TwelveBeads

Christmas

2011-11-16T23:06:00.001-05:00

I love Christmas. Last year we were doing renovations so we never decorated and it felt like we didn't celebrate because of that. So this year I have already started. I know it is early but I needed some good cheer in the house. I love Santa and have a small collection of some cool ones. I think this one from Jim Shore is pretty cool and I just might have to add it to the co-lec-zion. It just makes me happy when I look at it. :)

I am also hoping we have some white for Christmas. Nobody else wants to be bothered with the snow but I love it. It is just so beautiful when everything has a blanket of white.

I Had A Moment

2011-11-02T14:26:00.000-04:00

In yoga class today I had a really "happy" moment. At the end of class when the lights get dimmed and we lay in corpse pose resting I got a really cool eh uh um vision? Maybe it was a feeling? Whatever it was it tickled me, made me smile almost as if I was watching a small child laugh and play. It seemed like a white light with a big smile on it only I could not really make out the smile it was intuitive. STRANGE I know but hey I will take it. It was my "happy" moment. A connection to my own inner child? A connection with a power greater than myself? Positive energy looking me in the eye with joy.

Without sobriety I would never experience anything close to this. Thanks HP!

SoberSitesBlog: Blog of the Month - Higher Powered

2011-10-06T10:21:00.000-04:00

SoberSitesBlog: Blog of the Month - Higher Powered: October Blog of the Month award goes to Higher Powered. The Higher Powered blog is one of the few that long time consistently posted on s...

6 Year Celebration SALE! $60 for $40

2011-09-25T10:51:00.000-04:00

6 Year Celebration SALE! $60 for $40 LAST DAY OF SALE!!!

2011-08-14T23:55:00.001-04:00

57% through Does the Noise in My Head Bother You?: A Rock 'n' Roll Memoir by Tyler, Steven on Kindle for Android! http://www.amazon.com/kindleforandroid/

Inner Struggles

2011-06-28T17:26:00.003-04:00

One of the great gifts of sobriety for me has been "getting a life." Today my life is so full. A good full. Filled with recovery, family, creativity, friends, community, explorations and more. What also comes with this is service. In each area of my life service is the ulitimate objective. It can be very subtle things like bringing cookies to the neighborhood block party or more obvious like picking up the phone to call someone who is struggling. The service aspect, for me, is what makes it all so good.

That said (this is when the inner struggle comes in)... I so desperately need to take the time to fill up again. I am of no use to anyone if my glass is empty. So it comes to forcing myself to let some things go in order to get some chill time for me. I don't know if it is a woman thing, a mommy thing or a human thing but I get such guilt because there is so much to do. So I take the time in spite of my guilty feelings because I have been told by doctors, my sponsor, friends and books that I need to do this. It always turns out OK but there is that little voice in the back of my head saying "don't just sit around watching movies! there are things that need to be done!"

A friend of mine once told me to say "thanks for sharing" and move on. So like many other areas of my life that I still struggle with I take the action and turn it over. Maybe some day I will actually HAVE EVERYTHING DONE! Until then things can wait a few hours and my inner struggles will have to get over it.

SoberSitesBlog: Sunlight of the Spirit Music

2011-06-26T20:21:00.000-04:00

SoberSitesBlog: Sunlight of the Spirit Music: "Find all genres of music by people in recovery at Sunlight of the Spirit Music ! ' What's New In Our Store Here at Sunlight of the Spirit, ..."

SoberSitesBlog: Blog of the Month

2011-06-11T06:43:00.000-04:00

SoberSitesBlog: Blog of the Month: "Sober and the City I’m a 25-year-old young professional living in Manhattan. I also happen to be sober. I’ve been without alcohol (and ot..."

PLEASE HELP SAVE A LIFE!

2011-04-29T13:45:00.000-04:00

PLEASE HELP SAVE A LIFE!

Positive Affirmations

2011-04-06T09:07:00.004-04:00

During my meditation this morning I read from The Secret. I have to share with you this part...

"All stress begins with one negative thought. One thought that went unchecked, and then more thoughts came and more, until stress manifested. The effect is stress, but the cause was negative thinking, and it all began with one little negative thought. No matter what you might have manifested, you can change it... with one small positive thought and then another." The Secret p. 127

So I continued my meditation with positive affirmations. "I am healthy, full of energy and focused." Over and over. I have sent my positive thoughts out to anyone open to receiving them. And as always I lit my candles for those who are still sick and suffering. May they receive all that I have to give.

Today I am grateful for the sun beaming in my office window. I am grateful I have become open and stay willing to learn. I am grateful for my sobriety. Most importantly I am always grateful for the AMAZING people in my life.

Sunday Morning Meditation

2011-04-03T20:14:00.005-04:00

So the male unit was out at a early meeting and the child was still asleep and I was AWAKE. I have to first give a once over in the family room before I can meditate. Windex the coffee table, fluff the pillows and put away the throws. My next step is to lay out my yoga mat, get my GODpillow, meditation books and candles. Check, check and check. Now I make the tea. Sometimes green sometimes black sometimes herbal. Today was black. I sit, legs crossed and light my candles, three today. With each candle I say aloud a persons name. It has been the same two people for several years now and recently I have added a third. These names are of suffering alcoholics who can not seem to get sobriety. Prayer is the only way I know to help those who don't want help. So I light my candles and think healing thoughts towards each person. Now I sit. Only for a few moments to quiet myself. I read two meditations, sip some tea and sit again. Back straight, shoulders down, palms open and facing up, eyes closed and head pleading to the sky above. I sit.

My husband is home and as he approaches the house he barks. Yes he barks to get a response from our chocolate lab Lincoln. He does not know I am LOVING the silence. He does not even know I am awake. Serenity is shifted and as he enters the house and calls out to see who is up I quickly respond "I am meditating." He quiets himself down and the recentering starts. I sit awhile longer working now on a mantra. Ma-ra-na-tha. Ma-ra-na-tha. My legs become uncomfortable so I go to childs pose arms extended in front. It feels sooo good. The tension in my shoulders is felt and released. I stay in this position for awhile and recite the 7th Step prayer before going into downward dog. I walk the dog. Now back to cross legs and sitting. I am more comfortable now and can be still, at least physically. Mentally my brain swirls. Affirmations begin. I can with God's help. I can with God's help. I can with God's help. More sitting. More praying. More sitting. I wish I could stay here all day. As I come back to my day the list begins in my head. Fold a load of laundry, get a order ready, answer emails, getting ready for E's big 50 at 1:00.

I got some time in this morning. I CHERISH that time because it is so rare. Sobriety has given me a full life. A great life.

I am grateful for those quiet moments. I am grateful for my husbands humor. I am grateful to have spent the day surrounded by sober people and celebrating the life of my sister in law. SO GRATEFUL.....

Craving the Quiet

2011-03-28T22:30:00.004-04:00

I am really so tired but don't want to go to sleep. I crave the quiet. This time of night is my only quiet. I mean no dog barking, no TV, no telephone, no radio, no chatter. The only sounds I hear are the air purifier humming and the click of the key board. It seems I need to process my day. My husband can go straight to sleep. My brain needs time to shut down. I can only get the quiet once the rest of the house is done. So I wait, every night, patiently for the quiet. Once it comes there is such calm. Peace. Ease. I can exhale deeply.

Today I am grateful for the 30 minutes I get to myself. I am grateful my days are full of chatter, it helps me appreciate the quiet all the more. I love the people in my life, from my babies to my family to my friends and my customers. They are all so special. I am grateful♥

My Lil Eddie Haskell

2011-03-27T08:38:00.007-04:00

My son has had the privilege of growing up in a sober home. He has never seen his father or me drunk or high. He has never seen us smoke cigarettes, although he has seen pops with the occasional cigar. Yuck! He has grown up in the rooms of AA and attended Al-Ateen. He has the support of a great family counselor who thinks he's great and he feels the same about her.

Regardless of all these wonderful gifts he is still a teenage boy. Hormones in full force, he has all the answers and sucks at lying. It's hard for him to get away with anything coming from two parents who have been there and done that. We have no manual. We have a set of Steps we live and a church to guide us as a family. We pray hard and live hard. We say the same things over and over and hope some day it will kick in. Until this teenage childs brain is fully developed we have to vigilantly remember where we came from and how we were at 14. YIKES! No comparison. None.

So breathe in and breathe out. Pray hard and have gratitude he is ahead of where we were at 14, emotionally and spiritually at least.

Today I am grateful for my family. I am grateful for our support system. I am grateful for laughter and letting go.

Have You Read Step Ten?

2011-03-23T13:01:00.005-04:00

This is the question I want to ask people whenever I hear them say "you may not like it but I will come to you and tell you the truth if you like it or not." I have heard this shared in meetings many times. A friend of mine with 16 years of sobriety had someone approach her and tell her she was going to drink. Then went into some of her character defects. My friend walked out of the meeting in tears. WOW! If I had that ability to tell you all who will drink and who won't. WOW! I would be really a very special person. WOW!

So when this happens I can of course take in to consideration what the person has to say. My gurl chose to look at the defects that were slammed in her face and take away what she could. I can also consider the source. If it is a friend I am all ears. I know they are truly trying to help. When it is someone who does not know me I always have to wonder, what IS the motive?

That is when I flash to Step Ten...

"We "constructively criticized" someone who needed it, when our real motives was to win a useless argument. Or, the person concerned not being present, we thought we were helping others to understand him, when in actuality our true motive was to feel superior by pulling him down. We sometimes hurt those we love because they need to be "taught a lesson," when we really want to punish. We were depresses and complained we felt bad, when in fact we were mainly asking for sympathy and attention. This off trait of mind and emotion, this perverse wish to hide a bad motive underneath a good one, permeates human affairs from top to bottom. This subtle and elusive kind of self-righteousness can underlie the smallest act or thought.

So as I actually practice this defect of character by writing this post it keeps me from at least approaching people and opening my BIG mouth. Restraint of tongue at least.

When I hear one of my friends was hurt I can not help that inner mama bear that seems to want to protect. It comes out and by the grace of God and the Steps I have learned to tame it. If however I get off the spiritual beam my actions will be just as bad as the one who attacked my friend. I am no better. I have to be the change I want to see. Keep my actions right and my mouth shut.

I am grateful for Step Ten. I am grateful for my sponsor. I am grateful I don't have to be perfect and neither do you!

A SobrieTea

2011-03-18T08:57:00.008-04:00

One of the things I have never left behind in sobriety is the desire to host a great party. Although today I would consider them gatherings and back in the day people were drinking from measuring cups out of a keg. Not very glam I know.

I cherish the women in my life and to show them I like to have "gatherings." Sunday will be a SobrieTea. To host a SobrieTea is fun and not too difficult.

First you create your guest list.
Next you plan a menu.
Send invites.
Shop
Prep
Serve

For my day I am serving quiche, I can make this the day before. I will toss a salad and have assorted nuts and fruit. For the goodies I just picked up mixes for chocolate chip monkey bread and cranberry scones. The teas are an assortment of TAZO teas and just for my sister in law Red Rose.

There are so many great sober parties you can have to celebrate recovery with your friends. I also do a spa day. This is great fun but a little heavier on the budget. Some other simple ideas...

