loadtoc({"version":"1.0","encoding":"UTF-8","feed":{"xmlns":"http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom","xmlns$openSearch":"http://a9.com/-/spec/opensearchrss/1.0/","xmlns$georss":"http://www.georss.org/georss","id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-11-22T02:05:54.168+08:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"My Journey To Recovery"},"subtitle":{"type":"html","$t":"We cannot change the nature of the addicts or addiction. We can help to change the old lie \u003ci\u003e\"Once an addict, always an addict,\"\u003c/i\u003e by striving to make recovery more available. God, help us to remember this difference."},"link":[{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/posts/default"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default?alt\u003djson-in-script\u0026max-results\u003d100"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/"},{"rel":"hub","href":"http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/"},{"rel":"next","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default?alt\u003djson-in-script\u0026start-index\u003d101\u0026max-results\u003d100"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"}}],"generator":{"version":"7.00","uri":"http://www.blogger.com","$t":"Blogger"},"openSearch$totalResults":{"$t":"133"},"openSearch$startIndex":{"$t":"1"},"openSearch$itemsPerPage":{"$t":"100"},"entry":[{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-4720943816938844278"},"published":{"$t":"2009-10-24T12:06:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-10-24T12:06:39.415+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"smsns"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"national park"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"powerlessness"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"na program"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"surrender"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"taman negara malaysia"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"recovery"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"gunung tahan"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"expedition"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Gunung Tahan - The Story"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003c!-google_ad_section_start-\u003e\u003ch3\u003eSurrender\u003c/h3\u003e\u003ci\u003e\"By surrendering control, we gain a far greater power.\"\u003c/i\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhen we were using, we did everything we could to run things our way. We used every scheme imaginable to bring our world under control. When we got what we wanted, we felt powerful, invincible; when we didn't, we felt vulnerable, defeated. But that didn't stop us - it only led to more efforts to control and manipulate our lives into a manageable state.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eScheming was our way of denying our powerlessness. As long as we could distract ourselves with our plans, we could put off accepting that we were out of control. Only gradually did we realize that our lives had become unmanageable and that all the conning and manipulating in the world was not going to put our lives back in order.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhen we admit our powerlessness, we stop trying to control and manage our way to a better life - we surrender. Lacking sufficient power of our own, we seek Allah swt, needing support and guidance, we ask Allah swt to care for our will and our lives. We ask others in recovery to share their experience with living the NA (Narcotics Anonymous) program instead of trying to program our own lives. The power and direction we seek is all around us; we need only to turn away from self to find it.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cb\u003eJust for today:\u003c/b\u003e I shall not try to scheme and manipulate my way to a manageable life. Through the NA program, I shall surrender myself to Allah swt's care.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e----------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHola. I realize that I've been silent for quite some time now. Distractions at home (read other projects as in Internet Marketing) have pulled my attention away from blogging.\u003cspan class\u003d\"pullquote\"\u003eThere is so much hope for me today. It was a challenge that I needed desperately and was given to me as a gift. Each day I want more of what it has to offer. I want so much to learn, and I have a long way to go to reach the understanding I'm searching for. That's okay; at least I'm searching.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAnyway, below is an article that was written by Mr. Briggs who taught Chemistry when I was a student at Sekolah Menengah Sains Negeri Sembilan (Negeri Sembilan Secondary Science School) back in 1973 till 1977.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIncidentally, he was also the Organizer for the expedition to Gunung Tahan back on 2nd April till 12th April, 1976. It was one of the proudest moment in my life when several school-mate and I reached to the peak of Gunung Tahan.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBelow is the account of that expedition taken from PESAKA, the school's magazine. Fyi, no words was deleted or added. The post was written as it is. So, without further ado let's carry on with the story. Okay, here goes...\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e... Gunung Tahan (7174 feet) is West Malaysia's highest mountain. The mountain is situated on the Pahang/Kelantan border in Taman Negara (National Park). From Kuala Tahan, headquarters of Taman Negara, it took us 41/2 days to reach the mountain peak after a 40 mile walk through the jungle. The whole return trip from Kuala Tahan took 9 days.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SuHUgKAkUoI/AAAAAAAACRs/1HIWeLGKJbA/s1600-h/0001.jpg\" imageanchor\u003d\"1\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SuHUgKAkUoI/AAAAAAAACRs/1HIWeLGKJbA/s200/0001.jpg\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003ccenter\u003eClick image to enlarge\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eDeparted SMSNS at 07.50 hr on 2 April by minibus. Arrived at Game Department jetty at Kuala Temberling at 13.00 hr. Where we boarded our boat to Kuala Tahan. The boat trip took 4 hours as the river was unusually low and we went aground several times. Arrived at Kuala Tahan at 17.40 hr. We stayed in the hostel for the night.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cb\u003eDay 1 (3 April)\u003c/b\u003e We set out from Kuala Tahan at 10.45 hr with our Orang Asli guide, Nibong. We arrived at our campsite by a small stream at 16.15 hr. After dinner of soup, rice, dried fish and cocoa, we settled down to sleep at 20.30 hr.