tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6638103861434088072024-02-07T02:08:56.748-06:00Recovery from Alcoholism - Clean, Sober and Free from Addiction!This blog is for sharing our wisdom, insights, hope and joy experienced in our journey of recovery from alcoholism. The subjects will cover a wide range of topics; all are intended to raise awareness through reflection, and help us grow by staying sober and improving our lives.Rick Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16414772225930427391noreply@blogger.comBlogger108125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663810386143408807.post-14172789626823478922015-05-17T18:15:00.003-05:002015-05-17T18:15:54.788-05:00AA Bootcamp<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiL8Y7cEY335j15VbzLtHLm3ZSITrFsVKJsMN0bevP-osHXihGggfCTB2lK6fUeciTLs-0IjmvAufQYwSmC9njnY0J5HI4cZH1TyUxmPdRIKftSuu03duKIdwWhj2ae6AguDu7EROZ1teO/s1600/Reflections+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiL8Y7cEY335j15VbzLtHLm3ZSITrFsVKJsMN0bevP-osHXihGggfCTB2lK6fUeciTLs-0IjmvAufQYwSmC9njnY0J5HI4cZH1TyUxmPdRIKftSuu03duKIdwWhj2ae6AguDu7EROZ1teO/s1600/Reflections+2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reflections....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihsmDVyCUfS4chjYItYi2ODlfGEtG7K0OkRkm3Ug2wM6WWpVw2PeXUEPXMHUTINK3oQYUZru1umFEx_gVdiD8xVTE3coiYOmrhgy-c3aRJzEODaMHA2zLcZJWp2ZDMILYXOYxXxbWNZGuS/s1600/The+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihsmDVyCUfS4chjYItYi2ODlfGEtG7K0OkRkm3Ug2wM6WWpVw2PeXUEPXMHUTINK3oQYUZru1umFEx_gVdiD8xVTE3coiYOmrhgy-c3aRJzEODaMHA2zLcZJWp2ZDMILYXOYxXxbWNZGuS/s1600/The+road.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">.... on the Road to Recovery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">AA Bootcamp</span></b><br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">As you may know, I recently published a book titled "<b>Under
Construction - 25 Life-Building Tools for Addicts in Recovery." </b><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>Background information on the book is
readily available through the links on the right side of this blog. The book
can be purchased through on-line book retailers, including amazon.com and
barnesandnoble.com.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The positive feedback I have been getting
from many individuals is way beyond my greatest expectations. I have had
newcomers to AA, "long (old) timers," and family members tell me the many ways the book has helped them in dealing with recovery. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Another unexpected highlight was when I was informed that the book is being utilized by counselors in local recovery treatment facilities. I regularly thank God for inspiring and
guiding me in writing the book. Without Him, it would not have happened.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">And the inspiration to write about
recovery has hit me hard again... </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">In response, I am writing a new book for
those who want to learn more about the program of Alcoholics Anonymous. It is
intended to serve as a basic guide for recovery from alcoholism through AA. Although it
is geared toward newcomers, it will serve as a useful resource for AA
members with any length of sobriety as well as their family and friends. It will also provide specific information for </span><span style="font-size: 18px;">professionals,</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> e.g ,counselors, psychologists, lawyers, etc., who want to understand the fundamentals of the AA program.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Although things change when doing a book
project, the draft title for the new book is:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">AA Bootcamp - A Basic Training Guide for Newly Recovering Alcoholics (and Those that are Not so New)</span></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18px;">I will be keeping you updated on the book via posts on this blog.</span></div>
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Rick Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16414772225930427391noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663810386143408807.post-42195549233135561182015-02-24T17:02:00.000-06:002015-02-24T17:02:00.253-06:00Recovery from Alcoholism- Worry is Playing God<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeg1Rzg7MuMeyLoVRk8fi49LJ6ewrF2qwQXBmfd3SF0ZiEUakabGsSj8bsTv5yvKIyXfwyydT-vglxnHv_hTncZlT9ZbHe_m6eowaGEx1yTKYeyJxmhlCqJeWzBK4IaiTPNVZZqOIFrijt/s1600/Reflections+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeg1Rzg7MuMeyLoVRk8fi49LJ6ewrF2qwQXBmfd3SF0ZiEUakabGsSj8bsTv5yvKIyXfwyydT-vglxnHv_hTncZlT9ZbHe_m6eowaGEx1yTKYeyJxmhlCqJeWzBK4IaiTPNVZZqOIFrijt/s1600/Reflections+2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reflections....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju68IxOuzmyomHaXTavIewcJD9bUD1i5lawSXZvW8AReIp_OUjzm6T_WPydSeDy-_z7ZEEF08aiELa7Y1Lb5SuMmHEtFLsTBvRI4KpeHrvhctZwFSAmb-AWsWkhLPDeWPkueO1Sb6WJlcY/s1600/The+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju68IxOuzmyomHaXTavIewcJD9bUD1i5lawSXZvW8AReIp_OUjzm6T_WPydSeDy-_z7ZEEF08aiELa7Y1Lb5SuMmHEtFLsTBvRI4KpeHrvhctZwFSAmb-AWsWkhLPDeWPkueO1Sb6WJlcY/s1600/The+road.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....on the Road to Recovery<br /><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Worry is Playing God<div>
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<div>
Do you spend a lot of time worrying about the future? How things will turn out? Imagine lots of negative things that may happen in the future?</div>
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Isn't this really assuming the role of God for your life? </div>
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I am human so I am going to worry at times. That's the human condition. However, when I worry continually and excessively, it is clearly my attempt to control... not trusting in the true God, who has helped me for so many years. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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The more I can trust God to take care of me and the future, the more peace I will have and the less I will worry... get angry... engage in addictive behavior... and so on and so on.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Do you ever catch yourself playing God?<br /><br />