Picnic
Dinner Party
Luau
Baseball - invite enough people to get a game going!
Grammy Party
Yappy Hour - bring your puppies together over ice tea with fresh mint, sandwiches and salads
Fiesta

The only reason you need to have a party is simply because you adored your peeps. ♥ What makes a party really special is the TLC put into the details. Hope you will pass on your sober party ideas!

I am so grateful to have people in my life I WANT to spend time with. I am grateful for the women in recovery.

Letting Go

2011-03-14T23:43:00.003-04:00

Why does it seem so easy with all the things outside of my home? At work and out about in the world I find it much easier to LET IT GO. Whatever the IT may be.

In my home there are deep emotional histories. Both good and bad histories with my husband and son. I am by no means the perfect wife or mother. I am able to practice Step 10 easily. Thank you for that one. But the character defects that come out of the woodwork with these two men are not the prettiest. These relationships seem to be the hardest for me to LET GO in. Sadly they are the most important ones.

I am grateful I have another chance tomorrow. I am grateful we are a recovering family. I am grateful I can say "I'm sorry" and continue to work on the action side of the amends. I am grateful I don't have to be perfect.

Human Being NOT Human Doing

2011-03-12T14:27:00.005-05:00

Lately I have been getting the same image in my head. A front porch with rockers in a s-l-o-w country town. How I would love it if the world shut down everyday at 5! Remember the days when nothing was open on Sunday's? It would only work if everyone did it, right? I can not shut down at 5 because I have to run the teenager to his engagements. Orchestra practice, choir practice, drum lessons. Let's then throw in the doctor appointments and social calendar. Now lets take my own commitments and we already have a nice regularly full agenda.

Growing up my family had a beach house on the Jersey shore. There were two cottages, one on each side of the house. My grandmothers lived in these during the summer. One of my favorite memories is sitting on the porch and having breakfast with my grandmother. We would have fresh fruit, ceral, juice and tea. She was one of the limited examples I had of balance. She knew how to get things done and also knew when to quit. She had no problem sitting and relaxing. I crave this. Spending time with others in such a mellow fashion. We also had people stopping and coming up on the porch to join us. I am not that old and back then people still were able to just stop and be. It seems as though not many can do this today. Maybe it is because I am not at the shore or maybe it is just the way things are now. Either way I want to make it a part of my life this summer. I want my son to know how to slow down and just enjoy the moments. The best moments are those spent with my friends and family. I WANT MORE!

I am grateful I have these memories to glance back on.
I am grateful I have the courage to change the things I can.
This summer I am stopping at 5!

Spiritual Inspiration

2011-03-05T10:54:00.006-05:00

It is interesting to me how different people are inspired. For example my brother has a very different brain than I. He is a engineer and I an artsy. I am very visual in the sense of balance and color. I am inspired greatly by color especially the colors found in nature.

In early sobriety I recall the first time I was really aware of the color blue all around me in the sky. I was in awe of this color and could not believe I had never noticed it before. Inspired. My heart filled. I will never forget that feeling. In the fall when the light changes with the color of the leaves I could easily sit and stare for hours in awe of the colors. The crisp reds, yellows and oranges. In summer when the grass and trees are vivid green with that blue sky backdrop I am moved again and again. Flowers in the many shapes and endless hues seem as though out of a fairy tale. I only need to be present to see it all.

This gift of seeing the beauty that is all around me is one of my favorites in recovery. Although on those winter days when the snow is gone, the plants are leafless and the sky is gray it can have a great impact on me as well. I guess it is what makes me appreciate the beautiful days that much more.

So today, on this less than saturated day I will look for new inpirations. The art of others perhaps. The museum in Princeton maybe. A song. A book. Always a meeting. Whatever it takes to fuel up the tank.

How are you inspired?

Trust and Faith

2011-02-18T22:45:00.005-05:00

Trusting people is sometimes difficult. I have learned to trust people more in sobriety by learning more about myself. In accepting my humanness it is easier to accept others. In accepting others with all their faults I don't set myself up for resentments and hurts. It is much much easier to live life letting go of the "have to be perfect" thang.

Having FAITH that things in life will work out takes a little more work. I have improved greatly in this area and mostly am a pretty positive person. At times though it can feel like the weight of the world is on my shoulders. I have to get back to Step Three and continue to practice Step Eleven. In doing so I am allowing my HP to take that weight off. Trusting that HE has got it all under control. I don't need to have all the answers and I don't need to know HOW it will work out, just that it will. This takes practice. Continuous practice for me.

Today I am grateful especially for Steps Three and Eleven

Acceptance

2011-02-15T19:26:00.003-05:00

A gift of sobriety. Although it may not always come immediately it comes much quicker than when I was drinking. I am talking hours at the most. Letting go of the angst felt while in a unaccepting place goes against my very fiber. With patient improvement it is something I have grown to love and would never want to go without. Letting go and accepting things the way they are takes all the tension out of my muscles. The ability to relax and breathe fully is something I don't think I did for the first 23 years of my life.

This is my gratitude today.

SoberSitesBlog: Creating Sacred Space

2011-01-09T20:17:00.000-05:00

SoberSitesBlog: Creating Sacred Space

Modem2Modem

2011-01-02T20:19:00.000-05:00

Come sign up for the TwelveBeads monthly news - Modem2Modem! http://myemail.constantcontact.com/Modem2Modem.html?soid=1101287526224&aid=FiGlajZOWpY

Shades of...

2011-01-02T02:18:00.003-05:00

Gratitude

Renovations being almost over
Quiet
Family
My new Sodastream soda maker - thanks mom & dad!
Paid bills
No bed time
Friends friends friends
Down comforters
Dexter - twisted but I can't stop watching it!
My sponsor
Commitments - making coffee and leading in January
Full belly laughs

Did you know...

Shakti Gawain has a really cool visualization calendar for 2011!

When it comes to creating the life you want, Shakti Gawain literally wrote the book. Now considered a classic, Creative Visualization teaches readers how to use their imaginations to manifest their deepest desires. In a straight-talking narrative, Gawain uses the first part to cover the basics, with chapters such as "How to Visualize," "Affirmations," and "Creative Visualization Only Works for the Good." Once she shows readers how visualization actually works, Gawain moves on to loftier discussions, such as "Contacting Your Higher Self," "Meeting Your Guide," "Setting Goals," and "Treasure Maps."

Amazon.com

SoberSitesBlog: BLACK FRIDAY AND CYBER MONDAY SALES & SPECIALS fro...

2010-11-23T04:38:00.000-05:00

SoberSitesBlog: BLACK FRIDAY AND CYBER MONDAY SALES & SPECIALS fro...: "TwelveBeads The BUY $20 GET $20 Event! Spend $20.00 from the TwelveBeads Collection and get your next $20.00 purchase from the TwelveBeads..."

Improve Our Conscious Contact: Humility & Gratitude

2010-11-07T18:11:00.000-05:00

Improve Our Conscious Contact: Humility & Gratitude: "By Rabbi Yisrael Pinson Since I moved to the United States I learned that November means two things: Turkey and Gratitude. Thankfully I am ..."

SoberSitesBlog: Addict at 10

2010-10-30T04:50:00.000-04:00

SoberSitesBlog: Addict at 10: "Derek Steele is a dynamic speaker and author whose story offers a powerful lesson in overcoming addiction and finding fulfillment. A highly ..."

Shades Of

2010-10-13T06:28:00.004-04:00

Gratitude...

1. For getting to the gym early
2. For another day
3. A job to go to
4. Friends to laugh with
5. Love and support all around me
6. Being there for others
7. Open windows
8. New ventures
9. AlAteen!
10. Being caffeine free
11. Books books books
12. Naps :)

Did you know...

A fairy (also faery, faerie, fay, fae; euphemistically wee folk, good folk, people of peace, fair folk, etc.)is a type of mythical being or legendary creature, a form of spirit, often described as metaphysical, supernatural or preternatural.

Fairies resemble various beings of other mythologies, though even folklore that uses the term fairy offers many definitions. Sometimes the term describes any magical creature, including goblins or gnomes: at other times, the term only describes a specific type of more ethereal creature.

Shades Of

2010-10-08T06:41:00.004-04:00

Gratitude....

1. For doing what I love and loving what I do
2. For laughter so hard I could pee my pants
3. For cool mornings and warm afternoons
4. For great friends
5. For funny teens
6. For a girls night in
7. For putting my feet on the floor today
8. That they got all of E's cancer and she is only getting preventative treatments
9. For food in the frig and a roof over my head
10. That I can be present for my son
11. That I am open to learning
12. That I dropped a handful of bills into the mailbox with checks in them!

Did you know...

The name of the angel Raphael appears only in the Deuterocanonical Book of Tobit. The Book of Tobit is considered canonical by Roman Catholic and Orthodox Christians. Raphael first appears disguised in human form as the travelling companion of the younger Tobias, calling himself "Azarias the son of the great Ananias". During the adventurous course of the journey the archangel's protective influence is shown in many ways including the binding of the demon in the desert of upper Egypt. After the return and the healing of the blindness of the elder Tobit, Azarias makes himself known as "the angel Raphael, one of the seven, who stand before the Lord" Tobit 12:15. Compare the unnamed angels in John's Revelation 8:2. Christian churches following Catholic teachings (Roman, Oriental, Orthodox, Anglican, etc) venerate and patronize him as Saint Raphael the Archangel.

Regarding the healing powers attributed to Raphael, we have little more than his declaration to Tobit (Tobit, 12) that he was sent by the Lord to heal him of his blindness and to deliver Sarah, his daughter-in-law, from the demon prince(Asmodeus) that was the serial killer of her husbands. Among Catholics, he is considered the patron saint of medical workers and matchmakers, travellers and may be petitioned by them or those needing their services.

Amethyst and Hot Pink Fire Agate Recovery Bracelet by GwenR

2010-10-07T21:21:00.000-04:00

Amethyst and Hot Pink Fire Agate Recovery Bracelet by GwenR

Shades Of

2010-02-02T14:14:00.003-05:00

Gratitude...

1. For how many rockin people I have around me today
2. For choices
3. For belief
4. For hope
5. For health
6. For family
7. For my imperfections
8. For acceptance
9. For willingness
10. For simple living
11. For learning
12. For the positive words of others that inspire me daily

Did you know...

Saraswati

Hindu goddess of wisdom and the arts; consort of Brahma, the creator. She has four arms and holds a musical instrument and manuscripts showing her mastery of wisdom. She is portrayed as calm and gracious, accompanied by her vehicle, the swan, which shows her spirituality.

Hindus turn to Saraswati for assistance with all the arts, artistic expression, and intellectual endeavour. The arts form a major part of sacred life in Hinduism, with music and dance being an important aspect of worship.

According to Hindu tradition, Brahma created male and female from himself in order to create the world, and then fell in love with the female half, Saraswati, and made her his wife.

From Farlex

'Modem2Modem'

2010-02-01T22:00:00.000-05:00

'Modem2Modem'

Shades of

2009-12-07T18:16:00.005-05:00

Gratitude...

