tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44264626280297600232024-03-13T19:13:12.442-07:00Runaway SlaveAmerica Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.comBlogger206125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426462628029760023.post-81700800181332056212017-10-23T00:49:00.000-07:002017-10-23T00:49:49.626-07:00"My Burden is Greater than Your Burden"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvotnDf0jpysLwHSeqGTZ5mXJsotkvLAei_VjdUiLIf_JXV33oNwUxtdHqRiMMe78rIzU0OTF27gabZrvO22OE3YqSoHF2IFhoBh8MsYFsdrYrttLkWU-dBRd7-GBUFhBwbCF_71lgLxm/s1600/download+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="164" data-original-width="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvotnDf0jpysLwHSeqGTZ5mXJsotkvLAei_VjdUiLIf_JXV33oNwUxtdHqRiMMe78rIzU0OTF27gabZrvO22OE3YqSoHF2IFhoBh8MsYFsdrYrttLkWU-dBRd7-GBUFhBwbCF_71lgLxm/s1600/download+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-size: x-small;"><b>"I've looked at life...from both sides now..."</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;"><i>"Each addiction is incredibly unique, and there are key</i></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;"><i>differences in how they manifest, disable, and are overcome."</i></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">vs.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;"><i>"All addictive behavior is essentially the same, coming from</i></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;"><i>the same place and needing the same basic approach."</i></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;"><i><br /></i></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;"><i>***</i></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">Most people seem to have developed an 'either/or' </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">philosophy when it comes to comprehending addiction</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">behavior. I'm more of a mind that both statements or</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">approaches have merit.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">We live in complicated times, after all. A world of greys</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">and inconsistencies and ever-developing new concepts</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">and problems. And certainly complexity has always</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">been an aspect of addiction. Hell, if the world were </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">'black-and-white,' addiction might not exist.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">But at the same time, life is rather unchanging.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">Basic truths (inhumanity, longing, cyclical politics)</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">have remained the same since the beginning of civilization.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">All addicts either begin as--or at some point become--</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">dissatisfied that we left the womb. The world for us is</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">a harsh and unaccommodating place that we feel</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">incapable of enduring--despite </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">how well we might appear to be managing or</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">maintaining on the outside</span></b><b><span style="color: #990000;">.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">Yet people with addictions/addictive tendencies are</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">made up of a multitude of people, from various</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">backgrounds, education, cultures, orientations, etc.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">I'm not a fan of "who's suffered worse?" fights; They're</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">counter-productive, divisive, and they embolden</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">Victim thinking. Yes, heroin is a frightening and</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">destructive</span></b><b><span style="color: #990000;"> drug. Nicotine is insidious in its grip. But</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">sugar is powerfully addictive to the mind and body</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">as well--and highly dangerous to health. Gambling</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">and porn addiction behavior can have the same level of </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">devastating effects as a drug binge.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">What ties us together, all of us outsider addicts, is the</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">base mentality and psyche that leads us to addiction</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">in the first place. Because we might all come to our</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">drug(s) of choice in myriad ways and at different ages,</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">but the desperation to escape the pain of reality is</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">usually a pretty solid connection.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">Regardless of whether you get high off of alcohol, sex,</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">food, cocaine, danger, cigarettes, spending money</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">or snorting fumes, the behavior is in response to the</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">same type of emotional stimuli. </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">Once a high had been produced even one time, that </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">chemical reaction and release has an impact on the </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">body. Those neural pathways are hard-wired anew,</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">now associating these thoughts and feelings </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">with the specific behavior and pay-off </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">that produced it. The die is cast.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">For a food addict, one difficulty unique to us is</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">being surrounded by the weapon of choice every</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">moment of the day. There's even encouragement</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">to partake--and over-indulge. For a meth addict,</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">it's affordable enough and readily available so</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">that any time you happen to be feeling low or </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">anxious, there's potentially a (bad) solution to</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">those feelings ready to jump at you.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">Particulars vary, but impact and</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">drive do not.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">Behind all of the longing is the neurosis of </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">hurting people. Dissatisfaction and pain are at the</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">heart and core of every person driven by an</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">addiction. Despite differences, we are the same.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">Recognizing this could do a lot to overcome </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">the illusion of separateness that keeps us from</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">finding allies and understanding in a greater </span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">number of places.</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="color: #990000;">***</span></b></div>