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Rick Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16414772225930427391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663810386143408807.post-45840977763768538802015-02-17T05:00:00.000-06:002015-02-17T05:00:02.898-06:00Recovery from Alcoholism-A Power Greater than Yourself<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuaG64ZUqzCl8J6RLJUogrhIMqEwqg_4fclHaRzCC6PjUsfggUZkskjf0nUDBqvhmb4HhrGS4kqD3KADnRF1-zpKdSehTFw8iyd1UwaYh-QiRiaIND3pU22RYZmti-V7K4xFppBt2iA0H/s1600/Reflections+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikuaG64ZUqzCl8J6RLJUogrhIMqEwqg_4fclHaRzCC6PjUsfggUZkskjf0nUDBqvhmb4HhrGS4kqD3KADnRF1-zpKdSehTFw8iyd1UwaYh-QiRiaIND3pU22RYZmti-V7K4xFppBt2iA0H/s1600/Reflections+2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reflections....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghktzsxHesIe_TA4WXLhJUwvI3BhiIi5ifAUwTJzEMVW1O6gJH3v6Q5KdF-ZTevwNitwGmhCeoJYj6rB5Is0iKwSYKZcEEi_Ia4SaVSuy7jC0-SQxtTFnF3Us1CHdRvYCdHO4h6ctqJvI_/s1600/The+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghktzsxHesIe_TA4WXLhJUwvI3BhiIi5ifAUwTJzEMVW1O6gJH3v6Q5KdF-ZTevwNitwGmhCeoJYj6rB5Is0iKwSYKZcEEi_Ia4SaVSuy7jC0-SQxtTFnF3Us1CHdRvYCdHO4h6ctqJvI_/s1600/The+road.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....on the road to recovery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
Recovery from Alcoholism - A Power Greater than Yourself<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Heard this at a meeting the other day... A person new to recovery was having a major problem understanding the idea of a Higher Power. Someone explained this simple thought through the following dialogue:</div>
<div>
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When you started drinking, who was your higher power? </div>
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Meaning, whom did you look to for guidance and direction? <b>Answer </b>- I was my own higher power. I did what I thought I should, what I wanted to do, all the time.</div>
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<div>
Ok. What became of your higher power after you became addicted to alcohol? </div>
<div>
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Meaning, what drove your priorities, your ways of living, the types of things you did and didn't do? <b>Answer</b> - Alcohol. I pretty much did what it drove me to do all the time. I followed its direction, blindly and without care for myself or others.</div>
<div>
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<div>
Conclusion - Ok then. We need to find a <i>different </i>Higher Power. One that is greater than ourselves and alcohol.</div>
<div>
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<div>
... and so the journey begins.</div>
Rick Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16414772225930427391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663810386143408807.post-60526311768516586232015-02-12T06:00:00.000-06:002015-02-12T06:00:00.685-06:00Recovery from Alcoholism-Faith and fear...together?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvmVcFLOZSgdtRic0Sb6GxMrU7jnWSGdXi4fTkVQiuI7gRylaqfHklB09eZ17XhyphenhyphenYgAoUQkl896_OPnf8huUc-3j-pkhwbNj9m1baHgACe336yx96cyZ_YsCJ9gOaMX_c7nMM2uFUp0tZ/s1600/Reflections+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDvmVcFLOZSgdtRic0Sb6GxMrU7jnWSGdXi4fTkVQiuI7gRylaqfHklB09eZ17XhyphenhyphenYgAoUQkl896_OPnf8huUc-3j-pkhwbNj9m1baHgACe336yx96cyZ_YsCJ9gOaMX_c7nMM2uFUp0tZ/s1600/Reflections+2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reflections....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqFXa6uNteXk9asJhe3kskS31w3F0pI6WDTBhLRPl-tygMaXv5PKO_P4_EjVW4K55PQc9iUjNkA8QuX6GHEq1icOrhmI6Gd-mLzYDbGIj7_JAzxQMlsWQp1BGvgrH-qXJWmVZ-6ivUH8x/s1600/The+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqFXa6uNteXk9asJhe3kskS31w3F0pI6WDTBhLRPl-tygMaXv5PKO_P4_EjVW4K55PQc9iUjNkA8QuX6GHEq1icOrhmI6Gd-mLzYDbGIj7_JAzxQMlsWQp1BGvgrH-qXJWmVZ-6ivUH8x/s1600/The+road.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....on the Road to Recovery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Faith and fear... together?<br />
<br />
I've heard this so many times, have you?<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Fear can't live in the same house as faith... fear knocked at the door and faith answered... you can have fear or faith, not both.</i><br />
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I strongly disagree with all of these sayings. I absolutely believe you can be fearful and, at the same time, have strong faith. It happens to me all the time. I'm fearful of doing something, going somewhere, of the unknown future, of circumstances out of my control...<br />
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But I have faith... faith that if I ask my God for help, He will be along side me as I face the fear... to help and guide me; to walk right beside me as I face the challenge. I can think of Him as I go forward, of how He has protected me so many times in the past...<br />
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I once had to address the board of directors of a major company and I was extremely anxious... yes fearful... It was a career-impacting presentation. I was told by my sponsor to bring God right in the room with me. When I entered the room, all seats were taken except the one I was to sit in... and one empty chair directly across from me. I asked God to sit in the chair and help me. I immediately felt some peace and relaxed a bit. During the presentation. I would glance over at that chair for a moment of calm... and I got it.<br />
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Presentation went well. I was told that I seemed very calm and professional.<br />
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Thanks,God, for being with me when I am fearful.<br />
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What do you believe about this issue of faith and fear? What has your experience shown you?Rick Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16414772225930427391noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663810386143408807.post-15866012844951018122015-02-06T18:08:00.000-06:002015-02-07T07:19:42.606-06:00Recovery from Alcoholism-The pin that holds the good lives of our recovery together<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUbDI_09q8qUZLY3klK2tEYpyn829mhgiGI_cN_dOmXBxHrgtFXMS3ImgvvZlXojO-CioLyRJl_mFTpNcTslkXJkusZQfqek6rmZvFn1YXqgdr2xHWGDs7QH_gTNXtmHyvmkTJ0QElgp5/s1600/Reflections+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUbDI_09q8qUZLY3klK2tEYpyn829mhgiGI_cN_dOmXBxHrgtFXMS3ImgvvZlXojO-CioLyRJl_mFTpNcTslkXJkusZQfqek6rmZvFn1YXqgdr2xHWGDs7QH_gTNXtmHyvmkTJ0QElgp5/s1600/Reflections+2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reflections....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv6TccCfqkRzM05XVq77cmz-tzgTvZk16HpFCTKd_4sVop1w-2ycnKKlGdVfmkpJVCt80yWmTz8BR2pq2Mev-B04AEPZEqGz7VbpDom-Rvjz84KHpbw1BIhpgfXxeK0AKJcdQ31mWCLcRe/s1600/The+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv6TccCfqkRzM05XVq77cmz-tzgTvZk16HpFCTKd_4sVop1w-2ycnKKlGdVfmkpJVCt80yWmTz8BR2pq2Mev-B04AEPZEqGz7VbpDom-Rvjz84KHpbw1BIhpgfXxeK0AKJcdQ31mWCLcRe/s1600/The+road.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....on the Road to Recovery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div>
The pin that holds our good lives of our recovery together</div>
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<div>
Heard this at a meeting the other day...Think of our sobriety as a pin that is attached to the ceiling. The ceiling represents our Higher Power and the AA Program. The pin, attached to the ceiling, represents our sobriety. </div>