1. That people still stop by to say hello! Thank you~
2. That my son made the varsity wrestling team
3. For all the friends I have in my life
4. For purdy x-mas decorations pa!
5. Laughter laughter laughter
6. Growth
7. I am going to spend time with my sponsor on Sunday
8. That I HAVE a sponsor who WANTS to spend time with me!
9. For the sound of my son practicing his drums
10. For the Christmas gifts I was able to buy
11. For the babies I get to take care of and all the smiles they bring to my face
12. For the loving God who continues to show me the way

Did you know...
The record for the world's largest snowman was set in 2008 in Bethel, Maine. The snow-woman stood 122 feet 1 inch (37.21 m) in height, and was named in honor of Olympia Snowe, a U.S. Senator representing Maine, and currently holds the record for tallest snowman ever made.

The previous record was also a snowman built in Bethel, Maine, in February 1999. The snowman was named "Angus, King of the Mountain" in honor of the then current governor of Maine, Angus King. It was 113 feet 7 inches (34.62 m) tall and weighed over 9,000,000 pounds (4,080,000 kg).

Shades Of

2009-11-24T13:47:00.003-05:00

Gratitude...

1. For a job to go to every morning
2. For NEW opportunities
3. For faith ~
4. For family
5. For friends
6. For The Secret ~ LOVE that book
7. The Twelve Steps keep me commin back
8. The gift of laughter
9. My diggity dog
10. Thanksgiving at my house ~ stepping out to make coffee for my meeting before dinner
11. All the awesome children in my life
12. My health ~ no really I am grateful for my health :)

Did you know...

The practice of putting up special decorations at Christmas has a long history. From pre-Christian times, evergreen plants had been brought indoors throughout the Roman Empire. Such customs were eventually adapted for Christian usage. In the fifteenth century it is recorded that in London it was the custom at Christmas for every house and all the parish churches to be "decked with holm, ivy, bays, and whatsoever the season of the year afforded to be green". The heart shaped leaves of ivy were said to symbolise the coming to earth of Jesus, while holly was seen as protection against pagans and witches, its thorns and red berries held to represent the Crown of Thorns worn by Jesus at the crucifixion. Nativity scenes are known from 10th century Rome, and were popularised by Saint Francis of Asissi from 1223, quickly spreading across Europe. Many different types of decorations developed across the Christian world, dependant on local tradition and available resources. The first commercially produced decorations appeared in Germany in the 1860s, inspired by the paper chains made by children.

The Christmas tree is often explained as a Christianisation of pagan tradition and ritual surrounding the Winter Solstice, which included the use of evergreen boughs, and an adaptation of pagan tree worship. The English language phrase "Christmas tree" is first recorded in 1835 and represents an importation from the German language. The modern Christmas tree tradition is believed to have begun in Germany in the 18th century though many argue that Martin Luther began the tradition in the 16th century. From Germany the custom was introduced to Britiain, first via Queen Charlotte, wife of George III, and then more successfully by Prince Albert during the reign of Queen Victoria, and by 1841 the Christmas tree had become even more widespread throughout Britain. By the 1870s, putting up a Christmas tree had become common in America. Christmas trees may be decorated with lights and ornaments.

Since the 19th century, the poinsettia, a native plant from Mexico, has been associated with Christmas. Other popular holiday plants include holly, mistletoe, red amaryllis, and Christmas cactus. Along with a Christmas tree, the interior of a home may be decorated with these plants, along with garlands and evergreen foliage.

In Australia, North and South America, the British Isles, and to a lesser extent continental Europe, it is traditional to decorate the outside of houses with lights and sometimes with illuminated sleighs, snowmen, and other Christmas figures. Municipalities often sponsor decorations as well. Christmas banners may be hung from street lights and Christmas trees placed in the town square.

In the Western world, rolls of brightly colored paper with secular or religious Christmas motifs are manufactured for the purpose of wrapping gifts. The display of Christmas villages has also become a tradition in many homes during this season. Other traditional decorations include bells, candles, candy canes, stockings, wreaths, and angels.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas

Shades Of

2009-10-28T23:22:00.003-04:00

Gratitude...

1. That I am a sober mama
2. For Hope ~ ALWAYS need HOPE
3. For baked goods :)
4. For a nice afternoon with the sponsor
5. For a new meeting that is starting
6. For the bed that is waiting patiently for me
7. For the love I feel for so many
8. To be able to feel :)
9. I am grateful because even though I am over extended I can breathe
10. For all the great writers out there ~ there are soooo many
11. For the gift of watching my son turn into a young man
12. For the smiles all the doggie pics I looked at today brought to my face

Did you know....

Chocolate labradors

Jack Vanderwyk traces the origins of all Chocolate labradors listed on the LabradorNet database (some 34,000 labradors dogs of all shades) to eight original bloodlines. However, the shade was not seen as a distinct colour until the 20th century; before then according to Vanderwyk, such dogs can be traced but were not registered. A degree of crossbreeding with Flatcoat or Chesapeake Bay retrievers was also documented in the early 20th century, prior to recognition. Chocolate labradors were also well established in the early 20th century at the kennels of the Earl of Feversham, and Lady Ward of Chiltonfoliat.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labrador_Retriever

We Will Never Forget 9.11

2009-09-11T21:34:00.001-04:00

Prayers to all those who lost loved ones on 9.11

Shades Of

2009-08-14T14:18:00.002-04:00

Gratitude....

1. That I can support my sons passion as a drummer http://www.myspace.com/pangeaeast
2. For air conditioned rooms
3. For a new fall schedule
4. For awesome friends
5. An amazing husband
6. A kick ass sponsor
7. For all da soba mommies http://sobermoms.ning.com/
8. For great books to read for growth and pleasure
9. For pizza Friday's at work ~ who doesn't like free pizza!
10. For my Godbabies ~ the twins
11. That I could give my friend a great letter of reference and confirm the follow up call. When I was drinking I was never there for anyone but me.
12. For the Twelve Steps

Did you know...

Guitar Innovator and Inventor Les Paul Passes Away

Les Paul passed away on the 13th of August from complications of severe pneumonia at White Plains Hospital in White Plains, New York, he was surrounded by family and loved ones. The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks for the thoughts and prayers from his dear friends and fans. Les Paul was 94.

READ MORE at GuitarSite.com

Shades Of

2009-06-15T23:21:00.003-04:00

Gratitude...

1. That I can pray for another
2. To be a present, sober mom
3. For choices in how I think
4. That pain is mandatory but suffering IS optional
5. For prayer
6. Friends and support
7. For my son's birthday bash this Saturday :)
8. For my finches Bill and Bob
9. To be able to laugh even when I am upset
10. For my job
11. The gift of another day
12. For so many great books that take me to bed and to sleep

Did you know...

Prayer is the act of communicating with a god or spirit in worship.[1] Specific forms of this may include praise, requesting guidance or assistance, confessing sins, as an act of reparation or an expression of one's thoughts and emotions. The words used in prayer may take the form of intercession, a hymn, incantation or a spontaneous utterance in the person's praying words. Praying can be done in public, as a group, or in private.

Most major religions in the world involve prayer in one way or another in their rituals. Although in many cases the act of prayer is ritualized and must be followed through a sometimes strict sequence of actions (even going as far as restricting who may pray), other religions, mainly the Abrahamic religions, teach that prayer can be done spontaneously by anyone at any moment.

Wikipedia

Shades Of

2009-06-07T21:47:00.003-04:00

Gratitude...

1. Because I am able to help another
2. Because I can ask others to pray for Amanda, Eddie and Greg
3. For a hard days work
4. For clean jammies and a really really comfy bed
5. For 7AM meetings
6. For the ability to take a deeeeeep breath
7. That I finally got to watch a few episodes of Rescue Me and love it!
8. For a sponsor who accepts me with my defects of character and all
9. To see ideas come to fruition
10. For two jobs I love love love
11. For time spent with my family
12. For a sunny day

Did you know...

My chocolate lab Lincoln has figured out how to open all the gates and most of the doors in our house!

Shades Of

2009-05-04T21:38:00.002-04:00

Gratitude...

1. Taking a DEEEEEP breath
2. Living in the solution
3. Enjoying the passing of time
4. New friends
5. Old friends
6. Newcomers
7. Oldtimers
8. New cornices from Calico Corners in Quesada
9. Getting the floor redone!
10. A shift in attitude
11. The new Halti that is keeping the Lincoln Log from pulling me
12. 7 more weeks till summer break

Did you know...

I was 9 when I got the Superstar Barbie! I still love me a Barbie!

Shades Of

2009-04-16T22:15:00.002-04:00

Gratitude...

1. I am finally getting my shoulders worked on
2. Ever minute of every day I get a chance to start again
3. Challenges
4. Dreams
5. Watching my beautiful Beta Bubs
6. The escape of a good book ~ just finishing How To Lose Friends And Alienate People
7. Taking a deep breath
8. Taking another deep breath
9. Being of service
10. Having a very very very full life
11. Sleeping in
12. Change

Did you know there is a Heaven for dolphins?

Shades Of

2009-04-03T01:21:00.005-04:00

Gratitude...

‘premios dardo’ award, which roughly translates to ‘top dart’.

this award acknowledges the values that every blogger shows in his or her effort to transmit cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values every day.

Another gift from my dear Shadow

1. Jilli Java & The Garden of Eden
2. Ma Dukes
3. SoberNuggets
4. Another Sober Alcoholic
5. A Reason A Season A Lifetime
6. dAAve aka Higher Powered
7. Attitude of Gratitude
8. Floating on a Tidal Wave
9. Sugah's Shack
10. Gratitude Nugget

the rules are:
accept and post the award on your blog link to the person from whom you received it
pass the award to 15 other blogs that are worthy of this acknowledgement let them know they’ve been chosen for this award

Shades Of

2009-04-01T22:20:00.003-04:00

Gratitude...

1. I survived another successful spa day ~ we had much fun
2. My beta is still here looking beautiful
3. I found a young drummer to teach my son ~ they start Monday!
4. Hope
5. The Steps ~ what would I do without this guide to living
6. Prayer
7. My sponsor
8. My very funny husband and equally as funny son
9. Being able to belly laugh ~ my biggest gift in sobriety
10. The joy of reading
11. Wanting to learn
12. A loving God

Did you know...

Born: May 31, 1948
Died: September 25, 1980

John Bonham grew up in Redditch, Worcestershire, England, and he first learned how to play drums when he was five, making a drumkit out of containers and coffee tins. It wasn't until age fifteen that he received his first real drumkit from his father'a Premier Percussion kit. Bonham never took any drum lessons while he was young, but would always seek out other drummers to ask for advice. After leaving secondary school in 1964, he worked for his father, Jack Bonham, as an apprentice carpenter while drumming for different local bands. That year he joined his first band, Terry Webb & The Spiders. Two years later he joined The Crawling King Snakes, whose lead singer was a young Robert Plant. Several years later, Plant recommended Bonham for a band he'd just joined, Led Zeppelin. The rest is history.

ModernDrummer

Shades Of

2009-03-25T19:54:00.003-04:00

Gratitude...

1. That no matter how long I am away from this blog I KEEP COMIN BACK!
2. Spa Day is Sunday! Finally!!!!
3. New beginnings
4. Twelve Steps
5. Speaking commitments
6. Taking this five minutes for me
7. New friends and old
8. My hubby and all the laughter we share
9. Hope
10. Rabbi Shais Taub ~ Love his posts ~
11. Even though I am Christian I have so many other faiths I follow as well!
12. The loving God who guides my life

Did you know...