<br /></div>
America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426462628029760023.post-23777544198133861302017-10-22T22:55:00.001-07:002017-10-22T22:55:26.330-07:00Revelations: Chapter Infinity<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4DNls7hhyLgxwDXnA5Ypv-2bhLrKsnTFh84vK0r-JhwKdgdH21GNlH1ZluQEeDyDXxpPqtGKbEQfPyDCJysGpbKw8S8VC-iZ1g9MErhXzqwAJX4aTpnI6Ow_c9mh7OthSWLHJEF7eFKB/s1600/download+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4DNls7hhyLgxwDXnA5Ypv-2bhLrKsnTFh84vK0r-JhwKdgdH21GNlH1ZluQEeDyDXxpPqtGKbEQfPyDCJysGpbKw8S8VC-iZ1g9MErhXzqwAJX4aTpnI6Ow_c9mh7OthSWLHJEF7eFKB/s400/download+%25281%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>The old, familiar groove of</b><br /><b>comfortable habit.</b><br /><br /><b>It's a seductive black hole </b><br /><b>masquerading as</b><br /><b>a kindly, promising </b><br /><b>seduction.</b><br /><br /><b>A fond recollection,</b><br /><b>it whispers; "That thing that's</b><br /><b>been missing...that meaning </b><br /><b>you wish to secure."</b><br /><br /><b>After luring you in with its</b><br /><b>distorted offerings,</b><br /><b>it/he/she is quick to turn</b><br /><b>treacherous.</b><br /><b>Only now will it </b><br /><b>reveal that it is only</b><br /><b>our own emptiness </b><br /><b>reflected back on us.</b><br /><br /><b>Laid bare, that old and</b><br /><b>constant companion</b><br /><b>is exposed as the </b><br /><b>vile and thoughtless</b><br /><b>betrayer</b><br /><b>we always </b><br /><b>(somewhere inside)</b><br /><b>knew it was.</b><br /><br /><b>Facades and lies</b><br /><b>and broken promises</b><br /><b>exposed to reason</b><br /><b>and clarity</b><br /><b>in the bright light of day.</b><br /><br /><b>oh, I recognize you</b><br /><b>nowadays, you smirking</b><br /><b>tempter.</b><br /><b>But I see you</b><br /><b>for what you truly are.</b><br /><br /><b>***</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426462628029760023.post-14652935507595908272013-12-27T08:04:00.000-08:002013-12-27T08:04:33.538-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDwPigqy8wRFMO0WJKk_9Yf0JwUF9mBqnMdDinl73-wuGP5LfgNHmSIeBxOLMP7BdNb70k88X1_3MhJb-MSCl7YzNM_bHFMb4CY7l1GTotBPu1dKLbzjb14wlETkZ7pgdnjoqgepYgNT5/s1600/untitled.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="479" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieDwPigqy8wRFMO0WJKk_9Yf0JwUF9mBqnMdDinl73-wuGP5LfgNHmSIeBxOLMP7BdNb70k88X1_3MhJb-MSCl7YzNM_bHFMb4CY7l1GTotBPu1dKLbzjb14wlETkZ7pgdnjoqgepYgNT5/s640/untitled.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">If you're following a path prescribed by </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">thousands of other 'like-minded' individuals</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">who feel the need to rely on repetition</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">and wishful thinking to maintain their sobriety....</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">maybe it's time to question the path you're on.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">Not too many people find</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">the answers to their personal needs</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">in adhering the broad, well-worn paths</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">of strangers.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: red; font-size: large;">***</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426462628029760023.post-23760899465914544212013-12-27T07:59:00.001-08:002013-12-27T07:59:41.008-08:00Misled<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitddke0QZMS6pSNxdUG5eya3F9wjJWdo6JN6GZSBORDXtfH_rZ-jqFM_cfmb-6puKa0gBBStGfPzew98wZ0Z3nrNqltR7AzhB1hEzBLf8SzuPxtqwH28KbTc0E0sYASTjxHD1HV6-qCSXG/s1600/rrr.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitddke0QZMS6pSNxdUG5eya3F9wjJWdo6JN6GZSBORDXtfH_rZ-jqFM_cfmb-6puKa0gBBStGfPzew98wZ0Z3nrNqltR7AzhB1hEzBLf8SzuPxtqwH28KbTc0E0sYASTjxHD1HV6-qCSXG/s640/rrr.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">If you're putting 'faith' </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">in fictional constructs and </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">spiritual mumbo-jumbo,</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">rather than facts or reason....</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">then you have very much</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">given over responsibility </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">for your own life</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">and the consequences </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">of actions and choices.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"></span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">***</span></strong><br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426462628029760023.post-58665588683649859112013-11-05T12:47:00.000-08:002013-11-05T12:47:12.153-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_nPun_epCI0S5D3z2YEIq6fx54IFAUv0_7YhlfbnOw-bsE30SdD3zL-nblLACSx2ATqds3o0e0BaLzStTHp23MBKDLD4WyoJHi7zWiPJmwcAkcKh_SAzJk3ZQgTdTrPWTyjGPDp73qm4/s1600/choice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img bba="true" border="0" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_nPun_epCI0S5D3z2YEIq6fx54IFAUv0_7YhlfbnOw-bsE30SdD3zL-nblLACSx2ATqds3o0e0BaLzStTHp23MBKDLD4WyoJHi7zWiPJmwcAkcKh_SAzJk3ZQgTdTrPWTyjGPDp73qm4/s400/choice.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
</div>
America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426462628029760023.post-41238904832255213612013-07-25T10:44:00.003-07:002013-07-25T10:44:29.594-07:00Do you treat the surface or the core?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzQZnhwvWlNDmKCxEKtTYKU7yxfvGA5Du1BGSlaB6xirFuQh0oOltS0QgOrZdmCLsoEiQ-JLrzv8DW2o4jFmrENXX88ZR7oOlqjBZj0gMx_-Cbmv5v5o7zCe94jCaCgUzZ0gwDURc6BTh/s1600/untitled.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img bba="true" border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJzQZnhwvWlNDmKCxEKtTYKU7yxfvGA5Du1BGSlaB6xirFuQh0oOltS0QgOrZdmCLsoEiQ-JLrzv8DW2o4jFmrENXX88ZR7oOlqjBZj0gMx_-Cbmv5v5o7zCe94jCaCgUzZ0gwDURc6BTh/s400/untitled.bmp" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>What is addiction?</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Trying to fill a void.</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Running from the frightening.</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Losing ourselves.</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>So what causes void?</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Absence.</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Lack of appreciation....compassion...</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>love....confidence....fulfillment.</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>And those things can't come from outside</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>sources, lest we always be dependent.</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>We need a source of inspiration--</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>and unless <em>we</em> transform into that </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>self-sustaining source, learning to provide </strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>for ourselves, we will always be seeking.</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Behind the addiction is the <em>reason</em> for the addiction.</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>The past brought us to where we are...</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>but our present self can be whatever we determine.</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>****</strong></div>