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Coming down from the pin is a series of strings that represent the good things that we have in our lives as a result of our connection with God and the Program...</div>
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Our families, our jobs, our health, our friends, our self-worth and any other positive thing in your life you can think of.</div>
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Pull the pin out of the ceiling (go back to drinking) and all of the strings (the good things we have) go crashing to the ground as we disconnect from God and the Program.</div>
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Is you pin securely fastened to the ceiling?</div>
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Rick Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16414772225930427391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663810386143408807.post-83192016424619751842015-02-03T05:00:00.000-06:002015-02-04T06:09:20.970-06:00Recovery from Alcoholism-Was it a relapse or a pause?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUbDI_09q8qUZLY3klK2tEYpyn829mhgiGI_cN_dOmXBxHrgtFXMS3ImgvvZlXojO-CioLyRJl_mFTpNcTslkXJkusZQfqek6rmZvFn1YXqgdr2xHWGDs7QH_gTNXtmHyvmkTJ0QElgp5/s1600/Reflections+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMUbDI_09q8qUZLY3klK2tEYpyn829mhgiGI_cN_dOmXBxHrgtFXMS3ImgvvZlXojO-CioLyRJl_mFTpNcTslkXJkusZQfqek6rmZvFn1YXqgdr2xHWGDs7QH_gTNXtmHyvmkTJ0QElgp5/s1600/Reflections+2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reflections....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv6TccCfqkRzM05XVq77cmz-tzgTvZk16HpFCTKd_4sVop1w-2ycnKKlGdVfmkpJVCt80yWmTz8BR2pq2Mev-B04AEPZEqGz7VbpDom-Rvjz84KHpbw1BIhpgfXxeK0AKJcdQ31mWCLcRe/s1600/The+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv6TccCfqkRzM05XVq77cmz-tzgTvZk16HpFCTKd_4sVop1w-2ycnKKlGdVfmkpJVCt80yWmTz8BR2pq2Mev-B04AEPZEqGz7VbpDom-Rvjz84KHpbw1BIhpgfXxeK0AKJcdQ31mWCLcRe/s1600/The+road.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....on the Road to Recovery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Was it a relapse or a pause?<br />
<br />
Over the years, I have heard people come back to the Program and announce that they had a relapse or they may label it a "slip." They may stay sober for a few months, or many months, and then relapse again... and again...<br />
<br />
I don't want to judge these hurting people because who am I to say why some people "get" it the first time and others struggle and may never "get it."<br />
<br />
However, a comment about this story of continuing relapses that really caught my attention went like this: "Oh, that person didn't hurt enough to hit bottom; he just paused drinking until the pain passed, then went back to doing what he was doing."<br />
<br />
What do you think about this?<br />
<br />
<br />Rick Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16414772225930427391noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663810386143408807.post-19155812465918706272015-01-30T05:00:00.000-06:002015-01-30T05:00:06.553-06:00Recovery from Alcoholism- "Many segments in a day's time"<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4zzpw2rg-l-CLIXw55p-u_TvhSVOmN2clyuYLDkaJRNSOW2UlG9ujJ1jpzEv3ZgPdtqqvl6AfTMdpByw-vXpW7RHyB5ZDgkTRA42RAWX_zZhvp_1AxqT9gNk-kfhd7B4u61ZIF5OlVPX/s1600/Reflections+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4zzpw2rg-l-CLIXw55p-u_TvhSVOmN2clyuYLDkaJRNSOW2UlG9ujJ1jpzEv3ZgPdtqqvl6AfTMdpByw-vXpW7RHyB5ZDgkTRA42RAWX_zZhvp_1AxqT9gNk-kfhd7B4u61ZIF5OlVPX/s1600/Reflections+2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reflections....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwwPZ_r1PA4bSbvD_hElOaDuKSFIAyTU4FbUPwW06ct1hHHkY2BroyX1LZyCiRMffV1D8MAX2qYQlbkx9HpQCmjBSid5PFFrFmCj5CG2hPG9OOFR3AaKp3IMMSLlBMDOdcsR25WN8e7DxT/s1600/The+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwwPZ_r1PA4bSbvD_hElOaDuKSFIAyTU4FbUPwW06ct1hHHkY2BroyX1LZyCiRMffV1D8MAX2qYQlbkx9HpQCmjBSid5PFFrFmCj5CG2hPG9OOFR3AaKp3IMMSLlBMDOdcsR25WN8e7DxT/s1600/The+road.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....on the Road to recovery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
"Many Segments in a Day's Time"<br />
<br />
When someone asks you, "How is your day going?" how do you respond?<br />
<br />
For me, it's a general reaction based on how I'm feeling about the cumulative results of my day's thoughts, activities, challenges, successes, failures, etc. <br />
<br />
Lately. though, I have been thinking something different.<br />
<br />
A day is a long time. Lots of things happen in a day's time. I make progress in some areas, make mistakes in others... interact well with some people, not so well with others... My defects of character emerge strongly for a period of time and fade as I take corrective action that I learned in AA. I may feel very connected with God in the a.m. and lose contact when I get angry or fearful later in the day.<br />
<br />
I see it clearly now: a day is a series of segments - some brief, some longer - and what I am just beginning to see is that, when you look at a day as a series of segments, it takes away the attitude of I either had a good day or a bad one. <br />
<br />
Instead, I can experience a whole series of smaller segments that allow me to enjoy the positive moments fully, and, on the other hand, assess, change and move forward from negative experiences. In other words, I can start over many, many times during the day.<br />
<br />
I guess that translates to living an hour at a time, or a segment at a time, instead of a day at a time.<br />
<br />
Looking at a day in this way allows me to enjoy, reflect, adjust, accept and move forward,<br />
instead of getting stuck in a singular pattern of thinking and action.<br />
<br />
By the way, how does this relate to alcoholism?<br />
<br />
My immediate response to this question is that I now reflect on positive things like the subject of this blog - as opposed to laying in bed, sick, hungover, dreading the day and wondering how I will get through it with not drinking... or maybe having just one drink??? Right, sure.<br />
<br />
How is your day of segments going?Rick Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16414772225930427391noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663810386143408807.post-39245492074859155162015-01-27T18:52:00.000-06:002015-01-27T18:52:00.068-06:00Recovery from Alcoholism-I didn't know how to do sober<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz6yHd1WmvUjoIIP6s2JRK5dWwaiiW5vcy2rSMNPtZJqwmw4DeY1rXh9su-8g0ZAMCDoqGk0pQdxv4ShQNbuP4yJLaPKsknpP12MejomsKGvjryw7_h2VQqUuw275CGTx4bwAtplGCCvy5/s1600/Reflections+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz6yHd1WmvUjoIIP6s2JRK5dWwaiiW5vcy2rSMNPtZJqwmw4DeY1rXh9su-8g0ZAMCDoqGk0pQdxv4ShQNbuP4yJLaPKsknpP12MejomsKGvjryw7_h2VQqUuw275CGTx4bwAtplGCCvy5/s1600/Reflections+2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reflections....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_2dhbL5W5LW1HkHv4s9TiIz5rjG87mD5_T-ZdBAEPDSvA9lsSY57RrPA-v2bk78IuT1VOgWqspR3CB0q_MJZQlBwlAzNfzVM55X8LJ8C2xt4GI7-7pCj-UrJ_NxF_v6PO8EpbRcJBh3T/s1600/The+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_2dhbL5W5LW1HkHv4s9TiIz5rjG87mD5_T-ZdBAEPDSvA9lsSY57RrPA-v2bk78IuT1VOgWqspR3CB0q_MJZQlBwlAzNfzVM55X8LJ8C2xt4GI7-7pCj-UrJ_NxF_v6PO8EpbRcJBh3T/s1600/The+road.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....on the road to recovery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I didn't know <em>how to do sober</em><br />
