The End of November

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for those interested or concerned about my Mom and I appeciate your comments. She continues to await surgery while her condition stabilizes.

for a first-timer at the noon AA meeting yesterday

for the power behind the practice of Step 3

that a comittment to a living amends results in a major change of my behavior

for the lovely autumn weather we've been experiencing

that I can keep exercising every day, even if I only get on the treadmill

If you are going through hell...keep going.
-Winston Churchill

Out of Order

This is what my living room looked like yesterday afternoon. It's being repainted. Should be finished today. For a very anal-retentive person who feels the constant need for order in his life, this is a real test of patience.


todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that Mom made it through another day - still waiting for surgery, probably today

that Scott W had a sucessful surgical procedure and is home recuperating

for new sponsees who remind me of the constant need for refreshing myself on the Twelve Steps

for my 3 cats who keep me company and provide an endless stream of love and humor

for my acceptance that everything happens for a reason

I am too blessed to be stressed!
-Anonymous

Giving thanks

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that every day is different

that I got to attend both of my regular weekday AA meetings yesterday -- for the first time in a week

that we read part of INTO ACTION in the Big Book, covering Steps 5-8, and then discussed

for the thoroughness of the hospital staff where my Mom is currently awaiting surgery -- some rather serious complications have caused a delay and they have been very professional

that I am still able to remain somewhat serene today with all that's going on in my life -- Mom's serious health problems, bathroom remodelling, painting the entire inside of my home, and oh yeah, my alcoholism

that my very special friend will be here in 3 weeks for a 6 week visit

Hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don't unravel.
-Anonymous

It really does ...

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I have formed the habit of praying every morning. Each morning within minutes of waking up, I say a short prayer asking my HP for guidance to be the best I can be, for today. I ask for help in knowing the next right thing to do. (I feel that I don't have to ask to stay sober because that would be included in both of the forementioned requests.)

Yesterday morning I had plans to workout at the gym before going to my early AA meeting, followed by a sponsee meeting. As soon as I had prayed, I knew that I was supposed to go visit my mother in the hospital. I had taken care of all the details the previous night and had no intention to go see her yesterday. But I just knew it was the next right thing to do. And it was.
It turned out that my physical presence was necessary to make some decisions (I am her primary caretaker and hold complete power of attorney).

So all day long I felt totally serene and comfortable with myself. I knew that Step 11 had played a huge part in my day. Then I went to the 12:15pm meeting at Lambda. The topic?
Step 11.
(of course)

There is more to life than increasing its speed.
-Gandhi

being there

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I was sober and available for my Mom yesterday as I had to admit her into the hospital for an unexpected surgical procedure today

that I had the pleasure of listening to five AA speakers and one Al-Anon speaker over the weekend; 6 messages - all the same but told in 6 different ways

for all the hard work and tirelesss effort by more than 40 guys and gals in recovery to produce the 2007 Houston Roundup - I may get more involved (again) next year

that although I am sometimes overwhelmed by the illness of isolation, I know from experience that This Too Shall Pass

for patience

for a new topic on SOBRIETY SOCIETY -- drop by and leave a comment

that Scott's Attitude of Gratitude has been discovered by thousands of bloggers who would not have otherwise read his thoughts, thanks to recognition of The Blogger Team

We ask ourselves, "Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?" Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.
-Marianne Williamson

SloMo bullets

Were it so easy...

I'm on my way to the Houston Roundup, a gathering of GLBT members of Alcoholics Anonymous. People from around the country are celebrating our sobriety and recovery over this Thanksgiving weekend.
Wherever you are, I hope your life is on the upswing and you're trying to be the best you can be.

In the meantime, I'll leave you with this silly video.
It has absolutely nothing to do with recovery from alcohol.

