Author: mikeykjr

This blog reflects the thoughts and feelings of a gay, alcoholic/addict. Sobriety, for me, is the #1 priority in life. I wouldn't be here today without the dedication to my own sobriety. I hope through this site, I can help others battling with an addiction, struggling with recovery or those looking for a better understanding of an addict and what we go through in life. I tend to write long, rambling posts, so grab some coffee, get comfortable and enjoy yourself. Also, subscribe/follow!

The Foot Dropped

On By mikeykjrIn Personal, Work Rant

Another work related post.  In reality, a circle of events.  The point here is there is always positive with the negative.

My gut, which I tell people is my Higher Power, was telling me, “Mike, careful, something is just not right.” After the last couple of days events at work, I decided the best alternative was to keep to myself.  During dinner, my supervisor and the Director of Nursing (DON) paid me a visit on the floor.  They wanted to talk. “F**k. What now?”, I was thinking.

In a nutshell, I was given a verbal warning for my time management skills. Apparently my co-workers feel that I’m to slow at doing my job.  The DON also threw out I had mentioned I said, “I have until 11 p.m. to get all care done, so I’m not going to rush.” Oh, it gets better.  Another incident happened the other day which was brought up (which due to confidentiality, I can’t disclose here).  However, it ties into everything.

I completely shut down – mumbling, then not saying anything during the meeting.

Basically my employer is covering their own arse.  While the employer attempted to ask my side, I refused to say anything because I already knew they had made up their mind pointing the blame at me.  I was right.

Later in the evening, I switched floors to do care on some other residents.  There is a another CNA I’ve been talking to which I have connected with.  Her and I are on the same page.  She recognizes my fellow co-workers, “out to get you”.  I had disclosed to her I’m a recovering addict and my frustrations of the other day “driving me to drink”.  She in turn talked to my supervisor, apparently after their meeting with me, about her concerns not only how staff is treating me but the truth of what is really going on in the facility.  As we worked together, she was willing to help me with new time management skills she learned  over her 12 years of experience.  At the end of the day we chatted for about 45 minutes.  It was a great relief to know that she too was a recovering addict knowing exactly what I was going through.

I also had a talk with my supervisor expressing my concerns.  She reached out to me because “I saw that you shut down during the meeting, so I wanted to talk to you.” She is willing to address my concerns and try to change things.  She is beginning to recognize the problems (sexism, lack of communication, no teamwork, etc.).  After our discussion she asked that I don’t put in my letter of resignation (because that was exactly why I was talking to her in the first place).  So I’m giving her a chance.

Despite the bad news at the beginning, I was relieved at the end of the day.  I had felt completely alone.  Now I know that I’m not.  I have to be patient, willing to give it time for the wind to change in a positive direction.

DR – Feb 18, 2017

On By mikeykjrIn Daily Recovery Readings

Daily Recovery Readings
February 17, 2017

Daily Reflection

OUR PATHS ARE OUR OWN

. . . there was nothing left for us but to pick up the simple kit of spiritual tools laid at our feet.
— ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 25

My first attempt at the Steps was one of obligation and necessity, which resulted in a deep feeling of discouragement in the face of all those adverbs: courageously; completely; humbly; directly; and only. I considered Bill W. fortunate to have gone through such a major, even sensational, spiritual experience. I had to discover, as time went on, that my path was my own. After a few twenty-four hours in the A.A. Fellowship, thanks especially to the sharing of members in the meetings, I understood that everyone gradually finds his or her own pace in moving through the Steps. Through progressive means, I try to live according to these suggested principles. As a result of these Steps, I can say today that my attitude towards life, people, and towards anything having to do with God, has been transformed and improved.

From the book Daily Reflections
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

Big Book Quote

“The very practical approach to his problems, the absence of intolerance of any kind, the informality, the genuine democracy, the uncanny understanding which these people had were irresistible.”
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, A Vision For You, Page 160

Keep It Simple

Whoever gossips to you will gossip about you. — Spanish proverb

Gossip can kill the trust in a Twelve Step program. We all need to feel safe when we share our personal lives with others. We need to know our private business won’t spread around.

