Just for today, I am grateful. My friend John came and fixed my computer and I am back on line. Better still, it was for free. He refused the money I offered.

http://www.angelwinks.ca/iq/chqc29.jpg

Just for today, I had to Easy Does It...but do it. I didn't feel like doing, but things had to be done. I did feel better today, but far from feeling up to par.

I had a strange experience at the mall today. I was heading to the mall, and this young red headed guy stopped and said to me, "Can I pray for you." Not sure if it was a scam and I was suspicious, and I said, "I can pray for myself." What I meant, that I have my God and I talk to Him all the time. Yet when you think of it, there is no harm in anyone else praying for you. I found it to be a negative, not a spiritual blessing.

http://www.angelwinks.ca/iq/chqc22.jpg

Just for today, I will start the day with a smile. I will spread it around and share it with others. I will give thanks at night for a blessed day.

http://www.angelwinks.ca/images/christmas/c78.jpg

Just for today, I will accept what is in the moment. I am feeling very isolated because we have had a major snow storm, and I can't go downtown. I do have Darts booked for my group on Thursday. I am grateful that I can go to the mall downstairs without going outside. The only stores down their is a Shopper's Drug Mart and a Daisy Mart.

https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.M...=0&w=300&h=300

Just for today, I will trust my God, knowing that He will see me through this. I am having problems thinking through the pain, so taking myself to my bed this time, and hopefully when I wake up, my brain is working.

http://thinknice.com/wp-content/uplo...olar-Bears.gif

Just for today, I will be happy. Abraham Lincoln once said that, "Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be."

Be Happy Today!!

Just for today, I will go with the flow. Not sure if there is a clog somewhere, but willing to change if I come upon a blockage. I am willing o go to any length for my sobriety.

http://www.angelwinks.ca/images/christmas/c111.jpg

Just for today, I will be honest with myself. It is so easy to just shut down and shut off, because I have been dealing with chronic pain for years.

I have been doing a time out, because the pain was so bad, I had to stop and think, "What is going on here." It generally boils down to what am I not letting go. How can I know what to change if I don't take an honest look at me and what is around me, things that I am allowing into my space that is not for my Higher Good.

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...GHLn9VyVpSQt6B

Just for today, I need to practice patience. Practice, practice, practice, I have darts picking me up to take me to my home group and bring me home.

I don't like being put on hold. I don't like having to wait for someone. If you say a certain time, be there. My appointment with my eye specialist for 11:10 a.m. and I will probably not be seen before 11:45 a.m., now watch him make a fibber out of me.

http://www.angelwinks.ca/images/christmas/canimal8.jpg

Just for today I will be unafraid. Especially, I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful and to believe that as I give to the world, so the world will give to me.

Just for today, I will acknowledge my feelings. I won't stuff them, I will acknowledge them. I will accept them for what they are in the moment, and let go and let God.

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...fTmwikPdz2bnSy

Just for today, I will let go of my anger. Anger is a danger to me. I know my son is acting out in his disease, but it is deliberate attack on me when he is defensive about his actions and tries to put the ownesses on me. Not sure if that is spelled right, it is the word that came to mind. This disease is cunning, baffling, and powerful. My son has barely touched on recovery in 5 treatment centers, but that isn't recovery, that is but a stepping stone. Many talk about the Steps, but for me that is just a glorified Step One. We don't detox in 6 weeks or months, it takes 11 months or more at least it was for me. I was one of the really sick ones.

http://trendymods.com/wp-content/upl...ds-2015-10.gif

Just for today, I will pray for patience and tolerance. I have three appointments this week and I have to wait on Darts. An hours appointment becomes a three hour minimum trip there and back. I have had a hard time accepting that I need to do this. The snow and freezing rain we have been getting, makes me grateful for the service.

http://www.animatedimages.org/data/m...image-0105.gif

Just for today, I will work on my patience. Today will be a challenge as I have to go downtown and the sidewalks are not cleared. Not sure if more snow is going to come down on what is already there, hope it will be cleared enough for me to get to the bus stop. There is a bus that will take me close to the library. Just because things don't go my way is no reason to get upset. I just need to go with the flow and just be and the rest will fall in to place.

https://tse3.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.M...=0&w=255&h=160

Just for today, I am praying for the willingness to be willing to accept things as they are in today. I re-hurt my arm last night trying to get something stored on my balcony. I have a couple of more scars and old ones that were healing, got re-opened. Then my toe was bleeding and I left blood on my kitchen floor, and then I burned myself, not badly, but enough to be noticed.

On top of that, I ended up playing Queen of my domain by spending a lot of time on my Throne. I am thinking I have some kind of infection. I am grateful that I have a doctor's appointment on the 23rd. Hoping it won't be cancelled.