The Day After

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I got to spend some quality time with Mom yesterday morning, before beginning my day of involvement with AA members

for a great Thanksgiving Day of fellowship and food at Lambda Center

that our GLBT Roundup began with 2 very interesting speakers

that I am changing so fast and so often, I feel like I am meeting myself over and over for the first time
(I got this concept from THIS girl)

Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.
-Ovid

turkey day in the usa

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful for

EVERYTHING

Forgiveness is having the courage to take down the walls that we think are there to protect us.
-Suztes40

The Day Before

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I am often vulnerable to sneak attacks of love and tolerance from people like you

that our GLBT Houston Roundup begins tomorrow afternoon
(click HERE for details)

that everytime I pass a business where there are people outside smoking, I am soooooooooooo happy to be free of that noose around my neck

for some really intense workouts with my trainer this week

that all the plumbing fixtures are now installed in bathroom #2
(shower, toilet and sink)

that Hayden and I spend quality time on the phone virtually every day, 2500 miles apart

that I have a very economical international telephone service LOL

When a person doesn't have gratitude, something is missing in his or her humanity. A person can almost be defined by his or her attitude toward gratitude.
-Elie Wiesel

Better focused

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for the fulfillment of assisting another alkie with the meaning of the steps

that my best is my best and doesn't have to be your best

that the above concept takes so much pressure off me

that This Too Shall Pass works -- every time!

that AA's Twelve Steps were important enough to me that I have adopted them as a way of life and hope that someday they will be second nature for me

that the tile work and electrical work are complete on bathroom remodelling project #2

For fast acting relief, try slowing down.
-Lily Tomlin

another step forward...

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I can get through a day by myself without feeling any desire to drink alcohol or smoke anything

for a very touching AA Birthday Night @ Lambda Center;
23 recovering humans celebrated another year of being sober

that Peanut celebrated her tenth year of life without alcohol on Saturday

that Scott W celebrated his fourth year of life without alcohol yesterday

that I'll get to gobble down some great turkey later this week @ Lambda with a couple of hundred other people in recovery

that I have a brain humor

Speak when you're angry, and you'll make the best speech you'll ever regret.
-Lawrence J. Peter

4 Years Old

Scott W has now been sober for FOUR years.
We've been friends for FOUR years.
Coincidence?
I don't think so.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SCOTT !!

Euro-English

European Commission has just announced an agreement whereby English will be the official language of the European Union rather than German, which was the other possibility.

As part of the negotiations, the British Government conceded that English spelling had some room for improvement and has accepted a 5- year phase-in plan that would become known as 'Euro-English'.

In the first year, 's' will replace the soft 'c'. Sertainly, this will make the sivil servants jump with joy.

The hard 'c' will be dropped in favour of 'k'. This should klear up konfusion, and keyboards kan have one less letter.

There will be growing publik enthusiasm in the sekond year when the troublesome 'ph' will be replaced with 'f'. This will make words like fotograf 20% shorter.

In the 3rd year, publik akseptanse of the new spelling kan be expekted to reach the stage where more komplikated changes are possible.

Governments will enkourage the removal of double letters which have always ben a deterent to akurate speling.

Also, al wil agre that the horibl mes of the silent 'e' in the languag is disgrasful and it should go away.

By the 4th yer peopl wil be reseptiv to steps such as replasing 'th' with 'z' and 'w' with 'v'.

During ze fifz yer, ze unesesary 'o' kan be dropd from vords kontaining 'ou' and after ziz fifz yer, ve vil hav a real sensibl riten styl.

Zer vil be no mor trubl or difikultis and evrivun vil find it ezi tu understand ech oza. Ze drem of a united urop vil finali kum tru.

Und efter ze fifz yer, ve vil al be speking German like zey vunted in ze forst plas

A Power Greater Than Myself

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for an insightful meeting yesterday which dealt with handling life on life's terms

that we all must learn to deal with life as it happens ... or die

that tomorrow is November Birthday Night @ Lambda Center

that I stay busy and really enjoy my life these days

that I can actually enjoy being at the gym at 5:30am three days each week;
the other three days I go about 9 or 10am

that my therapist thinks I can take a few weeks off from our visits

for the new tile going in my bathroom -
it looks even better than I thought it would

"Integrity is not a 90 percent thing, not a 95 percent thing; either you have it or you don't."
-- Peter Scotese

Another use ...