We can do two things to help keep the trust in our groups, and in the rest of our lives too. First, don’t gossip. Second, don’t listen to gossip about others.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me mind my own business today. Help me honor the trust of my friends by not gossiping.

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll think of two ways to stop someone from telling me gossip. Then, I’ll put those ways to use.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You tend to favor the comfort and safety of the familiar, but something stirs your desire to see more of the world now. Whether you decide to travel the globe or just feed your imagination with a captivating learning adventure, the possibilities seem endless. Honestly, it doesn’t matter if your journeys take you outward or inward; you will get even more out of them if you incorporate your findings into your regular routine. Including bits of inspiration in your everyday surroundings keeps you uplifted without feeling like you must escape into fantasy-land to avoid the monotony. Dream globally, act locally.

DR – Feb 17, 2017

On By mikeykjrIn Daily Recovery Readings

Daily Recovery Readings
February 17, 2017

Daily Reflection

THE LOVE IN THEIR EYES

Some of us won’t believe in God, others can’t, and still others who do believe that God exists have no faith whatever He will perform this miracle.
— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 25

It was the changes I saw in the new people who came into the Fellowship that helped me lose my fear, and change my negative attitude to a positive one. I could see the love in their eyes and I was impressed by how much their “One Day at a Time” sobriety meant to them. They had looked squarely at Step Two and came to believe that a power greater than themselves was restoring them to sanity. That gave me faith in the Fellowship, and hope that it could work for me too. I found that God was a loving God, not that punishing God I feared before coming to A.A. I also found that He had been with me during all those times I had been in trouble before I came to A.A. I know today that He was the one who led me to A.A. and that I am a miracle.

From the book Daily Reflections
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

Big Book Quote

“My friend suggested what then seemed a novel idea. He said, ‘Why don’t you choose your own conception of God?’

That statement hit me hard. It melted the icy intellectual mountain
in whose shadow I had lived and shivered many years. I stood in the
sunlight at last.

It was only a matter of being willing to believe in a Power greater
than myself. Nothing more was required of me to make my beginning.
I saw that growth could start from that point.”

Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Bill’s Story, pg. 12~

Keep It Simple

. . . no one who learns to know himself remains just what he was before—Thomas Mann

Deep inside, we all know that we’re changing. It started when we took Step One. We learned and accepted something new about ourselves. That changed us, just a little. We no longer wanted to live as addicts. That meant we had to change and to learn to live sober. It’s been nonstop ever since: learn about ourselves, change a little, learn about ourselves, change a little more, and so on. All we know is that each step of learning and changing makes life better. How long can it keep getting better? As long as we keep learning to know ourselves.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, teach me about myself today. Teach me gently.

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll think about what I’ve learned about myself by working the program. I’ll list five things.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You really want to be heard today, but it’s difficult to convey your feelings in a casual conversation. The moody Scorpio Moon urges you to express your angst, while rational Mercury prefers you keep it all locked up. This planetary conflict could create an inner battle that adds to the stress of the moment. Instead of pulling your hair out, try channeling your emotions through a different medium like art or music. There are many ways to share your personal experience. Carrie Fisher said, “Take your broken heart and make it into art.”

Struggling

On By mikeykjrIn Personal, Work Rant4 Comments

I have vowed not to include work on this blog for various reasons. However, when my professional life (work) impacts my recovery, there is an opportunity for others to learn how We, the recovering addict, deal with our addictions on a daily basis.  This is one such time.

I am now a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) with only five months of experience.  The facility that I work at is currently understaffed, badly.  Everyone is miserable.  I vowed not to get involved, do what is required of me and leave on a daily basis without a further thought of what went on.  While that worked for a while, I have found that in recent weeks, I too became miserable.  Right now, I’m not in a good place.

I never boast about how many years of sobriety I have because it doesn’t matter.  Each of us just have today.  After nine years of sobriety, the last couple of days, I am struggling with keeping my sobriety.  Last night, it peaked; I thought about drinking.  Did I relapse?

Keep reading . . .

