Friday thoughts

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for new reactions to old situations.  I think this may be one of the great gifts of recovery.  If I didn't learn how to react differently to some old stuff, my recovery would be sorely lacking.

for commitments -- service commitments and personal commitments

that I don't have any particular plans for the weekend, but I'll bet by the time it's finished, I will have stayed busy.


I can live for two months on a good compliment. 
~Mark Twain

not much to say

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for those who came before me and paved the way

that we're all so different, yet so similar

that I can admit that I'm just drawing a blank this morning.  Y'all have a lovely day.  Unless you choose otherwise.


The one charm of the past is that it is the past. 
~Oscar Wilde

Now Read This !!

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that my recovery program has not lessened yet (after 9+ years).  It's increased by leaps and bounds in the service work area.   

 

that I still love going to AA meetings

 

that there's only a couple of people in AA that I don't like.  That's only because I see them as such hypocrites.  But they are my teachers.  I've always heard that if you like everyone in AA, you haven't gone to enough meetings.  I could not disagree more.  My newly-found, sober ability to like people is a direct result of working the steps and practicing the principles.

 

Nothing diminishes anxiety faster than action. 

~Walter Anderson 

in a good place

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

to know, absolutely, that I will make some mistakes today even though I ask for guidance from my HP to do the next right thing as I go through my day.  You see, I know I can't be perfect.  But the person I am supposed to be will learn and progress.

for a new sponsee (for me) who has a bit over 2 years sober.  His recovery seems to be in good shape and he has a fair knowledge of the steps.  We had a good talk last night and I got to know him much better.  I really look forward to working with him.


Never mistake motion for action. 
~Ernest Hemingway

Cyber Monday

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thankful

that I've been spiritually recharged during the past few days.  I wasn't drained in the least bit, but I'm all charged up again.

for the realization that by my prayer and meditation, certain thoughts come to me that I would otherwise never have.  As a general rule, spiritual thoughts don't just happened to me while I'm watching the television or surfing the internet.  But when I talk to and listen to my Higher Power, I become aware of concepts that can only come to me at those times.

that I'm back online with a new computer.  Still trying to learn Windows 8 though.


Lots of folks confuse bad management with destiny. 
~Kin Hubbard

No Cheating ...

MEMORY TEST!
(Have a paper and pencil handy to record your answers.. Your mind isn't as sharp as it once was!)

This is NOT a pushover test. It's a Baby Boomer era test!

There are 20 questions. Average score is 12.
This will be difficult for the younger set.


1. What builds strong bodies 12 ways?
A. Flintstones vitamins
B. The Buttmaster
C. Spaghetti
D. Wonder Bread
E. Orange Juice
F. Milk
G. Cod Liver Oil

2. Before he was Muhammed Ali, he was...
A. Sugar Ray Robinson.
B. Roy Orbison..
C. Gene Autry.
D. Rudolph Valentino.
E. Fabian.
F. Mickey Mantle.
G. Cassius Clay.

3.Pogo, the comic strip character said, 'We have met the enemy and....
A. It's you.
B. He is us.
C. It's the Grinch.
D. He wasn't home.
E. He's really me and you.
F. We quit.
G. He surrendered.

4. Good night, David..
A.. Good night, Chet
B. Sleep well.
C. Good night, Irene.
D.. Good night, Gracie.
E. See you later, alligator.
F. Until tomorrow.
G. Good night, Steve..

5. You'll wonder where the yellow went...
A. When you use Tide
B. When you lose your crayons.
C. When you clean your tub.
D. If you paint the room blue.
E. If you buy a soft water tank.
F. When you use Lady Clairol.
G. When you brush your teeth with Pepsodent.

6. Before he was the Skipper's Little Buddy, Bob Denver was Dobie's friend...
A. Stuart Whitman.
B. Randolph Scott.
C. Steve Reeves..
D.Maynard G. Krebs.
E. Corky B. Dork.
F. Dave the Whale.
G. Zippy Zoo.

7. Liar, liar...
A. You're a liar.
B.. Your nose is growing.
C. Pants on fire.
D.. Join the choir
E. Jump up higher.
F. On the wire.
G. I'm telling Mom.

8. Meanwhile, back in Metropolis, Superman fights never ending battle for truth, justice and.....
A. Wheaties.
B. Lois Lane .
C. TV rating.
D. World peace.
E. Red tights.
F. The American way.
G. News headlines.

9. Hey kids! What time is it?
A. It's time for Yogi Bear.
B It's time to do your homework.
C. It's Howdy Doody Time.
D. It's time for Romper Room.
E. It's bedtime.
F... The Mighty Mouse Hour..
G. Scoopy Doo Time..