Rosemary is an evergreen perennial shrub native to the Mediterranean region, Portugal and Spain. It has silvery, needle-like foliage and delicate flowers. Blue, pink or white varieties are available, and they range in habit from creeping to mounding to upright.

Long known as the herb of remembrance, rosemary symbolizes loyalty and friendship, and has traditionally been associated with both weddings and funerals. Believing the gift came from Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, brides wore it in wreaths as a symbol of their fidelity.

A 2 Z of Health Beauty and Fitness

Shades Of

2009-02-23T08:48:00.003-05:00

Gratitude...

1. My creative juices are in full blast
2. My noon meeting
3. Chai tea
4. The books I read to keep me from stinkin thinkin
5. A new day
6. Big Love
7. New and old friends
8. Be able to admit when I am wrong
9. The light is changing
10. Choices
11. A great husband and son ~ being able to laugh a lot, together!
12. Bill and Bob

Did you know...

The Book of Mormon is a sacred text of the churches of the Latter Day Saint movement. It was first published in March 1830 by Joseph Smith, Jr. as The Book of Mormon: An Account Written by the Hand of Mormon upon Plates Taken from the Plates of Nephi.[1] According to Smith, the book was originally written in otherwise unknown characters referred to as "reformed Egyptian" on golden plates that he discovered in 1823 and then translated. The plates, Smith said, had been buried in a hill near his home in Manchester, New York, where he found them by the guidance of an angel, the spirit of an ancient American prophet-historian, named Moroni.

Wikipedia

Shades Of

2009-02-11T21:29:00.003-05:00

Gratitude...

1. I love creative people ~ they inspire me ~ what a gift
2. Laughter
3. Friends
4. Being OK with being one among many
5. Giving back to others
6. Diet Cranberry Ginger Ale
7. Chai
8. A full life
9. Many books to read
10. New friends and old on Facebook ~ I think I'm addicted :)
11. Not giving up
12. John and Reid ~ they make me laugh every day

Did you know...

How Alateen Came to Be a Part of Al-Anon

Teenage children in the families of alcoholics soon realized that their problems differed from those of adult members. In 1957, Alateen grew out of this need. A 17-year-old boy, whose father was in AA and mother in Al-Anon, had been fairly successful in trying to solve his problems by applying the AA Steps and slogans.
With his parents’ encouragement, he asked five other teenagers with alcoholic parents to join him in forming a group to help other teenagers. The idea caught on, and the number of groups began to grow.

Al-Anon and Alateen

Shades Of

2009-02-03T08:50:00.003-05:00

Gratitude...

1. It is snowing
2. I have Chai
3. Spa day is in the works!
4. Friends
5. Family
6. A LOVING God
7. That whenever I am down I know I will come back up again
8. Beautiful things
9. Artists
10. Quiet
11. Twelve Steps
12. A full heart

Did you know...

This is my 5th annual Spa Day. I have my friends over and we savor the time without children and husbands. It is a much needed day at the end of the winter. I have a friend who does massages and this year a friend doing manicures. We eat quiche and salad and sip all types of teas and pretty water :) Everyone gets a goody bag with slippers and gloves for hand treatments as well as nail grooming goodies. It is a great tradition for some amazing mommies who deserve a break.

Shades Of

2009-01-23T07:31:00.003-05:00

Gratitude...

1. It is FRIDAY!
2. New friends
3. Spa Day planning
4. Friends to invite to Spa Day
5. The Twelve Steps
6. My crazy Lincoln Log Dog ~ he is looking at me in that mischievous way ~ oops he has a sock!
7. New energy in the house
8. Grandma's dining room furniture
9. Work
10. Hope
11. Warmth
12. Laughter

Did you know...

Feng shui (traditional Chinese: 風水; simplified Chinese: 风水; pinyin: fēng shuǐ; pronounced /ˈfəŋˌʃueɪ/ fehng-shway in English) is an ancient Chinese system of aesthetics believed to utilize the Laws of both heaven (astronomy) and Earth (geography) to help one improve life by receiving positive Qi.[1] The original designation for the discipline is Kan Yu (traditional Chinese: 堪輿; simplified Chinese: 堪舆; pinyin: kānyú; literally: Tao of heaven and earth).[2]

The words feng shui literally translate as "wind-water" in English. This is a cultural shorthand taken from the following passage of the Zhangshu (Book of Burial) by Guo Pu of the Jin Dynasty:[3]

Qi rides the wind and scatters, but is retained when encountering water.[3]

Many modern enthusiasts claim that feng shui is the practice of arranging objects (such as furniture) to help people achieve their goals. More traditionally, feng shui is important in choosing a place to live and finding a burial site, along with agricultural planning.

Wikipedia

Shades Of

2008-12-29T23:55:00.006-05:00

Gratitude...

My computer seems to be running OK ~ knock that wood!

For the new betta fish on my desk ~ deep purple flowy fish

For a great Christmas ~ the only thing that would have made it better would have been some snow

My new office space

Making the noon meeting today

A new book to read ~ Scar Tissue: Anthony Kiedis (Red Hot Chili Peppers)

The book I just finished ~ Life Is So Good ~ about a man who went to school to learn to read at the age of 98! Inspirational

My husband and son

Funny friends

A simple life

Can I be grateful I am grateful????

Did you know...

The most widely-available longfin form in bettas is inarguably the Veil Tail Betta (or VT). This is the natural form the fins take when they are artificially lengthened from the wild shortfin form with selective breeding. This is the type of fins usually seen in pet shops. Though attractive in its own right, it is generally considered undesireable among those breeding for show-quality form. In fact, the IBC (International Betta Congress) doesn"t even have classes for Veil Tails any longer, and it has become a sentiment of negativity to describe any high-bred Betta of "going veil-ish".

aquaticcommunity.com

Shades Of

2008-12-11T07:45:00.002-05:00

Gratitude...

1. For my cozy home on this rainy day
2. For the company of my crazy dog
3. That I have a program that helps me with all the bumps in life
4. That I am open to God
5. For all the Christmas goodies I was able to get my son
6. For the funny people in life who make me laugh
7. For the ability to laugh
8. I may not have everything I want but I certainly have everything I need
9. Hope
10. That it is Thursday
11. That I have many babies around me ~ they really make me smile
12. For the ability to say I am sorry, mean it and work on change

Did you know...

Dr. William Duncan Silkworth
1873 – 1951

Dr. William Duncan Silkworth died of a heart attack in his home in New York, Thursday morning, March 22. Thus we of A.A. have lost the physical presence of the great doctor who was our first friend. He gave deep understanding and great encouragement to an infant society in the days when a lack of understanding or a word of discouragement might easily have killed it. He freely risked his professional reputation to champion an unprecedented spiritual answer to the medical enigma and the human tragedy of alcoholism. Without his blessing, our faith might well have died in its birth. He was a luminous exception to the rule that only an alcoholic understands an alcoholic. He knew us better than we knew ourselves... .better than we know each other. Many of us felt that his medical skill, great as that was, was not at all the full measure of his stature. Dr. Silkworth was something that it is difficult even to mention in these days. He was a saintly man. He stood in an unusual relationship to truth. He was able to see the truth of a man, when that truth was deeply hidden from the man himself and from everyone else. He was able to save lives that were otherwise beyond help of any kind. Such a man cannot really die. Our friend has only left us....for a while.

Silkworth.net

Shades Of

2008-11-25T16:33:00.004-05:00

Gratitude...

1. My new part time job working in the infant room of a day care ~ I LOVE making babies smile.
2. Family
3. New movies I actually want to see
4. A long weekend at home
5. Quiet
6. Choices
7. Hope
8. Friends
9. The chocolate covered pretzels I was given by one of the parents!
10. That no-one else is home to mooch those chocolate covered pretzels
11. Laughter ~ See Craig Shoemaker
12. My recovery

Did you know...

All forms of Buddhism believe in reincarnation; everyone is bound to a cycle of birth, life, death and rebirth until they gain enlightenment and can 'step off the wheel'. Certain enlightened ones choose to stay on the wheel of life as an act of charity and kindness, to assist others in finding enlightenment. These 'volunteer returnees' are called Bodhisattvas.

In Tibet, the regional form of Buddhism has evolved a kind of inheritance. The inheritance flows not from parent to child, but from deceased to his reincarnation. Recognized reincarnates proliferate in Tibet and are called tulkus. The most famous tulku is the Dalai Lama.

The Dalai Lama was first recognized in the sixteenth century. The first person so designated, a leader of the 'yellow sect' of Tibetan Buddhism named Sonan Gyats, was given the title of the Third Dalai Lama, and his two predecessors were recognized as the first and second Dalai Lamas after the fact. It was the fifth Dalai Lama who became the state ruler as well as religious leader of Tibet. 'Dalai Lama' means Ocean of Wisdom, and all holders of the title are assumed to be the earthly incarnation of Avalokitesvara, the bodhisattva of compassion.

Read more at WiseGeek

Shades Of

2008-11-04T09:40:00.003-05:00

Gratitude...

1. For the goodness of others...Shadow :)
2. That I can and will vote
3. For my big brown dog
4. My husband and my son
5. For family (yes even the crazies)
6. For Twelve Steps
7. For a crispy cool sunny pretty day :)
8. I can walk over to vote
9. My NEW frig! hehehehe
10. For a loving God who is leading me on this journey
11. My big cozy bathrobe
12. That today I can feel both good and bad and I don't have to drink

Did you know....

The year woman could vote in the U.S.A. is 1919 that is only 89 years ago!

WikiAnswers

Shades Of

2008-10-31T07:31:00.002-04:00

BoO!

You Are 45% Witch

It's unlikely that you're a witch. At least, no one thinks you are.

You may still be interested in witchcraft, but you're by no means a stereotypical witch.

While you don't seem all that witchy, people may think you're a bit weird.

You're definitely a little offbeat. No one really knows what to make of you sometimes.

Are You a Witch?

What Your Jack-o-Lantern Says

You are a gleeful, exuberant person.

You enjoy a good party, and you even enjoy a good brawl.

This Halloween, there is no question what you should be... a pirate!

The candy you should give out: peanut butter cups

The Jack-o-Lantern Quiz

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

Shades Of

2008-10-23T09:50:00.002-04:00

Gratitude...

1. For knowing that God is working in my life
2. That I was able to get my son some things he has wanted
3. For my Chai tea on this chilly morning
4. The sun is shining
5. My dog is not chewing anything he shouldn't be
6. The house is quiet
7. I have great friends who listen when I need them to
8. To be able to help others on many levels
9. For the challenges placed in front of me
10. Strength
11. Recovery
12. Hope

Did you know...

How It Worked

Abstinence was Number One. Usually there was hospitalization or at least medical help to save the newcomer's life. At the hospital, the only reading material allowed in the room was the Bible. Recovered Alcoholics Anonymous drunks visited the patient and told their success stories. Dr. Bob visited daily. And he would explain the “disease” or “illness,” as it was then understood. The newcomer had to identify as an alcoholic, admit that he too was licked, and declare that he would do whatever it took to recover.

Read more from Dick B

Shades Of

2008-10-04T13:12:00.003-04:00

Gratitude...

