Monday quotes

The highest form of wisdom is kindness.

- The Talmud

Reality is a mysterious changing thing, because one's perception of it never remains the same.

- Joe Tan

The greatest evils, are from within us; and from ourselves also we must look for the greatest good.

- Jeremy Taylor

I make the most of all that comes and the least of all that goes.

- Sara Teasdale

Happiness comes from spiritual wealth, not material wealth... Happiness comes from giving, not getting. If we try hard to bring happiness to others, we cannot stop it from coming to us also. To get joy, we must give it, and to keep joy, we must scatter it.

- John Templeton

Good humor is one of the best articles of dress one can wear in society.

- William Makepeace Thackeray

Disciplining yourself to do what you know is right and important, although difficult, is the highroad to pride, self-esteem, and personal satisfaction.

- Margaret Thatcher

It's never too late, in fiction or in life, to revise.

- Nancy Thayer

Do not look back in anger or forward in fear, but around in awareness.

- James Thurber

Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.

- Brian Tracy

It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.

- Harry S. Truman

photo from Motifake.com

rules for today's youth

one of my all-time favorite lists;

Charles Sykes' original rules:

Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it!

Rule 2: The world doesn't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.

Rule 3: You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.

Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.

Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: they called it opportunity.

Rule 6: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.

Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.

Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.

Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.

Rule 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.

Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.

weekly roundup

this weeks news around the U.S.,

from About.com/Alcoholism;

Porn Star to Sue Charlie Sheen

An adult film star who locked herself in the bathroom at New York's Plaza Hotel to get away from actor Charlie Sheen has filed a lawsuit charging the "Two and a Half Men" star with assault. Capri Anderson claimed Sheen grabbed her around the neck in a drunken rampage. Sheen has counter sued Anderson, claiming extortion.

Rapper DMX Back in Arizona Jail

Rapper DMX is back in jail after being arrested in Phoenix for violating his probation. Maricopa County probation officers said 39-year-old Earl Simmons violated his probation by using cocaine and OxyContin, failing to submit to drug testing and driving on a suspended license.

Tampa Bay's Mike Williams Arrested for DUI

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Williams has been arrested for driving under the influence after police observed him speeding and weaving through traffic in his Escalade. Although his blood alcohol level was below 0.08, he was charged with DUI because deputies said his eyes were glassy and he smelled of alcohol.

Former Yankee Acquitted in Fatal DUI Crash

A Florida jury voted to acquit former New York Yankee Jim Leyritz of DUI manslaughter charges stemming from a 2007 traffic collision that killed a mother of two. The jury did find Leyritz guilty of a lesser misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence.

Man Indicted in Death at NY Rehab Center

A New York man has been indicted on charges of second-degree murder and felony assault for his attacks on two employees at an upstate drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. Richard Giga is accused of killed a 60-year-old security guard and stabbing a nurse at the Renaissance Project in Ellenville, NY on Oct. 6.

Feds Move to Make Synthetic Marijuana Illegal

The Drug Enforcement Administration has taken emergency measurers to declare ingredients in so-called fake weed products illegal. The DEA action would place five chemicals used in herbal blends to make synthetic marijuana into the same drug category as heroin. The "legal bud" products are currently sold legally in the U.S.

Monday quotes

Your day will go the way the corners of your mouth turn.

Never look down on anybody unless you are helping them up.

People who are wrapped up in themselves make very small packages

It's nice to be important, but more important to be nice.

Conscience is the inner voice that warns us somebody is looking. - H. L. Mencken

Experience is what causes a person to make new mistakes instead of old ones.

Yesterday is a canceled check; tomorrow is a promissory note; today is ready cash. Spend it wisely.

Don't worry about temptation - as you grow older, it starts avoiding you. - Farmer's Almanac

Cheerfulness keeps up a kind of daylight in the mind, and fills it with a steady and perpetual serenity. - Joseph Addison (1672-1719) --English essayist and poet

Time wounds all heels. - Jane Ace

photo from Motifake.com

weekly roundup

this weeks recap of substance abuse antics

of the famous, from About.com/alcoholism;

Broncos' D.J. Williams Faces Second DUI

The leading tackler for the Denver Broncos, D.J. Williams, faces disciplinary action from the team and the courts after he was arrested for the second drunken-driving charge. The defense co-captain of the team pleaded guilty in September 2005 to driving under the influence and was order to perform 24 hours community service.

