100 Pedals

Drug Addiction: Advocacy, Inspiration, Education, and Change

# It is time for a New Beginning

April 6, 2025 by Dave Cooke Leave a Comment

> “Though no one can go back and make a brand new start, anyone can start from now and make a brand new ending.” ~ Carl Bard

This past Easter weekend was a reminder about resurrection and new beginnings.

A transformed life begins when you look past the present and forward into the future. There is nothing you can do to alter your past and there is almost nothing you cannot do in your future. The only person who can get in your way on your transformational journey is you.

Over the years, I have written several articles about change and transformation. Every one of these articles features many of these same, repeating themes:

- Change only occurs when you move forward and away from that which hurts you.
- The path to change can only be discovered when you detach from the chaos and respond to the issue not react to it.
- Requires an honest and resolute commitment that the present is unacceptable and a change is necessary.
- Accepting responsibility and acknowledging that only you can change your life.
- Change is only occurs through persistence and focus, it is not easy.

As a parent of a child with an addiction, I am often reminded of these rules as I witness the struggles my son goes through to change his life. Addiction recovery is one of the most challenging and difficult transformational journeys. My experiences with my son’s addiction only serve to re-enforce my belief that you have all the power you need to change your life, provided you are willing to do the work for you.

Today’s quote is particularly inspiring because it empowers and encourages you to focus at what really matters - today. History often prevents you from accomplishing a much in the future. Having experienced the pain or frustration of failure to create the change in your life before often makes you less likely, willing or confident to explore any similar path again.

This is too bad. Some of your greatest lessons are your biggest failures. Instead of looking at a mission as failure, look at it as an education. Ask yourself “what did I learn and what can I do differently next time?” Instead of fearing failure on your next mission, you are more prepared to succeed because of the lessons gained on your transformational journey.

Think about it. Would it be better to apply the lessons from your past to embrace and seek out the possibility for a better future and commit to move forward; or, resign yourself to your present reality as unchangeable and stop?

There are no simple, easy, or guarantee escapes from that which troubles you. You have two choices - commit to find a path of change and focus your efforts in that direction or stay put on the one you know keeps you unfulfilled. Only one of those paths reflects a new beginning.

Isn’t it time for a resurrection, a new beginning, in your life? May you discover and embrace the path that takes you where you wish to be. Peace!

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Do you feel like you are stuck in an awful, difficult spot in your life? Does the pain, fear, doubt, worry seem bigger and stronger than you? I have been in that place. There was a time when I didn’t see how I could possibly change my life, especially when my son was struggling with his addiction. Fortunately, I put myself on a path that completely changed my life. It is now popularly referred to as the 100Day Challenge. I am kicking off a 100Day Challenge program for parents like you who are stuck, broken, hurting. If you would like to learn more about this program, please contact me.

Filed Under: featured, Make A Commitment, Managing Adversity, Parenting, Parenting & Addiction, Uncategorized Tagged With: change, dealing with adversity, drug abuse, drug addiction, embracing the journey, inspiration, parenting, recovery, transformational journies, trusting the journey

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