I've had better days, but I'm still sober

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for the practice of pause when agitated AND restraint of tongue and pen.

I was told, in no uncertain terms, to go f _ _ k myself when I defended my right to anonymity on Facebook as regards the program of A.A. This was from a person who just got out of rehab after 6 months in prison from dealing drugs.

that my home life sucks right now, so I'm hoping that this too shall pass

for friends (besides my sponsor) who will listen to me when I need to vent

for the concept of courage to change the things I can


It isn't what you have, or who you are, or where you are, or what you are doing that makes you happy or unhappy. It is what you think about.
- Dale Carnegie

Perseverance

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I woke up sober this morning, just like the past 1621 mornings

that these days when I get agitated, I know enough to just shut up

for the 10th step and the principle associated with it - perseverance

that my best thinking wanted me to stop trying AA; I am so glad I didn't give up 5 minutes before the miracle

that recovery helps to level out my playing field

that every sober day is unique; when I was drinking, especially in the last year, most days seemed the same as the day preceeding

God helps those who persevere.
-The Qur'an

FRIDAY

Fun at the Ballgame.
This picture was from a game about 2 weeks ago.
The Astros suck this season, but it's always a good time at the ballpark.
On the left is our good buddy ZANE (click here to see more of him).

Craig Biggio got his 3000th hit last night, becoming the 27th player in the 120-year history of the game to do so. He's only the 8th player to get all of those hits while playing for just 1 team.
Congratulations Craig!!


todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for some really helpful advice from my head fixer shrink psychoman therapist

that I successfully used pause when agitated for the second day in a row

that this program of recovery in AA continues to work me, in spite of myself


that Kenny may get his deam job the same time I get to London to visit him -- wassup with dat?

"Success is not what you think it is... it is what you believe it is... and most never believe..."
-- Doug Firebaugh

hAAlf nAAked thursdAAy

All dressed up and nowhere to go.
Except for the Gay Pride Parade last weekend.

see more fashion trendsetters at HNT

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I was present to hear the short, 30-minute AA story of a guy who seems to be working a fine program of recovery

for a situation that occurred yesterday afternoon when my program worked me! I was able to put pause when agitated into action, which meant doing absolutely nothing besides pausing.
It worked.
My old self would have been cussing and slamming doors and otherwise making a complete fool of myself. For no reason.

that a friend had 8 years of sobriety before relapsing last year. Since then, he's not been able (or willing) to stay sober more than a few weeks consecutively. Watching his life unravel is painful but at least he keeps comng back. His example reminds me how difficult it can be to return to the rooms, giving me just a little more motivation to stay the course I sail today.

that I will eat lunch with my sister today - something we rarely do any more

for the discipline (or is it motivation?) to go to the gym and work out on days I don't have scheduled with my personal trainer

"It takes less time to do things right than to explain why you did it wrong." -- Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Serenity & Potpourri

I will be out of town and away from any computer until the weekend. Enjoy yourselves and please stay sober.
I will.


todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

I'm finally 53 years old; I thought it would never get here. LOL

for all of the sweet notices and comments about my birthday 2 days ago

for the colorful taste of my alcoholism medication --
it tastes like RECOVERY, UNITY & SERVICE

for some really good chance(s) to put PAUSE WHEN AGITATED into action

for absolutely gorgeous weather over the weekend and the volleyball tournament I had the opportunity to attend at Memorial Park and the softball games of The Montrose Softball League

that Matt celebrated his One Year of Sobriety yesterday --
Way to go, Matt!!

for a little Hazelden book I bought to read on the flights this week - WALK IN DRY PLACES - a book written to address the concerns of the "established" recovering person

for the AA (Big Book) quiz on SOBRIETY SOCIETY; drop by and see how much you know

"Evaluation of the past is the first step toward vision for the future."
-- Chris Widener