<br />
I was at a meeting one evening when a speaker told his story of recovery. He spoke of being in a treatment center, then like so many others, he left and was out in the real world... beginning a whole new way of life. A sober life. No alcohol or drugs to be used as coping mechanisms.<br />
<br />
He went on to say that, after a brief few days, he had a shocking, and terrifying realization come to him: He did not know <em>how to do sober. </em><br />
<br />
I have heard people on many occasions explain this challenging situation that occurs early in recovery. However, the description, I didn't know <em>how to do sober</em> really struck home and still does. <br />
<br />
<b>Translation:</b><br />
<br />
I had to learn how to - be a father, a husband, a brother, an employee; a person who gets angry, has hurt feelings, gets depressed, gets lonely, has a miserable day, has things happen that causes waves of fear; a person who needs to socialize at social events, who wants to enjoy sporting events, concerts, picnics and parties.<br />
<br />
Hard for us to do all these things without the crutch of alcohol and drugs. Without numbing ourselves and missing the full experiences of life.<br />
<br />
How are you doing "doing life sober"?Rick Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16414772225930427391noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663810386143408807.post-42156206171183609552015-01-23T05:00:00.000-06:002015-01-23T05:00:07.592-06:00Recovery from Alcoholism- "Negotiate, compromise, communicate"<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4zzpw2rg-l-CLIXw55p-u_TvhSVOmN2clyuYLDkaJRNSOW2UlG9ujJ1jpzEv3ZgPdtqqvl6AfTMdpByw-vXpW7RHyB5ZDgkTRA42RAWX_zZhvp_1AxqT9gNk-kfhd7B4u61ZIF5OlVPX/s1600/Reflections+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4zzpw2rg-l-CLIXw55p-u_TvhSVOmN2clyuYLDkaJRNSOW2UlG9ujJ1jpzEv3ZgPdtqqvl6AfTMdpByw-vXpW7RHyB5ZDgkTRA42RAWX_zZhvp_1AxqT9gNk-kfhd7B4u61ZIF5OlVPX/s1600/Reflections+2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reflections....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwwPZ_r1PA4bSbvD_hElOaDuKSFIAyTU4FbUPwW06ct1hHHkY2BroyX1LZyCiRMffV1D8MAX2qYQlbkx9HpQCmjBSid5PFFrFmCj5CG2hPG9OOFR3AaKp3IMMSLlBMDOdcsR25WN8e7DxT/s1600/The+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwwPZ_r1PA4bSbvD_hElOaDuKSFIAyTU4FbUPwW06ct1hHHkY2BroyX1LZyCiRMffV1D8MAX2qYQlbkx9HpQCmjBSid5PFFrFmCj5CG2hPG9OOFR3AaKp3IMMSLlBMDOdcsR25WN8e7DxT/s1600/The+road.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....on the Road to Recovery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
"Negotiate, compromise, communicate"<br />
<br />
Relationships are difficult. For anyone, addiction issues or not.<br />
<br />
The three words above have become a clear pathway for me to have a chance at success in a relationship. I'm in no way saying I have a command of these skills, I just have become confident that they are keys for success.<br />
<br />
<b>Negotiate </b>- We learn to give and take. The "it's my way or the highway" doesn't work to well for the other party. Maybe sometimes we do something we don't want to do, just for the good of the other person. They will know we are doing it - that helps - a lot.<br />
<br />
<b>Compromise </b>- Maybe we can't have all that we want, exactly the way we want it. Maybe some adjustment that makes the other person feel more comfortable is worth the sacrifice. <br />
<br />
<b>Communicate </b>- I think guys especially believe that their thoughts, feelings and wants are somehow magically transmitted to the other party,without speaking. Guys, it's not true. We need to talk for communication to work. And then, an equally difficult thing for all of us,we need to<i> listen</i> to the other person (not just <i>hear</i> them) without preparing our response while they are speaking. <br />
<br />
Someone told me once that when his sponsor calls him, the first question he asks is "How are your relationships going?"<br />
<br />
How are your relationships going today?Rick Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16414772225930427391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663810386143408807.post-40474353864520349612015-01-20T05:00:00.000-06:002015-01-21T08:19:53.289-06:00Recovery from Alcoholism- Seek God's will ...then COOPERATE!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMJouPlDTxrirQZFKrBHhmdYEq2oR5iK_VNdxAkcBiQSUlhLQU0VRhuGjNTiyH4VaWYGIpsC2ytyw_1amvoBK65jgPhgL6JIei_NsjJWGxVS50gr0y0Fo9tDLcdlzFivqsp5JnikCq8cb/s1600/Reflections+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMJouPlDTxrirQZFKrBHhmdYEq2oR5iK_VNdxAkcBiQSUlhLQU0VRhuGjNTiyH4VaWYGIpsC2ytyw_1amvoBK65jgPhgL6JIei_NsjJWGxVS50gr0y0Fo9tDLcdlzFivqsp5JnikCq8cb/s1600/Reflections+2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reflections....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyzcTD5NUaFg6BhQb4KpOkkxQ8FOe5C-xGTu4Pgj7QfIhGtfw88sba57PG0SboSPqHO6uX4dOQqsv5NavDd4P0oTxNmCiIxKIfPjGAdS0cxm34EhTa5wiKwKMHkOR95Pu9CXgdeeCTODmx/s1600/The+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyzcTD5NUaFg6BhQb4KpOkkxQ8FOe5C-xGTu4Pgj7QfIhGtfw88sba57PG0SboSPqHO6uX4dOQqsv5NavDd4P0oTxNmCiIxKIfPjGAdS0cxm34EhTa5wiKwKMHkOR95Pu9CXgdeeCTODmx/s1600/The+road.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....on the Road to Recovery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
Seek God's will - then COOPERATE!<br />
<br />
I've been practicing this lately... and the results have been clear and positive. <br />
<br />
I had been in a spiritual slump for a few months and began praying about it. I was told by several spiritual people that maybe God is preparing me for some changes... and He was.<br />
<br />
In my meditation, I was sensing the push to go to different meetings, try a different church, spend more time with spiritual people who are living God's will in their lives.<br />
<br />
Now here is what I discovered. I have sensed promptings like this before... and, due to fear, lack of courage, laziness, or comfort seeking, just did not do what I sensed was God's will for me. Even to try these changes, and find they were only pointing me to some other positive change, would have been the right path.<br />
<br />
So the 11th Step asks us to seek God's will and then have God give us the power to carry it out.<br />
<br />
However, I need to add this: once He gives me the power to do His will, I need to COOPERATE and take the action required. (<i>Do the footwork</i>.) If I only know the solution, but don't implement it in my life, then what am I saying to God?<br />