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/i...LZYJ4qDcO0yrAg

Just for today, I will try to forgive myself and my son. I have a major resentment going on and it is going to take a lot of praying to let it go. It qualified in part to fit the chip, preceptive/judgmental. No matter what the other person does, it is all up to me.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-q0T5gM2lGX...-153170840.jpg

Today was definitely patience, practicing it in all my affairs. Not just with people I know, but with the shoppers and people out and about for the holiday who have no manners and walk around like everyone else isn't there, no excuse me, sorry, thank you, kiss my a$$, etc.

I have no patience with people like that. It isn't just about the alcoholic, unless the whole world is comprised of alcoholics and addicts.

http://www.picgifs.com/graphics/c/ch...als-206749.gif

Just for today, I will do somebody a good turn and not get found out. If anybody knows of it, it will not count. It will make me feel better and will brighten up somebody's day. A win-win deal!

Just for today, I will let go and let God. I did a meditation today when I got home from the doctor's office, and that is the message I got. He sent me for more blood work when I told him about the migraines I have been having. It was hard to believe that I slept for over 6 hours in one way, but when I look at all the two hour sleeps I have had in the last week, it is not surprising. It still seems to go, go, go and crash. I thought with taking Darts, it would be easier. I think it is me, not liking to be kept waiting. It seems like I am putting my life on hold waiting for others, and that is something I did all of my life, and it doesn't sit well with me in today.

I want to say, hurry up people. When I hear myself, I know it isn't all about me. Again, it is about acceptance.

https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.M...=0&w=203&h=153

Just for today, it was about acceptance and setting boundaries. The plans for Christmas were changed. My son took off and had a few beers with a friend. I told him I didn't mind what he did, but he had sprayed my oven and it needed to be cleaned if he wanted a Christmas dinner.

I didn't mind that he had a few beers with his friend as long as my oven got clean. What made me sad was the fact that by the time he did it, I had run out of energy, and I never got my pies baked. Hopefully, I will be able to do them tomorrow.

https://tse4.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.M...=0&w=300&h=300

Just for today, I will practice my acceptance. It is what it is. As soon as I accept that, the sooner I can heal, let go, and move one day at a time. This too shall pass, and hopefully tomorrow, I can phone about getting my phone fixed, not that I felt like talking to anyone and no one woke me up. LOL! Not a very generous spiritual attitude, but thankfully this day will finish in 2 3/4 hours.

Sorry I missed yesterday.

https://tse4.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.M...=0&w=204&h=127

Just for today, I will go with the flow. I will turn my day over to the God of my understanding and see what He has instore for me today. I will try to remember to say thank you as the day progresses.

http://waecnursewebpage.wikispaces.c...ed_snowman.gif

Just for today, I will be God Conscious instead of Self-conscious. I will to will my God's will for me in today. I have already reached out and asked for help and a service person will be here tomorrow to fix my phone and I have an appointment on Friday to see my chiropractor. I know that after a visit to him, I will have less pain. I think it is a pinched nerve in my neck that is causing a lot of the headaches.

I will not block myself off from the Will of my God.

https://tse2.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.M...=0&w=300&h=300

Just for today, I will ask for what I need to do for myself. A big part of me in today, has just wanted to crawl into bed and do nothing. A lot has to do with the snow and rain that is happening outside at the moment. I need to go inside and connect with my HP and ask for the courage, strength, and direction that I need.

https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.M...=0&w=231&h=168

Just for today, I will give thanks for a wonderful day. The sun was shining, and I had to take a taxi twice to get to where I wanted to go. Light snow was falling and everything looked like a wonderful winterland. The streets around me aren't cleared, so I had to go into the west end of the city, cross the street to get a bus back. I couldn't get off at the normal stop, but took the next one and walked up the ally by my apartment. Not one I want to take at night. There was a Coca-Cola truck parked there and thankfully for his soul, I couldn't get by without going around or finding him and asking him to move over and give me space. ;)

https://tse3.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.M...=0&w=300&h=300

Just for today, I will celebrate 2016, let go of any resentments, anger and other negetaive feelings and start 2017 with an open mind, and a loving heart, and a trust that one day at a time, I will stay clean and sober in the New Year.

https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.M...=0&w=245&h=154

Just for today, I will work on my acceptance. When I struggle, I find that I only get more pain. I was up all night and all morning, and didn't get to sleep today until 2 p.m. and not the way I want to start 2017.

As they say it is a change in attitude. No longer thinking, pain go away I want to sleep. I need to pray and ask for what I need to change the energy that is causing me pain and accept things as they are in the moment.

https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.M...=0&w=267&h=159

Just for today, I will practice self-care. I will listen to my body. I will turn off the old tapes and make new ones. I must remember that I am the one who has control of the play, erase, and/or rewind buttons.

http://www.animatedimages.org/data/m...image-0154.gif

Just for today, I will pray for patience and tolerance. I still haven't heard about my phone. I am trying to allow for the fact that the offices have been closed over the holiday. I had someone call me twice today, but when I picked up the phone, there was nothing. Other times, I have tried to make calls and after talking 2 or 3 min. the phone just goes blank. Apparently they can hear me talking at the other end, but I can't hear them. Other times, I get no dial tone on my end, but a call will come through.