Celebrity DJ Indicted in Cocaine Ring

Darrin Ebron, who runs Goodlife American Clothing and who works as a celebrity DJ, was one of 14 people indicted on drug trafficking and money laundering charges. Investigators said the ring used private jets to transport drugs coast to coast.

Jury Gives DWI Offender Two Life Sentences

A Texas jury voted to give a drunken driver two life sentences for taking two lives in an Easter morning car crash. John Patrick Barton, 30, pleaded guilty for the Interstate 35 deaths of Kandace Hull, 33, and her daughter, Autumn Caudle, 13.

Alaskan Drunk Driver Convicted of Murder

An Alaska woman who has been arrested for drunken driving five times and convicted three times has now been found guilty of second-degree murder after crashing her SUV into another vehicle, killing the driver. Police said Lori Phillips, 46, had more than a dozen drinks before the fatal crash. She will be sentenced March 4.

Woman Dies After SUV Crashes Into Bedroom

A 48-year-old Chicago woman died in her own bed after an SUV slammed into the side of her home. Killed by the suspected drunk driver was Josefina Prospero. Police said the 17-year-old driver tried to flee the scene, but was detained by neighbors.

Teachers Find Drugs in Preschooler's Shoe

When a 3-year-old Boston girl complained to her preschool teacher that her foot was hurting, the teacher soon found the cause of the problem. While trying to adjust the girl's sneaker, the teacher found 17 small plastic bags containing crack cocaine in the youngster's shoe.

heading home

on my way back to Connecticut
after 4 weeks at the retreat.

I managed to lose 16 pounds through
smart eating and 2 to 3 walks a day
on the treadmill, 4 short of my goal.

it's time to seek employment. get
active in the community and continue
my daily walks.

my outlook has improved and I
will continue to make daily affirmations
and set goals for myself.

Monday quotes

Don't waste a minute being unhappy. If one window closes - run
to the next window - or break down a door.

Cheerfulness keeps up a kind of daylight in the mind and fills it with
a steady and perpetual serenity.
- Joseph Addison

Decide what you want, decide what you are willing to exchange
for it. Establish your priorities and go to work.
- H. L. Hunt

You're not a failure if you don't make it. You're a success
because you tried.
- Susan Jeffers

Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't
help them, at least don't hurt them.
- The Dalai Lama

What you think of yourself is much more important than what
others think of you.
- Seneca

The whole process of mental, spiritual, and material riches
may be summed up in one word – gratitude.

Give the gift of attention today. Listen to someone without
giving an opinion.

Cheerfulness keeps up a kind of daylight in the mind and fills it with
a steady and perpetual serenity.
- Joseph Addison

Happiness is not a state to arrive at, but a manner of traveling.

A man cannot be comfortable without his own approval.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Decide what you want, decide what you are willing to exchange
for it. Establish your priorities and go to work.
- H. L. Hunt

You're not a failure if you don't make it. You're a success
because you tried.
- Susan Jeffers

Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't
help them, at least don't hurt them.
- The Dalai Lama

What you think of yourself is much more important than what
others think of you.
- Seneca

The whole process of mental, spiritual, and material riches
may be summed up in one word – gratitude.

Give the gift of attention today. Listen to someone without
giving an opinion.

weekly roundup

news of substance abuse from
About.com/Alcoholism;

Lil Wayne Given Three-Year Alcohol Ban
Rapper Lil Wayne has been ordered not to consume any alcohol for the next three years or be in violation of his probation, according to court records. After his release from prison after serving eight months for criminal possession of a weapon, the rap artist was told he "may not consume or drink any substance containing alcohol" for the next 36 months.

Former NFL Player Arrested for 6th DUI
Former NFL player Reggie Rogers has been arrested for his sixth drunk driving arrest in Seattle. Rogers' football career came to and end in 1988 after he crashed his vehicle while drunk and killed three teenagers.