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cb\u003eDay 2 (4 April)\u003c/b\u003e We left some food suspended from a tree for the return journey. Nibong warned that squirrels might eat the food but we decided to take a chance. We set out at 09.00 hr. All day we walked up and down a total of 27 small hills. There is no water on the route so we have to carefully conserve the water in our bottles. This was the toughest day. We became very tired and had to take frequent rests. Most of us couldn't eat any lunch although it was only a handful of nuts. Several doses of glucose and salt pills helped us and were good to of boost morale. We arrived at our campsite by the S. Tahan at 17.00 hr.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SuHUVho3rlI/AAAAAAAACRk/E1BXF-B23uc/s1600-h/GunungTahan.jpg\" imageanchor\u003d\"1\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SuHUVho3rlI/AAAAAAAACRk/E1BXF-B23uc/s200/GunungTahan.jpg\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003ccenter\u003eClick image to enlarge\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cb\u003eDay 3 (5 April)\u003c/b\u003e Again we left food for the return journey. We departed at 10.00 hr and had relatively easy day walking alongside the S. Tahan. The river was only 3-4  ft. deep and we crossed it six times. There was no lack of water on that day as all the river water in the park is drinkable. We saw some old elephant droppings but no sign of any other animals. We camped at 14.15 hr on a very attractive site by the river. We all enjoyed a swim and one of us managed to catch a fish (it didn't taste very nice). We were bothered by bees. They were after the salt in our sweat but rarely sting. The altitude was only 500 ft but it was cold at night. We enjoyed our campsite so much that we spent a whole morning relaxing there on the return journey.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cb\u003eDay 4 (6 April)\u003c/b\u003e This day we climbed up 5000 ft into the mountains. We started at 08.45 hr and walked up a mountain ridge we reached a place called Gunung Pondok Dua at 3000 ft at 14.00 hr. Here we filled all our water containers for there is water until we reach the G. Tahan pleteau 24 hours later.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SuHUOWw7lUI/AAAAAAAACRc/de94ZIwwqog/s1600-h/GunungTahan1.jpg\" imageanchor\u003d\"1\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SuHUOWw7lUI/AAAAAAAACRc/de94ZIwwqog/s200/GunungTahan1.jpg\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003ccenter\u003eClick image to enlarge\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eA few minutes after leaving G. Pondok Dua there was an abrupt change in the vegetation and we saw our first pitcher plant. We climbed up along a ridge until we arrived at a tiny campsite on Gunung Tangga Dua Belas at 5164 ft. It was 17.45 hr and we were too tired to go any further, so we stopped for the night. The campsite is about 30 ft by 8 ft on a ridge with a 2000 ft steep drop on either side. The view was spectacular. On one side there is a massive rock face about a mile away that drops down into the S. Teku, where we can just see and hear water crashing over waterfalls. On the other side several mountains stand out from the plain below us, and ahead of us the ridge stretches up to the summit of G. Gedong at 6776 ft which just hides G. Tahan from our view.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe collected together all our water and used part of it to make soup and some boiled mee. There was no water available for washing as we needed the little we had for drinking the next day. The night was very cold but the ground was soft: we were sleeping on a spongy soil made from recently decomposed vegetation.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cb\u003eDay 5 (7 April)\u003c/b\u003e We got up before dawn to watch the sunrise and the mountains slowly emerge from the mist below us. After a quick breakfast of cold milk and 'muesli' (a mixture of oats, nuts and raisons) which provide a lot of energy, we set off at 08.30 hr. We made our way along the ridge for 2 hours until we reached a rock face below G. Gedong. Here we climbed up the rock, which is vertical in places, to emerge on a shoulder of G. Gedong at 6000 ft. We were surrounded by mist and couldn't see more than 100 ft in any direction. Most of the soil has been washed away over the centuries, exposing bare rock, so all vegetation is stunted (less than 2 feet high). There are a lot of picher plants which obtain nourishment from trapping and dissolving insects in a sticky fluid.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SuHUDsOLP2I/AAAAAAAACRU/ebzYiA6Uy8g/s1600-h/On_The_Top.jpg\" imageanchor\u003d\"1\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SuHUDsOLP2I/AAAAAAAACRU/ebzYiA6Uy8g/s200/On_The_Top.jpg\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003ccenter\u003eClick image to enlarge\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe walked down onto the plateau and dropped our packs by a small stream where we will camp for the night. Taking our bottles and some chocolate we set off for the summit of G. Tahan. The climb is really easy and some of us raced ahead to reach the peak first. We all arrived by 16.00 hr. We were lucky it was clear and sunny so we could see for miles into Pahang on one side and Kelantan on the other side. After collecting samples of quartz crystals and taking photographs with the trig point we left G. Tahan at 17.00 hr to reach our campsite before dark. That night dark clouds swept over us and provided our first rain.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cb\u003eDay 6 - 9 (8 April - 11 April)\u003c/b\u003e The return journey to Kuala Tahan was along the same route and was uneventful. All the food stores we left at the campsite were found intact. It rained the last two nights which brought out the leeches and this caused a slight problem as the blood coagulent to stop bleeding had been left behind at school by mistake.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"separator\" style\u003d\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SuHUxY5dViI/AAAAAAAACR0/zpSjVyIAq3g/s1600-h/IMG_0001.jpg\" imageanchor\u003d\"1\" style\u003d\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cimg border\u003d\"0\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SuHUxY5dViI/AAAAAAAACR0/zpSjVyIAq3g/s200/IMG_0001.jpg\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003ccenter\u003eClick image to enlarge\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe left Kuala Tahan by boat at 10.30 hr on 12 April. The journey down the Sg. Tembeling took less than before as the water level had risen over the last 10 days. The battery on the minibus was flat but we managed to push start and we arrived back at SMSNS at 18.30 hr.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e--------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cb\u003eConclusions:\u003c/b\u003e It was tiring but we enjoyed our expedition. Personally, I was pleased that the boys did everything for themselves, such as the cooking and all chores, which is valuable educational experience in itself.