</div>
America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426462628029760023.post-88249009920028472442013-07-25T09:01:00.000-07:002013-07-25T09:01:16.919-07:00Knowing where to look<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">

<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZQ_jnRTM7xzJ0HwVvG7qVb4mMt5J_GwjSJyDF4SQJrLyMBmwoHRrARPEPEUb-GVQ2gsSBUzk2G91ddaHZLdUKZk8QCro_1efRS96fBfJwZWZn92J99Gnkajhow6PckAE4okfrZ049Pic/s1600/imagesCA6WIR1M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img bba="true" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZQ_jnRTM7xzJ0HwVvG7qVb4mMt5J_GwjSJyDF4SQJrLyMBmwoHRrARPEPEUb-GVQ2gsSBUzk2G91ddaHZLdUKZk8QCro_1efRS96fBfJwZWZn92J99Gnkajhow6PckAE4okfrZ049Pic/s320/imagesCA6WIR1M.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>STRENGTH--</strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>It's within you...</strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>not a room full of strangers,</strong></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">a book, </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">or some intangible outside presence..</span></strong><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Tap into it--</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Discover it--</strong></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Today.</strong></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>***</strong></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>

</div>
America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426462628029760023.post-79410759371270055732013-07-22T12:10:00.001-07:002013-07-22T12:10:51.468-07:00Simplicity; Get WITH the Program...not in one.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWyY7tVf6qnFW69lRluq9c4B2CS6SIfRoUTLCsmY-9lkutWuMTD6YPN4VXhgxcOzooqvyXvLb0GKIF4u4MLHeA2Xn7jYle8lnMuavylO4ZtQV-FSV88gHLDW59JmUAZZAp9H_iUiorqHN/s1600/imagesCAO90Q9B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img bba="true" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWyY7tVf6qnFW69lRluq9c4B2CS6SIfRoUTLCsmY-9lkutWuMTD6YPN4VXhgxcOzooqvyXvLb0GKIF4u4MLHeA2Xn7jYle8lnMuavylO4ZtQV-FSV88gHLDW59JmUAZZAp9H_iUiorqHN/s400/imagesCAO90Q9B.jpg" width="342" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Sometimes it's just a matter of </span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">GROWING UP!</span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Stop</u> making excuses....</span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Stop</u> feeling sorry for yourself....</span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Start</u> taking responsibility...</span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Start</u> making better choices...</span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Take</u> back your power....</span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Stop</u> looking to others to lead you...</span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Just Do It.</span></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">***</span></strong></div>
</div>
America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426462628029760023.post-9400594007906529872013-07-08T10:31:00.002-07:002013-07-08T10:31:40.552-07:00Reminders: Not Heeding the Warning Signs<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<strong><span style="color: lime;"></span></strong>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLcnZPw5iFZOhFnntUrccWIwSq7S-RtKVOJeXAt66NWVIXw3zU3JIYV5qEJl8xu2A3D8sAxIgo7BfmCVarqLdM3cF5dLWlR9Iyx1FmavWSh7GNiROMX2ltwNpFQV1jwjZjMMBI0e589AM/s1600/addictioncycle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><strong><span style="color: lime;"><img border="0" height="480" nya="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLcnZPw5iFZOhFnntUrccWIwSq7S-RtKVOJeXAt66NWVIXw3zU3JIYV5qEJl8xu2A3D8sAxIgo7BfmCVarqLdM3cF5dLWlR9Iyx1FmavWSh7GNiROMX2ltwNpFQV1jwjZjMMBI0e589AM/s640/addictioncycle.jpg" width="640" /></span></strong></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: lime; font-size: small;">Watching a young person remain nonplussed</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: lime; font-size: small;">after suffering the very real ramifications of </span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: lime; font-size: small;">active addiction this last week,</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: lime; font-size: small;">I figure this is a good one to share.</span></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: lime; font-size: small;">It's sad when the person embroiled in</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: lime; font-size: small;">chaos--and even those enabling them--</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: lime; font-size: small;">can't see the very clear signs.</span></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: lime; font-size: small;">Here's hoping for recognition of reality</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: lime; font-size: small;">sooner rather than later.</span></strong><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: lime; font-size: small;">***</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<strong><span style="color: lime;"></span></strong>
</div>
America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426462628029760023.post-52834063096085254142013-06-29T07:24:00.001-07:002013-06-29T07:24:54.091-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_N1RbpySQulsw2GvTW6oX6UT_Pd0FBJsLorAedourlfh1U_frmAjWOE9ofEGW18vL9tZOHLFrS6C3GUYigjT9OA08ZjR1LG95jlJcKw96WHoKgOiLggbQ5t5WHTqSeWYkhWGhUz4aD1V/s275/imagesCA638YZ9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_N1RbpySQulsw2GvTW6oX6UT_Pd0FBJsLorAedourlfh1U_frmAjWOE9ofEGW18vL9tZOHLFrS6C3GUYigjT9OA08ZjR1LG95jlJcKw96WHoKgOiLggbQ5t5WHTqSeWYkhWGhUz4aD1V/s320/imagesCA638YZ9.jpg" width="212" xya="true" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong><em>A desire to 'belong'</em></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong><em>can make needy people</em></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong><em>do crazy and dangerous acts.</em></strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>***</strong></div>
</div>
America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426462628029760023.post-24351430856610866412013-06-20T13:57:00.000-07:002013-06-20T13:57:21.282-07:00"Liars Club;" (Secret) Kissing Cousins<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLqjozfrNbFuIHutEqxt7bDBCzF0cJjGTQSwtKASe7KnqzOHl-uwyUbaLHwpGPc4S0LWNcMOf83ajfLjy7Jp0Xg0Y2lAVrVVMN9mvwAon2I1PBxOH9ZSqCxObtxaXD3EKNBlTqJF909Oj/s1600/untitled.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYLqjozfrNbFuIHutEqxt7bDBCzF0cJjGTQSwtKASe7KnqzOHl-uwyUbaLHwpGPc4S0LWNcMOf83ajfLjy7Jp0Xg0Y2lAVrVVMN9mvwAon2I1PBxOH9ZSqCxObtxaXD3EKNBlTqJF909Oj/s400/untitled.bmp" width="400" wya="true" /></strong></a><br />
<br />
<strong>A small victory occurred today;</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Another flawed and failing agency filled with closeted homosexuals--</strong><br />
<strong>and based on repression and lies--admitted to many of its problems, </strong><br />
<strong>closed its doors, and offered a public apology for past harms caused </strong><br />
<strong>by their deceits and frauds. (Color me astonished!)</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Exodus International, a delusional group dedicated to pretending that </strong><br />
<strong>homosexuality could be 'cured' (what the fuck ?!?) through belief in </strong><br />
