I have a theory about Life: my theory is we are all born as donuts. Our purpose in life is to find our donut hole. The space of the donut hole is symbolic of our own personal and unique life purpose...in other words, our Calling. When we find this purpose and live it, we feel whole and complete.

There are, however, the deceptive dynamics of addiction as well that can fill the donut hole. There are the more obvious addictive behaviors such as alcohol and drugs, and there are also the more subtle (and often socially encouraged) addictions such as compulsive spending, relationships, work, sex, food and exercise.

At first glance these addictive activities do not seem to be addictive at all. In fact, they often seem to be quite fulfilling and enjoyable. However, addiction always grows bigger and bigger, and begins to eat away at the "donut"...your life! And if it continues to go on untreated, in the end there nothing but a huge donut hole left...leaving us with total loss and despair.

However, there is hope. The first step is to be aware, and then you can set-up an "anti-addiction self intervention" program. The three steps that are necessary for such a program are to uncover, recover, and discover:

Uncover - Addiction is like ugly, creepy mold that grows and festers in the dark. However, its power is diminished when it is brought into "the light". Create a powerful support network for yourself that you can check-in with on a regular basis. Ask them to help you stay accountable with any addictive tendencies. Always uncover those dynamics that the addictive force wants to deny and minimize. In other words, commit to "tell on yourself" on a regular basis.

Recover - Reclaim what has been lost or displaced. Define, or re-define, your values, your purpose, your vision, and your goals. Get clear about the boundaries you need to create to keep away from addictive triggers. Know your addiction early-warning signs and indicators.

Discover - Design and live your life from the present to the future. Create an exciting life plan that stretches you into new, unknown territory. Discover the "Land of Possibility"; those totally new, exciting and different people, places, and activities. Create an extensive list of "top-line" indicators; those positive influences that are furthest away from addictive energy.

Okay, there you have it: Donuts, Addiction, and The Meaning of Life. Let me know what you think.