10. Lions and tigers and bears..! ....
A. Yikes.
B. Oh, no..
C. Gee whiz.
D. I'm scared...
E. Oh my.
F.. Help! Help!
G. Let's run.



11. Bob Dylan advised us never to trust anyone.... A. Over 40.
B. Wearing a uniform.
C.. Carrying a briefcase.
D. Over 30.
E. You don't know.
F. Who says, 'Trust me'..
G. Who eats tofu.

12. NFL quarterback who appeared in a television commercial wearing women's
stockings...
A. Troy Aikman
B. Kenny Stabler
C. Joe Namath
D. Roger Staubach
E. Joe Montana
F. Steve Young
G. John Elway

13. Brylcream....
A. Smear it on.
B. You'll smell great.
C. Tame that cowlick.
D. Grease ball heaven.
E. It's a dream.
F. We're your team.
G. A little dab'll do ya.

14. I found my thrill...
A. In Blueberry muffins.
B. With my man, Bill.
C. Down at the mill.
D. Ovthyme and dill.
F. Too late to enjoy.
G. On Blueberry Hill.

15.. Before Robin Williams, Peter Pan was played by... A. Clark Gable.
B. Mary Martin.
C. Doris Day.
D. Errol Flynn.
E. Sally Fields.
F. Jim Carrey.
G. Jay Leno.

16. Name the Beatles...
A. John, Steve, George, Ringo
B. John, Paul, George, Roscoe
C. John, Paul, Stacey, Ringo
D. Jay, Paul, George, Ringo
E. Lewis, Peter, George, Ringo
F. Jason, Betty, Skipper, Hazel
G. John, Paul, George, Ringo

17. I wonder, wonder, who. A. Who ate the leftovers?
B. Who did the laundry?
C. Was it you?
D. Who wrote the book of love?
E. Who I am?
F. Passed the test?
G. Knocked on the door?

18. I'm strong to the finish...
A. Cause I eats my broccoli.
B. Cause I eats me spinach.
C. Cause I lift weights.
D. Cause I'm the hero.
E. And don't you for get it.
F. Cause Olive Oyl loves me.
G. To outlast Bruto.

19. When it's least expected, you're elected, you're the star today.
A. Smile, you're on Candid Camera.
B. Smile, you're on Star Search.
C. Smile, you won the lottery.
D. Smile, we're watching you.
E. Smile, the world sees you.
F. Smile, you're a hit.
G. Smile, you're on TV.

20. What do M & M's do?
A. Make your tummy happy.!
B. Melt in your mouth, not in your pocket.
C. Make you fat.
D.. Melt your heart.
E... Make you popular.
F. Melt in your mouth, not in your hand.
G. Come in colors.


Below are the correct answers:
1. D - Wonder Bread
2. G - Cassius Clay
3. B - He Is us
4. A - Good night, Chet
5. G - When you brush your teeth with Pepsodent
6. D - Maynard G. Krebs
7. C - Pants on fire
8. F - The American Way
9. C - It's Howdy Doody Time
10. E - Oh my
11. D - Over 30
12. C - Joe Namath
13. G - A little dab'll do ya
14. G - On Blueberry Hill
15. B - Mary Martin
16. G - John, Paul, George, Ringo
17. D - Who wrote the book of Love
18. B - Cause I eats me spinach
19. A - Smile, you're on Candid Camera
20. F - Melt in your mouth not in your hand

some underwater beauty

gobble, gobble

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for everything


As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. 
~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

I'm a turkey, You're a turkey

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for all the people in my life, especially the ones I don't like because they tend to be my best teachers.

for a bit more clarity of thought as each day passes.  I suppose there will come a time when this peaks and I began having less clarity, although I probably won't realize it.  Uh oh, I hope that hasn't already begun.  LOL

for the 4th step of A.A. where I learned to look at my part in everything that happens in my life.  For step 10 of A.A. where I continue to look at my part in everything that happens in my life, even the good stuff.  Especially the good stuff.


An optimist is a person who starts a new diet on Thanksgiving Day. 
~Irv Kupcinet

A rather simple life.

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for the life I have today.  It comes as a result of doing a few things ...

