El Rancho De La Vida

05/27/2026

Dr. Nicole Labor, Addiction Assassin

05/26/2026

NA Just for Today

May 26, 2026

The Power in the group

"Our understanding of a Higher Power is up to us...We can call it the group, the program, or we can call it God."

Basic Text, p. 24

Many of us have a hard time with the idea of a Higher Power until we fully accept the depth of our own powerlessness over addiction. Once we do, most of us are at least willing to consider seeking the help of some Power greater than our disease. The first practical exposure many of us have to that kind of Power is in the NA group. Perhaps that's where we should start in developing our own understanding of God.

One evidence of the Power in the group is the unconditional love shown when NA members help one another without expectation of reward. The group's collective experience in recovery is itself a Power greater than our own, for the group has practical knowledge of what works and what doesn't. And the fact that addicts keep coming to NA meetings, day after day, is a demonstration of the presence of a Higher Power, some attractive, caring force at work that helps addicts stay clean and grow.

All these things are evidence of a Power that can be found in NA groups. When we look around with an open mind, each of us will be able to identify other signs of that Power. It doesn't matter if we call it God, a Higher Power, or anything else--just as long as we find a way to incorporate that Power into our daily lives.

Just for Today: I will open my eyes and my mind to signs of a Power that exists in my NA group. I will call upon that Power to help me stay clean.

05/25/2026

From all of us at El Rancho De La Vida - Happy Memorial Day to all

05/25/2026

NA Just for Today

May 25, 2026

"Good" and "bad" feelings

"A lot happens in one day, both negative and positive. If we do not take time to appreciate both, perhaps we will miss something that will help us grow."

IP No. 8, "Just for Today"

Most of us seem to unconsciously judge what happens in our lives each day as good or bad, success or failure. We tend to feel happy about the "good" and angry, frustrated, or guilty about the "bad." Good and bad feelings, though, often have little to do with what's truly good or bad for us. We may learn more from our failures than our successes, especially if failure has come from taking a risk.

Attaching value judgments to our emotional reactions ties us to our old ways of thinking. We can change the way we think about the incidents of everyday life, viewing them as opportunities for growth, not as good or bad. We can search for lessons rather than assigning value. When we do this, we learn something from each day. Our daily Tenth Step is an excellent tool for evaluating the day's events and learning from both success and failure.

Just for Today: I am offered an opportunity to apply the principles of recovery so that I will learn and grow. When I learn from life's events, I succeed.

05/23/2026

05/23/2026

Thank you Carol B. For our van transportation and pics - And thank you to Whispering Woods Stables for your continued good work with our residents El Rancho De La Vida and Shiller Ranch Recovery Residence and our El Rancho de la Vida Alumni- I snuck in a pic of our kitty-

05/22/2026

Come to Maine .......Dr. Nicole Labor, Addiction Assassin

Thanks ChatGPT, I feel SEEN. 😂😂😂

05/16/2026

Thank you to MARR and all that attended and thank you to Nicholas!

🎬 Friend Sponsor Alert! 🎬

A huge thank you to El Rancho De La Vida for supporting the New England REEL Recovery Film Festival and recovery housing efforts!

El Rancho De La Vida is a nonprofit dedicated to helping individuals with substance use disorder through whole-person, compassionate care. Their mission closely aligns with our work to expand safe, supportive recovery opportunities.

Thank you for standing with us💙