what we see depends mainly on what we look for.
my affirmation for today is - i look for love and truth through open eyes.
dear God,
i often marvel at the many images vying to be seen.
pretty images and beautiful illusions, created to distract and entertain:
endless hours of which actor is wearing what or who they are kissing,
in depth analysis and commentary regarding politicians who don't
really say anything but desperately want us to think they have answers,
instant replays of instant replays of who really dropped the ball,
purported preachers of good news picketing people who love.
there are other images:
smiling children going to schools that have too few books or teachers,
pain in a lonely persons eyes replaced by hope through a hug,
beautiful coastlines with trash and oil slicks on the beaches,
kids laughing while their mothers search the garbage heap for food,
gratitude in a recovering addicts eyes,
communities embracing one another,
people gladly sharing what they have,
a father playing with his children in the park,
babies holding mommies fingers and learning how to walk
glossy magazines, television shows and internet websites deliver many images.
as i look over some of what i read on this web-site today, i ask myself
what is it that i see?
what would You God have me see?
who would You God have me be?
amen
Sammy,
As always, a great post in the light of recovery. You are a great inspration to me and for anyone serious about recovery. I can't wait for that day when you pull in my driveway so I can give you a great big hug! I love ya', talk to ya' soon.
Take care...................................God bless......................................Bob
As always, a great post in the light of recovery. You are a great inspration to me and for anyone serious about recovery. I can't wait for that day when you pull in my driveway so I can give you a great big hug! I love ya', talk to ya' soon.
Take care...................................God bless......................................Bob
well - i'm happy to hear that i said something that was inspiring, sweetheart. however, i feel as if i have to dig deeper into the soil of my giving. what an incredible journey of discovery life has been. and bob, no matter what i think i've accomplished, i have only scratched the surface of my own generosity.
what an appropriate time of the year, for us all to dig deep. beyond the sales, bargains, gifts and decorations; beyond the parties, wrapping paper, ribbons and bows; help us focus on the Love that gives birth to christmas.
may our hearts be ready and open to experience the true meaning of this holy season. may the spirit of Love be reborn in us all.
to the still suffering addict who may be reading this, the greatest gift you give yourself or receive, is the gift of recovery. get clean, trust God, clean house, and give back. a simple program for complicated people.
hey boboroni - i just checked out the 7 springs website and they are making snow up there! hot diggity dogs! temp is 40 degrees. hmmmm - i may be pulling in that driveway of yours sooner than you think! tell mama mia gina to get those spicey meatballs simmering.
i love you guys to pieces!
have fun decorating your tree.
sammy
what an appropriate time of the year, for us all to dig deep. beyond the sales, bargains, gifts and decorations; beyond the parties, wrapping paper, ribbons and bows; help us focus on the Love that gives birth to christmas.
may our hearts be ready and open to experience the true meaning of this holy season. may the spirit of Love be reborn in us all.
to the still suffering addict who may be reading this, the greatest gift you give yourself or receive, is the gift of recovery. get clean, trust God, clean house, and give back. a simple program for complicated people.
hey boboroni - i just checked out the 7 springs website and they are making snow up there! hot diggity dogs! temp is 40 degrees. hmmmm - i may be pulling in that driveway of yours sooner than you think! tell mama mia gina to get those spicey meatballs simmering.
i love you guys to pieces!
have fun decorating your tree.
sammy
I must say sammy which I asume is short for samantha that I very much look foward to reading your posts you seam very solid in recovery and have a great and inspireing way of relating your thoughts to others . Just wanted to thank you best Ray. Also if its not to personal could you tell me how long you have been in recovery from what Ive read your obviosly in a program what you drug of choice was just a little background I would find it very helpful and interesting . thanks in advance
Thanks Sammy, I really enjoyed this post. Made me think. A topic in meetings recently has been "What are you doing to GET THROUGH the Holidays." Kind of in keeping with your post, maybe the question ought to be, ""What are you doing in order to ENJOY the Holidays?" For me, I think the answer lies in (what I interpreted as) your message.....opening my mind and heart in order to see things around me with a new set of glasses. I'll keep working on the God part.
If it's all the same to you, though, I'd just as soon not give up watching all those instant replays. lol
I don't live too far from Seven Springs -- hard to believe its skiiable already. We hit Snowshoe in WVa. from time to time also.
All the best to you Sammy. M.
