Class of September 2013 - Part 30
Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 776
Originally Posted by Br00ksie 
My all-time SHEro died today. I'm always caught off guard at how affected I am by the deaths of famous people who have touched and inspired me.
I've been reading her poems since elementary school and wanted to share one from the first poetry book I ever recieved, "I Shall Not Be Moved."
"When Great Trees Fall"
Maya Angelou
When great trees fall,
rocks on distant hills shudder,
lions hunker down
in tall grasses,
and even elephants
lumber after safety.
When great trees fall
in forests,
small things recoil into silence,
their senses
eroded beyond fear.
When great souls die,
the air around us becomes
light, rare, sterile.
We breathe, briefly.
Our eyes, briefly,
see with
a hurtful clarity.
Our memory, suddenly sharpened,
examines,
gnaws on kind words
unsaid,
promised walks
never taken.
Great souls die and
our reality, bound to
them, takes leave of us.
Our souls,
dependent upon their
nurture,
now shrink, wizened.
Our minds, formed
and informed by their
radiance,
fall away.
We are not so much maddened
as reduced to the unutterable ignorance
of dark, cold
caves.
And when great souls die,
after a period peace blooms,
slowly and always
irregularly. Spaces fill
with a kind of
soothing electric vibration.
Our senses, restored, never
to be the same, whisper to us.
They existed. They existed.
We can be. Be and be
better. For they existed.
I've been reading her poems since elementary school and wanted to share one from the first poetry book I ever recieved, "I Shall Not Be Moved."
"When Great Trees Fall"
Maya Angelou
When great trees fall,
rocks on distant hills shudder,
lions hunker down
in tall grasses,
and even elephants
lumber after safety.
When great trees fall
in forests,
small things recoil into silence,
their senses
eroded beyond fear.
When great souls die,
the air around us becomes
light, rare, sterile.
We breathe, briefly.
Our eyes, briefly,
see with
a hurtful clarity.
Our memory, suddenly sharpened,
examines,
gnaws on kind words
unsaid,
promised walks
never taken.
Great souls die and
our reality, bound to
them, takes leave of us.
Our souls,
dependent upon their
nurture,
now shrink, wizened.
Our minds, formed
and informed by their
radiance,
fall away.
We are not so much maddened
as reduced to the unutterable ignorance
of dark, cold
caves.
And when great souls die,
after a period peace blooms,
slowly and always
irregularly. Spaces fill
with a kind of
soothing electric vibration.
Our senses, restored, never
to be the same, whisper to us.
They existed. They existed.
We can be. Be and be
better. For they existed.
Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,397
Originally Posted by Melina
I hold up one finger, lean in close and whisper, 'One percent, buddy, one percent.' It sincerely creeps him out and we crack up about it. I like that I have that edge. It gave me a ton of confidence seeing in writing that how I am is a gift and not a weirdness I couldn't ever explain.
Hahah... yes! I'll embrace it with you. 
Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,397
Originally Posted by Nightswimming
I've been busy with projects the past few days. The problem I always have is getting 'too involved' with them, then either letting go completely or getting to the point of stress when there's absolutely no need for it. A new project always gives me an initial 'buzz' but I sometimes then finding it taking over and other things in my routine get neglected. It's a pattern I'm trying to break. I think I must be a true addict through and through. I could easily replace 'projects' with drinking.
.....
I'm determined to keep working on this and the key seems to be to recognise early when I'm going down a certain path.
.....
I'm determined to keep working on this and the key seems to be to recognise early when I'm going down a certain path.
I've been dx'd with ADD and because meds don't treat me well, I need to figure out strategies to compensate for the constant veering! If you come up with any tips, please share what works for you.
Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 1,534
Originally Posted by Renarde
Hey Grace, we have over 9 months sober! Grace and I share the same day 
Guys, today I went to see the therapist I visit every now and then. I hadn't seen her in a couple of years and I had never told her about my drinking before today. She was asking what kind of support I had and I told her about SR and our class. She was so impressed with us! And then she told me I have a lot of initiative and strength for finding the support I need on SR. I thought all of you should know the same goes for you! We are a strong, smart group. We knew we needed help and companionship in this battle and we sought it out and joined SR and our class. While for me it seemed pretty risk-free, because I knew I could disappear if this wasn't my thing, it was a risk to put myself and my secret out there. And the same goes for you.