<br />
Because of our human nature, this is a simple concept... but not easy to implement.<br />
<br />
<b>Question </b>- Have you, at times, been able to discern the will of God? When it was clear, did you do it? Results?<br />
<br />
<br />Rick Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16414772225930427391noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663810386143408807.post-21965364393598335292015-01-18T16:02:00.000-06:002015-01-18T16:04:52.021-06:00Recovery from Alcoholism - Clean, Sober and Free from Addiction!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMJouPlDTxrirQZFKrBHhmdYEq2oR5iK_VNdxAkcBiQSUlhLQU0VRhuGjNTiyH4VaWYGIpsC2ytyw_1amvoBK65jgPhgL6JIei_NsjJWGxVS50gr0y0Fo9tDLcdlzFivqsp5JnikCq8cb/s1600/Reflections+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMJouPlDTxrirQZFKrBHhmdYEq2oR5iK_VNdxAkcBiQSUlhLQU0VRhuGjNTiyH4VaWYGIpsC2ytyw_1amvoBK65jgPhgL6JIei_NsjJWGxVS50gr0y0Fo9tDLcdlzFivqsp5JnikCq8cb/s1600/Reflections+2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reflections...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyzcTD5NUaFg6BhQb4KpOkkxQ8FOe5C-xGTu4Pgj7QfIhGtfw88sba57PG0SboSPqHO6uX4dOQqsv5NavDd4P0oTxNmCiIxKIfPjGAdS0cxm34EhTa5wiKwKMHkOR95Pu9CXgdeeCTODmx/s1600/The+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyzcTD5NUaFg6BhQb4KpOkkxQ8FOe5C-xGTu4Pgj7QfIhGtfw88sba57PG0SboSPqHO6uX4dOQqsv5NavDd4P0oTxNmCiIxKIfPjGAdS0cxm34EhTa5wiKwKMHkOR95Pu9CXgdeeCTODmx/s1600/The+road.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....on the Road to Recovery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Greetings to my friends in recovery,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am writing to re-introduce my revamped “blog”<b> </b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <b>Recovery from Alcoholism - Clean, Sober and Free from Addiction! </b></span>For those who are new to this term, a blog is just an on-line website where an individual can “post” thoughts, ideas, concepts, etc., and have others comment on those posts to, in essence, get the viewpoints of many on a particular subject or topic.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On this blog, we share ideas, thoughts and reflections on recovery. Then, those of you who are interested, can respond with your comments, views, etc. The following is a link to the blog:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I realize that some of you are not familiar with blogs (I wasn't until recently), so here are some detailed instructions on how to View, Comment, and Subscribe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please don’t be put off by the numerous steps –<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>they are straightforward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">View</b> - You can simply just visit the blog when you wish and follow the dialogue of any topic that interests you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Once you locate the site, you can save it in your “favorites” for later use.)</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Comment</b> - You can comment on any post (those are the topics I will present on the blog) to share your thoughts, insights, reflections, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(No sign-up required – an option described in #3 below.)<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span>Click on the post that you want to comment on</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left: .75in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span></span>A box will appear under the words “Post a Comment”</div>
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Rick H.</div>
Rick Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16414772225930427391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663810386143408807.post-55870190228116591132015-01-15T05:57:00.001-06:002015-01-18T14:02:17.429-06:00Recovery from Alcoholism- Restart your day-anytime!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ttCSU_TaNSn8c0bdfE1AMBYSlyzWm7f03hG4Y3bdO8yZutgFaAUfCKlD678nRKefioelO3HGdqz7TgR9NSn34FVt0wiKEdJjD4QwIt_-ZSFEadut-NDkD_RYCyPpbu40pCBtIj5Ru9P1/s1600/Reflections+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ttCSU_TaNSn8c0bdfE1AMBYSlyzWm7f03hG4Y3bdO8yZutgFaAUfCKlD678nRKefioelO3HGdqz7TgR9NSn34FVt0wiKEdJjD4QwIt_-ZSFEadut-NDkD_RYCyPpbu40pCBtIj5Ru9P1/s1600/Reflections+2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reflections....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgzrUTj_LSPt0LkTS5Z7Fb9hmeo7JvwDN1cDKyoCuI94p-4JiNpSJYV5kVSwMGCIX0ZTwe0MiupDKEhnsTxmhbDaBqNoy80XwnX3QBdC8v3oqNs5Y1UQvMvGx9ZHanuXveRd8spGaV6pf/s1600/The+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDgzrUTj_LSPt0LkTS5Z7Fb9hmeo7JvwDN1cDKyoCuI94p-4JiNpSJYV5kVSwMGCIX0ZTwe0MiupDKEhnsTxmhbDaBqNoy80XwnX3QBdC8v3oqNs5Y1UQvMvGx9ZHanuXveRd8spGaV6pf/s1600/The+road.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....on the Road to Recovery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Restart your day-anytime!<br />
<br />
For many years of my life when I started the day off in a bad mood, you could be assured the rest of the day would be miserable for me and those around me. I didn't know there was an alternative.<br />
<br />
As years passed in my recovery journey, as promised, more was revealed. One day at a meeting someone talked about the bad day they were having. Another member at the table offered this simple thought: "You know, you can start your day over anytime you want - like right now!"<br />
<br />
I immediately remembered being in a bowling league and the age old idea of: if your first 5 frames are bad - just draw a line on the score sheet and start the next 5 frames like a new game. Funny the ways in which God continues to guide and teach me.<br />
<br />
Here's my suggestion: The next time your day sets you in a bad mood- take a short pause, ask your Higher Power to help- then start the rest of the day with a new beginning. At the end of the day reflect on how that worked.Rick Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16414772225930427391noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663810386143408807.post-39455090915205248242015-01-10T08:34:00.000-06:002015-01-18T14:02:31.062-06:00Recovery from Alcoholism- When things go smoothly<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgozPFtL2D5ujpzF8y7OTLXT54etiofvA8ND09w07c1KrvhY6Svsq9-2zXPTI1QA7yTQKjyVgcBc3crCiALqq8tmEyzeqZ31DJ1CmgXoME7Wke5aQbF0WyKm2FIuB0l6DbwxtpB2xVcTf1/s1600/Reflections+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgozPFtL2D5ujpzF8y7OTLXT54etiofvA8ND09w07c1KrvhY6Svsq9-2zXPTI1QA7yTQKjyVgcBc3crCiALqq8tmEyzeqZ31DJ1CmgXoME7Wke5aQbF0WyKm2FIuB0l6DbwxtpB2xVcTf1/s1600/Reflections+2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reflections....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ0r-qxYnqkJqlovxeTWyuboB2I2sO_fknVjC81-mtSHI1xGvzSUiYYq0R2p6xhNBOT7nefyVwl-waqSoureeRuW7OfJuly6plrafTaaUQlxRVGN8sU0vmENRjZpExZDT1zhafHaMxObW2/s1600/The+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ0r-qxYnqkJqlovxeTWyuboB2I2sO_fknVjC81-mtSHI1xGvzSUiYYq0R2p6xhNBOT7nefyVwl-waqSoureeRuW7OfJuly6plrafTaaUQlxRVGN8sU0vmENRjZpExZDT1zhafHaMxObW2/s1600/The+road.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....on the Road to Recovery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
