10 Years ago...Part VII

I wondered a lot while I was in rehab if this place was what a NORMAL rehab was supposed to be like!?!
It did a times seem a little lax to me -&- not as intense about healing as I thought it was suppose to be!?!

We were also left to our own devices a lot more than I thought - they penciled us in for 2 hours for our daily one on one sessions -but- those usually ran about 30 minutes -&- they'd tell us to find something to do the for the remaining time!?!

And, then not to long after I left - some one emailed this article about the Rehab that I was staying at:

Seawinds Rehabilitation Center

...that article about explains it all...


Today I am thankful for 2nd Chances!?!

10 Years ago...Part VI

When we reached the end of adventure at this particular Rehab - we had a small ceremony commencing the occasion of completion - a graduation or something similar!?!
Where you are presented with your "Completion Coin" -&- we all get into a group to say goodbye one last time!?!
We all hug -&- you guessed it - we all sing "Lean On Me"...



Sometimes in our lives we all have pain
We all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there's always tomorrow

Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on

Please swallow your pride
If I have things you need to borrow
For no one can fill those of your needs
That you don't let show

Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on

If there is a load you have to bear
That you can't carry
I'm right up the road
I'll share your load
If you just call me

So just call on me brother, when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you'd understand
We all need somebody to lean on

Lean on me when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
Till I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on

Lean on me...


Today I am thankful for the many friends that I was able to meet
whilst in rehab!?!

Why me, Lord!?!

I can't count the number of times that I have heard this songs over the years!?!
And, I can't count the number of different people that I have
heard record the wonderful song!?!
But, in my opinion no one sings it like the man who wrote it...
Mr. Kris Kristofferson!?!

And, just recently I just came across the story of where this song came from
-&-
let me tell you - this story brought a chill to my spine -&- tears to my eyes!?!

You can't tell me that God doesn't know when we need him most or when
when we are ready to surrender to his will!?!

Here is Kris telling his heartwarming story then singing this amazing song
with some great friends!?!






Why me Lord?
What have I ever done to deserve even one,
Of the pleasures I've known.
Tell me Lord,
What did I ever do that was worth loving you,
For the kindness you've shown.

Lord help me Jesus I've wasted it so,
Help me Jesus, I know what I am.
But now that I know that I've needed you so,
Help me Jesus my soul's in your hands.

Try me Lord,
If you think there's a way I can try to repay,
All I've taken from you.
Maybe Lord,
I can show someone else
What I've been through myself,
On my way back to you.

Lord help me, Jesus, I've wasted it so,
Help me Jesus, I know what I am.
But now that I know that I've needed you so,
Help me Jesus my soul's in your hands.

Lord help me Jesus I've wasted it so,
Help me Jesus, I know what I am.
But now that I know that I've needed you so,
Help me Jesus my soul's in your hands.

Jesus my soul's in your hands.


Today I am just plain thankful!?!

10 Years ago...Part V

A big part of the Rehab program that I attended was the outside meetings where you interacted with other addicts!?!

And, I must say I met some really amazing individuals at these meetings...the stories I could tell - if only!?!

One of the tools that we instructed to use while we tried to restructure our lives was what alcoholics refer to as the "Big Book" written by Bill W!?!


Some of the stories in there hit very to close to home!?! To learn more about the "Big Book" please go here!?!

If you are interested in -or- would like to read the "Big Book" you can now do so online by going here!?!

Something you will find in the "Big Book" hear A LOT about in meetings
-&-
really in my opinion I find very useful in becoming a new -&- better person is the
"12 Steps"
Some steps are A LOT harder than others -&- will take A LOT longer to accomplish!?!
But there is NO time limit on it...-&-...don't place a time on ANY of them...this is YOUR life you are talking about - not just something you want to finish asap!?!
* Step 1 - We admitted we were powerless over our addiction - that our lives had become unmanageable!?!

* Step 2 - Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity!?!

* Step 3 - Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood God!?!

* Step 4 - Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves!?!

* Step 5 - Admitted to God, to ourselves and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs!?!

* Step 6 - Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character
* Step 7 - Humbly asked God to remove our shortcomings!?!

* Step 8 - Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all!?!

* Step 9 - Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others!?!

* Step 10 - Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it!?!

* Step 11 - Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood God, praying only for knowledge of God's will for us and the power to carry that out!?!

* Step 12 - Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to other addicts, and to practice these principles in all our affairs!?!

If you want to learn more about the "12 Steps" please visit here!?!



Today I am thankful that I serve a LOVING -&- FORGIVING Savior!?!

P-A-I-N

For the last few days I have been dealing with a lot of shoulder / neck pain!?!
This pain is so intense at times that it has caused to me to
become quite irritable -&- snap at those around me!?!

Then as I was doing devotions this morning -&- reflecting on the Love of God - it reminded me that no matter how bad of pain I "think" I am in - NOTHING - compares the the pain the Jesus endured when he died on the cross to offer me eternal life!?!

I am not going to say my pain suddenly stopped or anything miraculous happened
-but-
it did give me a new way to look at how I approach my pain
-&-
the tolerance I have while dealing with it!?!


Today I am thankful for Aleve - a human pain reliever!?!

This is country music!?!

I love this song by Brad Paisley...it is so true - it really says what REAL country music is all about!?!
You really need to give this song a listen...if you haven't already done so!?!



Here are the lyrics:

Well, you're not suppose
To say the word "cancer"
In a song.
And tellin' folks that Jesus is the answer
Can rub 'em wrong.
It ain't hip to sing about
Tractors, trucks, little towns or mama.
Yeah, that might be true.
But this is country music,
And we do.

Do you like to drink a cold one
On the weekends,
And get a little loud?
Do you wanna say, "I'm sorry"
Or, "I love you",
But you don't know how?
And do you wish somebody
Had the nerve
To tell that stupid boss a yours
To shove it,
Next time he yells at you?
Well, this is country music,
And we do.

So turn it on,
And turn it up.
And sing along.
This is real.
This is your life
In a song.
Yeah, this is country music.

Are you haunted by the eco
Of your mother
On the phone;
Cryin' as she tells you
That your brother
Is not comin' home?
Well, if there's anyone that still has pride
In the memory of those
That died defending
The ol' red, white and blue,
This is country music,
And we do.

So turn it on,
And turn it up.
And sing along.
This is real.
This is your life
In a song.

Just like a road that takes you home.
Yeah, this is right where you belong.
This is country music.

This is country music.

"He Stopped Loving Her Today"
(This is country music)
"Hello Darlin'"
(This is country music)
"God Bless the U.S.A"
(This is country music)
"Amarillo by Mornin'"
(This is country music)
"Stand by Your Man"
"Mama Tried"
(This is country music)
"Took Me Home"
(This is country music)
"I Walk the Line"
(This is country music)
"A Country Boy Can Survive"
(This is country music)

Today I am thankful for real down home old school country music!?!

28 Days!?!

In my opinion this movie gives the best interpretation of what
a lot of rehabs are really like!?!



After getting into a car accident while drunk on the day of her sister's wedding, Gwen Cummings is given a choice between prison or a rehab center. She chooses rehab, but is extremely resistant to taking part in any of the treatment programs they have to offer, refusing to admit that she has an alcohol addiction. After getting to know some of the other patients, Gwen gradually begins to re-examine her life and see that she does, in fact, have a serious problem. The path to recovery will not be easy, and success will not be guaranteed or even likely, but she is now willing to give it a try!?!

To learn more about 28 Days - Check it out HERE!?!


Today I am thankful that life doesn't always imitate art - in an exact manner - sometimes similar -but- never exact!?!