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFor future parties, the importance of detailed planning cannot be overemphasised. Weigh must be kept to a minimum as you have to carry food for 9/10 days at the beginning.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIt is important to be reasonably fit and have determination not to give up when the going get tough. We were lucky to have good weather most of the time but it is easy to imagine how unpleasant conditions could become if it rains most of the time.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThere is no real risk in climbing G. Tahan. You are obliged to have a guide and you are unlikely to even see any animal. There is very little vertical climbing and not much danger of a serious ill. However, the group leader should impress on everyone the importance of not taking unnecessary risks: if one person badly sprains an ankle, it can wreck the whole expedition.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv align\u003d\"center\"\u003eJ.B.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor Note:\u003c/b\u003e There was one other Orang Asli's guide. When we were told his name is Pipit, we had a great laugh. Mr. Briggs being an Englishman was astonished and asked why we were laughing?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI guess Mr. Briggs found out later why we were laughing and most importantly found out that the meaning of pipit in the Malay tongue? Fyi, the word pipit when translated in the Malay's language (mostly used in slang), it's referring to the male organ as in penis!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI take it that was the reason why Mr. Briggs failed to mention the other Orang Asli's guide in the article. Maybe he thought using the word was not in good taste. Bear in mind, we were still school kids (in the teachers' eyes) at the age of 15 and have to be guided from hearing the sex words. Little did he realize that we know about sex more than we were suppose to know. Yeah, much much more...\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"tag_list\"\u003eTechnorati Tags: \u003cspan class\u003d\"tags\"\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/expedition\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eexpedition\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/gunung+tahan\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003egunung tahan\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/narcotics+anonymous+program\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003enarcotics anonymous program\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/pipit\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003epipit\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/powerlessness\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003epowerlessness\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/recovery\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003erecovery\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/sekolah+menengah+sains+negeri+sembilan\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003esekolah menengah sains negeri sembilan\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/sex+education\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003esex education\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/surrender\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003esurrender\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/taman+negara+malaysia+national+park+adventure\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003etaman negara malaysia national park adventure\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/unmanageable+life\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eunmanageable life\u003c/a\u003e,\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c!-google_ad_section_end-\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-4720943816938844278?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"related","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2009/03/pride-joy-of-my-father.html","title":"Gunung Tahan - The Story"},{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/4720943816938844278/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2009/10/gunung-tahan-story.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/4720943816938844278"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/4720943816938844278"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2009/10/gunung-tahan-story.html","title":"Gunung Tahan - The Story"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SuHUgKAkUoI/AAAAAAAACRs/1HIWeLGKJbA/s72-c/0001.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-1001611815027119586"},"published":{"$t":"2009-03-12T10:07:00.002+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-07-29T08:58:12.625+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"lenggeng"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"petaling jaya"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"joy"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"bukit jelutong shah alam"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"university hospital"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"my father"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"recovery"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"pride"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"kuala kangsar"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The Pride \u0026 Joy Of My Father"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003c!--google_ad_section_start--\u003e\u003ch3 style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003eOur Own Recovery\u003c/h3\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"The steps are our solution. They are our survival kit. They are our defense against addiction, a deadly disease. Our steps are the principles that make our recovery possible.\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eBasic Text, p. 19\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThere's lots to like in Narcotics Anonymous. The meetings, for one, are great. We get to see our friends, hear some inspiring stories, share some practical experience, maybe even hook up with our sponsor. The camp outs, the conventions, the dances are all wonderful, clean fun in the company of other recovering addicts. But the heart of our recovery program is the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/02/what-are-12-steps.html\" title\u003d\"What are the Twelve Steps?\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eTwelve Steps\u003c/a\u003e - in fact, they \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eare\u003c/span\u003e the program!