<strong>'god' finally came forth and admitted it was all bullshit.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Take a note, alcoholics. <em>Your </em>bullshit fest can't last forever.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>And your chickens<em> will</em> come home to roost.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>(Although, this same thing happening with AA and NA seems unlikely.</strong><br />
<strong>When's the last time you saw an addict--dry or otherwise--take personal</strong><br />
<strong>responsibility for meaningful wrongdoing?)</strong><br />
<br />
<strong><em>(For a more indepth look at the vocal survivors of this group, and the </em></strong><br />
<strong><em>many obvious similarities to 12 Step Groups, check this out:</em> <a href="http://notyourdaddysgaypride.blogspot.com/2013/06/hot-tv-tonight-god-gays.html">"God & Gays"</a> )</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>****************************************************</strong></div>
America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426462628029760023.post-58538338823946784712013-06-01T10:49:00.000-07:002013-06-01T10:49:00.360-07:00The Dangers of Heightened Expectations<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTkG49gbfAWFXLoyUsyn9_gqw3C00VdCu2gwPkSfja38W3FN0ltyT2A9y5WGpZ4gGJLCFERITilBQqxhOPS6RSnMok9s5jbEgMQPjR-oTS3LeTZ8w_zdIzgdSYy1KKUmXHibTtgUf9qSg/s1600/imagesCA6C3I6K.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuTkG49gbfAWFXLoyUsyn9_gqw3C00VdCu2gwPkSfja38W3FN0ltyT2A9y5WGpZ4gGJLCFERITilBQqxhOPS6RSnMok9s5jbEgMQPjR-oTS3LeTZ8w_zdIzgdSYy1KKUmXHibTtgUf9qSg/s320/imagesCA6C3I6K.jpg" width="320" yya="true" /></a></div>
<strong>We are all of us-- in every way, and every sense--</strong><br />
<strong>damaged goods. Not worth any less or without </strong><br />
<strong>prospect of living good lives, but let's be frank;</strong><br />
<strong>Damaged...as anyone alive on this planet is.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>There can be progress, but there is no mystical</strong><br />
<strong>transformation or supernatural healing. If reason</strong><br />
<strong>and perspective are tossed aside, mind-over-matter </strong><br />
<strong>and fanaticism can provide a new<em> high</em> that lasts</strong><br />
<strong>as long as an individual is willing to feed it, but </strong><strong>that </strong><br />
<strong>is not the same as the false and misleading promise </strong><br />
<strong>of a reincarnated hooplah.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>People born and raised in extreme conditions of</strong><br />
<strong>conflict, abuse, and neglect will never truly shed the</strong><br />
<strong>after-effects of such a living. We can choose to</strong><br />
<strong><em>have</em> a life, and it can be better than we perhaps</strong><br />
<strong>imagined, but the scars stay with you. </strong><br />
<br />
<strong>To offer people blind, blanket hope<em> for hope's sake</em></strong><br />
<strong>is cruel and defeatist. When people do all the work</strong><br />
<strong>prescribed by people in 'support groups' and find </strong><br />
<strong>themselves staring into the same despondent mirror, </strong><br />
<strong>that's the point </strong><strong>where adherence to dogma is supposed </strong><br />
<strong>to hold sway over the </strong><strong>individual and 'help them' start </strong><br />
<strong>'witnessing' the mirage.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>"Oh--oh, yeah...I see it, too! It's just like you described!</strong><br />
<strong>Yes, I wanted it, and now it's here! "</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>These primitive social indoctrinations are fairly simple</strong><br />
<strong>and easily spotted; insinuation and manipulation employed</strong><br />
<strong>on a desperate and vulnerable person. Doting illicits warmth.</strong><br />
<strong>Repetition seals the deal.</strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgbHIMvGz8-ZgBzc69-tCJWfb6Fj3buPIs74lbATPZiUKLatVQlTR_aPZ_zKKtjsznscR1fBzzFEvkn8sHgtUrs5rl7htBDBR4AKiW9fi0eszqbwE6428D6nKEn6fHeWBtvHGmloelNLx6/s1600/imagesCA02IVEQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgbHIMvGz8-ZgBzc69-tCJWfb6Fj3buPIs74lbATPZiUKLatVQlTR_aPZ_zKKtjsznscR1fBzzFEvkn8sHgtUrs5rl7htBDBR4AKiW9fi0eszqbwE6428D6nKEn6fHeWBtvHGmloelNLx6/s1600/imagesCA02IVEQ.jpg" yya="true" /></a></div>
<br />
<strong>The truth is, I personally will never again be able to let </strong><br />
<strong>someone </strong><strong>else get close to me. </strong><br />
<br />
<strong>I'm only drawn to manipulative, dark-hearted bastards </strong><br />
<strong>who </strong><strong>can't be trusted; nice guys don't register.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Those things are hard-wired into me no matter how many</strong><br />
<strong>hours of therapy or meditation I indulge in. Now, I've learned</strong><br />
<strong>how to identify and overcome immersion into these sick</strong><br />
<strong>habits, but the basis of what I feel will never change. So </strong><br />
<strong>I adjust my expectations for life.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>But to suggest to folks that positive thinking and </strong><br />
<strong>repetitive thoughts will do any more than create a short-term </strong><br />
<strong><em>distraction</em> is disingenuous. And to create the idea that a</strong><br />
<strong>bright, shining salvation is-a-coming is a straight-up lie.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>But that's the typically selfish and self-serving alkie for ya....</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>It's not about giving up--it's about averting denial of the</strong><br />
<strong>fact that life is rough and will take some serious dedication.</strong><br />
<strong>Warts and all, you have to know thy self....and only then </strong><br />
<strong>can you be set free.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>A dog and pony show won't change what's under the waters.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Game-playing doesn't make anybody a winner.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>*************************************************</strong></div>
America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426462628029760023.post-80634402314348360832013-05-25T13:46:00.000-07:002013-05-25T13:46:19.212-07:00I Look and I See; No Avoidance for Me<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDlYompOZoy9_HJcok8oMB0yTpgDptrxoTreJ-mj7k5bPMUXn9yTJoeYqcH5Z_JLXzfOgLkEFXeJdf6ql_hnsDoLqZWY1bYed5y_RuQ-YuRrzQ3mu0P-YaF2_W3LgqEdHUNxbcWe8GJrV/s1600/imagesCA5APN0J.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDlYompOZoy9_HJcok8oMB0yTpgDptrxoTreJ-mj7k5bPMUXn9yTJoeYqcH5Z_JLXzfOgLkEFXeJdf6ql_hnsDoLqZWY1bYed5y_RuQ-YuRrzQ3mu0P-YaF2_W3LgqEdHUNxbcWe8GJrV/s400/imagesCA5APN0J.jpg" width="400" ya="true" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>I see no shame in being </strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>able to say, forthrightly,</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>"Life kind of sucks, </strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>a lot of the time, actually...</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>but I can still give it my best </strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>and savor the good parts</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>and make peace with the inbetween</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>and fight my way through</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>the darkness."</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>Being a realist doesn't mean</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>that I'm apathetic or</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>resigned to failure;</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>it simply means that my best</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>is good enough</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>and I acknowledge hardship</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>for what it is; a natural part</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>of life.</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>No ribbons or flowery fantasy</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>required.</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>We are all of us </strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>able to see the darkness </strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>without being consumed by it.</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>***</strong></div>