If it's all the same to you, though, I'd just as soon not give up watching all those instant replays. lol
I don't live too far from Seven Springs -- hard to believe its skiiable already. We hit Snowshoe in WVa. from time to time also.
All the best to you Sammy. M.
I must say sammy which I asume is short for samantha that I very much look foward to reading your posts you seam very solid in recovery and have a great and inspireing way of relating your thoughts to others . Just wanted to thank you best Ray. Also if its not to personal could you tell me how long you have been in recovery from what Ive read your obviosly in a program what you drug of choice was just a little background I would find it very helpful and interesting . thanks in advance
say hey, ray! it's not too personal to inquire about me. i just got home from work, brought some delicious delectables for the family to munch, and thought i would log on to see what is going on here with my cyber family.
sammy is a nickname i acquired online - a shortened version of my last name. i've had lots of people over the years online assign me a slew of different monikers..."fuzzy", "missy", "denny", and some not so hot names that i won't go into here, especially when talking with some about denial. :O however, sammy is the name that i'm most often referred to. my first name is denise.
my story spans the better part of 25 years of using/abusing prescription drugs. your drug was my drug - it really didn't matter what it was, if i thought it would take me out of me, i'd use it. heck, i share in my story that i would have abused chicken lips or cherry pits, if i had one inkling that i could get to that state of being comfortably numb. my first introduction to recovery was in 1977 - i did a whole lot of tap dancing around the perimeter of the rooms, bouncing in and out, in and out, only to come to realization that this was my insanity. you do know the definition of insanity, i'm sure; but for those who don't, it's when we do the same things - repeat the same behavior - full well knowing what we are up against - yet this time we think it's going to be different and the turn of events will lead to a positive outcome, instead of a negative.
now i'm sure this way of thinking has proved beneficial to some - let's see - nuclear physicists or scientists who have to keep trying an experiment over and over until they reach the desired outcome - or - a horticulturist who is working on a new hybrid of a rose - are a few things that come to mind. however, for the sake of this forum and the sake of this topic, i'm talking about the insanity of using, because as it turned out, i finally learned that one pill is too many for this addict and one thousand is not enough. it took quite a few 24 hours for me to learn that lesson and the pain finally became too severe to live with that resulted from the consequences of my insanity. i count my blessings that the God of my understanding has bestowed upon me and for leading me to people who could teach me through their love.
my date of sobriety is july 1, 1998. i'll let you do the math because as far as i'm concerned, i've been clean since i opened my eyes at 5:00 a.m., so i'm counting 14 hours and some odd minutes...it helps me stay in the moment when i think in those terms. ;)
my heart thanks you ray, for your interest in me. how about you? care to share a bit of how you are doing with me? you are right, recovery is my number one focus in life and i had to go to any length i could to gain that solid foundation. you see, without recovery, i denied myself life and i believe to deny life is the greatest evil anyone can do.
thanks for letting me share a little of me with you.
namaste'
sammy
say hey, ray! it's not too personal to inquire about me. i just got home from work, brought some delicious delectables for the family to munch, and thought i would log on to see what is going on here with my cyber family.
sammy is a nickname i acquired online - a shortened version of my last name. i've had lots of people over the years online assign me a slew of different monikers..."fuzzy", "missy", "denny", and some not so hot names that i won't go into here, especially when talking with some about denial. :O however, sammy is the name that i'm most often referred to. my first name is denise.
my story spans the better part of 25 years of using/abusing prescription drugs. your drug was my drug - it really didn't matter what it was, if i thought it would take me out of me, i'd use it. heck, i share in my story that i would have abused chicken lips or cherry pits, if i had one inkling that i could get to that state of being comfortably numb. my first introduction to recovery was in 1977 - i did a whole lot of tap dancing around the perimeter of the rooms, bouncing in and out, in and out, only to come to realization that this was my insanity. you do know the definition of insanity, i'm sure; but for those who don't, it's when we do the same things - repeat the same behavior - full well knowing what we are up against - yet this time we think it's going to be different and the turn of events will lead to a positive outcome, instead of a negative.
