BE SOBER.

Sobriety is more than just abstinence from intoxicants. It is a state of being present.  I think and speak positively. I listen to what I say. If I hear myself using negative or limiting words, I chnage them.

Pursuing Happiness...

CHANGE = Choosing Honesty Allows New Growth Everyday

A man of character finds a special attractiveness in difficulty, since it is only by coming to grips with difficulty that he can realize his potentialities. - Charles de Gaulle. 

The Game of Life - Winning and Losing

Once the games is over, both the King and the Pawn go back in the box. I was driving to the office this morning and thinking about winning and losing...As lawyers, we are all about winning.  When I practiced law in Chicago, I did not want to practice litigation because I could not bear the idea of losing.  As a runner, I never come in first.  In fact, I came in first once because I was the only runner in my age group.  Then it tuned out, another runner had beaten me but had not put his age in his registration.  When we win, a part of our character is revealed. When we lose, all of it is revealed. I am a winner because I do my best. I give it my all and I don't care about the result.

ACTION = Any Change Toward Improving One's Nature

My life used to be not that dissimilar to the woman in this picture and I could not change until I became willing to take action. Little by little my actions changed my thoughts which changed my feelings which changed my nature.

True Tolerance

I must suspend my judgment to stay sober.  If I start judging others, the next thing I know I am better or worse than everyone.  There is an old Hasidic saying, "In everyone, there is something precious found in no one else; so honor each man for what is hidden within him - for what he had and none of his fellows.

Never forget the pain ends...

Young people commit suicide because they do not realize that pain ends...They think their lives will never change.  When I was indicted for my mistakes, I though that my life would be over...I had no idea that it would be better than ever. I know today that pain ends.  I can endure anything today because I know that pain ends.

Miracles

If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly; our whole life would change. - Buddha

Let Go and Let God

Some days we might ask our selves, Is it worth it? We feel alone. No one seems to care. Life seems hard. Recovery seems hard.  This is when I need ot slow down and look at my program of recovery.  Am I creating false expectations of myself or others? Do I want control? Am I taking on the problems of the world?

I need to remember that not all problems are my problems. All work is not my work.  I cannot have evertying the way I want it.  But I can do my part and let the rest go.

Chicago Marathon 10-10-10

On 1-10-10 I ran the Disney Marathon in Orlando, Florida.  I did not think I could ever accomplish such a feat, but I practiced and trained and learned how to overcome doubt and pain.  On 10-10-10, I ran the Chicago Marathon and came home to do what I never imagined I would ever do.  I raised money for GUA Africa and I accomplished a previously unattainable goal.  Around the 10th mile, I ran past the condominium building where I had purchased my first home and I looked up at my balcomy with sadness, shame and some release...suddenly, out of the right corner of my eye, I saw a sign that said "RUN STEVE RUN!!!".  It was not for me, but I took the message and ran!!!! I am home.

October...the Month of Preseverance

Adversity, and perseverance and all these things can shape you. They can give you a value and a self-esteem that is priceless. - Scott Hamilton

 

But the person who scored well on an SAT will not necessarily be the best doctor or the best lawyer or the best businessman. These tests do not measure character, leadership, creativity, perseverance. - William J. Wilson

By perseverance the snail reached the ark. - Charles Spurgeon

Courage and perseverance have a magical talisman, before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air. - John Quincy Adams
Everything that I've ever been able to accomplish in skating and in life has come out of adversity and perseverance.  - Scott Hamilton

Failure after long perseverance is much grander than never to have a striving good enough to be called a failure. - George Eliot

Football is like life - it requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work, sacrifice, dedication and respect for authority. - Vince Lombardi

Great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance. - Samuel Johnson

I do not think that there is any other quality so essential to success of any kind as the quality of perseverance. It overcomes almost everything, even nature. - John D. Rockefeller

I don't know what keeps me going. Sometimes I wonder... I think it's just pure perseverance and wanting to succeed and having that burning desire to always have success. - Tanya Tucker

I learned patience, perseverance, and dedication. Now I really know myself, and I know my voice. It's a voice of pain and victory. - Anthony Hamilton

I need a teacher quite as much as Helen. I know the education of this child will be the distinguishing event of my life, if I have the brains and perseverance to accomplish it. - Anne Sullivan Macy

I pray they will carry on in spite of that dreadful monster prejudice, and with patience, courage, fortitude and perseverance achieve success for themselves. - Major Taylor

I wish the Peace Corps and its volunteers continued success and perseverance. We are grateful for their contributions to society and dedication to providing assistance where it is needed. May the Peace Corps continue its legacy of service, both at home and abroad. - Kenny Marchant

I'll admit that it's not easy to get an agent, but becoming successful in anything requires perseverance. -Nicholas Sparks

If we bestow but a very little attention to the economy of the animal creation, we shall find manifest examples of premeditation, perseverance, resolution, and consumate artifice, in order to effect their purpose. - William Bartram

If you wish to succeed in life, make perseverance your bosom friend, experience your wise counselor, caution your elder brother, and hope your guardian genius. - Joseph Addison