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe've heard it said that we can't stay clean by osmosis - in other words, we can't just attend meetings, no matter how many, and expect to breath recovery in through the pores of our skin. Recovery, as another saying goes, is an inside job. And the tools we use in working that \"inside job\" are the Twelve Steps. Hearing endlessly about acceptance is one thing; working the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/11/narcotics-anonymous-12-steps.html\" title\u003d\"Narcotics Anonymous First Step\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eFirst Step\u003c/a\u003e for ourselves is something very different. Stories about making amends may be inspiring, yet nothing will give us the freedom from remorse that taking the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/11/narcotics-anonymous-12-steps-step-9.html\" title\u003d\"Step Nine\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eNinth Step\u003c/a\u003e ourselves will give. The same applies to all Twelve Steps.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThere's much to appreciate about NA, but to get the most from our recovery we must work the Twelve Steps for ourselves.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eJust for today:\u003c/span\u003e I want everything my personal program has to offer. I shall work the steps for myself.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e------------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ch3 style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003eAn Explanation\u003c/h3\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhat can I say, except to say I'm sorry? It has been quite some times since my last post. To tell you the truth, I've been very very very busy lately. You see, I've been blogging for about three years now and I've managed to earn quite a considerable sums of money via blogging. Not bad for an addict who knows nothing about the Internet but for the last three years!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAnd now I'm about to create my very own online store as an affiliate, selling other people's products. Tell you more about it later on another post.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBeside the above ongoing projects, I've also been very busy helping fellow Bloggers who are having problems with their BlogSpot's templates. You can see me on \u003ca href\u003d\"http://mforum3.cari.com.my/forumdisplay.php?fid\u003d227\" title\u003d\"See ArahMan7 on CARI\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eCARI Forum\u003c/a\u003e and \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003ee\u003c/span\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.eblogtemplates.com/dilectio-blogger/#comments\" title\u003d\"Post your BlogSpot template's problems on eBlog Templates\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eBlog Templates.\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAnother exciting news, David Cowgill the founder of \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003ee\u003c/span\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.eblogtemplates.com/\" title\u003d\"Get your free and premium BlogSpot templates on eBlog Templates\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eBlog Templates\u003c/a\u003e has asked me to join him in another break through project of his. That's all I can tell you for now. Will tell you more about it when it is ready, ok?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ch3 style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003eFrom KK to PJ\u003c/h3\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eLast Tuesday (March 3rd, 2009) I received a text message from my dear sister Noor Zihan, telling me that my Father has been admitted to the University Hospital in Petaling Jaya. According to my Sister, the Doctor (an Uncle - yeah, another one of the clan) told my Mum to call all relatives to come and visit my beloved Father.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe Doctor claimed he's not a god that hold life and death of a person. In plain English, my Father's internal organs are only functioning at 11% only. It was a very sad day for me, but I can't just leave my Mother-in-law (Mil). You see, Mil is not well too and my sweet-heart wouldn't let me drive all alone to PJ.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eShe (dear wife) said, she knew I would played a Pink Floyd's album most probably The Wall at full blast and I would drive like crazy. Well folks, don't you listen to her? She always exaggerate things. I always tell her that I am the most law-abiding driver in the whole world because I was born in a car (that's our private joke when she complained about my driving skill)!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHehehe, back to the story. After a frantic calls to all my dear wife's brothers and sisters, at last Kak Yong agreed to take our place to take care of Mil but I've to wait until she arrived home here in Kuala Kangsar. I was so grateful to her for helping me in these dire emergency. She was willing to travel all the way from Shah Alam so that I'm able to visit my Father.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eKak Yong reached Kuala Kangsar around 8.30pm and after Isyak praying together with my honey-pie, I started my journey south around 10pm. Like I said above, I'm the most law-abiding driver in the whole world especially when my dearest is sitting beside me. I drove slowly all the way. No Pink Floyd, no Lynyrd Skynyrd no nothing accompanying me throughout these journey.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eActually my thought was somewhere else, back to the days with my Father since I was small till the present day. I can still remember how proud my Father was with me. Maybe it is because I'm the eldest and his only son. He would proudly tell to all my relatives and his friends how I would be a somebody when I grow-up.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThinking about it made my tears flowed uncontrollably. Even though it was dark in the car, I could sense my beloved wife knew what was going on in my mind. I could feel her holding my hand, squeezing it every now and then all the way. No words was necessary. I was grateful to her for just being there with me.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ch3 style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003eUphill Downhill\u003c/h3\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI could see his happy face when I told him that I've scored 4 'A' back in the year 1971 when I was in Standard Five. Then in 1972, I received the news that I've been offered a place in a newly formed boarding school, Science Secondary School (Sekolah Menengah Sains). Another 'pulut kuning' for me. My father held a large 'kenduri' to celebrate my successes for gaining a place in an elite boarding school. Almost all my relatives were presence, including my Father's friends. Yeah, I was beaming with pride too.