Journey of Life; Measure of Life

I received this affirmation today "Any attempt to measure one's progress in life with an assessment of their present physical surroundings, or even a panoramic glance at their life and times to date, is just plain "whacked." The reason being, Stephen, is that each journey, kind of like a haircut, should never be fully appraised until it's complete. Otherwise, one might mistaken a miracle-in-the-making for a setback, loss, or the "wet-look." The Universe" I love this idea because the snapshot of one's life at so many points never really takes into account the "why" or the "preparation" for the moment. Moreover, all the prepration is simply the part of the journey toward another growth or event.

Another Paradox

Before I had to surrender my life, I used to think that I had to make everything mine. I had to own my life, own my profession, own my city, own my cicles. I could never just be a part of something. I had to be that something. So, now, I am a part of a lot of different things and I become what I always wanted to be! For example, I needed to feel that I WAS somebody in Chicago - a huge city. I had to seek ways to dominate, to be, and to exert my influence. Now, I participate in my community. No ego. Now, I have become what I always wanted to be. Another paradox.

To Thine Own Self Be True

One of the hardest lessons that I am learning is "To Thine Own Self Be True". I have a disease to please and often make decisions to make others happy at my expense. I have paid dearly for this lesson and I wish I could say that it has been learned completely...

No Life of Quiet Desperation

Thoreau said that Most Men Lead Lives of Quiet Desperation. I vowed that it would not be me, but a few yrs ago, I realized that my life had become that. Not today! I was out running thinking of the day ahead and concerned about a few things. But I don't worry - when I live honestly and focus on love and service - no room for quiet desperation. So, off to do love and service! One Love!

Hope

The break of sunshine. I am hopeful today for no good reason. I love the feeling of having hope, of being happy, when my reality should make me feel otherwise. I know I am growing spiritually when I can resist despair in the face of "nothing good to look forward to" today. Must be GOD is up to something...

Past, Present, Future

We are told that we will not regret the past, nor ish to shut the door on it. Still, we will undoubtedly have things in our past that we may be very embarassed about or have a great deal of shame. We do not realize sometimes that each day we are creating our past. Today we have an opportunity to live well, to live with grace and honor, to live nobly and to live in love. When we do that today, we have very good yesterdays. So, it is true that no matter what our past, we have a spotless future. How will I embrace my day becomes my choice and how I want to see yesterday tomorrow.

We Need Time to Recharge

There are days when I feel drained of my hope, my energy and my strength. My body and my spirit tell me to slow down and recharge. This is critical. We must recharge or we die out, just like the battery.

I Cannot Control the Direction of the Wind

I cannot control the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails. This simple analogy to life is very clear to most, but what amazes me is how difficult the lessons I learn on the water are so difficult to translate into situations on land. I know what to do at sea, but I still find it difficult to adjust my sails (plans/energies) to meet changing winds (life circumstances) off the water. I also still try to control the direction of the wind on land and I usually drown in a metaphorical sense.

True Faith

Having true faith is the most difficult thing in the world. Many will try to take it from you. I get it from you, from answered prayers, from a run or a journey that I have no idea how it will end, but I JUST KEEEEPPPP GOOOIINGGGG!

I am here for a hug any time!!

We have so many tools, such as faith, prayer, friends, fellowship, information and acts, to bring us through anything, but it is good to remember that the most important things we do are the most difficult!! We can never, ever, ever give up! ...and I am here for a hug any time!

Handling Rough Seas and Rough Times

This slogan always reminds me that things are supposed to get more difficult. We did not expect a free ride in school as we progressed from grade to grade, from elementary school to junior high school and then from high school to college. We did not expect that once we got through with college that graduate school would be easier. Why do assume that life will get easier as we progress in age and experience? We are never promised that life would get eaiser, only that we would be able to handle life better. We are never promised that it would be easy; only that it would be worth it!

I try to keep track of all the people that I make smile every day. After all, many people make me smile. It started at 5:30 with the guy that asked to wash my car windshield for $2.50. Hell, yes. Hard work out iwth Ramel. Prayers for a tough day ahead. "Prayer means that no one can ever say there is nothing I can do." Have a great day all!! Smile!!

Prayer Power

I know that all of the prayers that I have needed answered, have been answered.

I believe in the PUSH = Pray Until Something Happens philisophy works!

Prayer means that no one can ever say there is nothing we can do.

"All of the contradictions, questions, and objections surrounding prayer are God's problems - not mine-because prayer is God's idea; God has commended us to pray." Unknown

Purpose Smile Gratitude Accomplishment

Each day I put in my journal a space for 1) my purpose for the day, 2) who I make smile, 3) what I am grateful for, and 4) what I have accomplished that day. In addition to those things, I try to do the 5 things that will guaranty my sobriety: 1) Pray in the morning for help, 2) talk to another alcoholic/addict, 3) go the a meeting, 4) read something in the Big Book and 5) say a prayer of gratitude at night.

Delayed Gratification

The chief case of failure and unhappiness is trading what we want most for what we want now. There is value in waiting. There is value in planning and in working for something. Today I am working for what I REALLY, REALLY want instead of what I want right now.

I love the first day of anything.

The first day of October. I love the first day of anything, first day of the week, month or year...at that moment, it is all hope...anything is possible and only my imagination limits me. New friends, new experiences, new thoughts, new feelings...who knows what miracles await!!!!