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How to Withstand Fear in Predictable Uncertainty

How to Withstand Fear in Predictable Uncertainty

Due to COVID-19, we are in unprecedented territory as a global community. The fear of this new reality is very real. It can be described as Predictable Uncertainty.  We are most fearful when we don’t know what’s coming next. Our body is hardwired to move into a sympathetic response in our nervous system causing us to fight, flight, or freeze in unknown terror.   It’s understandable. The threat is real and we should be taking this seriously. But there is one...

What to Say When You’re Not Drinking

What to Say When You’re Not Drinking

A question all sober curious drinkers dread is, “why aren’t you drinking”?  The silent gulp in the throat, the spinning thoughts for a convincing response, and the deep insecurity of exposing oneself is enough reason to say screw it and give in.  The societal pressure, overall acceptance, and expectation of drinking alcohol can be overwhelming to those trying to moderate or abstain. Wherever you go, there it is.  As a former drinker myself, I experienced comments such as: I bet...

Can Cold Showers Improve Your Health?

Can Cold Showers Improve Your Health?

When I first quit drinking, a friend suggested a book, The Miracle Morning, by Hal Elrod. This book was a game-changer and the stepping stone into the deep dive of my self-development rituals. In the book, Hal shares the benefits of a morning routine that includes: prayer/meditation, journaling, saying affirmations, visualizing, exercise, and reading.  Hal also has a podcast that I listen to regularly called Achieve Your Goals. About a year ago, episode #270, Hal had on a guest named...

 

Hi! I’m Kari Schwear, Founder of GrayTonic, and the Question the Drink movement.

I am a perpetual life-learner, a 7x career-path conqueror, speaker, writer, coach, and entrepreneur. I am also a former gray area drinker that struggled with understanding the why and how I got there.