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI got another 'pulut kuning' back in 1975 when I scored an aggregate of eleven for my LCE (Lower Certificate of Education). I can see my Father happy face when I told him that. I was happy too because I've made him proud of me. Then I made another head-line in 1976. That was the year when I and a few fellow students followed Mr. Brigg (our Chemistry's tutor) to an expedition to climb Mount Tahan (Gunung Tahan at 2187 m, is the highest peak in Peninsular Malaysia). It was a gruesome 7 days journey to the top, but at the end it was worth it. Then Spectrum, a member of NST (New Strait Times) published about our journey in an article called Lure of The Mountain. Immediately, we became mega-stars, an elite group of Sekolah Menengah Sains.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThat episode affected my Father as well. Another proud moments in his life brought about by, ahem... yours truly. I guess that was the last time I became the pride and joy of my Father. By that time onward, I've started smoking drugs regularly. Before, I only took it during the weekend. Then came MCE (Malaysia Certificate of Education). I didn't get a credit for my BM (Bahasa Malaysia) which relegated my result to a Second Grade. For that I lost the chance to further my study oversea where most of my friends went either to the UK or US. Even though I did managed to enroll to ITM (Institiut Teknologi MARA), it was never the same. From there, my life turned downhill.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI'm pretty my Father was heart-broken because I've made the wrong turned. I wish I could turned back the clock and starts all over again and to be the pride and joy to my Father again. It was such a sad, sad situation. Upon seeing my Father laying helplessly on the hospital's bed, I was choked to say anything. I felt even though I managed to say I'm sorry to my Father a hundred times, it will never be enough...\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBefore I took my leave, below are a few pictures taken during my trip from Kuala Kangsar to University Hospital in Petaling Jaya.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SbcwPYziruI/AAAAAAAABMI/qxSBujq9TrU/s1600-h/DSC02568.JPG\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SbcwPYziruI/AAAAAAAABMI/qxSBujq9TrU/s200/DSC02568.JPG\" alt\u003d\"With my Father on University Hospital's bed in Petaling Jaya - March 4th, 2009\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311767326421593826\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:85%;\"\u003eClick picture to enlarge\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003ePicture was taken on the first morning I arrived from KK after spending the night in my Sister's house in Bukit Jelutong, Shah Alam - March 4th, 2009.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SbcwPRMbtXI/AAAAAAAABMQ/jMqUVSiyle4/s1600-h/DSC02585.JPG\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SbcwPRMbtXI/AAAAAAAABMQ/jMqUVSiyle4/s200/DSC02585.JPG\" alt\u003d\"My Mother, Sisters and Brother-in-law at University Hospital, Petaling Jaya\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311767324378510706\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:85%;\"\u003eClick picture to enlarge\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003ePicture of my Mother, two of my Sisters (the youngest not in the picture) and my Brother-in-law who took turned between themselves to be with my Father and sleeping at the hospital - March 4th, 2009.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SbcwQnIS9SI/AAAAAAAABMo/PUe4tepyO9U/s1600-h/DSC02597.JPG\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SbcwQnIS9SI/AAAAAAAABMo/PUe4tepyO9U/s200/DSC02597.JPG\" alt\u003d\"My beloved Wife at my parent's house in Lenggeng\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311767347446609186\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:85%;\"\u003eClick picture to enlarge\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHere is my precious Wife, the anchor of my life sitting serenely at the front porch of my parent's house in Lenggeng. After leaving the house for several days, my Mother decided to go back home in Lenggeng. Again, I traveled on south to Lenggeng so that my dear Mum could took care of her Siamese cats, chickens and whatnots - March 5th, 2009.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SbcwPv4GQJI/AAAAAAAABMY/5_GJBYt_j8c/s1600-h/DSC02608.JPG\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SbcwPv4GQJI/AAAAAAAABMY/5_GJBYt_j8c/s200/DSC02608.JPG\" alt\u003d\"Hugging my Mother\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311767332614717586\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:85%;\"\u003eClick picture to enlarge\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHugging my beloved Mum, before embarking on another journey up north back to Kuala Kangsar - March 6th, 2009.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SbcwQBO5-FI/AAAAAAAABMg/0JW0XC7IiQQ/s1600-h/DSC02605.JPG\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SbcwQBO5-FI/AAAAAAAABMg/0JW0XC7IiQQ/s200/DSC02605.JPG\" alt\u003d\"Hugging my Father\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311767337273784402\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:85%;\"\u003eClick picture to enlarge\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFather was sad when I told him that I gotta go back home to Kuala Kangsar because Kak Yong who was helping me taking care of Mil has to go back home to Shah Alam. While hugging my Father, I managed to whisper (I was choked to say anything) asking him to forgive me - March 6th, 2009.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"tag_list\"\u003eTechnorati Tags: \u003cspan class\u003d\"tags\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/bukit+jelutong+shah+alam\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ebukit jelutong shah alam\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/joy\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ejoy\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/kuala+kangsar\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ekuala kangsar\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/lenggeng\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003elenggeng\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/my+father\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003emy father\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/petaling+jaya\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003epetaling jaya\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/pride\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003epride\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/recovery\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003erecovery\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/university+hospital\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003euniversity hospital\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_end--\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-1001611815027119586?