Rapper Wiz Khalifa Arrested for Drugs
Rapper Wiz Khalifa, whose real name is Cameron Thomaz, has been arrested on drug charges after police found about two ounces of marijuana on his tour bus at East Carolina University. Khalifa, who has released his own brand of rolling papers, gave police permission to search the bus after they smelled a strong odor of weed coming from the vehicle.

Washington State Bans Alcoholic Energy Drinks
The Washington state Liquor Control Board voted to ban alcohol energy drinks from the state effective Nov. 18. The action by the board comes after nine Central Washington University students were hospitalized after drinking Four Loko at a party last month.

Driver Faces Fifth DUI and Murder Charge
A woman who has been held without bail since November is facing DUI and murder charges in the death of a 23-year-old Alaska man who died after a head-on crash. Police said Lori Phillips, 56, had a blood-alcohol content four times the legal limit and was out on bail for another DUI arrest at the time of the fatal crash.

Teen Driver Sentenced in Drunken Texting Case
An 18-year-old Illinois man has been ordered to perform 40 hours community service and take alcohol and drug counseling after he was arrested for drunk driving while texting his girlfriend on his cell phone. Montie L. Skaggs Jr. was stopped after police saw him driving erratically and texting at the same time.

changing perspective

I've come to realize that I need
to change my outlook on life.
some steps are to;

accentuate the positive
acknowledge the negatives
maintain a "can do" attitude

plan each day
recognise triggers and stressors
initiate dialogue and conversation

focus on making the days count,
rather than counting days.

become more available, reliable,
responsible and accountable.

continue to reinforce the benefits
of continued sobriety;
health and well being
mental clarity
social awareness
family harmony

Monday quotes

The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.
—William Arthur Ward

Do not confuse motion and progress. A rocking horse keeps moving but does not make any progress.
—Alfred A. Montapert

Tomorrow is often the busiest day of the week.
—Spanish Proverb

There is a great difference between worry and concern. A worried person sees a problem, and a concerned person solves a problem.
—Harold Stephens

I always wanted to be somebody, but now I realize I should have been more specific.
—Lily Tomlin

Discipline is just choosing between what you want now and what you want most.
—Unknown Author

The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.
—Michael Althsuler

It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.
—Harry Truman

"Laugh as much as you breath and love as long as you live."

Anonymous

"Worrying about something is like paying interest on a debt you don't even know you owe".

Mark Twain

update from Iowa

starting my third week tomorrow;
after six months of couch-potato life,
I found myself walking the second day
after arrival.

I seem to have had a "forrest gump"
experience and have been walking
daily ever since.

also added 3, 30 minute sessions on
the treadmill, in addition to our daily
trips to the gym.

so far, I have lost 12 pounds between
the exercise and healthy diet;
no snacks, desserts, bread, potatoes
or rice--lots off egg whites, salads,
and fruits and vegetables.

hoping to lose 8 more pounds by the
end of next week---wish me luck!

risk vs reward

why did I drink?
relaxation, self-confidence, social
interaction, less inhibition, and
humour.

quite the list of positive experiences
that explain the allure that drinking
has had for me.

the drawbacks of my imbibing were
weight gain, high blood pressure,
increased depression, emotional
instability and decreased responsibility.

research shows that heavy drinkers tend
to believe the benefits outweigh the drawbacks

the data shows the major dilemma for many
as the immediate, positive social and
emotional results tend to reinforce drinking;
while ignoring the negatives that accumulate
and impact them later.

to me, and surely many others, powerful
reasons for relapse.

euphoric recall

for me, the most difficult aspect
of maintaining sobriety.

having had so many pleasurable,
memorable experiences for many
years, despite knowing the consequences,
the thought of a drink still persists.

what I must also remember are the
negative, harmful effects from my
compulsive drinking years.

the absolute worst events of my life
involved alcohol either directly or
indirectly.

the old mantra, "think it through",
is certainly relevant and important
in my life today

most harmful drug?

according to the latest research,
the 3 most harmful are;

3.) crack
2.) heroin
1.) alcohol

surprised?

I was, yet I wasn't--
the far reaching effects of
drinking in our daily lives
at work, on the road and on
the health professions, make
alcohol a triple threat.

the impact on physical, mental
and emotional health is devastating.

add to that it's legal, and socially
acceptable.