... finding a higher power to which I can surrender (most) of my will
... deciding that I'd rather live a sober life instead of the drunken life I had for so many eyars
... hanging around a bunch of people with whom I normally would not mix
... helping others when I can without having any expectations
... remaining teachable


Thanksgiving Day comes, by statute, once a year; to the honest man it comes as frequently as the heart of gratitude will allow.
~Edward Sandford Martin

Gratitude Week

todAAy i AAM grAAteful & thAAnkful

that this is my favorite week of the year (since I've been in recovery).  We are quite busy at my recovery center.  We have our largest AA meeting of the year on Thanksgiving Day at noon, followed by a pot luck dinner.  There will be 150-200 people attending including some friends and family.  I am honored to be the co-chair of this meeting for the 5th straight year.  I love it.  I just take a wireless microphone around the room and ask people to share their gratitude for a couple of minutes.  We do this for about 50 minutes.  It's always very powerful.

Our AA Roundup for the GLBT community begins Thursday afternoon and runs through Sunday noon.  It's held in a local DoubleTree Hotel each year and will be attended by around 300 people.  There are workshops and speakers (most from around the country).  There is an original recovery-related play, written, produced, directed and performed by friends in recovery.  Last year I got to co-chair this event.  This year, I'm just an attendee.  Whew!

So, you see, I am really looking forward to this week and trying to keep my expectations to a minimum.  I know that what happens will be what is supposed to happen.

My laptop computer has been pronounced dead.  I may purchase one this week or wait until Black Friday (although I have other plans [see above]).   But I'm getting by just fine using the office computer at my recovery center.



The Pilgrims made seven times more graves than huts.  No Americans have been more impoverished than these who, nevertheless, set aside a day of thanksgiving. 
~H.U. Westermayer

Have a bit of snow

click HERE

Then enter your address, including your zip code.

Man goes to the dentist ...

A man went to his dentist because he feels something wrong in his mouth. The dentist examines him and says, "that new upper plate I put in for you six months ago is eroding. What have you been eating?"

The man replies, "all I can think of is that about four months ago my wife made some asparagus and put some stuff on it that was delicious...Hollandaise sauce. I loved it so much I now put it on everything --- meat, toast, fish, vegtables, everything."

"Well," says the dentist, "that's probably the problem. Hollandaise sauce is made with lots of lemon juice, which is highly corrosive. It's eaten away your upper plate. I'll make you a new plate, and this time use chrome." "Why chrome?" asks the patient.

To which the dentist replies, "It's simple. Everyone knows that there's no plate like chrome for the Hollandaise!"

A mighty BIG hello to you!

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

My computer problems persist.  Actually, the "geek" who is going to fix the problem (allegedly) is a friend of my partner who is a big drinker.  I've gotten to watch procrastination at its best.  So, I hope you guys have a great weekend and shoot a great round of golf.

See ya next week.


Attitudes are contagious.  Are yours worth catching?  
~Dennis and Wendy Mannering

Still here

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for the little things

that it's holiday season and I know how to stay sober.  Actually, I also know how to stay sober when it's NOT holiday season.

that today I will not stand behind a farting camel.


Let us be grateful to the mirror for revealing to us our appearance only.
~Samuel Butler

Crap

My computer is down and may be repaired or replaced sometime today.  Don't worry, I'll be back ASAP.
And I'm grateful for that.

Note: I wrote this and pre-published it last night from my recovery center.

more steps

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for a meeting about Step 3.  "Made a decision to turn our will and lives over to the care of God as we understood Him."

that it occurred to me that not only is Step 3 about taking action, it's also about not taking action.  I must make the conscious decision to turn over my will (this goes against all my instincts).  I must let go of the instinct to run the world around me.    By doing this, I'm NOT TAKING action that will work against me.  Does this compute with any of you guys?  Or do I need to focus on returning to sanity?  LOL

A hangover is the wrath of grapes. 

~Author Unknown

Meow

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for those who return to sobriety and recovery after a relapse.  Over the weekend, someone returned who had a number of years, certainly double-digits.  I'm not sure how long they had been drinking again, but I think it was only a few weeks.  Personally, I've always felt that I probably would not make it back if I relapse.  Either my behavior would lead me to an early death or my pride/ego would prevent me from coming back.  So, each time I see someone return it is recorded somewhere in my brain that it is OK to return, if I choose to drink again.  I'll just have to reconnect with my Higher Power.

to be reminded that my willpower will not get me sober or keep me sober.  I have plenty of personal history of this.

The cyclone derives its powers from a calm center.  So does a person. 

 ~Norman Vincent Peale

Sponsor

Just a silly little joke this morning

Dear Son,

I'm writing this letter slowly because I know you can't read fast.

We don't live where we did when you left home.Your mum read in the newspaper that most accidents happen within 20 miles from your home, so we moved.

I won't be able to send you the address because the last Arkansas family that lived here took the house numbers when they moved so that they wouldn't have to change their address.

This place is really nice. It even has a washing machine. I'm not sure it works so well though: last week I put a load in and pulled the chain and haven't seen them since.

