One Day at a Time - Do You Know Bill W?

[DarkSkies]

oh i know it's worth it... it's just that sometimes, i don't give a dam. but it passes, it passes.

i know you'll love me either way - thanks for all the support over the years!

you the man

God bless

jc

Of course we love ya either way....
(we're scared that if we don't ya'll come to our houses ahd shoot us with one of those redneck weapons.....
)


As for being the man, the only man I resemble right now is a Grouchy Old Man, till I get my car back....
I think I've been around Finchaser for too long...
.I think if we started a school for Grouchy Basstards, I could teach a course or 2.....

Hey Rich, Congrats on 100 pages for this thread!

Way to get the word out.

Hey Jon, I try but don't want all that credit....this thread is partially me posting the words of others, and all the members who have been able to jump in and comment over the years...whether they are alcoholics or not...all have contributed to make this a great thread.....
A Non-Fishing Thread....on a Fishing Website...that has the most views of any thread here...who woulda thunk it?

Thank you for all your contributions Jon, you really add some redneck color to this site....(you know I'm just kidding)....Wish I hit the lottery so I could make both our lives better...but in the meantime, a day being poor and sober, has more clarity and honor than being a drunk.....











Thanks for the kind words...
I temporaily lost the website e-mail that used to send me these daily readings...if any one finds the link before I do, please let me know, would appreciate it...thanks....

[DarkSkies]

I found another site for the daily readings.
It's called www.intherooms.com


All the things I post for now will come from the daily readings.
Check them out when you get a chance, if you have an interest in that kind of stuff.....



Today's Reading:

Taking vs. Receiving



There is a vast difference between taking and receiving. There is a way of receiving that is also giving. When I can receive, I act as a willing container for another person's gift. I validate the giver's act of giving and acknowledge his or her generosity. This benefits both the giver and the receiver in equal measure, both are enriched and neither overly depleted.

When I take, I do not acknowledge the gift - rather, I put in the purse of my being that which I want, then snap it shut and go off to take again, hoping that no one notices. This leaves both parties wanting - the giver feels she has been manipulated into giving whether wanting to or not; and the taker - because without receiving a person never really fills up - just continues to feel empty.


I can acknowledge a gift; I can receive.

Developing the muscles of the soul demands no competitive spirit, no killer instinct, although it may erect pain barriers that the spiritual athlete must crash through.
Germaine Greer













*****
The above has meaning to me because some of the best friendships I have now, are with people I didn't know 15 years ago. As life runs its course, I think we periodically need to sweep the "takers" out of our lives. We become comfortable with certain people in "legacy" relationships, and as a result, may have some folks in our lives, where we are the ones doing the giving, and they are constantly doing the taking.

My brusqueness and bluntness with some people is noticable at times....

Because I have developed an inner sense of who is likely to be a taker....
and who is more equal in relationships, willing to give as well as receive.


So I have gradually weeded the "takers" out of my life....
Much like a garden, where if you don't weed it regularly, it becomes overgrown....

I think to some extent, modern society encourages taking rather than giving....
Many of us are apathetic about getting involved in something, or helping someone, unless we feel it affects us directly.
I suppose that's human nature...but those aren't the lessons I learned when I was growing up...

And at the very least, some of us have forgotten old-fashioned manners, such as saying a sincere "Thank you!" to others when they help us....some of the best friendships I now have, are because I learned the value of expressing my gratitude for the generosity extended to me.










I would like to thank the folks at www.intherooms.com for their daily meditations......
And hopefully can give back something to them by turning some on to that site....

[DarkSkies]

Anniversary --
My yearly one was July 9th, wanted to mention it before the month is done...

I had wanted to say something when the date came around. but was looking for my exact sobriety date....
And I'm not sure if it was 28, 29, or 30 years ago....









There was a lot of administrating I was doing here that took up too much time...
So I've put that spare time into being out there fishing, instead....

I have slacked off on a lot of things, here....

I do appreciate those who have taken up that slack, and wanted to thank all of ya's for your efforts...
For without your efforts this site wouldn't be as good as it is.....




Still wanted to find an online certificate for Jonthepain's Anniversary. ..and some other tasks which have fallen by the wayside....Jon I hope you know how proud I am of ya, and everyone else who manages to celebrate a Sobriety Date Anniversary.........



Too many people have died from this disease.....
I have known several of them personally, friends over the years.....
They are now gone....

I pray for them, and hopefully in reaching out to the struggling alcoholics and addicts, some more will be encouraged to come "Into the Rooms" to get the help they need.....


Remember all who are reading this....
The help is there...
But you have to want it...
And most importantly, ASK for it.....

[cowherder]

Many congratualtions dark! It must be hard to stay straight that long. Great discipline!

[storminsteve]

Kudos dark, and hopes for many more.

[wish4fish]

haha you bin on the wagon longer then i bin alive, lol!
ill have a drink to toast you the next time im at the gogorama,srlsly good deal dude! come down to the ggr one nite and ill buy u a soda, coke or gingerale yur choice!

[clamchucker]

Best wishes on many more dark skies. Thank you for all you do.

[DarkSkies]

^^Thank you all for the kind words. And an extra thanks for all that you all....do....


Reading for today from ITR.com

Simple Pleasures


I have simple tastes, I am easy to please. Today I will not pound my fist on the table of life demanding more from it than I am willing to give to it. When I can take pleasure in ordinary things and joy from everyday experience, life fills me, feels satisfying. This attitude allows me to use what I have. I recognize that it is not what I have but how I value and enjoy it that generates happiness.

[jonthepain]

Congrats on your anniversary, my brother. Keep up the good work.

And please pray for my Mom. She went into the hospital last night with what they think was a stroke.

Mom was born in 1920.

Thanks,
Jon

[Pebbles]

This was the most important moment in your life. You grew beyond your wildest dreams. Congrats! (BTW - my heart will always beat for you no matter what becomes of.....)

[Pebbles]

Jon,

Our prayers are with your mom and your family. Keep us informed.

[Monty]

Anniversary --
My yearly one was July 9th, wanted to mention it before the month is done...

I had wanted to say something when the date came around. but was looking for my exact sobriety date....
And I'm not sure if it was 28, 29, or 30 years ago...

Congrats big time Dark

And please pray for my Mom. She went into the hospital last night with what they think was a stroke.
Mom was born in 1920.
Thanks,
Jon

Jon, Prayers sent.

[jonthepain]

thanks, guys.

ps wish me a happy birthday - i'm 55 today

[Pebbles]

Happy Birthday Jon!!!!

[DarkSkies]

^^Thanks for the kind words, all.

******************

Congrats on your anniversary, my brother. Keep up the good work.

And please pray for my Mom. She went into the hospital last night with what they think was a stroke.

Mom was born in 1920.

Thanks,
Jon

Your Mom was born in 1920, that would make her around 92....what an interesting life she must have had so far.
I am sorry to hear the news, will call when I get a chance, and will pray for her.

[jonthepain]

They sent Mom home today, she was doing pretty good.

She has since developed a fever and her blood pressure is up, but she is resting, which is good.

At first they said she had a mini-stroke but now they are saying it was rather severe.

I'll keep you all updated.

Thanks,
Jon

[storminsteve]

Thoughts and prayers john, hope she can hang in there.

[skinner]

T&P sent.

[bababooey]

Hoping things will turn out okay.

[jonthepain]

Mom had another stroke last night. She's in tough shape.

I'm off to the hospital... thanks for your support; I'll post an update as soon as I can.