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/1001611815027119586/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2009/03/pride-joy-of-my-father.html#comment-form","title":"24 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/1001611815027119586"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/1001611815027119586"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2009/03/pride-joy-of-my-father.html","title":"The Pride \u0026 Joy Of My Father"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SbcwPYziruI/AAAAAAAABMI/qxSBujq9TrU/s72-c/DSC02568.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"24"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-8206686275552372867"},"published":{"$t":"2009-01-09T10:47:00.002+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-01-09T11:26:14.716+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"urgent appeal"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"blogmaster"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"elviza michele kamal"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"mat salo"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"palestine relief fund"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"celebrating recovery"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"write away"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"mercy malaysia"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Urgent Appeal: Palestine Relief Fund"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003c!--google_ad_section_start--\u003e\u003ch2 style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003eGrowing Up\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"Our spiritual condition is the basis for a successful recovery that offers unlimited growth.\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eBasic Text, p. 43\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhen our members celebrate their recovery anniversaries, they often say that they've \"grown up\" in NA. \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eWell, then,\u003c/span\u003e we think, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003ewhat does that mean?\u003c/span\u003e We start to wonder if we're grownups yet. We check our lives and yes, all the trappings of adulthood are there: the checkbook, the children, the job, the responsibilities. On the inside, though, we often feel like children. We're still confused by life much of the time. We don't always know how to act. We sometimes wonder whether we're really grownups at all, or whether we're children who've somehow been put into adult bodies and given adult responsibilities.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eGrowth is not best measured by physical age or level of responsibility. Our best measure of growth is our spiritual condition, the basis of our recovery. If we're still depending on people, places, and things to provide our inner satisfaction, like a child depending on its parents for everything, we do indeed have some growing to do. But if we stand secure on the foundation of our spiritual condition, considering its maintenance our most important responsibility, we can claim maturity. Upon that foundation, our opportunities for growth are limitless.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eJust for today:\u003c/span\u003e The measure of my maturity is the extent to which I take responsibility for the maintenance of my spiritual condition. Today, this will be my highest priority.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e-------------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"dropcap\"\u003eY\u003c/span\u003eesterday I was honored with the arrival of an email from the Desk of Elviza Michele Kamal. Yeah, you got that right. The same Elviza Michele who graces on our National TV1's Blog programme which was aired last November 23rd, 2008. For those who had missed (definitely \u003ca href\u003d\"http://madsalos.com/\" title\u003d\"One of The Langiang\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eMat Salo\u003c/a\u003e for one) that programme you can watch it now on \u003ca href\u003d\"http://video.moi.gov.my/video_blog/index.php\" title\u003d\"From the Ministry of Information\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eVideo Blog.\u003c/a\u003e \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eShe is also the BlogMaster of the awesome \u003ca href\u003d\"http://elviza.wordpress.com/\" title\u003d\"An inspiring columnist\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eWrite Away.\u003c/a\u003e Mat Cendana, a dear friend from Recovery described our mutual friend way better on his \u003ca href\u003d\"http://cendana287.wordpress.com/2008/11/24/elviza-on-rtms-tv1-blog-programme/\" title\u003d\"A dear friend from recovery\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eRecovery From Drug Addiction.\u003c/a\u003e Head over there now. You can thank me later for introducing a great writer to you all.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIn a very small way I hope by spreading this message I could help at least one Palestinian's child. I couldn't bear to read and hear about the bombardment on Gaza whereby most of the innocent victims killed were children. I'm not ashamed to tell you that I even cried my heart out on my beloved lap almost every night as though they were my own children being killed by the Israelis.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWell, enough of that. Crying will not solve any problems. We have to take some kind of action. Below is the rest of the message. Read on my friends;\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIf your heart bleeds for the atrocities bestowed on Gaza by the Israelis, do lend them a hand. Let us part with whatever we can afford to help Palestinians in their time of grief.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SWap0D2IR8I/AAAAAAAABGc/JlVxkvpQ8Po/s1600-h/ArahMan7+Moral+Obligations.gif\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 398px; height: 113px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SWap0D2IR8I/AAAAAAAABGc/JlVxkvpQ8Po/s400/ArahMan7+Moral+Obligations.gif\" alt\u003d\"ArahMan7 moral obligations\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289101524243859394\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ccenter\u003eImage from Elviza's \u003ca href\u003d\"http://elviza.wordpress.com/\" title\u003d\"A mediocre musician\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eWrite Away.\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.mercy.org.my/main/index.html\" title\u003d\"ArahMan7 supports Mercy Malaysia\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eMercy Malaysia\u003c/a\u003e has, on 30th December 2008, formed an Emergency Response Assessment Team to face the humanitarian crisis in Gaza strip. The team has been promptly dispatched to Egypt led by President, Datuk Dr.  Jemilah Mahmood and Exco Member Norazam Ab. Samah.