"When things go smoothly"<br />
<br />
I have heard this observation made by many at meetings I have attended. It goes something like this:<br />
<br />
"When I am doing the will of God, as I understand Him, things just seem to go smoothly in my life. My day just seems to flow better."<br />
<br />
Many in recovery have experienced this, including me. But what I have noticed lately is just a little more specific. My everyday day activities <strong>in reality do go more smoothly. </strong>It's not merely that I view the events more positively, that I'm more accepting of life on life's terms. T<strong>he actual results of the day's activities are much better</strong>... as compared to what?<br />
<br />
As compared to when, for whatever reason, I choose to "run the show." When I edge God out of the picture and start taking control... without His guidance that comes from staying spiritually fit.<br />
<br />
Although I'd like to give a lot of examples of what I am describing, I can't. Maybe the difference in positive vs. negative results is that I'm more confident in my decisions, maybe I'm kinder to people and they respond better; maybe my thinking is clearer and less clouded by defects... maybe all this is part of it... and maybe the most important factor is that God is showing me that to do His will is a better way to live. For me and those around me.<br />
<br />
If you have experienced what I am writing about, you will understand. Have you?<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
Rick Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16414772225930427391noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663810386143408807.post-63664472201263016192014-11-18T08:20:00.000-06:002014-11-18T08:20:00.308-06:00Resentments and Gratitude<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrEmTarzfvOD56BZCbQa2f6clxQIBiZZB1vbFMGpV4Ge4R1IkMnWQfRCwnR_xVvprNxor-HCsqp80_HZliLw3i7D2rg3wVQChgrW6Zo_CcvPxggVZ5t1LCbXDqVx0hkfVU1QwHbEo3EZaG/s1600/Reflections+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrEmTarzfvOD56BZCbQa2f6clxQIBiZZB1vbFMGpV4Ge4R1IkMnWQfRCwnR_xVvprNxor-HCsqp80_HZliLw3i7D2rg3wVQChgrW6Zo_CcvPxggVZ5t1LCbXDqVx0hkfVU1QwHbEo3EZaG/s1600/Reflections+2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reflections</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQzaudhl_bd1jTNOCi2SX-w2lENTL6Gqqsrp8E9xcOhKmx9b-85SGHvhmucC_XFuNgqOgJAu7qJlFES-Z9RS-xkAjR81P4VmwcYbXytUV9zlWK9OATM7InfD0YXHYUdNSuIOXQOXxmjk4/s1600/The+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQzaudhl_bd1jTNOCi2SX-w2lENTL6Gqqsrp8E9xcOhKmx9b-85SGHvhmucC_XFuNgqOgJAu7qJlFES-Z9RS-xkAjR81P4VmwcYbXytUV9zlWK9OATM7InfD0YXHYUdNSuIOXQOXxmjk4/s1600/The+road.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....on the Road to Recovery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
Heard this the other day.....<br />
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Write your resentments in sand.....write your blessings in granite.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Rick Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16414772225930427391noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663810386143408807.post-76168639945112510192014-09-29T08:00:00.000-05:002014-09-29T08:00:00.782-05:00Hmmmm....Was my worst day sober really better than my best day drunk?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4zzpw2rg-l-CLIXw55p-u_TvhSVOmN2clyuYLDkaJRNSOW2UlG9ujJ1jpzEv3ZgPdtqqvl6AfTMdpByw-vXpW7RHyB5ZDgkTRA42RAWX_zZhvp_1AxqT9gNk-kfhd7B4u61ZIF5OlVPX/s1600/Reflections+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4zzpw2rg-l-CLIXw55p-u_TvhSVOmN2clyuYLDkaJRNSOW2UlG9ujJ1jpzEv3ZgPdtqqvl6AfTMdpByw-vXpW7RHyB5ZDgkTRA42RAWX_zZhvp_1AxqT9gNk-kfhd7B4u61ZIF5OlVPX/s1600/Reflections+2.jpg"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reflections....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwwPZ_r1PA4bSbvD_hElOaDuKSFIAyTU4FbUPwW06ct1hHHkY2BroyX1LZyCiRMffV1D8MAX2qYQlbkx9HpQCmjBSid5PFFrFmCj5CG2hPG9OOFR3AaKp3IMMSLlBMDOdcsR25WN8e7DxT/s1600/The+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwwPZ_r1PA4bSbvD_hElOaDuKSFIAyTU4FbUPwW06ct1hHHkY2BroyX1LZyCiRMffV1D8MAX2qYQlbkx9HpQCmjBSid5PFFrFmCj5CG2hPG9OOFR3AaKp3IMMSLlBMDOdcsR25WN8e7DxT/s1600/The+road.jpg"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....on the Road to Recovery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
<br>
<br>
My worst day sober was better than my best day drunk. <br>
<br>
I've heard this saying for a long time. Several years ago I stopped and really thought about the statement as it relates to my life. The simple answer I came up with is that your answer depends on how you look at things... I wrote the following short story that explained this in more detail<br>
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<br>
<a href="http://recoveryunderconstruction.blogspot.com/2014/09/hmmmmwas-my-worst-day-sober-really.html#more">Read more »</a>Rick Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16414772225930427391noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663810386143408807.post-54439423410684027592014-09-22T05:00:00.000-05:002015-01-18T14:02:59.366-06:00Recovery from Alcoholism- Gratitude and Blessings <br>
<img class="rg_i" data-sz="f" name="t-dBhft-_x3zAM:" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ92jsYA5RZObAXpuYuBlS1cS9fMN8U0b6LiE6hc0lGEmL1DHdVCQ" style="height: 181px; margin-left: -10px; margin-right: -10px; margin-top: 0px; width: 242px;"><br>
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During my days of drinking, I'm not sure what I would have said if someone asked me what I was grateful for. I'm not sure I even had an understanding of what that word meant. I would say things like, "Man, I was lucky to get that or have this". Or, "Well, I worked hard for it, it I deserve it." I took so many things large and small for granted. As if I deserved it - like this is the way it should be.<br>
<br>
<a href="http://recoveryunderconstruction.blogspot.com/2014/09/recovery-from-alcoholsim-gratitude-and.html#more">Read more »</a>Rick Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16414772225930427391noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663810386143408807.post-3886482951044156532014-09-15T16:08:00.000-05:002014-09-15T16:08:00.448-05:00What are the principles we are supposed to "practice in all our affairs"?<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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I attended a meeting a while ago where the lead and discussion were on Step 12, (Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried
to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these <i>principles</i> in
all our affairs.)
