100 Pedals

Real solutions for the parents of addicted children

Cycling for Recovery - April 2016 Event

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“Dave, I admire what you are doing-not only to raise awareness, but to be open and vulnerable, with amazing perspective. Good for you and keep on…” - CF, Scottsdale

“This was a great event and bike ride. I didn’t know what to expect; but, I this was great. I love what you are doing.” - SG, Carefree

100Pedals celebrated its first Cycling for Recovery Bike Ride and Addiction Awareness event on Saturday, April 16. It was an exciting event that featured over forty cyclists who took to the roads for a 34 or 63 mile ride. They returned from the ride to a band, food truck, and an assortment of speakers and sponsors eager to share their stories and their passion around the issues of substance abuse and addiction in our communities. Participating in this event were Parents of Addicted Loved Ones (PAL), Addiction Haven, Sonoran Prevention Works, Young People in Recovery, and Austin’s Journey.

While this was the first event of this kind for 100Pedals, this was just the beginning of what is going to be a monumental summer. This event was a preliminary kickoff for the 2016 Cycling for Recovery cross country bike ride. This Cycling for Recovery ride is a 3600 mile, 63 day bike trip from Santa Monica, CA to New York, NY with a mission to bring addiction awareness and education to communities across the country while reaching out to support those families who are suffering with the addiction of a loved one.

To learn more about this bike ride, which begins on Sunday, July 31, go to http://CyclingforRecovery.com.

 

Why are you looking for an easier path?

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One of the sayings that came to me on my one hundred day cycling challenge was, “The practical road may not be the easiest path; but, wise is the person with the courage to take it.” I remember thinking to myself that accepting a personal challenge to ride my bike for one hundred consecutive days was a little over the top. Crazy or not, I knew how and why I came into that call to action and was willing to accept it because of that.

How many times have you looked at the struggle you are in, examined the options before and exclaim “there’s got to be an easier way!” More time than not the road to accomplishment is not an easy one. If you are looking for an smoother path you probably need to look inside yourself to decide how serious you are about changing what is going on around you.

I can promise you, change is not easy or simple; the path can be treacherous and confusing at times, and there are no shortcuts. The good news is there’s a biblical promise that guarantees guidance for you on this journey

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3: 5-6 NKJV)

This is one of my foundational scripture verses. Whenever I found myself in a place of conflict, doubt, or pain, and looking for a way out of my conflict, I am reminded to trust in God and keep moving forward. Whenever I have fearlessly put this verse to work in my life, I have always discovered unimaginable outcomes.

The road you are on right now may be difficult. It may seem there is no end in sight. Trust in the Lord. Don’t be deceived by what you think you see or know. Don’t let your fears or doubts interrupt your progress or your commitment. God sees a much bigger picture and possesses the greater power. He knows what he is doing.

Go forward in faith and keep talking with God. He will guide you through the storm in ways you can even fathom. The scripture does not say it will be easy; however, I can declare it will be worth it!

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Are you trapped on the emotional rollercoaster of addiction? Has the addiction of a loved one disrupted and taken over your life. Dave Cooke can help. He’s an internationally recognized speaker who has made it his commitment to minister to parents struggling with addiction in their families. His powerfully insightful, faith based approach to the challenges of addiction have inspired and educated thousands across the country.

Contact Dave today to book him to speak at your church, parent’s group, business organization, or neighborhood association. Go to http://www.100pedals.com/speaker-dave-cooke/ for more information or email [email protected].

Did you know Dave is riding his bicycle across the country this summer? Cycling for Recovery is a 3600 mile, nine-week trip from LA to NY. He could be passing through your town. He would love to have the opportunity to speak at your organization, church, or bike shop. To learn more about the schedule and route go to http://cyclingforrecovery.com.

Are you on Dave’s email list? If you’d like to receive his monthly newsletter for the parents of addicted children and weekly blog post notifications, complete your request here.