I knew that my job was going to be challenging.  A CNA is not an easy job.  The job is disgusting at times (literally); I take care of the elderly who can’t take care of themselves in all aspects of their lives, including toileting themselves. You just get use to it.  Residents can be quite the handful at times; each one has a range of medical problems and mental health issues.  As a CNA, you are required by state law to respect their rights.  You have to be a CNA because you enjoy those that you help no matter what is presented in front of  you.  Don’t get me wrong, I love working with these people no matter what they do or say to me.  I know that they are struggling inside to keep the last sanity they have, in the only way they know how.

On a daily basis, I am treated like shit by residents and even my own co-workers.  I am the low one on the totem pole, thus people take advantage of it (many times to the extreme).  In addition, there are not many male CNA’s.  Nursing is typically a women’s field.  I’ve been told “. . . you just have to deal with it”.

Right now, I feel like I’m fighting for my job.  I feel like my co-workers are all against me including management.  The don’t listen to what I have to say, as if I’m speaking a foreign language.  They don’t help asking me to do things that I’m not suppose to do.  Then when I complain of the illegal activity, they turn my words or events around as if I’m the problem.  They don’t help me when I ask for help, instead think I’m just an incompetent person.  There are dead wrong – I take the necessary time to ensure that my residents are cared for in the proper fashion and with the dignity and respect that any human being deserves!

Sorry I’m getting on tangents, but bare with me . . .now how sobriety plays a part.

Before I go into work, I say the Serenity Prayer.  During the day, I must say it over 1,000 times.  I’m not a person that prays.  Recently, I have really asked for guidance and help, yet I get no relief. Is there a lesson here that I should be learning besides patience and tolerance because if there is, I just don’t seem to get it.

Psychologically, its torture.  I don’t want to be there, nor do I want to work with my co-workers.  But the other side of me doesn’t want to abandon my residents.  They are human beings and should not be treated in the manner that I have witnessed.

My Sponsor and I have constant communication.  He doesn’t understand why I still work there.  He believes I should just look for another job and leave. With only five months of experience, it’s hard to get another job somewhere else; it’s just not that easy to pick up, leave and get another job.  He doesn’t understand because he hasn’t been in my shoes.  However, he has given me suggestions.

Last night, I called him on the verge of tears.  I was going to just walk off the job and I didn’t care about my license as a CNA.  I had a fear that I was going to drink; I didn’t trust myself.  I have so much anger, resentment, fear, etc. built up, I just didn’t know what to do.  We talked on my break but I have to cut him off because Gods forbid I was late coming back in.  The point is, he was there for me.  That got my through the last hour of work, home and I DID NOT DRINK.

This morning we went out for breakfast (I had to pay – another issue, later).  As always, he made suggestions.  Some I can do, others are difficult to implement.  But I still listened.

One suggestion was attending meetings.  I don’t go to enough because of my scattered schedule, complacency and timing.  All excuses.  I don’t MAKE THE TIME to get to meetings.  Yes, it would mean less sleep (I drive three hours a day to work, plus an eight hour day, so do the math).  But there are plenty of meetings right before work, that I can just attend a meeting, then drive to work.  There is even a meeting in a town that I drive through every day.  I just haven’t ever been to a meeting there.  So I’m going to take his suggestion because that is what Sponsee’s should do – ACT on SUGGESTIONS given by our Sponsors.

I have now lost my train of thought, if I really had one.  Recent events have put my mental capabilities to shambles; I can’t think straight, I can’t concentrate, I can’t remember even the littlest things.  It’s rough.  I know it and I need to DO something about it.

This is where I feel that I’m a hypocrite.  I tell people going through something like this to think of a river, you’re standing on a stone in the middle of a river.  No matter what you do (build a dam to block it or control it), build a bridge or try to avoid it, etc., the river is going to keep flowing around you.  You need to DO something, like step off the stone, before the river just pulls you downstream and drowns you.  But do I take my own advice?

Perhaps this time I should!

DR – Feb 16, 2017

On By mikeykjrIn Daily Recovery Readings

Daily Recovery Readings
February 16, 2017

Daily Reflection

COMMITMENT

Understanding is the key to right principles and attitudes, and right
action is the key to good living.
— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 125

There came a time in my program of recovery when the third stanza of the Serenity Prayer — “The wisdom to know the difference” — became indelibly imprinted in my mind. From that time on, I had to face the ever-present knowledge that my every action, word and thought was within, or outside, the principles of the program. I could no longer hide behind self-rationalization, nor behind the insanity of my disease. The only course open to me, if I was to attain a joyous life for myself (and subsequently for those I love), was one in which I imposed on myself an effort of commitment, discipline, and responsibility.

