sad

We frequently talk with the maintenance man who keeps things working in our apartment building. A nice guy-walks with a limp-has worked in this building for about 8 years. He looked sad the other day and told us his 18 year old son was just diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. The boy was a big football and baseball high school star and was looking forward to college with a football scholarship. He had broken bones in both sports this year and after he passed out at school and felt a tingling in his fingertips, the multiple sclerosis diagnosis was given.

The son is angry and depressed. He has been answering back to teachers, refusing to go to work, and generally adopting a "why bother" attitude. His father is devastated...this was the "golden boy."

Medication will cost up to $800 per month-not covered under insurance.

I look at this sad, sad situation and realize this is a diagnosis with no options. And then I think of those of us with addictions. We are the lucky ones, We have options. We can choose to make changes and we have choices. Granted those are difficult changes and choices but nonetheless we do have choices.

Are we willing to make those choices and changes? Are we willing to acknowledge the gift God gives us___the gift of choices?

What are you willing to do today to accept this beautiful life God has given you? What choices?

Blessings-Penny

listening room

One of the venues my husband and I love to attend here in St. Louis is Jazz at the Bistro. We are fairly new to jazz so the whole experience is unique. We have always loved the old standards of jazz and try to attend singers and musicians who have those standard qualities. The performances are held in a rather small room. It holds only 149 people so it is all quite intimate.

As the performers are introduced the emcee reminds everyone that this "a listening room. Please turn off your cell phones and keep conversation at your tables low so all can enjoy the performance." Isn't that a wonderful term---a listening room? Wouldn't it be wonderful if we could have a "listening room" with those  courtesies at our dining room tables, in our homes, in our conference rooms, with our politicians?

When I was in school we had classes called "Speech." We should have had classes called "Listening." If we could all improve our listening skills what a lovely world it would be.

Can you Listen-really Listen today? Can you listen to a child, listen to a co-worker, listen to someone you disagree with---really listen, not be thinking about what you will say...listen to what they are saying and not saying??

Listen to God??

Blessings-Penny

just fun

I realize a number of followers of this blog are outside the United States. I am incredibly grateful to have you with us and I apologize for some of this blog. I hope you are able to relate given your enjoyment of soccer and your related sports.

Today is opening day of the baseball season here in St. Louis. Our team's name is the Cardinals and the fans here are incredibly devoted-almost to hero worship but it is all in the name of fun.

Our apartment is across the street from the stadium and we have a wonderful view of all the pregame activities in the parking lot below us. It all started about 6 a.m. At this time (about 10:30a.m.) there are hundreds of people at the many booths, playing games, listening to loud music, getting autographs, eating and drinking. They are so excited about the game. My husband can't wait to go over and get hot dogs and bratwurst. The excitement and fun is palpable.

In recovery we need to have fun as part of our plan. We need to have excitement. Recovery is not just about "giving up " something. It is about finding a purpose, meaning and fun. It is about relationships.

What is fun for you today? What do you really look forward to? How can you tap into that?

Blessings-Penny

His spirit is alive

Yesterday I had a medical procedure for my chronic heart condition. Nothing of an emergency nature but at one time there were 4 nurses prepping me for the procedure---it must have been a slow day in that department. As we nurses joked and talked, I mentioned I had written a book (well 2 books) in retirement. When I gave the name of the first book, Broken by Addiction, Blessed by God, the nurse working on the computer stopped what she was doing and looked at me with curiosity. She looked at the other nurses and then said, "I am in recovery-8 years and I am looking for something more-deeper." Needless to say the conversation was fast and intense. We didn't have much time before I was to have the procedure. 

That is what happens when we are open---open to God's spirit working in the world and in our lives. He gives us connections. He gives us people who understand our struggles. 

Today are you open to what God has given you? What is it? Who is it? What or how do they make a difference in your life?

Blessings-Penny