When it was their turn to speak, a person who had been around for a while, but less than a year, asked this question. "What does it mean, <i> and practice these principals in all our affairs</i>"? They went on.....</div>
<a href="http://recoveryunderconstruction.blogspot.com/2014/09/what-are-principles-we-are-supposed-to.html#more">Read more »</a>Rick Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16414772225930427391noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663810386143408807.post-24001400152031664352014-09-08T06:56:00.000-05:002015-01-18T14:02:43.650-06:00Recovery from alcoholism- A promise<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=663810386143408807" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=663810386143408807" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=663810386143408807" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=663810386143408807" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
I have been in meetings with lots of newcomers to AA during
my years of sobriety. I listen to their struggles from both a life perspective
and most intently from an emotional perspective. They describe their fears, remorse,
depression, loneliness, along with their desire to stay sober. The pain in their
faces is not hard to recognize. Neither is the uncertainty of their lives to
follow….</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I remember this time in my life very well. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember thinking, well I may not ever drink
again (nor do I want to), but this is for sure: I will never laugh or enjoy
laughing again like those guys sitting at that front table yucking it up all
meeting long.<br>
<br>
</div><a href="http://recoveryunderconstruction.blogspot.com/2014/09/recovery-from-alcoholism-promise.html#more">Read more »</a>Rick Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16414772225930427391noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663810386143408807.post-91025071152152965602014-09-08T06:47:00.001-05:002015-01-18T14:03:13.821-06:00Recovery from alcoholism- The sorry plight of the "functioning alcoholic"<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEWJee5GZh0Tmav73hUl5O5CbrDToTNekThlZezePuiOrB9nvz36RxThSgByVzyCIzpjPIFS8w7bCbyCQa4V6jjvpXdp9oIeJvIjHmPRoU7uYRXDGr0yvWsgsJ-NCPMyS77AtGwDb9Q9_/s1600/Reflections+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfEWJee5GZh0Tmav73hUl5O5CbrDToTNekThlZezePuiOrB9nvz36RxThSgByVzyCIzpjPIFS8w7bCbyCQa4V6jjvpXdp9oIeJvIjHmPRoU7uYRXDGr0yvWsgsJ-NCPMyS77AtGwDb9Q9_/s1600/Reflections+2.jpg"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reflections....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tVnANuR5h7Zxek1WGHsL59vyeV-sP4qx6UG4qzXJ8ZOfq6TACC8Pqvki5nH6zRJQweM1gC3_8gL3fY1NxzoEZ-pTtGxcyn9yjcPRRZJE0SJZkJFqtLkG3QdOkoyl0H-BJyycWsHiHCcL/s1600/The+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7tVnANuR5h7Zxek1WGHsL59vyeV-sP4qx6UG4qzXJ8ZOfq6TACC8Pqvki5nH6zRJQweM1gC3_8gL3fY1NxzoEZ-pTtGxcyn9yjcPRRZJE0SJZkJFqtLkG3QdOkoyl0H-BJyycWsHiHCcL/s1600/The+road.jpg"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....on the Road to Recovery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br>
The sorry plight of the "Functioning Alcoholic"<br>
<br>
First, here are a few of the tendencies I would use to describe a functioning alcoholic (someone who is dependent on alcohol to cope with life, but who has managed to keep functioning without getting into "too much trouble"): <br>
<br>
<ul>
<li>They rarely miss work due to drinking.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>They try to control when and how much they drink- they are constantly aware of this need to "control" their drinking.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>They do not want people to know how much they drink.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>They try to hide their drinking from others. (Although they believe they are sneakily successful at this, almost all around them know they drink to excess.)</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>They are very moody, restless, irritable and discontent until they get the needed level of alcohol in their system.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>They attribute alcohol-related or aggravating illnesses, like stomach problems, sleeping problems, nervousness, skin issues, and even life threatening diseases, to anything other than their continual, excessive drinking. </li>
</ul>
<br>
But that's not the essence of what I want to share..... <br>
<br>
<a href="http://recoveryunderconstruction.blogspot.com/2014/09/recovery-from-alcoholism-sorry-plight.html#more">Read more »</a>Rick Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16414772225930427391noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663810386143408807.post-39174878564640787212014-09-01T06:00:00.000-05:002014-09-01T06:00:01.255-05:00The "Ism" in Alcoholism - Below the Surface <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSJ9WCGMgN7GtYo242W8kvkgLyAQSJnPeiBIXFNjtyvihDbB0w6" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" class="rg_i" data-sz="f" name="KBZFLUAXSINkrM:" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSJ9WCGMgN7GtYo242W8kvkgLyAQSJnPeiBIXFNjtyvihDbB0w6" style="height: 191px; margin-top: 0px; width: 131px;" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
A friend of mine recently gave an analogy of the complete picture of our disease. The analogy goes something like this:<br />
<br />
Our actual abuse of alcohol and its damage to us and others is like the tip of an iceberg. Only a symptom of our problem. What lies underneath the surface is the total iceberg of our disease - the "ism" that is the engine that drives our alcohol abuse.<br />
<br />
I think this "ism' is driven by our negative attitudes, resentments, selfishness, angers, fears, and the rest of our character defects.<br />
<br />
So what I get out of this is, if we want the tip of the iceberg (abuse of alcohol) to be removed, we need to get underneath the waves to address the "exact nature of our wrongs".<br />
<br />
<b>Please share: </b><br />
<br />
What are your thoughts on this analogy?<br />
<br />
How would you describe the "ism" in this analogy?<br />
<br />
Have you ever experienced "untreated alcoholism" where you are not drinking, but that's about it for being positive?<br />
<br />
How are you addressing the "rest of the iceberg" in terms of your recovery? Rick Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16414772225930427391noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663810386143408807.post-72022304691429617142014-08-26T05:00:00.000-05:002014-08-26T05:00:01.415-05:00Recovery from alcoholism- Bless them, change me!<!--[if !mso]>
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The other day I was talking with someone about an issue they were having with a relative. The essence of their story was
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ourselves thereby building our self-confidence and sense of well-being- <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>reducing resentments toward ourselves and
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That’s a good one to remember!</div>
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Rick Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16414772225930427391noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663810386143408807.post-57695734127608556352014-08-19T19:21:00.000-05:002014-08-19T19:21:00.395-05:00Recovery from alcoholism- Hawaii and my spiritual condition<br>
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The last few days have been rough ones for me. Over the
weekend I went away and as my friend Bob says “got out of my routines and
practices”. Got out of sync. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I got a
call from a friend Dan this morning and we talked about being spiritually fit
and how that is the most important thing for our peace and serenity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I admitted that when I feel “bad” the first
thing I want to do; is do something to escape, anything (thank God drinking does not come to mind) - preferably those things that are
“fun” things to do for me. Golf, fish, buy something, etc. These are not bad
things in themselves but they are not the priority, if my objective is to get
some peace of mind and get connected with God. Once I get connected spiritually
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>then</u></b> my world opens up to
many exciting, pleasant possibilities.</div>