From the book Daily Reflections
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

Big Book Quote

“Since the home has suffered more than anything else, it is well that a man exert himself there. He is not likely to get far in any direction if he fails to show unselfishness and love under his own roof. We know there are difficult wives and families, but the man who is getting over alcoholism must remember he did much to make them so.”
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, The Family Afterward, pg. 127~

Keep It Simple

Friendships, like marriages, are dependent on avoiding the unforgivable.—John D. MacDonald

We need to remember that relationships are made up of people—people who are strong, but also fragile.

We don’t break easily, but we do break. We need to be aware of how fragile relationships are. Don’t say something that will hurt others even if it’s honest. It’s mean to be honest with someone, without showing that you care for the person’s feelings. We can learn to be honest without being cruel. The backbone of any relationship is this: we need to honor the rules and agreements we make. If we promise to be faithful to someone, we follow this rule. And we need to trust the other person to do the same. When we see that our agreements don’t work, we need to go to that person and talk about them.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me become a person who honors rules and agreements in my relationships.

Actions for the Day: I’ll make no promises today that I will not keep.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

You know bottling your emotions doesn’t help in the long run, but sometimes it doesn’t feel safe to express them either. However, the magnetic Scorpio Moon intensifies your resentment and makes it harder to let go of a situation you feel was unfair or hurtful. Oddly enough, this inability to play nice works in your favor when courageous Mars and chatty Mercury conspire to give your feelings a verbal outlet. Taking the first step is always the hardest part of any process. But once you say your piece you’ll feel stronger than you did before. Bob Marley sang, “Get up; stand up for your rights.”

DR – Feb 15, 2017

On By mikeykjrIn Daily Recovery Readings

Daily Recovery Readings
February 11, 2017

Daily Reflection

TAKING ACTION

Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us — sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them.
— ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p, 84

One of the most important things A.A. has given me, in addition to freedom from booze, is the ability to take “right action.” It says the promises will always materialize if I work for them. Fantasizing about them, debating them, preaching about them and faking them just won’t work. I’ll remain a miserable, rationalizing dry drunk. By taking action and working the Twelve Steps in all my affairs, I’ll have a life beyond my wildest dreams.

From the book Daily Reflections
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

Big Book Quote

“There is action and more action. ‘Faith without works is dead.'”
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, Into Action, pg. 88~

Keep It Simple

Easy Does It.
—Twelve Steps slogan

We are people who push ourselves to hard. We try to be perfect. Well, we need to lighten up. Easy Does It.

We need to slow down our pace. Why? Because our program teaches us to give up trying to be perfect.

We begin to love ourselves for who we are. We are enough. Over and over we hear this as we live the Steps. It’s the message of God’s love. Our Higher Power want us to live at a pace that’s not fast and hard, so we always know we’re loved. Remember, we’ve turned our life over to the care of God. And our life is a wonderful gift. As recovering people, we may know better than others.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, teach me to live at Your pace, not mine. Help me keep in mind that life isn’t a race. It’s a spiritual journey. Walk with me.

Action for the Day:
Today, I’ll take two hours just to relax and do loving things for myself. I’ll take time to count my blessings.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Coming home is like hitting the reset button for you most days, allowing you to gather your feelings and return to your comfort zone. However, a complicated domestic life could change the energy overnight. You might even be inclined to go out in order to avoid the uncomfortable atmosphere. However, the sooner you clear the air, the sooner you can relax in an environment that soothes your soul. Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “For every minute you remain angry, you give up sixty seconds of peace of mind.”

