When I Complain

When I complain and get into that “poor me syndrome”, I think and pray about all the suffering, the persecuted, the poor and needy, the homeless, the starving,  the hungry, those sick and afflicted with disease, the helpless, those dealing with disabilities and handicaps, depression, those searching for anything  to cling on to, those dying, those dealing with abuse, physical, mental, emotional, and sexual, all that  are dealing with some sort or form of addiction, the lonely, the helpless, and on and on… this helps me to get “out of myself” and be thankful for all that I do have  and that the only issues I have to deal with are really minuscule compared to so many others.

The Habit of Overcoming the Habit

Just like addictions are habits, so is the overcoming of any thing addictive, also a habit.  It is the habit of overcoming  or  reconditioning our thinking, it is the habit of change which can be brought about by some type of behavior modification, whatever truly works for you.  Let your life then become a daily exercise of godly habits.  Remember that sooner or later, one way or another He has to become a part of the “process of overcoming”  for your addiction to become a thing of the past.

I Will Today

I can overcome because You have given me the strength, the gifts, the abilities, and more.

I will because my limitations, my crosses to bare, although not as bad as others,  I know that You, my family, and friends will help me overcome.

I must do because You give us, I believe, only so much time and it is not my place to play with destiny or fate.

I share with all of you because now is the time, now is the moment that I must give back and share my words, my thoughts, experiences, the “wisdom” I have been given by life, and of course, my stories.

It is time to help, not to procrastinate (again), it is time to help now, not to turn away, and say to myself, “maybe the next time”.  It is the time to treasure each moment, it is time to respect and treasure, in every way, the fact, that You have graciously given me today.

EACH DAY

Before I can contemplate the newness of the day or the beauty of the sunrise, I think first about the ugliness of my pain and I know that this perspective , I alone, have allowed to be upside-down thinking.  This is not how God intended me to begin each new day.

TALENTED WITH TURMOIL

Sometimes we wish talent would balance out the scales when it comes to turmoil in our life, but that is not the case, not reality.  So remember that even turmoil has its place in the lessons that it teaches us and the growth that it gives us.

Keep Pressing On

When tired and weary you need to keep pressing on.  I know it is easier said than done, but moving forward is progress.  They say that the hard times and  the things that we encounter build character.  This is true and you will feel better and stronger with each new challenge that you accomplish.  Keep the faith, say your prayers, and build on that new and solid foundation any opportunity that you have.

Looking for someone to talk to?

It would be nice if someone took the time to start a blog conversation with me.  Any subject at anytime!  Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to start the conversation.  I am a good listener and would like to help you by just listening about you and your problems.  I am not a professional, just a possible friend with the same kind of past and problems maybe that you have.  Read the bio on my web page.  What helped me more than anything in my life was that a various points along the road someone took the time to listen to what I had to say.  I would like to be that person that could do the same for you.

Simple Conversation

Remember today to take some time to talk to someone.  It doesn’t have to be anyone in particular for any particular reason.  Just spending a moment of the day in conversation with another is healthy for both you and the person you are engaging.  It can be family, friend, or someone you are standing next to at the checkout counter.  Sometimes when we take that time we find that the other person might really make our day or that something we say might make their day.  It doesn’t have to be a complex issue, it can be something very trivial.  People need to engage one another more in a positive way.  Kind words and a genuine smile might have a lasting impact on someone in a way that we will never know or understand.  Sometimes it is just the fact that we did it at that particular moment.  Never take for granted the importance of simple communication and the effect it may have on both you and the one you are communicating with.  Have a great day and smile!

Consistency in Prayer

I prayed every day to overcome my addiction and I wanted and needed Gods help in so many areas of my life.  I didn’t get the answers and results I wanted for some time and that was frustrating until a friend told me that God says to keep knocking, to knock and knock again.  The having to keep knocking was His way of teaching me and others how important a life of consistency and persistency is.  If we are consistent with our desire to quit, God will answer our prayers and find the way to help us.  He just wants us to be persistent and ask him every day for the help we need so He can see how important He is in our lives.  Remember to be consistent and persistent

Enthusiasm

I learned a long time ago that the word enthusiasm basically means the power of God within.  When I was living a life of substance abuse addiction I was living my life by the power of drugs within, not God.  Addiction takes away the true passion for living, it takes away any and all enthusiasm eventually.  Our passions are our addictions and the fulfillment of them.  As we try hard to direct our passions with enthusiasm, we will eventually find out that it just won’t work.  It’s not how the “puzzle of life” was meant to go together.  It will only go together clean and sober while doing God’s will.  When you put the pieces back together the right way, the passions and enthusiasm will be there.