Instead of Conforming, Change your Mind

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“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
(Romans 12:2, NKJV)

One of the fundamental truths about my addiction journey is that nothing really changed until I did. As much I wanted and fought for my son to embrace recovery, nothing really changed in his life until he decided it was time. Despite his unwillingness to make a recovery decision in a timely manner, I knew I needed to make some changes in my life, regardless.

The motivation for the change wasn’t that I needed to find a new approach for helping my son find or embrace his recovery; rather, the motivation for change was when I realized how my life had become destroyed by my obsession with his addiction. In that moment of clarity, I began to focus less on trying to save my son from his addiction and more on facilitating my release from it.

This scripture verse provides great direction for transformational change. The first step is to not let the issues of the world suck you into the chaos. Nothing interrupts progress more than returning to the place you are trying to get away from. In this case, “conforming” is allowing the presence of addiction to control your life in such a way that you compromise your rules, adjust your definitions of responsibility and accountability, redefine your boundaries, and accommodate behaviors you would never have tolerated before. When you compromise your values and rules for responsibility and relationship, you are conforming to the world of addiction.

Not conforming and maintaining structure is a struggle for many parents and loved ones of those with addictions. In your quest to save or rescue, you alter, adjust, and compromise many of your rules and guidelines. In your mission to find any means necessary to help your loved one find or embrace their recovery you are completely willing to disrupt the existing structure and function in your life.

Removing or detaching from this pull of addiction requires a transformational renewing of the mind, body, and spirit. It means turning away from your fears of the unknown and learning to embrace the truths that come with your belief in Jesus Christ. It means allowing your mind to accept and receive information that doesn’t feed your fears, but encourages you to move closer to God where you can find comfort in his love and in his plan for your life and for the life of your loved one.

The renewing of mind, body and spirit is not simply a series of steps or activities easily or systematically followed. It is embracing in a process where you learn to trust God at every turn. It is having the presence to understand that as chaotic and confusing the situation may be, there is a divine plan at work. Remember, God has plan. He is working his plan. He doesn’t need your help; but, He requires your trust.

Instead of getting caught up in the worldly battle of the addiction in your life, focus on transforming your mind by renewing your faith and trust in God. Look to Him for His love, His comfort, and His peace. Look to Him for direction and guidance in your life. And give Him thanks for His wonderful plan for all the people in your life and trust Him enough to get out of His and your way. It will change your life and you may subsequently have greater influence on those around you, as well.

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Are you trapped on the emotional rollercoaster of addiction? Has the addiction of a loved one disrupted and taken over your life. Dave Cooke can help. He’s an internationally recognized speaker who has made it his commitment to minister to parents struggling with addiction in their families. His powerfully insightful, faith based approach to the challenges of addiction have inspired and educated thousands across the country.

Contact Dave today to book him to speak at your church, parent’s group, business organization, or neighborhood association. Go to http://www.100pedals.com/speaker-dave-cooke/ for more information or email [email protected].

Did you know Dave is riding his bicycle across the country this summer? Cycling for Recovery is a 3600 mile, nine-week trip from LA to NY. He could be passing through your town. He would love to have the opportunity to speak at your organization, church, or bike shop. To learn more about the schedule and route go to http://cyclingforrecovery.com.

Are you on Dave’s email list? If you’d like to receive his monthly newsletter for the parents of addicted children and weekly blog post notifications, complete your request here.

 

Looking for Volunteers!

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On July 31, 2016, Dave Cooke and 100Pedals will officially kick-off the Cycling for Recovery Ride in Santa Monica, CA. This ride is a nine-week, 3600 mile cross country cycling trip from Santa Monica to New York City.

The mission behind this ride is to bring awareness to the issue of substance abuse and addiction in our communities while providing support and encouragement to those who dealing with addiction in their lives. Learn more here.

This is a cycling trip I cannot complete alone.

I am looking for people interested in riding along in a support vehicle just in case I need help, assistance, and encouragement! The responsibilities for those in the support vehicle are quite simple:

  • Be there in case of mechanical or physical issues
  • Provide social media updates real-time as we travel across the country
  • Digitally capture the experiences, i.e. conversations and events along the way
  • Take the lead in interacting with local event coordinators at presentation stops along the way

Since each of you has a full-time job, or at least a significant enough of a commitment at home, it would be impossible to expect you would be able to take nine weeks off and travel the country with me.