</div>
America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426462628029760023.post-16417570051173608102013-05-24T12:33:00.000-07:002013-05-24T12:33:56.600-07:00Blast from the Past<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>This is 'tore-up-from-floor-up' because it's from</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>my own personal copy which I've been carrying around</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>about 20 years! It's all good--the message endures.</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-S8pLIjGj-PgL1bkUmMDWbPd-YwvxEgJ7ckvMhGIROcPyNHlwOisBtm8KCpFzuh2X0NLDVlNh6QQjJZeWlqP-TfUaKLBI-UOmvmav2nxPLSvN8yY-Tm4R3yxBQEQlDHdhmBGkip5BjAT/s1600/IUsed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="624" rea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs-S8pLIjGj-PgL1bkUmMDWbPd-YwvxEgJ7ckvMhGIROcPyNHlwOisBtm8KCpFzuh2X0NLDVlNh6QQjJZeWlqP-TfUaKLBI-UOmvmav2nxPLSvN8yY-Tm4R3yxBQEQlDHdhmBGkip5BjAT/s640/IUsed.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426462628029760023.post-6550579419679961582013-05-11T14:01:00.003-07:002013-05-11T14:01:52.502-07:00The Never-Ending To-Do List<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDaY_Bubo0N5xYWKz9TFq0jq-ICPGyekSDsHY6rHooHbffa0ExxASVHj4enfPJK3XfHWa-Te3TBdoxEmgDe8q4XwJrnDUF5Xb5pgKDoaOwWtJ7a4xkNUzVTjrfP2afo9LINJi0fN4OH6mC/s1600/imagesCATM2LA4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" mwa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDaY_Bubo0N5xYWKz9TFq0jq-ICPGyekSDsHY6rHooHbffa0ExxASVHj4enfPJK3XfHWa-Te3TBdoxEmgDe8q4XwJrnDUF5Xb5pgKDoaOwWtJ7a4xkNUzVTjrfP2afo9LINJi0fN4OH6mC/s320/imagesCATM2LA4.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<strong>I start my day with a hefty amount of work allotted on my "To Do"</strong><br />
<strong>list, and invariably, I'm lucky if one-third of it actually gets done--</strong><br />
<strong>on a good day!</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>But I don't sweat it. I do as much as I can, as best I can, and if </strong><br />
<strong>it gets done, great. If it doesn't, so be it. There's always tomorrow</strong><br />
<strong>to start off on a new list, with the old list's tasks carried over.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>And along the way, new stuff gets added, old stuff has to be</strong><br />
<strong>done again, problems crop up, people clamor for your attention,</strong><br />
<strong>exhaustion sets in...and, well, you all know <em>exactly</em> how things</strong><br />
<strong>go with 'well-laid' plans. (Personally, I don't know 'well-laid' from</strong><br />
<strong>shit, but I'm just saying.)</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>And here's a little hint, in case you hadn't already figured it out </strong><br />
<strong>yourself; Shit <em>NEVER</em> gets finished!</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>There's always something popping up or lingering or resurfacing</strong><br />
<strong>or coming out of left field. It never ends.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>So the key, perhaps, has to be maintaining cool while in the midst </strong><br />
<strong>of a never-ending to-do list, taking it as it comes, having a sense of </strong><br />
<strong>humor about it, blowing off what can't be gotten to, and learning to</strong><br />
<strong><em>not ride yourself</em> for not getting it all done.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Recognize your limits. Be kind to yourself. Allow for your needs.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>We aren't super-human, and pushing ourselves in an effort to prove</strong><br />
<strong>otherwise generally doesn't work out well!</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Worry, at the end of the day, becomes a choice; do we stew over what </strong><br />
<strong>we have not accomplished, or bask in the pride of a job well done?</strong><br />
<br />
<strong><u>Nobody</u> can do it all; don't believe the press or hype to the contrary.</strong><br />
<strong>Respect your abilities and your efforts.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>****************************************************</strong></div>
America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426462628029760023.post-82701233883199208692013-04-25T11:14:00.000-07:002013-04-25T11:14:59.779-07:00Worth Reading<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CMpuPUyYvfWDJZQ0lyGZaHilOrEt6Hdh041IwlbsmFo_zzgQIHvmIT35Dw_4VA001e4qRE_6gE1M3kId_MLW33x4Zot4bHzxDcoskulclPUghE7HR5N84oZ09T_Mj1MKUNMl-4q5tjPA/s1600/9781884365249_p0_v1_s260x420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" mta="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6CMpuPUyYvfWDJZQ0lyGZaHilOrEt6Hdh041IwlbsmFo_zzgQIHvmIT35Dw_4VA001e4qRE_6gE1M3kId_MLW33x4Zot4bHzxDcoskulclPUghE7HR5N84oZ09T_Mj1MKUNMl-4q5tjPA/s640/9781884365249_p0_v1_s260x420.jpg" width="430" /></a></div>
</div>
America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426462628029760023.post-20702199371283719972013-04-20T10:41:00.001-07:002013-04-20T10:41:58.981-07:00What sort of 'Friends' demand blind obedience?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3I_xoY1FFoywpnId78We8MvnjT4bmi8oqKSNCgp-gidOu7xGfhVD99fN4XXbZkKxrbp3DxscZVZiERYMf2Fc72B16r_Nr66ZmeHk3TY8eEUU29HY6APTbsxodn5CeQvPGgtYm82kIBvA/s1600/imagesCADEWNU5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dua="true" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV3I_xoY1FFoywpnId78We8MvnjT4bmi8oqKSNCgp-gidOu7xGfhVD99fN4XXbZkKxrbp3DxscZVZiERYMf2Fc72B16r_Nr66ZmeHk3TY8eEUU29HY6APTbsxodn5CeQvPGgtYm82kIBvA/s320/imagesCADEWNU5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<strong>Typically in groups of any sort, there is a prevailing </strong><br />
<strong>politic of 'acceptable behavior' and a specific mindset </strong><br />
<strong>that all </strong><strong>are expected to maintain in order to be viewed</strong><br />
<strong>as a 'part of' the group.</strong></div>
<div dir="ltr">
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<strong>The maintenance of this common framework, or common </strong><br />
<strong>thinking, is crucial to the maintenance of the group's </strong></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<strong>integrity. One thing that is absolutely forbidden in such </strong><br />
<strong>a system is the asking of questions. Asking questions and </strong></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<strong>thinking independently are anathema to group think.</strong><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TEOmM_o7B2vH3ef_mdassfnWKCnqYhs5sZMQSeP_srM2Q-BF1pmP9vn988ePSxMuk93Fss6en7cdvfyR5HNoYuRK8FSZSScmtNhyz5wK0I0xlgGC_7YOwbODxI_v0qao7PhZ2vmVRbs7/s1600/imagesCA32D6X7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dua="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0TEOmM_o7B2vH3ef_mdassfnWKCnqYhs5sZMQSeP_srM2Q-BF1pmP9vn988ePSxMuk93Fss6en7cdvfyR5HNoYuRK8FSZSScmtNhyz5wK0I0xlgGC_7YOwbODxI_v0qao7PhZ2vmVRbs7/s1600/imagesCA32D6X7.jpg" /></a></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<strong>When questions start to arise in 12 step program, will </strong></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<strong>you follow group members' lead and silence or ignore</strong><br />