1. For finding some time to post
2. For a sunshiny fall day
3. That I am going out to get mums today
4. A great neighborhood
5. Recovery ~ having fun on SoberMoms and now there is a SoberDads!
6. God
7. Willingness
8. Prayer
9. Al-Anon
10. Laughter
11. Date night (wink wink)
12. My God babies

Did you know...

Year of the Monkey - 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016, 2028, 2040, 2052

The monkey is a clever animal. People used to compare it to a smart person. During the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC – 476 BC), the dignified official title, marquis with the pronunciation 'Hou', was the same as the monkey's. The monkey was thereby bestowed with auspicious meaning. It appeared on pictures pasted on the walls and doors to predict good fortune in officialdom.

Most people born in the Year of the Monkey are lively, flexible, and versatile. They love moving and sports. To help others they put their own business aside. When communicating, they do not like to be controlled and have a strong desire to present themselves. In their work, they will show amazing creativity. If they are not impatient and mouthy, they can gain more achievement.

Best match: rat, dragon; avoid: tiger, snake, pig

from TravelChinaGuide

Shades Of

2008-09-04T21:47:00.004-04:00

Gratitude...

1. School is back!
2. Hope
3. Family
4. Friends
5. Books ~ Currently reading A Piece of Cake (EXCELLENT!!!!)
6. My Twelve Step meetings
7. Lincoln log dog
8. This neighbor hood filled with fun families
9. A very very very full life
10. My sponsor
11. A cheeseburger right off the grill on a whole wheat roll with bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayo! YUM~E
12. Laughter

Did you know...

My dog Lincoln belongs to a doggy forum!!!

Join the Dogster community

Improving My Conscious Contact

2008-08-25T08:49:00.002-04:00

"Whenever I find myself under acute tensions, I lengthen my daily walks and slowly repeat our Serenity Prayer in rhythm to my steps and breathing."

Grapevine, March 1962
As Bill Sees It
page 250

How does your your prayer and meditation change while under acute tensions?

At my very worst moments in recovery it seems that prayer was what has saved me. Although I pray regularly the intensity, frequency and formality of my prayers increase greatly.

In early recovery I prayed every 5 minutes at times asking God to remove the craving and help me get through the next 5 minutes. I would get through and another wave of craving would hit and I would pray again to get through the next 5 minutes. It worked. I stayed sober. I learned how to reach out to God with sincerity. Eventually those cravings spread out and asking God to help me stay sober in the morning became sufficient.

Many years later when I was really really struggling with life and health I started to pray with an even higher level of intensity, frequency and formality. I started taking much more time out for prayer. Staying on the floor repeating prayers sometimes up to 45 minutes. It was much more ceremonial with candles and beads and pillows for sitting and kneeling comfortably. It just worked for me so I kept it up.

I wish I could say I do it everyday like that but I don't. I pray while in bed. I light candles when praying for someone suffering and let them burn on my desk praying that positive spiritual energy will go out to them. I read meditation books. That is what it looks like when I am resting on my laurels :)

IOCC

Shades Of

2008-08-14T04:43:00.002-04:00

Gratitude...

1. A loving God in my life who is always there for me (my own personal Jesus)
2. Family
3. Great friends
4. Hope
5. Living in solutions
6. My women's group and the new Al-Anon group
7. Sunny days
8. Funny dogs
9. Great comedians and the ability to laugh hard
10. Remembering
11. This special place I have to come and remind myself how great I have it
12. The yummy chicken sandwich I made last night ~ it was sooo freakin gooood

Did you know...

Bamboo fabric is a natural textile made from the pulp of the bamboo grass. Bamboo fabric has been growing in popularity because it has many unique properties and is more sustainable than most textile fibers. Bamboo fabric is light and strong, has excellent wicking properties, and is to some extent antibacterial. The use of bamboo fiber for clothing was a 20th century development, pioneered by several Chinese corporations.

WiseGeek.com

Improving My Conscious Contact

2008-07-18T16:39:00.004-04:00

The two formal prayers I use most of the time are the 3rd and 7th Step prayers.

"God, I offer myself to Thee - to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life. May I do Thy will always!"

Alcoholics Anonymous page 63

"My Creator, I am now willing that you should have all of me, good and bad. I pray that you now remove from me every single defect of character which stands in the ay of my usefulness to you and my fellows. Grant me strength, as I go out from here, to do your bidding. Amen"

Alcoholics Anonymous page 76

Both of these prayers are about asking for help in order to help others.

Shades Of

2008-07-03T10:58:00.002-04:00

Gratitude...

For a family vacation in the Outer Banks NC, to share pics of this vaca, to have time completely to myself, to watch Lincoln Log Dog enjoy the waves, for my son and husband who do lots of bonding, for the excellent dinner at the Breakwater last night, to see the ocean as I post this, for the ability to appreciate the simple things, that God is with me all the time, that many friends are down here with us, for great books and the ability to read them, for sunshine, and most importantly for the sober life AA has given me.

Did you know...

Blackbeard's lawless career lasted only a few years, but his fearsome reputation has long outlived him. Thought to have been a native of England, he was using the name Edward Teach (or Thatch) when he began his pirating sometime after 1713 as a crewman aboard a Jamaican sloop commanded by the pirate Benjamin Hornigold. In 1716 Hornigold appointed Teach to command a captured vessel. By mid-1717 the two, sailing in concert, were among the most feared pirates of their day. In November 1717, in the eastern Caribbean, Hornigold and Teach took a 26-gun, richly laden French "guineyman" called the Concorde (research indicated she had originally been built in Great Britain). Hornigold subsequently decided to accept the British Crown's recent offer of a general amnesty and retire as a pirate. Teach rejected a pardon, decided to make the Concorde his flagship, increased her armament to 40 guns, and renamed her Queen Anne's Revenge or (QAR).

Pirates of the Outer Banks

Shades Of

2008-06-22T08:49:00.003-04:00

Gratitude...

1. Quiet Sundays
2. Birds chirping and I can hear them and stand to hear them
3. Chai tea
4. Deep breaths
5. Sunshine
6. A 10:00 mass
7. Getting to see Lincoln Log Dog swim
8. Books and the ability to read them
9. My beautiful son and watching him grow
10. Friends
11. My husband who is my best friend
12. God God God God

Did you know...

In China, the practice of acupuncture can perhaps be traced as far back as the stone age, with the Bian shi, or sharpened stones. Stone acupuncture needles dating back to 3000 B.C. have been found by archeologists in Inner Mongolia. Clearer evidence exists from the 1st millennium BCE, and archeological evidence has been identified with the period of the Han dynasty (202 BC–220 AD). Forms of it are also described in the literature of traditional Korean medicine where it is called chimsul. It is also important in Kampo, the traditional medicine system of Japan.

Wikipedia

Shades Of

2008-06-17T07:25:00.002-04:00

Gratitude...

1. Even those I have anxiety this AM I have learned "this too shall pass"
2. Hope
3. My beautiful husband and son
4. St. David's
5. Twelve Steps
6. Friends
7. My doggy
8. Vacations
9. Sunshine
10. School is almost out!
11. The God of my understanding
12. Life

Did you know...

Your brain generates 25 watts of power while you're awake---enough to illuminate a lighbulb

MaMa's Health.com

Improving My Conscious Contact

2008-06-07T00:12:00.004-04:00

The June monthly question was written by reader Sheryl W.

"I am new in my journey ... Step 11 is approaching soon. I am a little fearful of failure to take the time daily for my meditation. What should it look like for me when I begin and what is a realistic goal for a beginner?"

S.W.

My Response....

"What should it look like for me when I begin and what is a realistic goal for a beginner?"

I can share my own experience with you, but this is really your walk and it may look very different than my own.

I started praying in recovery right away. Step Three was really my intro to Step Eleven. Meditation was also with me right from the start. In early recovery I only used guided meditation tapes. I needed them to be able to sleep at night. It was the only thing that got me out of self while in bed. My day starts off getting my son off to school and checking my e-mail. Once he is gone I get my tea and slow down my thinking. I sometimes will do a half hour of yoga and spend time on the floor praying with my prayer beads. Some days I sit with my tea and read meditation books and finish up with prayer. I am also part of a meditation group. We sit in silence for 20 minutes once a week at my church.

Time plays another huge factor in developing a strong conscious contact. Like any relationship we form it takes time to feel comfortable and trust. Over time we slowly start to feel more comfortable and trust deeper. Reading daily meditation books is a great way to continue working on that connection with your HP. My sponsors routine is very different from my own. She is very regimented and gets up at 5:30 AM to read her books for over an hour while drinking her coffee.

I still go to the readings on Step Eleven in the Big Book and the 12&12. It tells me in the Big Book "There are many helpful books also." After almost 17 years in recovery I continue to seek and learn about the God of my understanding and how to build a stronger relationship with Him. I use the directions from the Big Book and many other sources of information to move forward on the continuing journey.

You can not fail at this Step. We are not Saints just willing to grow along spiritual lines. We are human beings and very imperfect. Try not to judge yourself on what your journey will "look like." Your HP is guiding you. Trust and put one foot in front of the other. Whenever you stumble you learn from it. Just pick yourself up, brush yourself off and continue on.

IOCC

Shades Of

2008-05-29T07:58:00.008-04:00

Gratitude...

For all the wonderful peeps who touch my life. John Reid Alison Ella Anna Rob James Sara Ann Kevin Elizabeth Aidan Ciaran Grace Another Elizabeth Mike Patrick Josh Bobbie Jill Conrad Mirna Brad Chris Jack Max Bruce Jean Ann Mary Dave Joanne Stan Noah Ben Karin Linda Shirley Lisa Gerri Megan Sandy Rich Naomi Ian Gwen T. Lena Dmitry Alex Suzanne Evelyn Pat Chelsea another Lisa Lynn the Bloggers the Writers the SoberMoms all of the Meeting Makers the Yoga teachers and all the people who touch my life without me even knowing it.

Did you know...

that the wings of butterflies and moths are actually transparent?

The iridescent scales, which overlap like shingles on a roof, give the wings the colors that we see. Contrary to popular belief, many butterflies can be held gently by the wings without harming the butterfly. Of course, some are more fragile than others, and are easily damaged if not handled very gently.

Both butterflies and moths belong to the order lepidoptera. In Greek, this means scale wing.

MilkweedCafe.com

Improving My Conscious Contact

2008-05-26T14:41:00.003-04:00

MAY QUESTION
Do you have a spiritual advisor of your faith? How does this benefit your conscious contact?

Do I have a spiritual advisor?

Only in the past few years of my recovery have I returned to the religion of my childhood. I was raised Episcopalian and although we attended church every week I never took the time to learn what any of it really meant. I was in it for the doughnuts at coffee hour after wards :)

Today I attend church and try to learn as much as I can. I have sat down one on one with two of the priests from my parish but still am not completely comfortable with the process. There is a part of me that really wants to be more comfortable with it. I am not sure why but I feel more drawn to my faith as I grow spiritually.

How has this benefited my conscious contact?

When I met with one of the priests in a more formal setting we did an exercise in breathing and connecting with God. She prayed for me and I felt better. I can not explain why just like I can not explain why I feel better after a meeting. I just do. Maybe it is just as simple as connecting with others.