Duct Tape can be a woman's best friend, too!

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I got to spend some quality time with Mom yesterday; the nursing home where she resides has a quarterly meeting with the family/caretaker of each resident so either or both parties can air out any concerns regarding treatment and care

that most of the AA meetings I attend are usually about solutions, not just problems and whining about problems

that I have always been comfortable with my sexuality; many people I know have never been accepting of their sexual preference (both straight and gay)

that I am sometimes able to help out when asked

Rabbi Michal once said to his sons: “my life was blessed, because I never needed anything until I had it."
-Chasidic, 18th century

Is this you?

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that the above picture is NOT me

for my consistency in most things

for a reminder from Mark that the trick now is to discover how to handle being sober

for all my friends in the program because they can understand me (usually)

that I do my best to NOT be politically correct, whenever possible

that I'm not nearly as good a person as some seem to believe.
I love a continuing challenge. LOL

The virtue of angels is that they cannot deteriorate; their flaw is that they cannot improve. Humanity's flaw is that we can deteriorate; but our virtue is that we can improve.
-Hasidic saying

It Takes What It Takes

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

to realize that just about the only thing I've ever done in moderation is to practice the Twelve Steps

for a productive first meeting (at a coffeehouse, of course) with my new sponsee

that I got to hear more wisdom about Step 3

that Wisdom in Recovery = Experience, Strength and Hope

that my medication has made such a huge difference in my anxiety level, but that my doctor waited nearly a year before resorting to using any meds

that I may not be much, but I'm all I think about

that my cats like me too

One who knows how to show and to accept kindness will be a friend better than any possession.
-Sophocles

Just an average guy ...

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for a new sponsee (to me); he had 18 months sober before a recent relapse, so he already knows How It Works (but, back to Step One)

for so many choices today; this morning I chose to be happy

that I had the honor of hearing a wonderful AA speaker on Saturday night

that any new behaviors are not a matter of "trying", but rather a matter of "doing"

that the sheetrock and tile work should be completed this week on my remodelling project (bathroom #2)

that I "cleaned up" my bloglist, eliminating some blogs that are no longer active. Four of them are local friends of mine in recovery. Fortunately, those guys are still sober.

Be your own hero, it's cheaper than a movie ticket.
-Doug Horton

Today, it's about others (again)

Today is Veteran's Day in the United States.
It's so easy to forget all the sacrifices that have been made by millions of men and women for more than 200 years.
I'll take a moment to privately thank them for helping to deliver the opportunities that I so selfishly take for granted.


* (Scott, four years form today will be 11/11/11.)

It's news to me...

Relaxin'

To learn a little about Houston, play the video.
It might surprise you.

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that we study the AA Traditions in our little 6:30am meeting;
yesterday we read and discussed Tradition One;
it's all about Unity

that I spent several hours with my Mom, taking her to a doctor appointment and then back to her comfortable bed in Comprehensive Nursing

for the knowledge that I am grieving as her health slowly deteriorates even as she tries her best to smile when possible

that I rarely got caught doing things I should not have been doing and that today I don't have to worry about getting caught

that the GLBT Houston Roundup begins in 13 days, just after the huge Thanksgiving Day gratitude meeting and lunch at Lambda Center

You can make more friends in a month by being interested in them than in ten years by trying to get them interested in you.
-Charles Allen

Remaining vigilant

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I'm no longer a freak; just kinda weird

that it's been awhile since I have made an excuse not to do something because I knew I'd be too inebriated to accomplish a task

that I thanked my HP last night for many things, just before drifting off to sleep.
I do this every night.

that it's quite easy to stay sober when I stay in the middle of the program

that I can easily and happily be supportive of my Mom, whenever she needs me

that I rarely feel as old as I am becoming; I'm 53, which is no longer middle-aged unless I plan on living to be 106

The more a man knows, the more he forgives.
-Confucius

Developing

How did this guy know he could do this?


todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for the mixture of Steps 10 and 11

that I am less judgemental than I used to be, but ...
when I see someone (in the program) lying through their teeth to me and others, it's very difficult impossible for me to remain non-judgemental (I guess I have a long way to go)

that alcohol and tobacco are just 2 more of my ex's

that we had our local elections yesterday, including the Mayor of Houston election with The Outlaw Josey Wales IV running against the incumbent Bill White

that one year from today, the Presidential election will be over!!!

