Be Unafraid

I can do anything for just one day. I never thought I could until I tried. So, just for today, let us be unafraid of life, unafraid of death which is the shadow of life; unafraid to be happy, to enjoy the beautiful, to believe the best.  Just for today let us love one day only, forgetting yesterday and tomorrow, and not trying to solve the whole problem of life at once.

Am I Giving or Taking?

When I was young, all questions were made in terms of whether I was a giver or a taker. I always tried to be a giver and I always wanted to do right; but I did not. In the course of my addiction, I lost all sense of right from wrong and became self-centered and self-seeking. I was the epitome of a taker. Today, I try to remember my motives. I also try again to be a giver, rather than a taker.

I remember that I can either help destroy the planet or help to heal it. Every day, I have to choose to send loving, healing energy to the planet and to let this intention guide my actions. Today, I need to focus on what I am doing to make a positive impact on the planet. What I do with my mind and my body does make a difference...

Our worst fear is our best friend...our key to freedom

I have a good friend, Rajesh, and he has no legs and only one full size arm. He runs marathons and does triathlons. He lets no limitation stop him. I used to do only the things that I was good at, immediately adept at, and I would avoid things that would give me the possibility of losing. I am a lawyer who avoided court litigation because I did not want to lose. My fears were my guide. However, I would do terribly dangerous things that were objectively very difficult, but I was not afraid. So, I had limited rationality. As I recovered, I recognized my recklessness in so many areas of my life and today I choose not to do it. In my recovery, I take healthy risks; adventures that test my mind and body...not statistical odds of crime, our fears and our ego needs.

South Africa Youth Day 1976

Today in 1976, the youth of South Africa began a protest in Soweto to defy the apartheid government in South Africa's decision to teach all classes in Africaans, the language of the dominant white minority.

Mount Everest Challenge 2010

Last year, I ran the Mount Everest Challenge alone. My first race at Walt Disney World. Followed by the Run for the Tast 10K and the Disney Marathon on 1-10-10. This year, I will run this race and compete on the obstacle course with Neil Saydah. This is a great challenge...an ex-Army officer who is 10 years younger than me. I do not fear the pain - I welcome it!! Pain is now weakness leaving my body and fear leaving my mind, and faith and confidence pouring in...merely for the effort.

A Pin Drop of Willingness became a Bright Sky of Sunshine.

When I first got sober, I had no hope. But 75 years ago today, Bill W. and Dr. Bob met to form a cure for a disease from which I would have died years ago. Today, I have a life and each day offers a new miracle! I love my sober life. Thank you all people who blazed the trail and this adventure before me!

Becoming Wiling to Do the Things I Did Not Want to Do...

June is the month of Willingness...becoming willing to have God remove all of my defects of character. For the previous 5 months, I have been working on honesty and as I became more honest, I worked on feeling and thinking hopefully. Feeling Hope. As I became more honest and more hopeful, I gained enough faith that I became will to turn my will and my life over to the care of God, as He exists in my image. Then, I had to have enough courage to carefully examine myself, my life, my thoughts and my actions. Then, once I had this courage, I confessed my inventory to God and another, and then, I was able to reclaim my integrity. Now, with honesty, hope, faith, courage, and integrity, I am ready for the step that seperates the men from the boys - willingness. I gain the willingness to have God remove all my defects of character which stand in the way of my usefulness to Him. This is the great leap for the month of June - A month dedicated to willingness!!