<strong>them? Or will you do due diligence and investigate </strong><br />
<strong>thoroughly for the sake of your well-being?</strong></div>
<div dir="ltr">
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<strong>Questions like how much support would there be for you </strong><br />
<strong>if you left the program?</strong><br />
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<strong>Or why is it that former members are spoken of with </strong><br />
<strong>such disdain? </strong><br />
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<strong>What sort of 'helpers' tell you that you WILL drink, you </strong><br />
<strong>will get sick, and you will die if you leave<em> their</em> care?</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Or deliver a message of lacking --proclaiming t</strong><strong>hat you </strong><br />
<strong>cannot accomplish being well on your own?</strong></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<strong>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpiO5oXcG0CE_gE03ZsM0uIJGXAnv6C80c44NQ8jb0coHtcL2nyAFwHxJkU3AVuWpwJov3YCpIgwYOVXvtWACR8qdLIZZsYccQ6A04K54HKgvG7DMoQCJs_QjUoLGVpyJF-_Y4R6EQjhj5/s1600/imagesCAWQRSRM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dua="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpiO5oXcG0CE_gE03ZsM0uIJGXAnv6C80c44NQ8jb0coHtcL2nyAFwHxJkU3AVuWpwJov3YCpIgwYOVXvtWACR8qdLIZZsYccQ6A04K54HKgvG7DMoQCJs_QjUoLGVpyJF-_Y4R6EQjhj5/s1600/imagesCAWQRSRM.jpg" /></a></div>
</strong></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<strong>(The easy answer is that it's people who care more for </strong><br />
<strong>their message and ideas than they do the actual people</strong></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<strong>receiving it.) </strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Real friends are glad for one of their own to graduate </strong><br />
<strong>to a better place, to move on in life to bigger and better</strong></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<strong>things...a normal, healthy part of life.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Healthy people recognize there are many different paths</strong><br />
<strong>to success, not a single, suffocating, stilted one.</strong></div>
<div dir="ltr">
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<strong>Only sick people cling and condemn, become surly </strong><br />
<strong>when someone acts against their wishes. Only sick </strong><br />
<strong>people want </strong><strong>to maintain control, and, barring that, </strong><br />
<strong>dismiss and maliciously gossip about someone they </strong><br />
<strong>'cared so deeply for' not too long ago.</strong><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Y1pl_VL1pM24nhltWmM7qeq55m6KamtZRkJHzxr1EHRK4vav0FTi5Q8L9lBTCzgxIMJ6MX5eXsUt9SB41ldWft-i1pKM53F7s_lSXf9O1RJSZs8qItZfa4cLWAZERyWzi9_pc_Dc5cfw/s1600/imagesCAMNX4Y1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dua="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-Y1pl_VL1pM24nhltWmM7qeq55m6KamtZRkJHzxr1EHRK4vav0FTi5Q8L9lBTCzgxIMJ6MX5eXsUt9SB41ldWft-i1pKM53F7s_lSXf9O1RJSZs8qItZfa4cLWAZERyWzi9_pc_Dc5cfw/s1600/imagesCAMNX4Y1.jpg" /></a></div>
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<strong>Why would someone who cares for you Curse your </strong><br />
<strong>endeavors without them, rather than wish you all the </strong><br />
<strong>best and value your time </strong><strong>with them? </strong><br />
<strong>(Remember; we often overlook obvious answers because </strong><br />
<strong>they're not easy or comfortable ones. Trust your gut.)</strong></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<strong><br /></strong>
<strong>"Would such a person take your call if you needed a </strong><br />
<strong>shoulder? Or would you get their cold one?"</strong><br />
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<strong>The only time that questions are found ill-fitting in </strong><br />
<strong>therapeutic settings (legitimate ones, mind you) is </strong><br />
<strong>when there </strong><strong>is no answer to be given, or when the </strong><br />
<strong>answers don't fit the agenda of the 'care' providers.</strong><br />
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<strong>Transparency is a must with <u>all</u> wellness efforts and recovery. </strong><br />
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<strong><em>"Just shut up and do it"</em> or </strong><strong><em>"Stop thinking"</em> are irresponsible, </strong><br />
<strong>unhealthy means to an end ...but <em>not</em> a beginning.</strong></div>
<div dir="ltr">
</div>
</div>
America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426462628029760023.post-31542319215387227322013-04-08T13:00:00.000-07:002013-04-08T13:00:28.646-07:00Control & Fear: The Real Sobering Reveal of 12 Steps<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-dOPBtZc0d_GyToFRTNLjaD_TjZqXOHo5YkoxmY84UclBDAbryrSLITM6pAxY_dfevzYBcW6SYy9iVsoVHtEt2zlIsED1ns922cmCquuE4NWd0hWbuHW2Nktuk_nrahZa7xEiIEIcWVnb/s1600/imagesCATILPBN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" mta="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-dOPBtZc0d_GyToFRTNLjaD_TjZqXOHo5YkoxmY84UclBDAbryrSLITM6pAxY_dfevzYBcW6SYy9iVsoVHtEt2zlIsED1ns922cmCquuE4NWd0hWbuHW2Nktuk_nrahZa7xEiIEIcWVnb/s400/imagesCATILPBN.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="color: red;">Nothing but snakes...and they're always more</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: red;">dangerous when they pull together.</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: red;">There's a reason they didn't trust each other</span></strong><br />
<strong><span style="color: red;">enough to stay together!</span></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">"JOIN OR DIE!"</span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Behind the pleasantries and posturing,</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>that's really what 12 steppers are all about.</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>The true and oh-so subtle and harmonious</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>cry of the eager-beavers and over-zealous</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>rabid watchdogs in the 12 Step movement.</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Fear tactics, untruths, and a sideshow.</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>This slogan seems more befitting a Ugandan</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>army recruiter or a sci-fi resistance fighter than</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>an invitation to a safe, healing space.</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Maybe the 12 steppers finally got their accuracy on!</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4NI0WP3BAHRP81dOYuGDHbUfQRa6iSYw-M1YsO3vRkkTzVvKAAVqtA9ev8BtMPjtXCRSE4RClx4WVULMmPxbyh1ctKsbzBc3CF1jW-NxNsBmdBbOtYiFBfzCBg5o5hptAg4Ham2Nzs9Bm/s1600/imagesCAQF0CTQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mta="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4NI0WP3BAHRP81dOYuGDHbUfQRa6iSYw-M1YsO3vRkkTzVvKAAVqtA9ev8BtMPjtXCRSE4RClx4WVULMmPxbyh1ctKsbzBc3CF1jW-NxNsBmdBbOtYiFBfzCBg5o5hptAg4Ham2Nzs9Bm/s320/imagesCAQF0CTQ.jpg" width="249" /></a></div>
</div>