That they may have a little peace, even the best dogs are compelled to snarl occasionally.
-William Feather

A Day of Boldness and Italics

A friend sent me this email ...

Like a lot of folks in this state, I have a job. I work, they pay me. I pay my taxes and the government distributes my taxes as it sees fit. In order to get that paycheck, I am required to pass a random urine test with which I have no problem. What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to people who don't have to pass a urine test. Shouldn't one have to pass a urine test to get a welfare check because I have to pass one to earn it for them?
Please understand, I have no problem with helping people get back on their feet! I do, on the other hand, have a problem with helping someone sitting on their rear, doing drugs, while I work.
Can you imagine how much money the state would save if people had to pass a urine test to get a public assistance check?

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for the gifts derived from accomplishing Step 8

that so often, the difference between a good day and a bad day is my ATTITUDE!

for the benefits of doing whatever it takes

that I have never felt the need to disrupt an organized meeting so that I can further my own agenda

If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door.
-Unknown

Mission Possible

The view from my first apartment in Agadir, Morocco (2002). It was a 10 minute walk down the boardwalk to my pub of choice. I lived in four apartments while there, always moving so I could be closer to my favorite pub(s). The final place I lived was directly over a bar. I was in Morocco for just over 4 months.


todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for a nice visit with Mom yesterday

for the intangible strength that I get from prayer

that I have yet to find a trigger to drink

that I have yet to find a trigger to light up a cigarette

that my playing field gets a little more level each day as long as I don't drink AND continue in my recovery program

for a good Board meeting (Lambda Center) Sunday afternoon

When we ask for advice, we are usually looking for an accomplice.
-Charles Varlet Marquis de La Grange

3 Ways NOT to Change a Tire

Just for grins ...

First, a video for you, then a joke.

Adult Skeleton
CLICK HERE


Bono, the lead singer of the band, U2, is famous throughout the entertainment industry for being more than just a little self-righteous.

At a recent U2 concert in Glasgow, Scotland, he asked the audience for total quiet. Then, in the silence, he started to slowly clap his hands, once every few seconds.

Holding the audience in total silence, he said into the microphone, "Every time I clap my hands, a child in Africa dies."

A voice with a broad Scottish accent from the front of the crowd pierced the quiet. . .

"Well, foockin stop doin it then, ya evil basturd !"

Made in Texas

This is the old port of Agadir, Morocco.

I worked here for 4 months in 2002, before retirement.


todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that my alcoholic bottom didn't kill me

that habits are just as easy to break as they are to form

that I am making a conscious effort to be more flexible in my schedule

I am making a special effort to be more tolerant - with me!

for some progress in my emotional therapy

for a new topic on SOBRIETY SOCIETY - Sponsorship

drop by and leave a comment

The only people to get even with are those who have helped you.
-Anonymous

Very Very Grateful

<< my Mom
with her new
TV remote


todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for continued serenity

for everything that sobriety has brought me

that it's the month of Gratitude and I am honored to be chairing the 12:15p AA meeting every Thursday this month at Lambda Center (including our Thanksgiving Day Fiesta)

that my car is 1 year old today; I have driven it 11,972 miles, making me very average

that I did not go out and throw water balloons at cars and people on the street last night (as I did as a teenager @ Halloween))

for some good, scary movies on the telly this week

that I bought some candy bars just in case I had any Trick or Treaters drop by last night; there were none, so I will get rid of those candy bars at the AA center I attend

Happiness does not come from doing what you want, but wanting what you do.
anonymous