0716212328: A lot of us traumatics develop a (imaginary) fixation regarding numerous things we feel our life, our well being, and our comfort depend on. Speaking only for myself, most of these turn out to be boogie-men. The fact of the matter is most of those threats have nothing to do with my life, my well being, or my comfort. If they did, then I must confess, that with regard to these things (thus far), I had it all wrong -not only were they not a threat, but in many instances apparently, whether as a whole or in part, contributed to my survival, my well-being, and my comfort – without a doubt!

•Title credited to Alfred Hitchcock movie of same name (1943)

When we feel short changed or that something is missing from our life, many of us are constantly on the alert -looking out for, or at least seizing (any) opportunities to ease this state of being.

0716212329: Doing things the right way can take a long time and in the insane world we live in there’s no guarantee we will succeed if what we’re after is something material -as opposed to spiritual – (because you never know which people are going to respond logically or illogically to logic or illogic – and this of course is never the case with God). So a lot of people cheat to get what they want faster (or will simply never (have the capability to) acquire certain things legitimately because GOD MADE IT SO – AND FOR A VERY GOOD REASON!) – even if they don’t deserve it (as a consequence of pursuing this particular avenue).

•Title credited to dialogue from movie “Unforgiven” starring Clint Eastwood, Gene Hackman, Morgan Freeman and Richard Harris.

0716212328: A lot of the ways in which I’ve come out of trauma are through ensuing traumatic experiences themselves. “THE GAME” Sean Penn & Michael Douglas

A lot of times I have been going through a difficult time and then I get sick – have a cold or flu – and it intensifies my emotional experience. Sometimes taking me to the point (or place) where I ordinarily would not have gone to (could not have gone to) and resulting in something profoundly transitional or healing. Have you ever had this sort of experience?

0716212330: What confuses so many of us in life… When I first came into Alcoholics Anonymous I was introduced to a saying: “Don’t compare your insides to somebody’s outsides”:

•First of all, the transfer from inside to outside is often inaccurate or unreliable in many cases.
•Secondly, many people are more than adept actors and liars. Fear, ego, conditioning, social/peer pressure and any other number of factors/reasons. I think a lot of the issues going on in our society stem from people not accurately demonstrating or relaying outwardly what’s on the inside. It throws us off so much (how can a person not have a clue regarding…).
•Thirdly, we live in a society or a world where people all-too-often get rewarded based upon what you can make them think you are.
•Fourth, we very much live in a society where we are not free to be who we really are inside and projecting that outwardly without being scrutinized, judged, penalized, rejected… We are so afraid, in this country at least, of what other people think – and for good reason – well depending on… You and I probably can’t begin to imagine the full extent of the psychological, emotional, spiritual damage this causes (spiritually constipated?). A bunch of neurotics running around at best.

•Title credited to Pete Townsend of “The Who”.

You know in Alcoholics Anonymous the one thing I regret is that we cannot see each other… what we were before we came in -not often enough anyways. The other thing is that just because so many people appear happy doesn’t mean they are. If you’re a newcomer and you don’t feel so happy or good inside, chances are a number people in that room don’t either. Unfortunately, many Alcoholics are masters of disguise. After all, that’s part of the disease….. not being able to be entirely ourselves at any given time. And in many instances, not knowing who we are exactly! Not being able to come to terms with what we are exactly!

0716212000: …But don’t get me wrong, I’m not passing judgement here (AA continues to save my life and is largely responsible for the quality of it) – there are tons of people in AA who are good and decent. People who are trying to turn their lives around; stay sober; and get better.

0716212331: People are either in or they’re out – ultimately it’s their choice to be a part of your life or not. To be dedicated regardless of the circumstances or who you may or may not be.

•Title credited to William Shakespeare.