The weather isn't bad here. It only rained twice last week; the first time for three days and the second time for four days.

About that coat you wanted me to send you, your Uncle Stanley said it would be too heavy to send in the mail with the buttons on, so we cut them off and put them in the pockets.

John locked his keys in the car yesterday. We were really worried because it took him two hours to get me and your mother out.

Your sister had a baby this morning; but I haven't found out what it is yet so I don't know if you're an aunt or an uncle. The baby looks just like your brother....

Uncle Ted fell in a whiskey vat last week. Some men tried to pull him out, but he fought them off and drowned. We had him cremated and he burned for three days.

Three of your friends went off a bridge in a pick-up truck. Ralph was driving. He rolled down the window and swam to safety. Your other two friends were in the back. They drowned cause they couldn't get the tailgate down.

There isn't much more news at this time. Nothing much has happened.

Love
Dad

thinking out loud on my keyboard

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I think like a manager, a leader (I guess).  Sometimes, when friends ask me for advice I tell them things that they don't want to hear.  Usually, it comes from instincts I had when I worked in the corporate world.  I think it's just because I'm able to look at their problem from an objective point of view.  Nothing special about me besides a little bit of common sense.  What am I trying to say here?  Obviously, there was something that came up about this that is making me think about it.  Whatever.

for Tradition Ten of Alcoholics Anonymous.  What do you know about it?  I want to hear your thoughts.

that I'm looking at a weekend with no particular plans.  I can't wait to see what happens.

Everyone must choose one of two pains: The pain of discipline or the pain of regret.  

~Jim Rohn

a few thoughts

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for the opportunities that life will present to me today.  I have no idea what these may be, but whatever they are, it's called life.

that I'm an optimist and don't let all of these doomsdayers on Facebook get me down.

I'm pretty active on FB and have been appalled by the things I've read from my friends during this political season.

that I have no desire to get stoned again.  Part of my story is that I smoked marijuana for as long as I drank.  Occasionally, I would go for a month or two without smoking dope, unlike my drinking.  I never went a day without drinking.  At the age of 39, I decided to quit my really good job (while living in London) and move to Amsterdam.  I had been to Amsterdam 30+ times for a day or 2 or 3 at a time, but I wanted to live there and get the true experience.  So I stayed stoned pretty much 24/7.  Have fun, Denver.

If you want to make an easy job seem mighty hard, just keep putting off doing it.  

~Olin Miller

Interesting

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I am an American and proud of it.  If I were a citizen of any other country, I would be proud of that too (I'm pretty sure).

that when I'm afraid to take a necessary action, I still hesitate.  This is something I will be working on the rest of my life.

that this is the month of gratitude.  I don't understand why so many people (in recovery) don't like gratitude meetings.  I love 'em. 

If it weren't for the last minute, I wouldn't get anything done.  

~Author Unknown

two

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I Came

that I Came to

that I Came to believe

that I Came to believe that a power greater than myself could restore me to sanity.

Right now, you are where you are because of something you did, or because of something you didn't do.

~~ heard in a meeting

OK. Let's do another week.

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that I'm not perfect..  Never have been, never will be, never want to be.  That takes a lot of pressure off me.

that I can be productive, even when glued to the TV watching football

for the memories I still have of my childhood.  I'll never know which memories are lost and that's OK.

for people who understand me.  Huh? 

"When an honest man discovers he is mistaken,  he will either cease being mistaken, or cease being honest." 

— Anonymous

How did that happen?

Flyboard

Getting bored with your watercraft?  Try this ........

This is what it's all about

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that to keep it I must give it away.  Here.  It's yours.

that I'm never quite sure how I got to this point, but I sure have enjoyed getting here.

that more IS constantly being revealed, but sometimes I don't recognize it.  But when I do, it's really cool.

A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be. 

~Douglas Pagels

smile

todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

for sober days and sober nights.  I was thinking about my previous life (when I drank to oblivion every night) when I had that absolute obsession to start drinking as early as I could get away with each day.  Ya know, it just didn't matter what was going on in my life -- good stuff or bad stuff.  It just didn't matter.  That obsession was there all the time, until I gave in to it, which I did each day without giving it a second thought.  Unless you're an alcoholic, you could not possibly appreciate the depth of these feelings.  This is why I must stay spiritually connected to my Higher Power.  Without that HP, it probably wouldn't be too long before I would be back sitting on a barstool.

So I do the things I do in order to stay spiritually fit.  Right now, I'm writing these words as a reminder to myself. 

Thanks for putting up with me.

I think I've discovered the secret of life - you just hang around until you get used to it. 

~Charles Schulz