Be proud of yourselves individually and of us as a class, Septies! My therapist thinks we are amazing!
Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 776
Originally Posted by Renarde
Hey Grace, we have over 9 months sober! Grace and I share the same day
Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: New York, NY
Posts: 776
~~Food for Thought ~ Thoughtful Thursday~~
~~Forces That Form Your Future~~
~Note~
This is of immense value to me today and comes at a time of great change and planning for the future for me. So I would like to share it with you all and hope you find the value in it as I have.
~Our greatest power is our power to choose.~
~~The Meal~
Many people assume that the future is a mystery that we have little or no control over. Some view themselves as victims of fate, dependent on the next lucky break. They sing a powerless mantra of Qué Será, Será and plod through life.
~The truth is that our greatest power is our power to choose.~
When I was in my late 20s, I recognized how quickly life passes by. I began giving serious thought to my future and I meditated on the ways that it was being formed. As I began to study my life and the lives of successful people ahead of me, I discovered a number of forces at work that create the life we live. Once I identify the forces that got me where I am, I can use those forces to my advantage to form my future. Here are a few that I found:
~Force of Beliefs~
Changing your belief system can change your life. You can have something right in your heart, but wrong in your mind and no amount of good intentions or right motives will compensate for self-sabotaging beliefs. Do you think you got the short end of the stick? Do you believe you have insurmountable adversity? Do you wonder whether you are a chump or a champ? Do you believe that you are strong or weak?
~Remember this: your most dominant beliefs always win. So choose to believe good things about yourself and your future. Change your beliefs and change your world.~
~Force of Relationships~
Going anywhere substantial is impossible alone. For instance, when I board an airplane to take me to another city, there are teams of people who are involved in my journey. There are members of the security team who keep me safe. There are the pilots I trust to be competent and qualified to get me to my destination. There are the flight attendants, who make the journey comfortable and more enjoyable. This team helps me get to where I want to go. My journey is better, safer and complete because of these people. In the same way, your life's journey will involve people connections.
~Evaluate the relationships in your life, taking the initiative to surround yourself with people who will help you get to the places of your highest potential.~
~Force of Habits~
Great people have great habits. The power of our success or failure is in what we do repeatedly. One does not become a coffee drinker because he or she drank one cup of coffee, or a smoker because he or she smoked one cigarette, or a generous person because of one gift given. We improve our lives when we change our habits.
Don't put all your energy into getting rid of bad habits. Instead, focus on developing good habits to replace the bad ones. For example, giving compliments breaks the habit of being critical, eating healthy foods breaks the yearning for unhealthy foods, and paying attention to time breaks the habit of being late.
~Put your energy into developing good habits.~
~Force of Words~
More than a sound, words are a creative force. They have the power to bring encouragement, blessing, healing and wisdom or hurt, shame and discouragement. Words change the course of history.
The words of Abraham Lincoln and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. pointed us toward the goals of justice and equality, and Patrick Henry's "Give me liberty or give me death'' speech connected with his countrymen and rallied them to victory in the Revolutionary War. Words have the power to bless or curse the future. The people you influence are counting on you to speak words of life, truth and hope.
~Think about this: how would your life be different if your words were more positive, uplifting and encouraging?~
This is what I love about the future: We can do something about it. These are just a few of the factors that impact our life. We don't have to feel powerless, pessimistic or anxious about what lies ahead. I believe we can partner with God to live the best lives He has called us to. It is never too late to decide that you're going to take ownership of the choices you make in life.
~Our greatest power is our power to choose.~
~~Forces That Form Your Future~~
~Note~
This is of immense value to me today and comes at a time of great change and planning for the future for me. So I would like to share it with you all and hope you find the value in it as I have.
~Our greatest power is our power to choose.~
~~The Meal~
Many people assume that the future is a mystery that we have little or no control over. Some view themselves as victims of fate, dependent on the next lucky break. They sing a powerless mantra of Qué Será, Será and plod through life.