0716212331: Once there was a man who was sad because everyone around him had everything, and he had nothing. And the day he faced GOD, GOD asked him “Why are you so sad?” The man told HIM… And GOD replied, “Well if only you would have asked I would have told you!” And the man responded, “Told me what?” “I had given them all outside riches because that”s all they wanted! I gave you all inside riches because that’s what I thought you wanted! You see, all these rich people had everything they dreamed of -but it came at a price. Along with so much material wealth came dishonesty, arrogance, selfishness, lack of appreciation, lack of consideration, and worst of all, lack of love and charity. But you wanted all the things internally that pleased me you see! Things that encompass honesty, unselfishness, gratitude, thoughtfulness, humility, remorse and so forth – and yes, especially love.

•Title credited to Lennon-McCartney (1969 album Abbey Road).

It’s better to have the ability to appreciate something and have nothing then to have everything and lack appreciation.

Happiness may be a choice but first it must be an abiliity!

0716212332: Many of us are so concerned about our appearance because it either gets us what we want or we think it’s gonna get us what we want [inside (ego-boost) or out (jobs, wealthy, affluent partner, position/status)]. But what most of us really want isn’t what we get from the way we look, but what we get from who we are -or better yet, what we strive to become day-to-day.

•Title credited to The Brothers Grimm (from the novel “Snow White” published 1812).

0716212332: Many of us have no idea what kind of a life we were willing to accept before GOD put us down here. And often times those out-of-this-world decisions run contrary to our earthly, bodily ones! Often times, the nature between one’s soul (before they make the trek to earth) and one’s body (once we are given one; upon the souls arrival here) are @ complete odds with one another.

There are some exceptionally good people in this world, as well as some exceptionally bad ones. How does it feel knowing that the vast majority of us rank a mere “somewhere in between” the two? And, knowing there’s something you can do about that!

07152116268: I never saw anything in those 50s or 60s family programs that looked impossible or fictional. I never saw people flying over buildings with a single bound, or running faster than a speeding bullet, or racing past a train!* What I saw were a lot of things that took Courage, Honesty, Humility, and Love (GOD-made laws -Spiritual principles) being demonstrated. If that’s a fairytale it’s only because those of us who live in reality choose otherwise. Come to think of it, which is the fairytale? Is it the better life portrayed on some TV screen, which for most of us are by-and-large attainable**, or the half-life most of us choose to live by choice; choose to create underneath our very own roofs; or across the yard or street with our so-called neighbors?

*Reference to Superman’s introduction from 50s television program.

**If they’re not 🤔, then one has to wonder just how many of the man-made laws on the books are by-and-large unattainable! Incidently, many of these laws are founded upon Christian/Spiritual Laws (atleast they used to be)!

•Title is a farcical reference to Robert Young addressing his youngest daughter as “Kitten” in the 50s family comedy “Father Knows Best”.

0715211613: WE HAVE TO START PUSHING BACK IF WE WANT TO PUT AN END TO WHAT APPEARS TO BE THE END OF… EVEN WITH ALL IT’S FLAWS,

Yes, in some respects the Ozzie & Harriet/Father Knows Best era may have been something of a pipe dream, fairy tale, and with regard to some, a flat-out facade. But it doesn’t mean we have to go to the other end of the spectrum and portray them as a complete and utter farce. There were still many good aspects in this era, one of which was the protection of children, along with wholesome family values and (un)common sense. Why do they keep lowering the standards on ratings of films and television programs? Well for one thing it lowers the standards of the American Family. For another, it allows for a broader audience – more money! Why do you think they lowered the age for a child in movie theaters who get in free from 8 to like 3? Because it’s an extra few million at the Box office! I’m telling you right now, many of the perks that used to cost corporate America money (spare American families out of consideration for their quality of life) are going out the window one, or ten, or 100 @ a time!

You can (over)protect a child to the point of them being ill prepared for certain realities in life. You can expose a child to the realities of life to the degree or point that it results in unhealthy behaviors and beliefs and choices – In addition, you can bring on serious emotional and mental disorders, neurosis et cetera. A PARENT, POTENTIALLY -IS GREATEST SCULPTOR THAT CAN EVER BE!

If gangs are such a great idea then why don’t you turn your children on to them and encourage them? If drugs and alcohol are such a great idea then why don’t you turn your children on to them and encourage them?*

*From the movie “The Substitute” starring Tom Berenger.

•Title credited to Thomas Carlyle/German proverb.