Have you considered taking a week out of your busy schedule and join me for part of the adventure?

Here is what you need to know:

  • You are responsible for travel arrangements and costs to and from the start and stop leg you volunteer for
  • You will be fed and provided a place to sleep -we will be camping mostly or staying in hotels
  • You will be appreciated and loved more than you will know

Please go to the volunteer page and look at the Cycling for Recovery Volunteer calendar - http://100Pedals.com/volunteers-needed. If there is a slot that looks inviting to you, please contact me. I would love to have you participate in this incredible mission.

Recovery, it’s personal

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Lately I have been reading a great deal of social media interaction about what defines recovery from addiction. It appears that there are a lot of passionate opinions about a very personal process. As an individual in his own recovery from my issues with alcohol and the parent of a child dealing with a heroin addiction, I have participated in this issue from both sides.

Recovery, the outcome, the result, and the process are really a matter of personal choice. It cannot be governed by someone else’s defined rules. There are programs, methodologies, and processes with extensive historical and popularized successes. There are also innovative approaches and philosophies that appear controversial, risky or complicated. Each of the aforementioned programs can and do lay claim to extensive and demonstrated successes and accomplishments. They all work and they all don’t work.

If there was a one-size fits all methodology, this conversation would be moot. Truth is recovery is not an exact science and there are multiple roads to success and accomplishment; including how someone defines their recovery.

Recovery is a complex, maddening and confusing process. It is filled with starts and stops, successes and failures, including many trials and errors. Some people’s definition of recovery is to be completely substance free; while others are seeking to define recovery as finally breaking free of their drug of choice. It is complicated. It is also very personal.

Who am I to tell someone else what their recovery should be or how they must define it? I know what works for me and that is what I embrace. If someone wishes to know what I believe works best, I will be happy to share the experiences and joy in my process and approach. That is as far as I will go. I am not willing to define, judge, or critique someone else’s definition of recovery, or the process used to get there. That part is personal.

I would, however, encourage every person who is battling an addiction, including loved ones who are battling the issues of co-dependency or enabling, to take time to define what your life in recovery looks like. Before tackling any program, have a clear vision of what you want your recovered life to look like. Work on that vision to the point where you can articulate an image of being in that place and what is present and what is absent from your life. In that place of vision and clarity you will be in a more empowered place to define your recovery program and what the process needs to be.

Recovery is personal. How you get to the desired outcome for your life is up to you. You can’t know what path to take without a strong sense of what the finish line looks like. Make a commitment to the life you desire. Make a commitment to the program that you believe best drives you to that outcome.

Whatever program or outcome you embrace, the real work and the process is yours to take on. It’s your life, your program, and your responsibility. Make a commitment to the outcome. Never give up on the mission, the vision, the objective. It is that focused commitment to the outcome drives you to accomplishment, not the program you choose or someone else’s definition of recovery. Remember, recovery is personal and it’s your program. Get busy!

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Is your child addicted to drugs or alcohol? Are you trapped on the emotional roller coaster of addiction? Dave Cooke is an internationally recognized speaker who has made it his commitment to minister to parents struggling with addiction in their families. His powerfully insightful, faith based approach to the challenges of addiction have inspired and educated thousands across the country.

Contact Dave today to book him to speak at your church, parent’s group, business organization, or neighborhood association. Go to http://www.100pedals.com/speaker-dave-cooke/ for more information or email [email protected].

Dave is riding his bicycle across the country in the Summer of 2016. The mission of this trip is to bring healing to families suffering from the addiction of a loved while moving the addiction conversation out into the open where it belongs. Dave may be coming through your city and would love to speak at your local group. To learn more about this bicycling mission and discover how you can connect with Dave on this trip go to http://empowermentride.com

Are you on Dave’s email list? If you’d like to receive his monthly newsletter for the parents of addicted children and weekly blog post notifications, complete your request here.

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