now i'm sure this way of thinking has proved beneficial to some - let's see - nuclear physicists or scientists who have to keep trying an experiment over and over until they reach the desired outcome - or - a horticulturist who is working on a new hybrid of a rose - are a few things that come to mind. however, for the sake of this forum and the sake of this topic, i'm talking about the insanity of using, because as it turned out, i finally learned that one pill is too many for this addict and one thousand is not enough. it took quite a few 24 hours for me to learn that lesson and the pain finally became too severe to live with that resulted from the consequences of my insanity. i count my blessings that the God of my understanding has bestowed upon me and for leading me to people who could teach me through their love.
my date of sobriety is july 1, 1998. i'll let you do the math because as far as i'm concerned, i've been clean since i opened my eyes at 5:00 a.m., so i'm counting 14 hours and some odd minutes...it helps me stay in the moment when i think in those terms. ;)
my heart thanks you ray, for your interest in me. how about you? care to share a bit of how you are doing with me? you are right, recovery is my number one focus in life and i had to go to any length i could to gain that solid foundation. you see, without recovery, i denied myself life and i believe to deny life is the greatest evil anyone can do.
thanks for letting me share a little of me with you.
namaste'
sammy
Sammy, we are fortunate that you are here...
kerry
kerry
Sam- I always enjoy your post- but I have to say the chicken lips comment was funny as hell..probably not to you, but to me, it was...
Thanks Sammy, I really enjoyed this post. Made me think. A topic in meetings recently has been "What are you doing to GET THROUGH the Holidays." Kind of in keeping with your post, maybe the question ought to be, ""What are you doing in order to ENJOY the Holidays?" For me, I think the answer lies in (what I interpreted as) your message.....opening my mind and heart in order to see things around me with a new set of glasses. I'll keep working on the God part.
If it's all the same to you, though, I'd just as soon not give up watching all those instant replays. lol
I don't live too far from Seven Springs -- hard to believe its skiiable already. We hit Snowshoe in WVa. from time to time also.
All the best to you Sammy. M.
hmmmmmmm - m. - "what are you doing in order to ENJOY the holidays?" sounds like a great topic to me! and i can tell you without a doubt, i'm not using. i'm afraid i might miss something if i do! i missed out on a lot while chasing those illusive butterflies - maybe chasing farts in the wind would be more appropriate when talking about what i chased while addicted. *wink, wink*
i remember one time i was speaking at a treatment center and after the meeting, one of the patients walked up to me and asked how do you do it? how do you stay in recovery? i said the answer is in your question - the word how. there's an acronym we hear around the rooms that H = honesty, O = open mindedness, and W = willingness. i think we are on the same page, m. and as for the God part, i can only share with you that my belief, my interpretation of God is pretty simple. God is love.
i happened to be raised in a judeo christian family - episcopalian as matter of fact and a few 24 hours ago, i made the decision to re-affirm my faith. for six months, i attended confirmation classes with my son and when he was confirmed, i did a reaffirmation of my faith. it was an awesome experience and one that i hold close to my heart. because it was not just what i wanted to do, it was being able to spend this time learning, loving, nurturing myself and my son to a higher spiritual awakening. that's what i believe love is - to nurture one's self and another to a higher spiritual plateau. we also reach those spiritual plateau's when we share a quiet moment dangling a fishing pole, or i get to listen to some of latest musical compositions (wang, wang, my ears), or when he's confused and angry and i can sit back and let him be and not jump in and try to control, i can appreciate that this is a lesson that he needs to learn and give him the time and suggestions if sought, when needed...the list goes on ad infinitum.
and not to sound like some kind of religious zealot here, because i am far from that, but the little bit of all religions that i have studied and learned about their God, their HP is love. love is in my book the only thing that is real.
i'm going to share with you, and you can plug in whatever name of whatever religion you wish, a little story that goes like this. i happen to use the name jesus because that is my belief; however, i respect the beliefs of anyone who is speaking of love.
to love people is not philanthropy itself. philanthropy is love going into action. suppose that Jesus Christ had come to the earth to have his experience, and merely reported to us that God is love, merely reported that God loves you. that was all, just the report. there was no involvement. you were limited to just the idea that God loved you.
it was not a love that was responsible to you and you could never connect with it. it was not going to dry your tears and be uplifting to you. it would not direct you, or guide you, or put your feet upon the path. it would not guide you along the way. it was just a love that loved you from a distance and "kind of waved its hand." that's all you got, a wave of the hand. what kind of love would that be?
the power of love is active in my life and yes m. it is through opening my mind and my heart and putting into action all the love i can be. it was a difficult task to be love while addicted - while so caught up in my self-centeredness. i dunno, my friend, but it appears that the longer i don't use, try to do the right thing, more is revealed.
namaste'
sammy
p.s. snowshoe was the first ski resort i went to. what a trip that place is!