~The truth is that our greatest power is our power to choose.~
When I was in my late 20s, I recognized how quickly life passes by. I began giving serious thought to my future and I meditated on the ways that it was being formed. As I began to study my life and the lives of successful people ahead of me, I discovered a number of forces at work that create the life we live. Once I identify the forces that got me where I am, I can use those forces to my advantage to form my future. Here are a few that I found:
~Force of Beliefs~
Changing your belief system can change your life. You can have something right in your heart, but wrong in your mind and no amount of good intentions or right motives will compensate for self-sabotaging beliefs. Do you think you got the short end of the stick? Do you believe you have insurmountable adversity? Do you wonder whether you are a chump or a champ? Do you believe that you are strong or weak?
~Remember this: your most dominant beliefs always win. So choose to believe good things about yourself and your future. Change your beliefs and change your world.~
~Force of Relationships~
Going anywhere substantial is impossible alone. For instance, when I board an airplane to take me to another city, there are teams of people who are involved in my journey. There are members of the security team who keep me safe. There are the pilots I trust to be competent and qualified to get me to my destination. There are the flight attendants, who make the journey comfortable and more enjoyable. This team helps me get to where I want to go. My journey is better, safer and complete because of these people. In the same way, your life's journey will involve people connections.
~Evaluate the relationships in your life, taking the initiative to surround yourself with people who will help you get to the places of your highest potential.~
~Force of Habits~
Great people have great habits. The power of our success or failure is in what we do repeatedly. One does not become a coffee drinker because he or she drank one cup of coffee, or a smoker because he or she smoked one cigarette, or a generous person because of one gift given. We improve our lives when we change our habits.
Don't put all your energy into getting rid of bad habits. Instead, focus on developing good habits to replace the bad ones. For example, giving compliments breaks the habit of being critical, eating healthy foods breaks the yearning for unhealthy foods, and paying attention to time breaks the habit of being late.
~Put your energy into developing good habits.~
~Force of Words~
More than a sound, words are a creative force. They have the power to bring encouragement, blessing, healing and wisdom or hurt, shame and discouragement. Words change the course of history.
The words of Abraham Lincoln and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. pointed us toward the goals of justice and equality, and Patrick Henry's "Give me liberty or give me death'' speech connected with his countrymen and rallied them to victory in the Revolutionary War. Words have the power to bless or curse the future. The people you influence are counting on you to speak words of life, truth and hope.
~Think about this: how would your life be different if your words were more positive, uplifting and encouraging?~
This is what I love about the future: We can do something about it. These are just a few of the factors that impact our life. We don't have to feel powerless, pessimistic or anxious about what lies ahead. I believe we can partner with God to live the best lives He has called us to. It is never too late to decide that you're going to take ownership of the choices you make in life.
~Our greatest power is our power to choose.~
Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Glasgow, UK
Posts: 362
Originally Posted by NewLeaf
Hmmm. You described one of my problems so well, here, NS. My intentions are always good, but I seem to get hyperfocused. I think you're right that it's key to recognize veering off before it's too late to return and effectively complete the task at hand!
I've been dx'd with ADD and because meds don't treat me well, I need to figure out strategies to compensate for the constant veering! If you come up with any tips, please share what works for you.
I've been dx'd with ADD and because meds don't treat me well, I need to figure out strategies to compensate for the constant veering! If you come up with any tips, please share what works for you.
For example I'm doing a German vocabulary app on my IPad as part of learning the language. When I started I could sit with it for a couple of hours one day then not pick it up again for a week. Instead now I set myself 15 minutes but try to make sure I do it every day. Seems to work quite well, I'm enjoying it and I've not got bored with it as I usually would do.
The 'to-do' list works well for me too. I'm not working at the moment and I always start to feel guilty about not doing 'anything'. By adding what else I've done that day to the initial 'to do' list it keeps a basic diary of my activities and has helped me feel better about what I'm achieving, and that could even be properly relaxing!!
Member
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: Glasgow, UK
Posts: 362
ps. Coming onto SR is on my list too. Before I was good at coming on for a couple of days and spending a few hours and then disappearing. Now I come on to see you guys for a while each day and here I still am. Works so much better for me
Perpetual Optimist
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: LA
Posts: 1,371
I went to the Dr. for a wellness exam for the first time in 2 years!
I'm both grateful for and resentful of Medicaid. I'm grateful that I paid $1.50 for four prescriptions and had no copayment at the doctor!!
But on the same token, I had the most difficult time making appointments with specialists! I kept getting referred to clinics where there is no continuity of care.