In the moment, I am waiting for my mixed berry (raspberry, strawberry, thimbleberry, and blueberry) pie to finish cooking. Then it has to cool for me to eat it. My son came up with a great idea last time, after it cooled enough not to melt the plastic, he set the pie on a couple of ice packs. It looks like he inherited his impatience from me.

As they say, "God grant me the Serenity....

https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.M...=0&w=300&h=300

Just for today, I will keep coming back. I like to say, "I will keep coming, so I don't have to come back. As my son said to me several years ago, "Didn't you say, that when you went to a meeting, that you always felt better afterward. Why stay home and be miserable, when you know you can go to a meeting and feel better. It doesn't make sense."

Just for today, I will be senseable, I will connet with another alcoholic/addict. The power is in the rooms.

http://netanimations.net/animated-snowfall-on-lake.gif

Just for today, I will have a program. I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it.

Thanks for sharing Dave. This reminds me of what my first boyfriend in AA said to me. He said, "I had a program, there were just times I chose not to use it. This was after his first 1 year anniversry after being in AA off and on for many years. He died from leukemia. He died sober.

Just for today, I will remember to take my QTIP (Quit Taking It Persona) with me. As the saying goes, "What other people think of me is none of my business, and visa versa.

https://tse1.mm.bing.net/th?id=OIP.M...=0&w=191&h=190

Just for today, I will have a quiet time all by myself with no distractions and relax. I will try to get a better perspective on my life. I will read a devotion. I will meditate. I will pray to my Higher Power.

Just for today, I will forgive myself. I will allow myself to be human and not beat myself up for errors and omissions, and give thanks for the things that I have done.

http://angelwinks.ca/iq/qcpuppies439.jpg

Just for today, I will practice self-care. For many years, I was the caretaker, but didn't take care of myself. I took a day off today and just sat back and relaxed. Now I am wondering if I should, I looked at the weather station report and we are to have participation for the next 7 days. Not sure what it will all amount to, but maybe I should have gone while the going was good. :)

http://angelwinks.ca/images/singlecard/singlecard25.jpg

Just for today, I will be grateful. It is always a blessing to go downtown and see someone you know. Just the kind of connection I need for a daily spiritual fix, to know I am not alone and when I see someone who I use to see in the rooms and they are back out there using, I am grateful for my program and the gift of sobriety.

http://www.picgifs.com/graphics/k/ki...ugs-345289.gif

10 reasons why we need at least 8 hugs a day

by Marcus Julian Felicetti


Hugging therapy is definitely a powerful way of healing. Research shows that hugging (and also laughter) is extremely effective at healing sickness, disease, loneliness, depression, anxiety and stress.

Research shows a proper deep hug, where the hearts are pressing together, can benefit you in these ways:

1. The nurturing touch of a hug builds trust and a sense of safety. This helps with open and honest communication.

2. Hugs can instantly boost oxytocin levels, which heal feelings of loneliness, isolation, and anger.

3. Holding a hug for an extended time lifts one's serotonin levels, elevating mood and creating happiness.

4. Hugs strengthen the immune system. The gentle pressure on the sternum and the emotional charge this creates activates the Solar Plexus Chakra. This stimulates the thymus gland, which regulates and balances the body's production of white blood cells, which keep you healthy and disease free.

5. Hugging boosts self-esteem. From the time we're born our family's touch shows us that we're loved and special. The associations of self-worth and tactile sensations from our early years are still imbedded in our nervous system as adults. The cuddles we received from our Mom and Dad while growing up remain imprinted at a cellular level, and hugs remind us at a somatic level of that. Hugs, therefore, connect us to our ability to self love.

6. Hugging relaxes muscles. Hugs release tension in the body. Hugs can take away pain; they soothe aches by increasing circulation into the soft tissues.

7. Hugs balance out the nervous system. The galvanic skin response of someone receiving and giving a hug shows a change in skin conductance. The effect in moisture and electricity in the skin suggests a more balanced state in the nervous system - parasympathetic.

8. Hugs teach us how to give and receive. There is equal value in receiving and being receptive to warmth, as to giving and sharing. Hugs educate us how love flows both ways.

9. Hugs are so much like meditation and laughter. They teach us to let go and be present in the moment. They encourage us to flow with the energy of life. Hugs get you out of your circular thinking patterns and connect you with your heart and your feelings and your breath.

10. The energy exchange between the people hugging is an investment in the relationship. It encourages empathy and understanding. And, it's synergistic, which means the whole is more than the sum of its parts: 1 1 = 3 or more! This synergy is more likely to result in win-win outcomes.