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SWap0TiRX0I/AAAAAAAABGk/XvkXzSG4O9g/s1600-h/gaza-dare-to-care.jpg\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 169px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SWap0TiRX0I/AAAAAAAABGk/XvkXzSG4O9g/s400/gaza-dare-to-care.jpg\" alt\u003d\"Gaza's dare to care\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289101528455536450\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ccenter\u003eImage from \u003ca href\u003d\"http://annies-letters.blogspot.com/2008_03_09_archive.html\" title\u003d\"Annie's letters and notes\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eAnnie's Letters\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe air strike and ground offensive on Gaza -  as reported by \u003ca href\u003d\"http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/01/20091812722995597.html\" title\u003d\"Al Jazeere English\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eAlJazeera\u003c/a\u003e - have killed more than 700 Palestinians, 219 of which are children. More than 3000 have been wounded.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SWap0mFXt9I/AAAAAAAABGs/LjGGUP_w7Ho/s1600-h/Children+Killed+in+Palestine.jpg\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 350px; height: 227px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SWap0mFXt9I/AAAAAAAABGs/LjGGUP_w7Ho/s400/Children+Killed+in+Palestine.jpg\" alt\u003d\"Atrocities bestowed on Gaza by the Israelis\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289101533434591186\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ccenter\u003eImage from \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/jan/08/ml-palestinians-young-victims-010809/\" title\u003d\"257 Palestinian children killed in Gaza\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eSignOnSanDiego[dot]com\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SWap0iyMuPI/AAAAAAAABG0/YCkc0DHDSE4/s1600-h/israel_collective_punishment_by_latuff2.jpg\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 258px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SWap0iyMuPI/AAAAAAAABG0/YCkc0DHDSE4/s400/israel_collective_punishment_by_latuff2.jpg\" alt\u003d\"Shin Bet boasts of 1,000 assassinations, included 150 children\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289101532548872434\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ccenter\u003eImage from \u003ca href\u003d\"http://sabbah.biz/mt/archives/2008/01/15/shin-bet-assassinations-150-children/\" title\u003d\"Sabbah's blog\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eSabbah's Blog\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eTherefore, Mercy Malaysia appeals to generous Malaysians to send it cash donations. Contributions will support Mercy Malaysia to procure emergency surgical kits, medicines and hospital equipments to help the hospitals in Gaza.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eCheque is to be made payable to “MERCY MALAYSIA” and addressed to Mercy Malaysia, Level 2, Podium Block, City Point, Kompleks Dayabumi, Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, 50050 Kuala Lumpur.\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eCash donations can be made via on-line transmission or deposit at CIMB Bank Account No: 1424-000-6561053.\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eDonation form can be downloaded from \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.mercy.org.my/main/latestupdates/latestupdates/palestinerelieffund.html\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e. \u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eFurther enquiries are to be directed to +603-22733999 or info@mercy.org.my\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOh yeah, I have also opened a new thread on \u003ca href\u003d\"http://forum.cari.com.my/viewthread.php?tid\u003d395101\u0026extra\u003dpage%3D1\u0026frombbs\u003d1\" title\u003d\"ArahMan7's favourite local forum\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eCARI Forum.\u003c/a\u003e Hopefully to get some positive feedback from those Bloggers over there.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eLast but not least, let us make a difference by whatever little we have. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you for your generosity.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"tag_list\"\u003eTechnorati Tags: \u003cspan class\u003d\"tags\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/adult+bodies\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eadult bodies\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/adult+responsibilities\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eadult responsibilities\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/blogmaster\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eblogmaster\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/cARI+forum\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ecARI forum\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/celebrating+recovery\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ecelebrating recovery\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/elviza+michele+kamal\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eelviza michele kamal\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/growing+up+in+recovery\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003egrowing up in recovery\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/malaysia+ministry+of+information\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003emalaysia ministry of information\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/mat+cendana\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003emat cendana\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/mat+salo\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003emat salo\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/mercy+malaysia\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003emercy malaysia\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/moral+obligations\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003emoral obligations\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/palestine+relief+fund\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003epalestine relief fund\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/recovery+from+drug+addiction\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003erecovery from drug addiction\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/successful+recovery\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003esuccessful recovery\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/spiritual+condition\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003espiritual condition\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/unlimited+growth\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eunlimited growth\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/urgent+appeal\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eurgent appeal\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/write+away\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ewrite away\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_end--\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-8206686275552372867?