I wouldn't care if I were sick, but I have chronic ear trouble in my right ear and it would be nice to see a doctor who was familiar with my history. Ditto with an OB!
I am going to have to do more research to try and figure out if I can circumvent this issue, at least when it comes to my ENT.
I was a little put off, my PCP barely looked in my ear and said it looked normal when I KNOW it doesn't look normal. It almost felt like she was "playing doctor" when she looked in my ear, it was insulting!
I wanted to call her out SO badly and I probably should have, but I didn't.
When I had good insurance my old PCP looked in my ear, noticed scarring and asked me if I had ear infections as a child. That is thorough!
Anyway I'm glad it's Friday. I have a cupcake hangover. I ate TWO yesterday because I was starving and passed my favorite cupcake shop.
Now I feel gross.
There is a really intense class that is right after I get off that I want to take but I am SO tired. I can't seem to shake off my sleepiness this AM! I think it's end-of-the-week exhaustion. I had forgotten what that felt like!
I hope everyone has a great sober weekend!
I'm both grateful for and resentful of Medicaid. I'm grateful that I paid $1.50 for four prescriptions and had no copayment at the doctor!!
But on the same token, I had the most difficult time making appointments with specialists! I kept getting referred to clinics where there is no continuity of care.
I wouldn't care if I were sick, but I have chronic ear trouble in my right ear and it would be nice to see a doctor who was familiar with my history. Ditto with an OB!
I am going to have to do more research to try and figure out if I can circumvent this issue, at least when it comes to my ENT.
I was a little put off, my PCP barely looked in my ear and said it looked normal when I KNOW it doesn't look normal. It almost felt like she was "playing doctor" when she looked in my ear, it was insulting!
I wanted to call her out SO badly and I probably should have, but I didn't.
When I had good insurance my old PCP looked in my ear, noticed scarring and asked me if I had ear infections as a child. That is thorough!
Anyway I'm glad it's Friday. I have a cupcake hangover. I ate TWO yesterday because I was starving and passed my favorite cupcake shop.
Now I feel gross. There is a really intense class that is right after I get off that I want to take but I am SO tired. I can't seem to shake off my sleepiness this AM! I think it's end-of-the-week exhaustion. I had forgotten what that felt like!
I hope everyone has a great sober weekend!
Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 5,554
Brooksie, I am so sorry for you experience with your doctor and making appointments. I hate to say it, but there is that attitude out there and it sickens me. I once covered for a co-worker who was going on vacation. She asked me to see a client for her during that time. She said, out loud, very directly, "She is the richest woman on 'The Hill' so treat her very well." Ummmmm, whaaaa???? This co-worker had been raised very upper crust in NZ.
My response: "I assure you she will get the very same great care that I give to all of my clients." We worked in a location that attracted both the elite "hill" crowd, as well as very many less advantaged people. I very much enjoyed the immigrant clients I met. We often had time to chat and I loved learning about places I had never been and I learned so much from them about resillience, bravery, sacrifice.
My mother gave me that gift of seeing people for who they are. She was always so freindly and chatty with all of the people where she/sometimes we, worked. She would not only introduce me to the doctors, but also the cleaning crew. And I tell ya, that Stanley save my a$$ a good few times with his wet vac when I overflowed the whirlpool. I try to pass that same respect for all to my children, and I think we are doing a good job with that.
I really am sorry you were treated differently due to your present circumstances. That angers me, as a health care provider, and as a fellow human being.
My response: "I assure you she will get the very same great care that I give to all of my clients." We worked in a location that attracted both the elite "hill" crowd, as well as very many less advantaged people. I very much enjoyed the immigrant clients I met. We often had time to chat and I loved learning about places I had never been and I learned so much from them about resillience, bravery, sacrifice.
My mother gave me that gift of seeing people for who they are. She was always so freindly and chatty with all of the people where she/sometimes we, worked. She would not only introduce me to the doctors, but also the cleaning crew. And I tell ya, that Stanley save my a$$ a good few times with his wet vac when I overflowed the whirlpool. I try to pass that same respect for all to my children, and I think we are doing a good job with that.
I really am sorry you were treated differently due to your present circumstances. That angers me, as a health care provider, and as a fellow human being.
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