America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426462628029760023.post-76927171485425846552013-03-25T10:15:00.000-07:002013-03-25T10:15:14.777-07:00How it Works<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtX7v63ta0G918P6rcbpc4y1Tm69T_et_b91JE0OraTNeLEcjOrmLKSpygpNuG2Tt2TJ2ex0xB8v7BNOIU3ZM_dLoisVxGA9LnLTnqqdUOhvWG26CI0xnLx-kJKcAYfVpBDJQEfSDsKGSc/s1600/Support-300x182.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtX7v63ta0G918P6rcbpc4y1Tm69T_et_b91JE0OraTNeLEcjOrmLKSpygpNuG2Tt2TJ2ex0xB8v7BNOIU3ZM_dLoisVxGA9LnLTnqqdUOhvWG26CI0xnLx-kJKcAYfVpBDJQEfSDsKGSc/s400/Support-300x182.jpg" ssa="true" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>As long as there are</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>people desirous of letting</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>other people do their thinking</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>for them, not having to make </strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>decisions for themselves, and</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>having someone (or something)</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>else be in charge,</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>12 Step Programs</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>will continue </strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>to flourish.</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>Perpetuation </strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>is not the same</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>as being proven.</strong></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<strong>***</strong></div>
</div>
America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426462628029760023.post-22211144674357495862013-03-21T12:56:00.001-07:002013-03-21T12:56:44.082-07:00Truth in Advertising<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc4Fu092oqhVs5tg1HidWCTSsuRhCb7yezfsTjk2ayHLX9X3Hyj_IvEA0qpviDCrRmgBEcEQkQCByD-6CyxMSEBTAQ2w73VbF0-28lj7YAPc6hcVOTJHcDk1C946Xtmwbp330_j38JQijJ/s1600/imagesCA205NO1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc4Fu092oqhVs5tg1HidWCTSsuRhCb7yezfsTjk2ayHLX9X3Hyj_IvEA0qpviDCrRmgBEcEQkQCByD-6CyxMSEBTAQ2w73VbF0-28lj7YAPc6hcVOTJHcDk1C946Xtmwbp330_j38JQijJ/s320/imagesCA205NO1.jpg" ssa="true" width="320" /></span></strong></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Like all Religion,</span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">the Cult of 12 Step</span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">promotes </span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">that there is </span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">only <em>One</em> </span></strong><strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Way, </span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><em>One</em> Truth, </span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><em>One</em> Light...</span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">and all others</span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">who cannot</span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><em>'see their wisdom'</em></span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">are lost.</span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Doesn't sound </span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">like hope </span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">(or any <em>new</em> message)</span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">to me!</span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">***</span></strong></div>
</div>
America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426462628029760023.post-55202851016159559752013-03-19T12:25:00.001-07:002013-03-19T12:25:48.915-07:00One of these things is not like the other<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8WksegznJnyVGyrH4OwFln1SP9OupkMIi7V8_SyKprsvsqdJ9HNWdau6LkQkkuxKKC_p5LOu_q0M3jLlpyoBhfid2H5V8xHRDQG9ZMkVuWhyphenhyphenv2Ep6gifWtC3NeURpL55GrCVLrozyorJ/s1600/10259271.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg8WksegznJnyVGyrH4OwFln1SP9OupkMIi7V8_SyKprsvsqdJ9HNWdau6LkQkkuxKKC_p5LOu_q0M3jLlpyoBhfid2H5V8xHRDQG9ZMkVuWhyphenhyphenv2Ep6gifWtC3NeURpL55GrCVLrozyorJ/s400/10259271.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<strong>I've seen all sorts of change in the form of</strong><br />
<strong>new laws, new resolutions, new cities, and </strong><br />
<strong>new leases on life. Everything old eventually </strong><br />
<strong>comes back around to present itself anew.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>And I know from personal experience and </strong><br />
<strong>witnessing the hard work of others that change</strong><br />
<strong>from active addiction to sobriety that such a</strong><br />
<strong>monumental change is possible. Even many times</strong><br />
<strong>over, if need be.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>But while patterns can be broken, some things</strong><br />
<strong>in this world never change.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>The basic nature of humanity isn't reformed, not</strong><br />
<strong>even by supernatural or magical means.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Liars, con-artists, and fundamentally fictitious</strong><br />
<strong>creations do not alter how they see and interact </strong><br />
<strong>with the world. Using and manipulating people </strong><br />
<strong>and twisting facts is not a sickness most can give</strong><br />
<strong>up once it has become their life.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>The pretense of changing, certainly. Actual </strong><br />
<strong>personality change? Not so much. Turns out that's</strong><br />
<strong>harder than the pills and hooch to beat.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>Fabrication cannot stand in for transformation.</strong><br />
<br />
<strong>********************************</strong></div>
America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426462628029760023.post-5355058986840961792013-03-14T10:48:00.000-07:002013-03-14T10:48:19.598-07:00Where There's Smoke; The Danger of Words and Concepts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioG1YKolDYwT9buDVaqL9eRW5PT77H3dC41ScnQz1LTEOx84Ec-SVAcQlnlHACVxBw8W2-EUST3wHFjYw1VvHM6QxKWTFQ-SJSf6xRWAvwgy-R5Vy6PLZu0zg-lgzzupxQmArlWMEUiUsQ/s1600/imagesCAJEE4HF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioG1YKolDYwT9buDVaqL9eRW5PT77H3dC41ScnQz1LTEOx84Ec-SVAcQlnlHACVxBw8W2-EUST3wHFjYw1VvHM6QxKWTFQ-SJSf6xRWAvwgy-R5Vy6PLZu0zg-lgzzupxQmArlWMEUiUsQ/s400/imagesCAJEE4HF.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<strong>It isn't that the promotion of a concept like being</strong><br />
<strong><em>'brilliant, beautiful, divine creatures'</em> is a bad notion.</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>It's that such ideas need not be<em> dependent</em> on a </strong><br />
<strong>specific set of rituals and subservience. The results </strong><br />
<strong>of loving one's self and being content come from</strong><br />
<strong>internally, not externally.</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>There is no one's permission--earthly or otherwise--</strong><br />
<strong>required for people to begin caring for self. No one's</strong><br />
<strong>forgiveness required. No one's approval nor control</strong><br />
<strong>needed for folks to start loving themselves.</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>The idea that the key to freedom is through protocol</strong><br />
<strong>or one exclusive school of thought or following precisely</strong><br />
<strong>in others' footsteps is erroneous as well as dangerous.</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>Take care of yourself...</strong><br />
<strong>Believe in yourself...</strong><br />
<strong>No gimmicks required.</strong><br />
<strong>No allegiances prescribed.</strong><br />
<strong>No more declaring yourself worthless or mentally deficient or </strong><br />
<strong>insane or lousy or <em>whatever </em>cluster fuck of low self-esteem</strong><br />
<strong>helped bring you low in the first place.</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
