health care, substance use treatment, medication, housing support, and other services can make the difference between stability and crisis. Minnesota Department of Human Services

For many people leaving jail, prison, or a detention center, the transition back into the community can be one of the most vulnerable times in their lives. Access to mental health care, substance use treatment,

08/07/2026

Not only do we hide stories, but we also create stories to try to make sense of the world.

The most powerful stories may be the ones we tell ourselves. But beware—they're usually fiction. Brené Brown  I recently read Family of Spies by Christine Kuehn. It is a powerful real-life mystery of a seemingly normal American family. The

11/06/2026

Searching for meaning and purpose strikes me as being at the very heart of a person’s spirituality.

"Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these Steps" — these are the opening words of Step 12 of the 12 Steps. The creators of the Steps believed that working the previous eleven