DR – Feb 14, 2017

On By mikeykjrIn Daily Recovery Readings

Daily Recovery Readings
February 14, 2017

Daily Reflection

EXPECTATIONS vs. DEMANDS

Burn the idea into the consciousness of every man that he can get well
regardless of anyone. The only condition is that he trust in God and
clean house.
— ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 98

Dealing with expectations is a frequent topic at meetings. It isn’t wrong to expect progress of myself, good things from life, or decent treatment from others. Where I get into trouble is when my expectations become demands. I will fall short of what I wish to be and situations will go in ways I do not like, because people will let me down sometimes. The only question is: “What am I going to do about it?” Wallow in self-pity or anger; retaliate and make a bad situation worse; or will I trust in God’s power to bring blessings on the messes in which I find myself? Will I ask Him what I should be learning; do I keep on doing the right things I know how to do, no matter what; do I take time to share my faith and blessings with others?

From the book Daily Reflections
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

Big Book Quote

“This painful past may be of infinite value to other families still struggling with their problem. We think each family which has been relieved owes something to those who have not, and when the occasion requires, each member of it should be only too willing to bring former mistakes, no matter how grievous, out of their hiding places.
Showing others who suffer how we were given help is the very thing which makes life seem so worth while to us now.”
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, The Family Afterward, pg. 124~

Keep It Simple

Some things have to be believed to be seen. –Ralph Hodgson

In recovery, we learn to trust. We trust that our Higher Power is on our side. Maybe we can’t see our Higher Power , but once we start trusting things change. Step Two says, “Came to believe. . . ” Once we come to believe, we start to see our Higher Power working in many ways. We make new program friends. We find new peace. Our family and friends trust us again. Life won’t always be fair. We won’t get all we want. But we’ll find the love and care we need. If we’re open to believing in love, the easy times will be easier and the harder times a bit softer. Do I believe in love?

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, help me believe, especially when times are hard. Help me not blame You for the hard times.

Action for the Day:
I will write what I believe the program and my Higher Power want for me.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

Keeping up with your daily schedule is demanding when it seems like there’s always another level to which you must rise. However, your natural tenacity is reinforced by a grounding Sun-Saturn connection, empowering you to do the legwork without cracking under pressure. One of the best parts about putting in a full day of work is coming home to a peaceful environment, and the sweet Libra Moon in your 4th House of Family invites a sense of serenity to your abode. No matter the nature of your living situation, the spirit of compromise inspires you to do your part to bring harmony to your world.

Music Epiphany & Request

On By mikeykjrIn Personal

There is almost always something to recovery in everything I do, thus the reason that I journal/blog. For instance, I wrote a comment on Music is My Life, Music is My Trigger by @hopefilledaddict . I had an epiphany. Recently, I’ve been angry, frustrated, “restless, irritable and discontent”. I may have found out the cause of my moods and a solution.

While I enjoy all kinds of genres of music (250+ GB of it), I tend to change it up depending on my mood. I have a few artists in each genre.  Instead of just getting the song, I get the whole album. I haven’t mastered the art of creating playlists (really, aren’t you a computer geek?  It can’t be that hard!)

For a while now, I’ve been listening to Country Music (98.1 FM – The Hawk). For instance, every time I hear, “Humble And Kind” by Tim McGraw , I have to prepare myself.  I literally cry (a flowing river) every time. The lyrics just tear me apart. When I’m driving on the back roads to work, it’s not good!  There are a host of others.

Lately, I’ve changed it up to a local hard rock station, 92.5 FM – KBG – Binghamton Rock . I love songs like “Call Me When You’re Sober” by Evanescence . The latest is “Heathens” by 21 Pilots , for obvious reasons. But there are other artists, as you can imagine listening to a hard rock station, that must instill and provoke the angry side of me.  Coupled with listening to it driving to work doesn’t help when everything at work falls apart when I walk in the door!

But here is the problem.  I have an old 2007 Toyota Corolla which has the stock (manufacturer’s) radio.  It has a CD player but I can’t seem to get it to play a CD that I’ve created.  I spent HOURS looking on the Internet, downloading stupid, despicable programs and can’t come up with a solution. Perhaps my fellow bloggers may have a suggestion or solution?

21 Powerful Quotes

On By mikeykjrIn Quotes

21 Powerful Quotes That Will Change
the Way You Live and Think

Reblogged from: BayArt

Words have power — and these inspiring quotes are guaranteed to challenge the way you think and perhaps even change the way you live.