If it's all the same to you, though, I'd just as soon not give up watching all those instant replays. lol
I don't live too far from Seven Springs -- hard to believe its skiiable already. We hit Snowshoe in WVa. from time to time also.
All the best to you Sammy. M.
hmmmmmmm - m. - "what are you doing in order to ENJOY the holidays?" sounds like a great topic to me! and i can tell you without a doubt, i'm not using. i'm afraid i might miss something if i do! i missed out on a lot while chasing those illusive butterflies - maybe chasing farts in the wind would be more appropriate when talking about what i chased while addicted. *wink, wink*
i remember one time i was speaking at a treatment center and after the meeting, one of the patients walked up to me and asked how do you do it? how do you stay in recovery? i said the answer is in your question - the word how. there's an acronym we hear around the rooms that H = honesty, O = open mindedness, and W = willingness. i think we are on the same page, m. and as for the God part, i can only share with you that my belief, my interpretation of God is pretty simple. God is love.
i happened to be raised in a judeo christian family - episcopalian as matter of fact and a few 24 hours ago, i made the decision to re-affirm my faith. for six months, i attended confirmation classes with my son and when he was confirmed, i did a reaffirmation of my faith. it was an awesome experience and one that i hold close to my heart. because it was not just what i wanted to do, it was being able to spend this time learning, loving, nurturing myself and my son to a higher spiritual awakening. that's what i believe love is - to nurture one's self and another to a higher spiritual plateau. we also reach those spiritual plateau's when we share a quiet moment dangling a fishing pole, or i get to listen to some of latest musical compositions (wang, wang, my ears), or when he's confused and angry and i can sit back and let him be and not jump in and try to control, i can appreciate that this is a lesson that he needs to learn and give him the time and suggestions if sought, when needed...the list goes on ad infinitum.
and not to sound like some kind of religious zealot here, because i am far from that, but the little bit of all religions that i have studied and learned about their God, their HP is love. love is in my book the only thing that is real.
i'm going to share with you, and you can plug in whatever name of whatever religion you wish, a little story that goes like this. i happen to use the name jesus because that is my belief; however, i respect the beliefs of anyone who is speaking of love.
to love people is not philanthropy itself. philanthropy is love going into action. suppose that Jesus Christ had come to the earth to have his experience, and merely reported to us that God is love, merely reported that God loves you. that was all, just the report. there was no involvement. you were limited to just the idea that God loved you.
it was not a love that was responsible to you and you could never connect with it. it was not going to dry your tears and be uplifting to you. it would not direct you, or guide you, or put your feet upon the path. it would not guide you along the way. it was just a love that loved you from a distance and "kind of waved its hand." that's all you got, a wave of the hand. what kind of love would that be?
the power of love is active in my life and yes m. it is through opening my mind and my heart and putting into action all the love i can be. it was a difficult task to be love while addicted - while so caught up in my self-centeredness. i dunno, my friend, but it appears that the longer i don't use, try to do the right thing, more is revealed.
namaste'
sammy
p.s. snowshoe was the first ski resort i went to. what a trip that place is!
roflmao @ danny!
i know! :))
love ya -
sammy
i know! :))
love ya -
sammy
Sammy, you just gave me a lightbulb moment. It is becoming revealed to me that I have the power to be happy.
I really like the way you put that....instead of "getting through the holidays" you turned the question around into "what are you doing to ENJOY the holidays..."
I always learn something from your posts...
(sorry, I couldn't help myself.....
I really like the way you put that....instead of "getting through the holidays" you turned the question around into "what are you doing to ENJOY the holidays..."
I always learn something from your posts...