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</div><a href="http://recoveryunderconstruction.blogspot.com/2014/08/recovery-from-alcoholism-hawaii-and-my.html#more">Read more »</a>Rick Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16414772225930427391noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663810386143408807.post-23848441687591825882014-08-13T21:22:00.000-05:002014-08-13T21:22:03.992-05:00Reflections on the Road to Recovery from Alcoholism- "All the help we can get"<div align="left">
<b>W</b>ith the tragic passing of Robin Williams, there is much talk in the meetings I attend regarding the topics of addiction, depression, anxiety and other mental disorders. </div>
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Here is the bottom line for me: in the context of the recovery world, I'm not ashamed to admit... I suffer from alcoholism, an addicitve personality, anxiety and depression. None of these mental disorders hinders me from living a full and meaningul life. I'm sure many in the outside world who don't know about my illnesses... would probably even think I have my act together pretty well.</div>
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But that doesn't matter. What really matters is that I understand and accept that I need to address all of my illnesses. That means I need to see medical doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists... and I have and will continue to do so.</div>
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I also need to work out regularly, pray and meditate, do new things like yoga, drink minimal amounts of caffeine (not doing so well there at the moment), eat regularly, and get the best sleep possible.</div>
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The reality that <i><b>I have to do things I don't want to do and not do things I want to do</b></i> really frustrates me at times... </div>
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But here is the question.: do I want to be as well as I can be? Am I willing to do the things that I need to do for the good of myself and those around me?</div>
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Am I willing to work for my <b>sobriety</b> (as defined in the dictionary as "<b>soundness of mind</b>")?</div>
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There is, at time,s a subtle reference in AA meetings "that AA is all we need." Typically there is not much more added to the statement of "need." People can say and believe whatever they want.</div>
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The full program of AA, with the help of my God, has saved me from a "hopeless state of mind and body." No question about that. And I will be forever grateful that I found the program.</div>
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However, it is clear to me that I, along with many others in AA, need more help than what's entailed in the full program of AA. Some get this and take action, others don't. Some of those who don't get outside help suffer unnecessarily, end up in mental institutions or and even die... without drinking. </div>
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The following is what the <i>Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous </i>says on the matter<b>.</b></div>
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<b>Page 133 of the <i>Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous</i> (First Edition):</b> </div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 3;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">"Now
about health: A body badly burned by alcohol does not often
recover overnight nor do twisted thinking and depression vanish in
a twinkling. We are convinced that a spiritual mode of living is a
most powerful health restorative. We, who have recovered from
serious drinking, are miracles of mental health. But we have seen
remarkable transformations in our bodies. Hardly one of our crowd
now shows any dissipation.<br />
<br />
But this does not mean that we disregard human health measures.
God has abundantly supplied this world with fine doctors,
psychologists, and practitioners of various kinds. Do not
hesitate to take your health problems to such persons. Most of
them give freely of themselves, that their fellows may enjoy sound
minds and bodies. Try to remember that though God has wrought
miracles among us, we should never belittle a good doctor or
psychiatrist. Their services are often indispensable in treating a
newcomer and in following his case afterward."</span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Rick Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16414772225930427391noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663810386143408807.post-34792499308185397602014-08-13T05:37:00.000-05:002014-08-13T05:37:00.265-05:00Football and a Game Plan for Recovery (from alcoholism)The Chicago AA office issues a newsletter named "Here's How". They recently published an article I wrote celebrating the start of the NFL season- and relating a particular game to the priority of staying sober. <br>
<br>
Wanted to share the story with you.<br>
<br>
<b>Football and a Game Plan for Recovery</b><br>
<br>
Well its football season again. A few days ago, I was watching the Chicago Bears pre-season game. I am a huge NFL fan and a die-hard Chicago Bear fan. I’m predicting (like always) this will be a good year for the Bears.<br>
<br>
Watching this game got me thinking about a Bears game several years ago where an event happened that caused me to reflect on the stages of recovery. This analogy that I will describe is like many I get regarding real life situations and how they relate to alcoholism. I don’t know why I get these thoughts or inspirations, but I do know they mean a lot to me, are spiritual in nature and I am grateful to God for giving them to me.......<br>
<br>
<br>
<a href="http://recoveryunderconstruction.blogspot.com/2014/08/football-and-game-plan-for-recovery.html#more">Read more »</a>Rick Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16414772225930427391noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-663810386143408807.post-14535845375155432432014-08-09T14:53:00.000-05:002014-08-09T14:53:25.160-05:00Reflections on the Road to Recovery from Alcoholism- "Attitude Adjustment"<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUF4b_05heueWFSIh3aApAKzw93kkGEEEzCnzXutZsCWqG68Y9Nk5EfUU3Xi5mq5LA9mlOCLqF-nvCQdaA7flAEA_mgq3nHIDQJ6vo9yayqqCGqu_lfoHdWOmWEaqM5J9ye5_RfIuK2BcS/s1600/Reflections+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUF4b_05heueWFSIh3aApAKzw93kkGEEEzCnzXutZsCWqG68Y9Nk5EfUU3Xi5mq5LA9mlOCLqF-nvCQdaA7flAEA_mgq3nHIDQJ6vo9yayqqCGqu_lfoHdWOmWEaqM5J9ye5_RfIuK2BcS/s1600/Reflections+2.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reflections...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVJVfqM9EbN4lJ0MVJnRCSz9okoKnVbKb3FaiZ7hrnxlYsg4am1WHllwhcEirrG9Li9QWNxwytEYkP1e-eKu02V3su-qI8-26DArEhWxyzi2iGUoYzWr1N9hViiypoEh6YAW_wQkKvT2a/s1600/The+road.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVJVfqM9EbN4lJ0MVJnRCSz9okoKnVbKb3FaiZ7hrnxlYsg4am1WHllwhcEirrG9Li9QWNxwytEYkP1e-eKu02V3su-qI8-26DArEhWxyzi2iGUoYzWr1N9hViiypoEh6YAW_wQkKvT2a/s1600/The+road.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....on the Road to Recovery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
"Attitude Adjustment"<br />
<br />
A few days ago, I was driving around and had a bunch of negative thinking going on. So many blessings in my life... so much to be grateful for... and my mind is full of negativity.<br />
<br />
A thought came to me: I didn't need to change anything, go anywhere, buy anything, watch anything, play anything... do anything at all to change my frame of mind... I just needed an <b>attitude adjustment.</b><br />
<br />
Needed to view things from a different perspective. Turn my attention elsewhere. A thought adjustment such as life is, and never will be, perfect. We are always going to have some type of struggle and challenge going on... no matter how much we try to control things. It's the way we look at these things and how we address them that determines our state of mind.<br />
<br />
Is it a major problem or a minor obstacle?<br />
<br />
Is there action we can take to address the situation or do we need to accept part or all of it as "life"?<br />
<br />
Is there any positive side to it... short or long term?<br />
<br />
Can we use the situation to encourage or help someone else who has a similar situation?<br />
<br />
Is it something that will help us build a stronger recovery program?<br />
<br />
Get us closer to God?Rick Hhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16414772225930427391noreply@blogger.com2