R | NEWS + VIEWS FEBRVARY 202% 77 Self-Care & Personal Growth 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of SMART Recovery. Three decades of self-empowered mutual support groups created by individuals with both lived experience and professional training. We've grown and developed over the years into a worldwide movement of science-based and stigma-free mutual support groups that provide practical tools and information about living a balanced life beyond addiction. We plan on marking this milestone at our upcoming conference in Salt Lake City in April, and we've just released the agenda for review (see below). We have a great line up of speakers and presentations, but will make sure there is time for networking and celebrating as well. Make your plans now to attend! In the meantime, enjoy this month's featured podcast about avoiding compassion fatigue and two personal stories of growth in recovery. PODCAST Holding Hope For Your Wellness Compassion fatigue is real, and Shawn Fisk knows all about it. He is a therapist and educator who works for CAPSA, and organization that offers courses and training about how to stay well as you are helping others. In this podcast Shawn explains compassion fatigue, what substance use health means, the danger of expectations, stigma, and more. He also shares some of his personal story and belief in the possibilities of strong connections with others in mutually supportive relationships.   Listen Now BLOG Enlightening, Not Tragic The lack of a certain sound led to Louis Leake’s neck being snapped and him being paralyzed for six months. It was 1997 and he was the jumpmaster for a nighttime training session for the 82nd Airborne Division, the U.S. Army infantry division that specializes in parachute assault operations. The sound he was supposed to hear was his rucksack hitting the ground in the dark, giving him enough warning about an imminent landing. But he never heard it, so he hit the ground unprepared, and the impact was devastating... READ MORE BLOG Reflection: Sharing Your Light As I look back, Black History Month was not a big thing for me growing up, even though I was biracial. In my elementary school we would learn the usual things about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks and do a few crafts and activities and that was it. Once the month ended, it was on to the next thing. My day to day reality, though, was informed by my mother being Black and my father being white. They were high school sweethearts, and had me shortly after they graduated and married at the end of the 80’s. My mother did her best to expose me to Black culture and keep us connected and close to family, but also acknowledged that I wasn’t only Black. I give her credit for never making me feel like I had to “choose a side...” READ MORE The 30th anniversary conference agenda is now ready for review! Join us for two full days of networking, thought-provoking presentations, and more as we create new energy to support everyone pursuing a balanced life beyond an addictive behavior.  Review the agenda and register SMART Recovery Merchandise Don’t forget that we've launched a line of apparel & merchandise in our shop that is available to order anytime you'd like! Show your SMART spirit with shirts, hats, coffee mugs, backpacks, laptop sleeves, and more! Shop Now SHOP NOW Stay Connected SUBSCRIBE/FOLLOW Social Media Platforms youtube facebook linkedin instagram Donate to SMART SMART Recovery is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. 7304 Mentor Avenue, Suite F, Mentor, OH 44060, United States You may or change your contact details at any time. Powered by: 7 GetResponse