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  • “Am I an alcoholic”?⠀ ⠀ I remember asking this question multiple times (to myself, of course). ⠀ ⠀ I mean there was no way I could have a problem! ⠀ ⠀ I appeared SO normal! ⠀ So together! ⠀ And I wasn’t living under a bridge 😳. ⠀ ⠀ I drank like others in my circle. I had NO rock bottom. ⠀ ⠀ But the reality hit me one day. ⠀ ⠀ Never once did I believe I’d be a problematic drinker. I don’t identify as being an alcoholic but instead a gray area drinker. ⠀ ⠀ Maybe that’s you too. ⠀ ⠀ It’s the space between a “take it or leave it” type drinker and someone who is severely abusing alcohol. ⠀ ⠀ You don’t have to “look” a certain way to have a problem. You can look just fine. ⠀ ⠀ But...⠀ ⠀ You know. ⠀ ⠀ You know if you’re drinking too much. Your inner voice never lies. ⠀ ⠀ It’s okay - I understand. Nobody wants to claim that label. NOT - ONE - PERSON. ⠀ ⠀ You don’t have to claim any label but you do have to make a choice and a decision. The question is, what will you do?
  • You may not be able to do your normal routine but what an opportunity to discover something new to try that maybe you hadn’t thought of previously. ⠀ ⠀ Get outside, enjoy the fresh air and be thankful for what YOU DO HAVE. ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ #gratitude #creative #activity #opportunity #noexcuses #funtimes #newreality #sobriety
  • I know it seems bleak right now, but the moment you woke up in the morning, you have a choice. Choose to have gratitude and positive, or let your mind take over and decide for you. Choose wisely.
  • Most people wait until they are FORCED into changing their relationship with alcohol. ⠀ ⠀ They risk the DUI/DWI, they wait until they lose a job, or wait until they ruin a relationship, or hitting rock bottom. ⠀ ⠀ For many, especially right now, we are in times of desperation but when you make decisions from a powerful place of inspiration, it makes a larger impact. ⠀ ⠀ It’s more important NOW than ever to pay attention to why you’re drinking. ⠀ ⠀ Is it out of boredom? ⠀ ⠀ Frustration? ⠀ ⠀ Worriment over your future? ⠀ ⠀ Don’t wait until you’re in a situation or desperation. Let this post be your INSPIRATION. 💪⠀ ⠀ Schedule a free call today. Link in bio. ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀
  • If you’re secretly questioning your relationship with alcohol, this video is for you. #grayareadrinking #grayareadrinker #sobercurious #lifecoach #speaker #alcoholeducation #alcoholawareness #coronavirus #addiction #depression #bored #winelife
  • It may be hard to see in tough times, but rest assured; life happens for you, NOT to you. ⠀ ⠀ What you put out is what comes back. ⠀ ⠀ The energy you create is the energy that returns. ⠀ ⠀ If you complain and think negatively, you will get more of the same. 😳⠀ ⠀ But what if.....⠀ ⠀ What if you decide to be POSITIVE and GRATEFUL, deciding on the things you DO want versus focusing on the negative? ⠀ ⠀ You will get MORE of THAT!! 👏👏👏⠀ ⠀ Let this be a gentle reminder that how bad it may seem, you have much to be thankful for, no matter what the circumstances appear to be at this time. ⠀ ⠀ It won’t last forever so you have a choice to make; be pitiful OR powerful. You cannot be both. It’s one or the other. ⠀ ⠀ Decide what you DO want. ⠀ ⠀ ⠀
  • I get it. The boredom is already setting in and you’re finding yourself wanting to drink away the worries of the world. ⠀ ⠀ But wait! ✋ ⠀ ⠀ Alcohol is a depressant. It will only make things worse, not better or easier to deal with. We are in changing times and the key to getting through it is by staying grateful. ⠀ ⠀ I talk a lot about being in gratitude for a reason. ⠀ ⠀ We cannot be in a powerful state of being UNLESS we have deep rooted thanksgiving for our blessings. If you’re reading this right now, you are beyond blessed. 🙌⠀ ⠀ I know these times are difficult and we are in the very beginning of what’s to come, but please, remind yourself daily of what life is meant to be. It doesn’t have to be doom and gloom. It can be full of deep joy, peace and freedom of the crutches we hold on to. ⠀ ⠀ This is an opportunity to reconnect with yourself and loves ones. It’s a time to focus on what is most important. ⠀ ⠀ If you would like support during this time, reach out to me. I have enough gratitude to share with you. The question is will you take it?
  • If I had just one wish, it would be to help others see the gift behind this epidemic. When we are faced with adversity, it’s a opportunity to learn about ourselves and grow. I believe this is a time of a global awakening. I believe it’s an opportunity to get deep with ourselves. It’s time to stop hiding behind the BS and see what we’re really made of. This isn’t the first time in history we’ve seen this. Some will perish, yes. Many will get sick. But those that see the beauty and gift in this changing world will THRIVE and be better than they could ever imagine. 🙏Please don’t focus on scarcity or fear. It will only make things worse. Hold on to gratitude. It’s in the important things like family, time, presence, small details and the truth. 🙌 Have faith and smile often. We’ll get through this, but only if we are willing to focus on the gifts. Life is always working FOR you, NOT to you.
  • What feels better; fear or trust?⠀ ⠀ When our mind goes to fear, we IMMEDIATELY move into a primal state. Our brain goes to flight or fight response to protect ourselves. ⠀ ⠀ This world is living in complete fear at the moment. 😳⠀ ⠀ Should we be concerned? ⠀ ⠀ YES! ⠀ ⠀ Should we panic, freak out and raid the stores Ike we’ll never eat again?? ⠀ ⠀ NO. ⠀ ⠀ Friend, here’s some truth...⠀ ⠀ We have only TWO states of being. A powerful beautiful state or a primal suffering state. When we live in fear, we immediately move into primal. ⠀ ⠀ We CANNOT afford to be in this state right now, more than ever. We need to be in gratitude that we are being take care of by our creator, the Universe, God. ⠀ ⠀ Stop and breathe, friends. The more we stay in a powerful state, the faster we can move past this crazy unnecessary fear. What are we so afraid of? I will tell you...the unknown. ⠀ ⠀ What makes the unknown worse today verses a few months ago? You could get sick, die, get into an accident ANYTIME. What makes this so fearful?? Think about it. ⠀ ⠀ Life is ALWAYS working for you. Trust. 🙏⠀ Be in gratitude, remain powerful and let go of needing the control. ⠀ ⠀ The photo attached was taken March 15, 2020 at the Powerful Living Experience in Orlando with 900 people. We celebrated our commitment to serve and help others remain powerful. We prayed for our world and for all those suffering via a candle ceremony. ⠀ ⠀ We have decided to remain in a powerful and grateful state. I hope you will as well. ⠀ ⠀

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