  1. “Happiness is an uphill battle. Wear the good shoes.” — Kurt Vonnegut
  2. “Without ice cream, there would be chaos and darkness.” — Don Kardong
  3. “When things go wrong, don’t go with them.” — Elvis Presley
  4. “Happiness is a warm puppy.” — Charles M. Schulz
  5. “Happiness never decreases by being shared.” — Buddha
  6. “Happiness is like jam. You can’t spread even a little without getting some on yourself.” — Anonymous
  7. “For every minute you are angry you lose 60 seconds of happiness.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
  8. “Think big thoughts but relish small pleasures.” — Jackson Brown Jr.
  9. “Perfect happiness is the absence of the striving for happiness.” — Chuang-Tse
  10. “The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.” — Thich Nhat Hanh
  11. “Most people do not listen with the intent to understand. Most people listen with the intent to reply.” — Stephen Covey
  12. “The reason why we struggle with insecurity is because we compare our behind the scenes with everyone else’s highlight reel.” –Steven Furtick
  13. “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” — Maya Angelou
  14. “If an Egg Is Broken by an outside Force, Life Ends. If Broken by an inside Force, Life Begins. Great Things Always Begin from the inside” — Jim Kwik
  15. “The fool didn’t know it was possible, so he did it.” — Unknown
  16. “Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter don’t mind.” –Bernard M. Baruch
  17. “You might have more talent than me, you might be smarter than me, you might be sexier than me, you might be all of those things you got it on me in nine categories. But if we get on the treadmill together, there are two things: You’re getting off first, or I’m going to die. It’s really that simple, right?” –Will Smith
  18. “No one is busy in this world. It’s all about priorities.” — Unknown
  19. “The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.” — Unknown
  20. “Be the person your dog thinks you are.” –J.W. Stephens
  21. “In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.” — Robert Frost

DR – Feb 13, 2017

On By mikeykjrIn Daily Recovery Readings

Daily Recovery Readings
February 13, 2017

Daily Reflection

WE CAN’T THINK OUR WAY SOBER

To the intellectually self-sufficient man or woman, many A.A.’s can say, “Yes, we were like you — far too smart for our own good. . . . Secretly, we felt we could float above the rest of the folks on our brain power alone.”
— AS BILL SEES IT, p. 60

Even the most brilliant mind is no defense against the disease of alcoholism. I can’t think my way sober. I try to remember that intelligence is a Godgiven attribute that I may use, a joy—like having a talent for dancing or drawing or carpentry. It does not make me better than anyone else, and it is not a particularly reliable tool for recovery, for it is a power greater than myself who will restore me to sanity—not a high IQ or a college degree.

From the book Daily Reflections
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.

Big Book Quote

“Despite all we can say, many who are real alcoholics are not going to believe they are in that class. By every form of self deception and experimentation, they will try to prove themselves exceptions to the rule, therefore nonalcoholic. If anyone who is showing inability to control his drinking can do the right about face and drink like a gentleman, our hats are off to him. Heaven knows, we have tried hard enough and long enough to drink like other people!”
~Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, More About Alcoholism, pg. 31~

Keep It Simple

Tomorrow doesn’t matter, for I have lived today. –Horace

Life is found in the present. One of the first things we hear when we enter the program is, One Day at a Time. We break life into short time periods. This give us the power to change. We’re not sure we can stay sober for a lifetime. But we know that with God, and our program, we can stay sober for today.

This holds true for many other things in out lives. We’re not sure we can go a lifetime without feeling self-pity, but we can give it up for a day. By living One Day at a Time, we become more sure of our strength. We have the power to change things only in the present. The present holds much for us, if we get a hold on it.

Prayer for the Day:
Higher Power, You are found in the moment. You are here. I will stay with You minute by minute.

Action for the Day:
I will ground myself in the present. Today, I’ll not worry about the past or the future.

Daily Horoscope – Cancer

One task leads to another today, and before you know it you’re tweaking little things that you typically don’t even notice. It feels constructive to tend to the tiniest details while the efficient Virgo Moon sorts through your 3rd House of Immediate Environment. However, you can’t help but realize that your nit-picking detracts from your normal routine when stern Saturn steps in. The challenge is to satisfy your need for perfection without falling behind on daily chores. Discernment and discipline are your key ingredients for success.