<strong>You're just <em>human</em>.</strong><br />
<strong>Roll with it.</strong><br />
<strong></strong><br />
***************************************************</div>
America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426462628029760023.post-1983422045944659812013-03-12T13:24:00.000-07:002013-03-12T13:24:24.616-07:00Misdirection & Distraction Don't Heal<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8YcAe7WNdBitNKRRMK7_iVD8-59vmjf-0UJaLjy3Wl1c-Ha3nNU_YS-rQp7wf9ldmSrI8wIY2vdeymTYxBdxzUWznljP2sT1XBVgwPaY0XU8bjuNQE-R552BhwJl-opJ9fSjMxxAiGk5/s1600/stock-footage-video-clip-of-a-plasma-ball-arcing-between-thumb-and-middle-finger-of-a-man-s-hand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" psa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8YcAe7WNdBitNKRRMK7_iVD8-59vmjf-0UJaLjy3Wl1c-Ha3nNU_YS-rQp7wf9ldmSrI8wIY2vdeymTYxBdxzUWznljP2sT1XBVgwPaY0XU8bjuNQE-R552BhwJl-opJ9fSjMxxAiGk5/s400/stock-footage-video-clip-of-a-plasma-ball-arcing-between-thumb-and-middle-finger-of-a-man-s-hand.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>There is no other </strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>who can provide </strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>insights on you</strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>better than you can.</strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>There is no other </strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>who can be trusted </strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>to care for you</strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>as well as you can learn</strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>to care for yourself.</strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>There is no one </strong></span><span style="font-size: large;"><strong>looking out </strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>for your well-being</strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>the way you must do so</strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>for yourself.</strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>'Salvation' generates exclusively</strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong> from within, and it doesn't</strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>have stipulations nor caveats.</strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>***</strong></span></div>
</div>
America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426462628029760023.post-77784222437339606292013-03-09T12:47:00.002-08:002013-03-09T13:24:27.108-08:00"Long After the Thrill of Livin' is Gone"<div dir="ltr">
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYPhZGmTIG2NrpybpW67fOD-trIoF1V56Uri-ILjb3rNXHa1GPZ16VYB3QdXKwVdLz_VoJBRkp_bcRUlMG8vmYG0mdAGT6vsbQriV1S0qYzxK1bG_LqnxP0gPq8MqS7vUqjGbFhtL7iVk/s1600/easily_distracted_by_shiny_objects_t_shirt-r7116478caacb446e994f99edcfb5fb6e_8nh9t_216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" jsa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJYPhZGmTIG2NrpybpW67fOD-trIoF1V56Uri-ILjb3rNXHa1GPZ16VYB3QdXKwVdLz_VoJBRkp_bcRUlMG8vmYG0mdAGT6vsbQriV1S0qYzxK1bG_LqnxP0gPq8MqS7vUqjGbFhtL7iVk/s1600/easily_distracted_by_shiny_objects_t_shirt-r7116478caacb446e994f99edcfb5fb6e_8nh9t_216.jpg" /></a></div>
<strong>The newness of things and situations (and, yes--relationships) </strong><br />
<strong>wears off. Always. </strong><br />
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<strong>Intensity and thereby interest cannot be maintained extensively.</strong></div>
<div dir="ltr">
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<strong>Look at a child and the way they get accustomed to the presence </strong><br />
<strong>of an older </strong><strong>pet, or a favorite toy. The personality has become </strong><br />
<strong>commonplace, the regularity </strong><strong>taken for granted. The child gets </strong><br />
<strong>bored, complacent.</strong><br />
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<strong>Then a new and exciting unknown new pet or toy is introduced, </strong><br />
<strong>and the child </strong><strong>rejuvenated, revitalized with expectation, curiosity, </strong><br />
<strong>infatuation, anticipation. </strong><strong>The simple allure of new and unexplored </strong><br />
<strong>territory has snagged their soul.</strong><br />
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<strong>In AA, the surge of emotions from constant new blood is enough </strong><br />
<strong>to keep </strong><strong>coming back long after the initial thrill of attendance is </strong><br />
<strong>gone. They remain addicted </strong><strong>to the opiates in a heady froth of </strong><br />
<strong>New Member smell, similar to that sense </strong><strong>of ownership that </strong><br />
<strong>overtakes us in a new car.</strong><br />
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<strong>There's only so much endless reiteration and hearing the </strong><br />
<strong>repetitious old timers' </strong><strong>stories that the average person can </strong><br />
<strong>withstand, and even the constant revelries </strong><strong>wear thin after </strong><br />
<strong>exposure and losing their mystery. </strong><br />
<br />
<strong>A never-ending stream and </strong><strong>supply of emotional surges </strong><strong>and </strong><br />
<strong>anticipation to keep addicts </strong><strong>distracted from their bottom line; </strong><br />
<strong>what more could you ask for? </strong><strong>(Besides a vulnerable target </strong><br />
<strong>that can be fooled into thinking </strong><strong>the fiction that the </strong><strong>addict </strong><br />
<strong>presents is real, and </strong><strong>engendering them to you, even if only</strong><br />
<strong>momentarily.)</strong></div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
<strong>It really <em>does</em> take a <u>special</u> kind of person to make it through the </strong><br />
<strong>'recovery' process inherent in a 12 step meeting.</strong><br />
<strong>********************************************</strong></div>
America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4426462628029760023.post-70752538875586110062013-03-06T13:48:00.000-08:002013-03-06T13:48:50.919-08:00Fundie-Mental Truths<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFAFf-qZp803hK9Mg44UAjyYOtBOjlqrkqofIE1yFsMb9LGKA8OSqxUEEcLhnM9fZQKgY29conZQbHoyrfruV5UP92Kf14pavz3HwzmeoD9qSOmYy_qWYPRQqf8ddfX5UK_QstS2qn4WH/s1600/imagesCAUCPYCF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="181" jsa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKFAFf-qZp803hK9Mg44UAjyYOtBOjlqrkqofIE1yFsMb9LGKA8OSqxUEEcLhnM9fZQKgY29conZQbHoyrfruV5UP92Kf14pavz3HwzmeoD9qSOmYy_qWYPRQqf8ddfX5UK_QstS2qn4WH/s400/imagesCAUCPYCF.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">NO</span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Religion </span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">or </span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Movement</span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">EVER advanced</span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">by accepting others</span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">or refraining from</span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">promoting an agenda.</span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Religion persists</span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;"><em>because</em> it assimilates</span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">all that stands </span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">in its way.</span></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">***</span></strong></div>
America Wokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07770940546018783151noreply@blogger.com0