I would definitely seek help from the priests in my church again even though it feels uncomfortable. I felt uncomfortable in sobriety early on but kept coming and that went away.

Shades Of

2008-05-21T11:25:00.002-04:00

Gratitude...

1. For the love and support of family and friends
2. For my new awesome heavy duty wind chimes ~ they keep me in the now
3. The noon meeting I am about to hit
4. Our town is growing in such beautiful ways ~ check it out
5. My awesome sponsor
6. That I have a loving God in my life ~ even when I forget it
7. Hope
8. Sunshine
9. My cup of Chai
10. My crazy dog
11. All my needs are met ~ food in the frig, bills paid, roof over head. I may WANT at times but I certainly don't need.
12. Laughter

Did you know...

The traditional Masala Chai is a bracing, strongly spiced beverage brewed with so-called "warm" spices. Most masala chai incorporates one or more of the following: cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, star anise, peppercorn, and cloves. Other possible ingredients include nutmeg, chocolate, cocoa, vanilla, liquorice or saffron.

Wikipedia

Shades Of

2008-05-12T18:36:00.004-04:00

Visit SoberMoms

Gratitude ...

1. For the NEW SoberMoms

2. The dentist and great insurance

3. Warm clothes and a dry safe home during this cold wet spring day

4. A sober mothers day ~ I have been sober for all My mothers days ~ a gift

5. The NEW Al-Anon meeting ~ or it has been called "The Graduate Program"

6. I got to share my God baby twins with my family last night

7. AA

8. Sponsorship

9. Support support support

10. Good physical health

11. Laughter

12. God.Higher Power.The Boss.The Big Guy.Almighty and all other titles

Did you know...

It's estimated that for millions of moms across the country, the need to escape with alcohol has crossed the line. What should have you worried?

Moms Who Drink Too Much

The Oprah Winfrey Show

Improving My Conscious Contact

2008-05-03T11:19:00.005-04:00

APRIL QUESTION
"All of us, without exception, pass through times when we can pray only with the greatest exertion of will."

Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions page 105

All of us, without exception. What can you tell others that will help them get back on the track with prayer and meditation when they become complacent? How does one muster up that exertion of will?

When I have gotten off the prayer beam I really do have to exert my will to get back on. The only thing I can tell another is to PRAY HARD for the willingness to get back on track. Sometimes I have to accept that for that day the best I could do was not drink and keep working on the rest. Progress not perfection comes to mind. But I also have to watch out for my slothiness :)

Shades Of

2008-04-23T08:55:00.003-04:00

Gratitude...

for all the many titles I have been given. The titles of Mother, Wife, entrepreneur, home maker, AA member, Al-Anon member, dishwasher, life coach, dog walker, toilet scrubber, dinner maker, taxi driver, cheering section, shoulder to lean on, jewelry designer, gardener, yogi student, LIFE student, parish member, coffee maker, friend, lover, laundress, Cinderella, sister, daughter, family member, GaGa, Godmother, parent, guardian, neighbor, back scratcher, shampoo buyer, appointment maker, walking inventory, patient, customer, partner and best of all child of God.

Did you know...

The palm branch was a symbol of triumph and victory in pre-Christian times. The Romans rewarded champions of the games and celebrated military successes with palm branches. The motto of the HMS Nelson and the University of Southern California is "Palmam qui meruit ferat", which means in Latin, "Let him bear the palm who has deserved it". Jews followed a similar tradition of carrying palm branches during festive times.

Wikipedia

Shades Of

2008-04-11T21:50:00.002-04:00

Gratitude...

1. For the second successful Al-Anon meeting that is going very well. Boy do I need it!
2. For great friends
3. For my most excellent husband and son
4. Helping others ~ what a gift to be of service to other people in so many capacities
5. For meeting really cool people on the Internet who I would have never had the opportunity to meet otherwise
6. Hope
7. Faith
8. A loving God who guides me even when I am unaware of it
9. Laughter
10. My big puppy ~ will take more pics soon
11. My God babies ~ will take more pics soon
12. For all the people who touch me daily ~ even if it is their words echoing in my head

Did you know...

Namasté or Namaskar (Sanskrit: नमस्ते [nʌmʌsˈteː] from internal sandhi between namaḥ and te) is a common spoken greeting or salutation in the Indian subcontinent. Namaskar is considered a slightly more formal version than Namaste but both express deep respect. It is commonly used in India and Nepal by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists, and many continue to use this outside the Indian subcontinent. In Indian and Nepali culture, the word is spoken at the beginning of written or verbal communication. However, the same hands folded gesture is made wordlessly upon departure.

Taken literally, it means "I bow to you". The word is derived from Sanskrit (namas): to bow, obeisance, reverential salutation, and (te): "to you".[1]
When spoken to another person, it is commonly accompanied by a slight bow made with hands pressed together, palms touching and fingers pointed upwards, in front of the chest. The gesture can also be performed wordlessly and carry the same meaning

Wikipedia

Shades Of

2008-04-04T07:57:00.002-04:00

Gratitude...

1. That the new AlAnon meeting starts today!
2. Meeting other spiritually creative people on-line.
3. A loving God who fills my life with great stuff ~ not material stuff ~ people stuff :)
4. It's Friday.
5. I got to play in the garden yesterday.
6. We have had one doggy gate down for 5 days and so far so good.
7. Learning.
8. The short visit from my mom yesterday.
9. Chi tea.
10. Things to do.
11. John and Reid.
12. The sponsor :)

Did you know...

Chakra is a Sanskrit term meaning circle or wheel. There is a wide literature on chakra models, philosophy, and lore that underpin many philosophical systems and spiritual energy practices, religious observance, and personal discipline. Theories on chakras fit within systems that link the human body and mind into a single unit, sometimes called the 'bodymind' (Sanskrit: namarupa). The philosophical theories and models of chakras as centers of energy were first codified in Ancient India.

Wikipedia

Shades Of

2008-03-28T09:28:00.003-04:00

Gratitude...

That someone actually wants to know more about me :) Thanks Scott~

The rules are:
1. The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.
2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
3. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read your blog.

1) What was I doing 10 yrs ago?

I was living with my parents with John and Reid was 1. John just graduated college and was trying to find a job. I was taking photography classes at night.

2) What are 5 things on my to-do list for today (not in any particular order):

1. Laundry
2. Finish my newsletters
3. Take Reid to his youth group
4. Walk the dog
5. Clean the house

3) Snacks I enjoy:

Bananas with peanut butter, cereal, cheese, pepperoni

4) Things I would do if I were a billionaire:

Pay off my bills and finish off my house, take care of the rest of my family and friends, donate to our church, invest wisely for Reid's future, good works~

5) Three of my bad habits:

1. Poor sleep habits
2. Poor eating habits
3. Having too many things going on at one time

6) 5 places I have lived:

1. New Hope, PA
2. Beach Haven, NJ
3. Washington Crossing, PA
4. Bradley Beach, NJ
5. Doylestown, PA

7) 5 jobs I have had:

1. Pier One Imports ~ Part Timer
2. Liz Claiborne for the Style Edge Division ~ DKNY and Kenneth Cole
3. Lord & Taylor ~ Department Manager
4. Chanel Cosmetics ~ Counter Manager
5. Applause ~ Boutique in New Hope selling dresses for after 5 occasions

8) 5 peeps I wanna know more about:

1. Today I Went For A Walk
2. One Door Away From Heaven
3. In God's Hands
4. Bill's Entourage
5. Boy Grows Up

Shades Of

2008-03-20T10:39:00.003-04:00

Gratitude...

1. For making the minutes to make this gratitude list
2. For renewed creative energy
3. For the excellent Spa Day I had with my friends
4. I am sober today
5. I prayed to God before my feet hit the ground today
6. My sleeping poochie
7. More chances to work on those character defects ~ slothy slotherson over here ~ all I want to do is read these cold dreary days :)
8. Even though it is cold and dreary my daffodils are coming up in full force
9. Laughter
10. For the Twelve Steps that have given me life
11. For Reid and John
12. Dr. Samo and Bobbie

Did you know...

Green (Yin) - Green is refreshing, nurturing, balancing and normalizing Р as in being surrounded by the lush green of nature. It is the Feng Shui color of harmony, balance, healing and health; physical, emotional and spiritual. The color is good for growth and expansion, and it is peaceful and calming.

AAA Feng Shui and Yoga

Improving My Conscious Contact

2008-02-28T08:48:00.003-05:00

FEBRUARY QUESTION
The 12+12 states on page 105: "Perhaps one of the greatest rewards of meditation and prayer is the sense of belonging that comes to us". Share some examples of how this "sense of belonging" has influenced your spiritual journey.

I think for me I started to let go of what everyone else thought of me. The more I continue to practice prayer and meditation the more my relationship with God becomes what is important to me. This shift in thinking has allowed more people into my life. People who are open to this way of life. A spiritual way of life. The sense of belonging comes from the connection I make with God and the people He places in my life.

Shades Of

2008-02-15T18:51:00.002-05:00

Gratitude...

1. Giving a Birthday gift to a great friend.
2. More books ~ have been reading like a freak. This week I finished Yakuza Moon (read in 2 days) and Grace After Midnight (read in 1 day)
3. My church
4. My husband and son
5. My friend celebrated 11 years this week and I got her to speak at my womans meeting
6. Weekends
7. Twelve Steps
8. The God of my understanding
9. Continued hope
10. Watching my son overcome his own fears ~ very cool stuff
11. The sound of children playing guitar hero coming from my basement
12. Not having to cook dinner!

Did you know...

(Grace After Midnight by Felicia Pearson from HBO's The Wire) "Pearson was born premature to two drug-addicted and incarcerated parents and reared in an East Baltimore foster home. Hours old and about 3lbs, doctors didn't expect her to live. She was so small she was fed with an eyedropper until she grew stronger. Days went by and she continued to survive, so Snoop was made a ward of the court and reared in an East Baltimore foster home. While other 12-year-olds were in school, Snoop was learning the drug game."

Wiki

Shades Of

2008-02-07T20:17:00.000-05:00

Gratitude...

1. That some of you even want to see my Lincoln Log Dog
2. Hope
3. I can change my thinking at any time of the day
4. My husband and son
5. A loving God who is always with me
6. Meetings
7. Change
8. Books books books ~ just finished two good ones Escape and Come Back
9. Telephones
10. Running again
11. Friends
12. Family

Did you know...

In Feng Shui

"Blue = Knowledge

Western > The traditional color of the European Great Goddess and Divine Wisdom (Sophia, Chokmah), from the deities of the Neolithic to the blue robes of the Virgin Mary. Used by Western ancients to ward off evil. In Color Therapy it is knowledge, health, decisiveness.

Chinese > In premodern China, brothels were painted blue (and thus “blue film” = pornography). Indigo blue was the favored color for peasant clothing. It’s close to the ultraviolet end of the spectrum and therefore yin shui, energy on the decline."

Feng Shui Ultimate Resource

Shades Of

2008-01-22T09:07:00.000-05:00

Gratitude...

1. Continued Hope
2. Coffee commitments
3. That I only have to live in the now
4. Other peoples ESH
5. My church
6. To be a useful member of society
7. My friends
8. Hugs
9. John and Reid ~ we learn so much together
10. My Lincoln Log Dog
11. That I don't always have to explain myself
12. For God ~ getting to know and grow closer to Him

Did you know...

