outside my window
We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.
Sir Winston Churchill
Life is just a mirror, and what you see out there, you must first see inside of you. Wally 'Famous' Amos
Human beings, by changing the inner attitudes of their minds, can change the outer aspects of their lives. William James
Order is not pressure which is imposed on society from without, but an equilibrium which is set up from within. Jose Ortega y Gasset
Character is like a tree and reputation like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it; the tree is the real thing. Abraham Lincoln
The farther behind I leave the past, the closer I am to forging my own character. Isabelle Eberhardt
Happiness is that state of consciousness which proceeds from the achievement of one's values. Ayn Rand
A successful individual typically sets his next goal somewhat but not too much above his last achievement. In this way he steadily raises his level of aspiration. Kurt Lewin
Our lives improve only when we take chances - and the first and most difficult risk we can take is to be honest with ourselves. Walter Anderson
Learn the art of patience. Apply discipline to your thoughts when they become anxious over the outcome of a goal. Impatience breeds anxiety, fear, discouragement and failure. Patience creates confidence, decisiveness, and a rational outlook, which eventually leads to success. Brian Adams
If you can attain repose and calm, believe that you have seized happiness. Eleonore de Lespinasse
Of course there is no formula for success except perhaps an unconditional acceptance of life and what it brings. Arthur Rubinstein
Good habits result from resisting temptation. Ancient Proverb
Look not mournfully into the past. It comes not back again. Wisely improve the present. It is thine. Go forth to meet the shadowy future, without fear. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
A preoccupation with the future not only prevents us from seeing the present as it is but often prompts us to rearrange the past. Eric Hoffer
As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us. Marcel Proust
like so many trilogies of life,
the elements of balance are
mind, body and spirit.
how each day unfolds depends
on perception and outlook.
being aware of our thoughts and
the things we choose to ponder.
we all know the myriad of sayings
about the past, present and future.
no, we can't change the past, but we
can learn from our mistakes.
by letting yesterday impact today,
we remain burdoned by the past.
thoughts of the future can also cause
fear or anxiety. not to say that we
should not plan and set goals;
but keep those goals within a
reasonable time frame.
most importantly-don't focus on
what you need to stay away from,
but rather what you want to achieve.
we all have a fairly good idea of what
it takes to maintain a healthy body.
spiritual balance may vary from
person to person, but aligning the
mind and body tends to foster
that connection to a deeper power.
last night we went bowling;
a little recreation in the local
town.
on my very first approach I
slipped and went down like
a sack of potatos.
pulled a muscle in my hip,
and the evening was over
for me.
my first thought was, 24
years of fighting fires in the
busiest areas of the largest
city in connecticut, and here
I am crippled by lane 5 at
"Coon bowl", in Coon Rapids,
Iowa!
thankfully, i limped away
with a smile, returned my
rental shoes and watched
the rest of the guys have
a good time.
before i had the chance to
feel sorry for myself, one
of the younger guys told
how, on his first day here,
he twisted his ankle, and
was out of commission
nearly 6 weeks.
just another lesson;
things could always be worse
accept the cards as dealt,
and move forward.
some of the latest alcohol and drug related stories from About.com/Alcoholism;
Miami Heat's Dorell Wright Faces DUI ChargeMiami Heat player Dorell Wright has been charged with DUI and driving with a suspended license after South Beach police saw him speeding in his 2005 Bentley. He was also charged with driving 52 MPH in a 25 MPH zone and not having proof of insurance.
Rapper DMX Sentenced to Six MonthsThe rapper DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, has been sentenced to six months in jail for violating his probation by using drugs. The rap artist admitted to authorities that he was using cocaine and not complying with the terms of his probation.
Girlfriend of Cameron Douglas SentencedKelly Sott, who was arrested along with Michael Douglas's son Cameron on drug trafficking charges, has been sentenced to the seven months she has already served in jail since her arrest. "I learned a good lesson," Sott told the judge. "I just want to leave all that behind me - the drugs. ... Thank you for giving me a second chance."
Drunken Thief Returns Singer Justin Moore's GuitarCountry singer Justin Moore says he understands how a rowdy fan got drunk and decided to steal his favorite Gibson guitar valued around $4,000. Moore said he was just glad the guy returned the guitar after he sobered up and decided it was a mistake.
Man Too Drunk for DUI SentencingA Nebraska man managed to avoid getting sentenced for his DUI conviction - he was too drunk. Authorities said Jason Botos, 30, who was driven to the courthouse by his father, was so drunk when he arrived he had to be helped out of the vehicle and into the courthouse. Inside, his blood alcohol concentration was recorded at 0.43.
Hallucinating Woman Arrested by PoliceHospital personnel thought something was wrong when a otherwise healthy 28-year-old Nevada woman came to the emergency room complaining that she was bleeding from every part of her body. She had driven to the hospital with her 3-year-old daughter and crashed into a concrete wall in the parking lot. Nicole Ray was charged with suspicion of child abuse, driving under the influence of drugs, being under the influence of a controlled substance, probation violation and failure to use due caution.
A clever person solves a problem. A wise person avoids it.
Albert Einstein
Speak only if it improves upon the silence.
Gandhi
He who is not contented with what he has, would not be contented with what he would like to have.
Socrates
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
Mark Twain
Mistakes are always forgivable, if one has the courage to admit them.
Bruce Lee
Someone's sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.
Warren Buffett
If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman.--
Margaret Thatcher
Happiness is something that comes into our lives through doors we don't even remember leaving open.
Rose Lane
* Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living, the other helps you make a life
Sandra Carey
Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections, but instantly set about remedying them - every day begin the task anew.
Saint Francis de Sales
Life is not measured by the breaths you take, but by its breathtaking moments.
Michael Vance
Things turn out best for the people who make the best of the way things turn out.
Art Linkletter
...the best predictor of future behavior
is past behavior.
not very encouraging for someone attempting
recovery or their family.
while that may be true in some cases,
it can be remedied.
it is imperative for anyone dealing with
an addiction to first identify, then take
measures to alter the mindset and behavior
patterns that lead back to former habits.
wow, what a novel concept;
behavior modification
today rather than obsessing about
staying away from a drink, drug, casino
or twinkie; I can devote my energies to
positive ideas, acivities, and people that
foster an atmosphere of an affirmative and
practical nature, rather than discouraging.
being creatures of habit, this is no
simple task. it starts with small goals
that can be expanded in time.
the satisfaction gained from changing
past behavior is a huge benefit to
self-esteem and a positive outlook.