(sorry, I couldn't help myself.....
ahhhhh sweetie - you have m. to thank for that shift in perception; for it is he that turned that statement around. i only chose to elaborate on it. it is a great topic, don't you think?
happiness is an attitude. we either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. the amount of work is the same.
there was a silver-haired woman who walked away from her name and vowed to "remain a wanderer until mankind has learned the way of peace". on new year's day, 1953, she walked ahead of the tournament of roses parade handing out peace messages. hence, she became known as peace pilgrim. it was the beginning of a pilgrimage that would last eighteen years. traveling on foot without money or possessions, with only the food and shelter offered by well-wishers, she carried her simple yet compelling message throughout the united states and canada. after the first 25,000 miles she stopped counting. she stopped counting!
isn't it awesome when we let go and stop looking at life as a task; counting the miles, years, months, days, minutes, to complete what it is we are doing?
one of my favorite quotes about happiness, peace pilgrim wrote. she said:
"i do my work easily and joyously. i feel beauty all around me and i see beauty in everyone i meet, for i see God in everything. i recognize my part in the life pattern and i find harmony through gladly and joyously living it. i recognize my oneness with all mankind and my oneness with God. my happiness overflows in loving and giving toward everyone and everything."
sounds like a pretty simple recipe for happiness to me. i stand back in awe of the magnificient loving Power within you that is awakening your spirit, dear kerry.
keep writing - keep writing.
i love you - and sweet dreams.
sammy
happiness is an attitude. we either make ourselves miserable, or happy and strong. the amount of work is the same.
there was a silver-haired woman who walked away from her name and vowed to "remain a wanderer until mankind has learned the way of peace". on new year's day, 1953, she walked ahead of the tournament of roses parade handing out peace messages. hence, she became known as peace pilgrim. it was the beginning of a pilgrimage that would last eighteen years. traveling on foot without money or possessions, with only the food and shelter offered by well-wishers, she carried her simple yet compelling message throughout the united states and canada. after the first 25,000 miles she stopped counting. she stopped counting!
isn't it awesome when we let go and stop looking at life as a task; counting the miles, years, months, days, minutes, to complete what it is we are doing?
one of my favorite quotes about happiness, peace pilgrim wrote. she said:
"i do my work easily and joyously. i feel beauty all around me and i see beauty in everyone i meet, for i see God in everything. i recognize my part in the life pattern and i find harmony through gladly and joyously living it. i recognize my oneness with all mankind and my oneness with God. my happiness overflows in loving and giving toward everyone and everything."
sounds like a pretty simple recipe for happiness to me. i stand back in awe of the magnificient loving Power within you that is awakening your spirit, dear kerry.
keep writing - keep writing.
i love you - and sweet dreams.
sammy
Sammy,
You said: "i dunno, my friend, but it appears that the longer i don't use, try to do the right thing, more is revealed."
That's what I'm trying to have faith in. Staying clean, trying to do the next right thing, keeping an open mind to the concept of a higher power (or God), and more will be revealed. I can talk it with the best of them, but when it really comes right down to it, I'm still seeking. And trying to stay busy in the meantime. lol
Thanks for your thoughtful post. Especially that bit about sitting back and not having to control a situation involving your son. I needed to hear that today. "Namaste" to you also. M.
You said: "i dunno, my friend, but it appears that the longer i don't use, try to do the right thing, more is revealed."
That's what I'm trying to have faith in. Staying clean, trying to do the next right thing, keeping an open mind to the concept of a higher power (or God), and more will be revealed. I can talk it with the best of them, but when it really comes right down to it, I'm still seeking. And trying to stay busy in the meantime. lol
Thanks for your thoughtful post. Especially that bit about sitting back and not having to control a situation involving your son. I needed to hear that today. "Namaste" to you also. M.
Such good stuff Sammy! Get this everyone - in the midst of some tough times with "holiday triggers" and all, I'm on my way home from a good session with my drug counselor earlier today when the deejay ques up Revival from the Allman Brothers (my favorite band!) And the chorus goes: "people can you feel it, love is everywhere..." over and over and over. Coincidence? Jim
Jim..to answer your question- Nope..
No, Jim, now this may sound crazy,,,,
But the farther away I get from narcotics and booze,
the more I see coincidences....
I call those God Shots.
That is why I come here...I am trying to keep myself remembering how bad it was...
Sammy's directions telling us to "be still, be still, be still" is one of the most effective tools I have leaned yet. Another one is from someone in my homegroup, he told me to ask God to let me know he is there...
Try it sometime, and watch the results.....
But the farther away I get from narcotics and booze,
the more I see coincidences....
I call those God Shots.
That is why I come here...I am trying to keep myself remembering how bad it was...
Sammy's directions telling us to "be still, be still, be still" is one of the most effective tools I have leaned yet. Another one is from someone in my homegroup, he told me to ask God to let me know he is there...
Try it sometime, and watch the results.....