Donald Duck comics were banned from Finland because he doesn't wear pants.

Fun Funny Facts

Shades Of

2008-01-17T19:20:00.000-05:00

Gratitude...

1. Hope
2. Sponsorship
3. Faith
4. My husband and my son
5. If we all took our problems and laid them out on the table, I would keep my own.
6. Growth
7. Willingness
8. Options
9. Endless resources
10. Giving back
11. Sharing
12. Another 24 hours without a drink ~ always a great gratitude for me

For my friend dAAve I am taking a break on the stats...

The Top 20 Reasons Dogs Do Not Use Computers...Courtesy of www.TopFive.com

20. Can't stick their heads out of Windows '95.
19. Fetch command not available on all platforms.
18. Hard to read the monitor with your head cocked to one side.
17. Too difficult to "mark" every website they visit.
16. Can't help attacking the screen when they hear "You've Got Mail."
15. Fire hydrant icon is very frustrating.
14. Involuntary tail wagging is dead giveaway they're browsing www . pethouse.com instead of working.
13. Keep bruising noses trying to catch that MPEG Frisbee.
12. Not at all fooled by Chuckwagon Screen Saver.
11. Still trying to come up with an "emoticon" that signifies tail-wagging.
10. Oh, but they WILL... with the introduction of the Microsoft Opposable Thumb.
9. Three words: Carpal Paw Syndrome.
8. 'Cause dogs ain't GEEKS! Now, cats, on the other hand...
7. Barking in next cube keeps activating YOUR voice recognition software.
6. SmellU-SmellMe still in beta test.
5. SIT and STAY were hard enough, GREP and AWK are out of the question!
4. Saliva-coated mouse gets mighty difficult to maneuver.
3. Annoyed by lack of newsgroup, alt.pictures.master's.leg.
2. Butt-sniffing more direct and less deceiving than online chat rooms.

and the Number 1 Reason Dogs Do Not Use Computers...

1. TrO{gO DsA[M,bN HyAqR4tDc TgrOo TgYPmE WeIjTyH P;AzWqS,.*

Shades Of

2008-01-13T20:50:00.000-05:00

Gratitude...

1. Even though my anxiety is back I have the tools and support to work through it.
2. A loving supportive husband and son
3. Friends who have got my back
4. A program of recovery ~ my Twelve Steps
5. Prayer and meditation
6. Hope
7. Positive changes
8. Growth ~ even when it it painful
9. Willingness
10. New tools for the tool box
11. The twins turned 1 and are still soooo stinkin cute ~ a gift that I could be there to celebrate
12. God ~ for He never is gone it is only me that drifts away

Did you know...

Anxiety Disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., with 40 million (18.1%) of the adult U.S. population (age 18 and older) affected.

ADAA

Improving My Conscious Contact

2008-01-11T09:12:00.000-05:00

JANUARY QUESTION
"The Big Book states: "Nevertheless, we find that our thinking will, as time passes, be more and more on the plane of inspiration." (Alcoholics Anonymous page 87) What are some examples of inspiration in your thinking?"

A few examples of inspiration in my thinking...

1. Willing to ask for help and actually being open to receive it.

2. Willing to be wrong without anger.

3. Willing to help others without expecting something from them.

4. Being able to live in the solution not the problem.

5. Being able to identify when the "thinking" is not on an inspirational plane.

These are a few ways my thinking has changed so far. It does say "be more and more on the plane of inspiration" which tells me I will continue to grow in this area of my life.

Go take the IOCC challenge

Shades of

2008-01-06T17:33:00.000-05:00

Gratitude...

1. For the God of my understanding who is always there working in my life even when I can not see it
2. My family
3. My kick butt rockin friends
4. Hope
5. Tears
6. A clean house with laundry all done
7. New beginnings
8. Our silly dog who is at this moment completely freaked out about a pigs ear from the pet store
9. The new AlAnon meeting I am attending ~ many woman with many years of recovery and wisdom
10. The 5k on Mothers Day that I have my eye on
11. My friends who are already on board to join me in that race
12. Knowing that my son has two clean and sober parents in his life

Did you know...

~ About 43% of U.S. adults -- 76 million people -- have been exposed to alcoholism in the family -- they grew up with or married an alcoholic or a problem drinker or had a blood relative who was an alcoholic or problem drinker.

~ An estimated 6.6 million children under 18 live in households with at least one alcoholic parent.

~ About 43% of adults in the US (76 million people) have had a parent, child, sibling or spouse who is or was an alcoholic.

~ Currently, nearly 14 million Americans 1 in every 13 adults-abuse alcohol or are alcoholic. Several million more adults engage in risky drinking patterns that could lead to drug addiction. In addition, approximately 53 percent of men and women in the United States report that one or more of their close relatives have a drinking problem.

~ One half of all traffic fatalities and one-third of all traffic injuries are related to to the abuse of alcohol. Accidents and suicides that are associated with alcohol problems are especially prominent in the teen years

Alcoholism-Statistics.com

Shades Of

2007-12-26T10:35:00.000-05:00

Gratitude...

1. For the loving God who I know is with me at all times
2. The gift of not having to run from pain
3. My husband and son and our laughter together
4. AA ~ it gives me a solution to live in
5. My friends ~ I am rich with friends
6. I was thinking about all the people I know in sobriety (online and in my outside life) and how there are the coolest freakin people in sobriety. I LOVE my sober peeps.
7. Hope
8. My sponsor
9. My therapyst
10. That things don't have to be all or nothing
11. Watching my son jam on his new drum set
12. The option to be wrong ~ wow does this give me a ton of breathing room

Did you know...

"When dealing with the media, the traditions of the 12 step programs request that members maintain anonymity, not so much for their protection, but for the good of the fellowship as a whole."

alcoholism.about.com

Shades Of

2007-12-11T14:25:00.000-05:00

Gratitude...

1. For my Christian meditation group
2. For the love and support of my husband
3. For the ability to love and support my son, husband, family and friends
4. For an awesome sponsor
5. For an awesome therapist
6. For new people in my life that influence me in positive ways
7. For my meetings ~ they keep me grounded
8. For Planters Chocolate Lovers Almonds ~ Double Dipped in Rich Dark Chocolate YUM
9. God God God God
10. I am sooo grateful that no matter how bad I feel I still seem to want to give to others. What a blessing.
11. For all those who have gone before me and recorded what they have learned.
12. For my Lincoln Log Dog ~ he is so sweet and brings me comfort lying beside me as I type this list.

Did you know...

Thought this was cool.

Prayer is the act of attempting to communicate, commonly with a sequence of words, with a deity or spirit for the purpose of worshiping, requesting guidance, requesting assistance, confessing sins or to express one's thoughts and emotions. The words of the prayer may take the form of a hymn, incantation or a spontaneous utterance in the praying person's words. Secularly, the term can also be used as an alternative to "hope".

Wikipedia

Improving My Conscious Contact

2007-12-04T10:28:00.000-05:00

December Question

"The 11th Step mentions "knowledge of His will for us..."; how does this "knowledge" come to you? Or do you seek it out?"

Yikes to this question. There are three things I have learned for sure.

1. At twelve years of sobriety I started using repetitive prayer in my recovery. I had never prayed in this intensity before but I was in a truly bad place at the time. The two prayers I used were the 3rd Step prayer (found in How it Works in the BB) and the 7th Step prayer (Also in How it Works in the BB.) Both prayers led me to the same place ~ I was asking for strength to serve God by helping others.

A. "victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life." page 63 Alcoholics Anonymous

B. "every single defect of character which stands in the way of my usefulness to you and my fellows." page 76 Alcoholics Anonymous

It is typical of my own recovery that it took me that many years and that much praying to TRULY get that part of the program in my gut. To get it to the point at which I understand completely why I am doing something. At that point in my recovery I really understand His Will for me. I had to seek it out to hear it. To be open to it. Again I must stress ~ for me this is how it occurred.

2. When I am in a zone that is all about me. When I am not thinking how I can be of service to others (when I say this, I mean for a length of time) things happen that smack me upside the head. Knowledge of His Will in these situations are shown to me in the results of my actions. Sometimes I get it quickly other times not so quickly.

Several times I have gotten back in the rat race of my chosen profession and each time landed in complete disaster. Each time I went back it was not to provide for my family or to be of service. My motivation each time was wanting more stuff. It talks about this in the 12&12 in Step 7. I sure can make of mess of the "git mo money" equation. Fear of not having "enough" drove me to work in ways that were destructive to those around me. Every time I have tried this it has felt like the rug was pulled out from under. Or was it God gently saying "enough of this you have real work to do."

My family stays my first priority today. I made a commitment to God and to my husband. If we needed my income to provide the motives would be different. But to date that has not been the case. We are not rich but every single thing we need is provided for always. Two cars in the drive with gas (woo hoo), stocked frig, roof over the head, clothes on the back, bills paid and lets not forget HBO;)

The knowledge that being home is my place for today was not sought out ~ it was shown to me in a series of "my will run riot" attempts.

3. Staying sober. I have not a single doubt in my mind, heart, and soul that God wants me sober. The events that led me to AA were all His Will, not mine for sure. What has kept me sober? On many many occasions God was simply carrying me. This girl with whirling thoughts was surrounded by AA angels who loved me into sobriety and continue to love me to keep me sober. God has work for every one of us who enters AA. To be an angle of a few words or many. To be an angle who drives someone to a meeting. An angel of coffee or a smile or even to challenge others to practice patience and tolerance.

Living my life practicing the 12 Steps is Gods Will for me. To be of service to my family is God's Will for me. Helping others in and out of AA is Gods Will for me. Of these three things I am sure. They have been shown to me over and over in countless ways.

Go take the IOCC challenge

Shades Of

2007-12-02T08:02:00.000-05:00

Gratitude...

1. We got a small coating of snow ~ it makes everything so pretty
2. My sponsor ~ we had a great meeting/lunch date this week
3. I am off to a Church I am falling in love with
4. Cozy blankets
5. John and Reid ~ they keep me focused on what matters in this life
6. God ~ the more I learn, the more I trust, the richer my faith
7. AA for without it I would be dead
8. Friends friends friends
9. Full of gratitude that I was able to "get it" ~ some people just can't and watching them makes me more grateful
10. Watching HBO's 24/7 ~ John and I have decided we love Ricky Hatton LOVE HIM!
11. I was able to get tickets to a childrens production of the Nutcracker and will take my girls Anna (3) and Ella (4). What a gift to me :)
12. For all you bloggies and your comments. This network of people has enriched my life.

Did you know...

It is generally thought that Christmas trees were established in Britain after Queen Victoria's consort, Prince Albert, brought the custom over from Germany. However, there are records of small fir trees being used to decorate houses before this and sailors used to affix one to the top of the mainmast of their ships.

In Germany and northern Europe, the practice of decorating coniferous trees originated in pagan times, when the trees were seen as phallic symbols representing the fertility of the nature gods. The practice was associated with the Winter Solstice (around December 21) which was seen as the date of the rebirth of the Sun God. Tree decoration was later adopted into Christian practice after the Church set December 25th as the birth of Christ, thereby supplanting the pagan celebration of the solstice.

Wikipedia

Shades Of

2007-11-24T07:46:00.000-05:00

Gratitude...

1. For sleeping children ~ ahhhh peace
2. White Christmas lights and cold nights
3. Another day to work the Steps
4. That I can see how seductive those alcohol ads are and choose to change the channel or hit mute. Sometimes my mouth will water! They seem to be playing them so much these days.
5. My Church
6. My sponsor
7. AA
8. My friends ~ they ROCK
9. A loving God who is with my 24/7 even when I choose to slip off into my own little world
10. My best friend and husband, John and my baby boy Reid
11. Our puppy Lincoln who is a good 50 lbs and only 4 months old.
12. Tonight is date nite!

Did you know...

"Survey studies
Surveys in alcohol advertising research typically poll people about their attitudes towards alcohol ads and drinking and then look for connections between such variables. In this body of research, several studies have linked an increased "liking" of alcohol ads to an increased intention to drink."

Read the full article at alcoholnews.org

Shades Of

2007-11-17T15:24:00.000-05:00

Gratitude...

1. The sound of neighbors doing yard work
2. Heat
3. Having the house all to myself for a few hours
4. Learning
5. My church
6. My meetings
7. More opportunities to work on fear
8. New Project Runway ~ Love IT!
9. Everything does not have to be perfect ~ what a relief
10. Connecting with others
11. Crunchy Golden leaves
12. John and Reid

Did you know...

In Greek mythology, Athena is the shrewd companion of Heroes and the Goddess of Heroic endeavor. She would also come to be known as the goddess of wisdom as philosophy became applied to cult in the later fifth century.

Wikipedia

Improving My Conscious Contact

2007-11-09T10:40:00.000-05:00

November Question
"In the Twelve & Twelve it says "The world's libraries and places of worship are a treasure trove for all seekers." What are your favorite treasures that helped you and continue to help you on your spiritual journey?"

Much like Jody K. I find the people who have been and are in my life are my richest treasures.

When I first thought of this question, before reading others posts, I was focused on literature. It always is so refreshing to read and hear what others have in their hearts.

If I go to my original thoughts of "treasures I can read" the list would look something like this...

1. Alcoholics Anonymous

2. Twelve Steps & Twelve Traditions

3. The Golden Books by Father John Doe

4. Biographies & memoirs ~ others experience, strength and hope

5. The Secret

6. Daily Reflections

7. My Utmost For His Highest

8. Letting God

9. AA pamphlets ~

If I look at my bookshelf and try to key in on what books have touched my heart deeply I know there are too many missing. I have been told you have to give it away to keep it and when a book really gets in my heart I frequently pass it on in hopes it will reach another's heart.

I am not much of a library girl as Barnes & Noble has a Starbucks and I get to keep the books :) As for places of worship I have only been exposed to Christian churches, mainly Episcopal and Catholic. Someday I hope to answer this question and have a longer list of places of worship. I am attracted to so many religions and would love to be a participate in their services someday.

The first seeking I did in early sobriety was focused on the Twelve Steps. From day one I have been active in my learning. I would browse tons of self help isles looking for any Twelve Step related books I could get my hands on. As time went on the self help books slowly were taken over by religious and spiritual books. Those are the sections of the book store I gravitate towards today. Always wanting to learn. There seems to be a continued pull that keeps bringing me closer and closer to God.

Go take the IOCC challenge

Shades Of

2007-11-06T15:42:00.000-05:00

Gratitude For...

1. That John finished the NYC marathon. Go JOHN!
2. My meditation group
3. Updates to my comp ~ some days it is the simple stuff
4. Reid
5. My family
6. My friends
7. Sobriety
8. Rest
9. Choices
10. Life
11. Acceptance, better with this on some days than others
12. I have a doctor to call about this nasty cold that is now a sinus infection!

Did you know...

The first New York City Marathon, in 1970, was four-plus laps of Central Park. In 1976, in celebration of the U.S. bicentennial, NYRR moved the marathon to the streets of New York's five boroughs: Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan. The course united dozens of culturally and ethnically diverse neighborhoods, passing over five bridges, and finishing up at Tavern on the Green in world-famous Central Park.

Thirty-one years later, the course continues to challenge thousands of athletes every year and has become a model for big-city marathon courses around the world.

ING

Shades Of

2007-10-31T08:14:00.000-04:00

Gratitude For...

The following Sinead O'Connor lyrics
1. If people just believed enough in God to pray But the world thinks that sounds crazy And that's the thing that makes me sing sadly To think that we would leave God so lonely
2. Take back the rage you gave me Take back the hatred you gave me for me Take back the anger that nearly killed me Take back what doesn't belong to me
3. My friends think I'm alone but I've got secrets I don't tell everything about the love I get I got a lovin man but he's a spirit
4. I have a universe inside me Where I can go and spirit guides me
5. I'm not no red football To be kicked around the garden No no I'm a red christmas-tree ball And I'm fragile
6. He looks almost like the others Yet they know he's not the same Scorn not his simplicity But rather try to love him all the more
7. Strong independent Pagan woman singing
8. The whole time I'd never seen All you had spread before me The whole time I'd never seen All I'd need was inside me
9. I never said I was tough That was everyone else So you're a fool to attack me For the image that you built yourself
10. Pick up those dancing shoes Kick off those wedding blues These are the ways You can choose
11. She moves with the music `Cause it never gets old It's the only thing That never gets old (she wrote this song when she was only 15!)
12. I'm walking through the desert And I am not frightened although it's hot I have all that I requested And I do not want what I haven't got

Did you know...

I went to see Sinead O'Connor last night at The Keswick Theatre! She was amazing! Her voice is just out of this world. I can not even find the words to describe it. How about how I reacted with tears, goose-bumps and the urge to scream whistle and yell to show my appreciation for her gift. It was a night I will never forget.

Shades Of

2007-10-29T20:19:00.000-04:00

Gratitude...
In Loving Memory Of Gram

1. For having been blessed to have known you
2. For having been blessed to care for you
3. For having been blessed with many of your traits
4. For all the Easter dinners you hosted
5. For all the summers at the beach
6. For loving me even when I was a mess
7. For showing me what a healthy home is
8. For laughing with me
9. For loving chocolate with me
10. For giving me memories to hold close to my heart
11. For showing me how slow and steady works
12. For my sobriety because without it I could not have been there for you

Did you know...

My Gram was a Presbyterian Deacon for years.

"The Deacon

The office of deacon has different meanings among different Presbyterian churches. In some churches, deacons exercise responsibility for practical matters of finance and fabric, either separately or together with the elders. In some cases deacons administer the welfare matters of the congregation, while a separate board of management or trustees administers the other material business of the congregation, such as its endowments, salaries and buildings."

Wikipedia

Shades Of

2007-10-19T21:04:00.000-04:00

Gratitude...
1. Scout has dos years! 1+1=2 ~ Two ~ Numero II
2. Doctors ~ I have been sick ~ not just in the mental way :)
3. My child's laughter
4. Apple Jacks
5. Home made soup and bread from my dear friend Alison
6. Light
7. Lincoln ~ he is almost 40 lbs
8. Courage ~ when I ask for some
9. Getting out of the problem and into the solution
10. Making special beads for special people
11. The $15.10 reward card from Staples ~ it really is the small stuff sometimes
12. It's FRIDAY!

Did you know...

Kokopelli is a fertility deity, usually depicted as a humpbacked flute player (often with a huge phallus and antenna-like protrusions on his head), who has been venerated by many Native American cultures in the Southwestern United States. Like most fertility deities, Kokopelli presides over both and agriculture. He is also a trickster god and represents the spirit of music.

Wikipedia

Shades Of

2007-10-17T07:56:00.000-04:00

Gratitude...

1. The kitchen designer guy comes today!!!! Yeah baby!!!!!!!!!!!!
2. My noon woman's meeting is today
3. This Chai tea I am sucking down
4. My 20 minute Christian meditation this morning
5. My flu/cold is getting better
6. Another day to try again ~ those character defects can be very difficult
7. New reading material ~ Gail DeWitt's book Conscious Contact ~ will get started this weekend
8. Rising early
9. Having tools to temper my fears
10. Having others around me to learn with ~ always make the growth that much more fun :)
11. That I am allowed to be human and err ~
12. Friends~~~~~~

Did you know...

The scents to cleanse and purify are tea tree, lavender, thyme, juniper, eucalyptus, rosemary, lime, pine

FengShui Using Scents
by Sharon Kasmira

Shades Of

2007-10-16T11:09:00.000-04:00

Gratitude...

1. John & Reid
2. Sunshine
3. Crunchy leaves
4. That Lincoln is sleeping ~ shhhh
5. Food in the frig
6. Gas in the car
7. Money in the wallet
8. Possibilities
9. My new yummy Yankee Candles ~ Harvest and Spiced Pumpkin
10. The daily crossword
11. My fathers unexpected pop-ins!
12. Life

Did you know...

In a dream "Rain = Rain symbolizes a cleansing. Also rain can also be seen as a way for new life to exist"

Shades Of

2007-10-15T08:06:00.000-04:00

Gratitude for my female role models...

1. My mother
2. My grandmother
3. All my girlfriends ~ each unique and inspiring
4. Goldie Hawn ~ chaaa!
5. Dr. Samo
6. My sponsor
5. Sinead O'Connor
6. Audrey Hepburn
7. My cousin Betsy
8. Mrs. N (a friends mother from childhood who taught me the value of a true hug)
9. Alice K (a former boss who was in the ice follies with Sonya Henie)
10. Paula H (took me to my first meeting)
11. Betty Rubble
12. The women of sobriety ~ who show me by how they behave what it means to be a sober woman.

Did you know...

Women need female role models
"A paper published in the latest issue of "Psychology of Women Quarterly" uses a two-part study to find that women benefit more than men from having same-gender examples of success. The author's findings suggest that a woman's self-esteem could be enhanced by a female role model with a similar career path. A man's feelings about himself were unaffected by a role model of either gender."

Read the article @ CogNews

Shades Of

2007-10-14T13:21:00.000-04:00

Gratitude...

1. Cool fall air and great old movies
2. Not having anyplace to be
3. Choices
4. Books
5. Laughter
6. My church
7. The God of my understanding
8. John & Reid & Lincoln
9. Twelve Steps
10. The chance to work through fear
11. Being a Godparent
12. The ability to be still

Did you know...

"Plants Make You Happy
House plants make people feel calmer and more optimistic, says Bruno Cortis, M.D., a Chicago cardiologist. Interestingly, he says that studies have shown that hospital patients who face a window with a garden view recovered more quickly than those who had to look at a wall."

SixWise.com

Shades Of

2007-10-13T21:56:00.000-04:00

Gratitude...

1. I am allowed to change my mind
2. The desire to learn
3. John and Reid
4. A loving God
5. A program of recovery to guide my life
6. Lincoln and his beautiful green eyes
7. The Sinead O'Connor concert I will be attending this month
8. Hope
9. Willingness
10. A great sponsor
11. A great therapist
12. An open mind ~ on most days :)

Did you know...

"Purple, the color that lies at the end of the spectrum, has a great significance in Feng Shui. The color is excellent for physical and mental healing and Feng Shui associates it with spiritual awareness. "

The Spiritual Feng Shui