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/8206686275552372867/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2009/01/urgent-appeal-palastine-relief-fund.html#comment-form","title":"17 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/8206686275552372867"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/8206686275552372867"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2009/01/urgent-appeal-palastine-relief-fund.html","title":"Urgent Appeal: Palestine Relief Fund"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SWap0D2IR8I/AAAAAAAABGc/JlVxkvpQ8Po/s72-c/ArahMan7+Moral+Obligations.gif","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"17"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-7059197991238809358"},"published":{"$t":"2008-12-26T10:59:00.003+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2008-12-26T11:19:41.628+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"twelfth step"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"recovery message"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"myjourneytorecovery"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"reciprocal link"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"giant step"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"domain name"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"linky love"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"narcotics anonymous"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"christmas"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"sense of belonging"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"malaysia"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Another Giant Step"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003c!--google_ad_section_start--\u003e\u003ch2 style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003eThe Group\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"The Twelfth Step of our personal program also says that we carry the message to the addict who still suffers... The group is the most powerful vehicle we have for carrying the message.\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eBasic Text, p. 65\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhen we first come to Narcotics Anonymous meetings, we meet recovering addicts. We know they are \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eaddicts\u003c/span\u003e because they talk about the same experiences and feelings we've had. We know they are recovering because of their serenity - they've got something we want. We feel hope when other addicts share their recovery with us in NA meetings.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe atmosphere of recovery attracts us to the meetings. That atmosphere is created when group members make a commitment to work together. We try to enhance the atmosphere of recovery by helping set up for meetings, greeting newcomers, and talking with other addicts after the meeting. These demonstrations of our commitment make our meetings attractive and help our groups share their recovery.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSharing experience in meetings is one way in which we help one another, and it's often the foundation for our sense of belonging. We identify with other addicts, so we trust their message of hope.  Many of us would not have stayed in Narcotics Anonymous without that sense of belonging and hope. When we share at group meetings, we support our personal recovery while helping others.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eJust for today:\u003c/span\u003e I shall reach out to another addict in my group and share my recovery.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e------------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SVPK5HTlF3I/AAAAAAAABFU/zJ0NGQB7glY/s1600-h/iphone_app_store_addiction.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 364px; height: 400px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SVPK5HTlF3I/AAAAAAAABFU/zJ0NGQB7glY/s400/iphone_app_store_addiction.jpg\" alt\u003d\"App store addiction roup meeting\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283789870398248818\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ccenter\u003eImage taken from \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.iphonesavior.com/iphone-app-store-addiction.html\" title\u003d\"\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eOvercoming iPhone App Store Addiction\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMany of my faithful readers have been asking me where are all their links?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"dropcap\"\u003eI\u003c/span\u003e'm sorry guys (and to the gals too), all your links will be put up again as soon as possible. I got to tell you, all links that I've accumulated for the past few years had grown to an enormous length thus making uploading this blog tiresome for those few who still on dial-up connection. Really, no pun intended to anyone.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI realized that and I've to take out all your links before disheartening other readers to come to this special blog. I've been thinking for a suitable mean on where to put up all the links back and I've decided to make a special post for those \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003elinky love\u003c/span\u003e you've given me.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SVNvQ8Ea3kI/AAAAAAAABFE/Hxy22wuAvYs/s1600-h/ArahMan7+Helping+Hand.png\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 137px; height: 168px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SVNvQ8Ea3kI/AAAAAAAABFE/Hxy22wuAvYs/s400/ArahMan7+Helping+Hand.png\" alt\u003d\"ArahMan7 reaching out his hand\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283689124628979266\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ccenter\u003eCouldn't find the source of this image\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003ePlease take note, the committee has decided all links listed must be reciprocated or it will be deleted without warning. Any links request will be entertained especially if your blog (niche) is about recovery, hope, experiences and the like. Please leave your request by sending me an email or you can leave your request on any comment column of this blog.\u003cspan class\u003d\"pullquote\"\u003eWe cannot deny other addicts their pain, but we can carry the message of hope that was given to us by fellow addicts in recovery. We share the principles of recovery, as they have worked in our lives. God helps us as we help each other.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI also like to take this opportunity to wish blessed Christmas to all my readers who are celebrating Christmas and to your loved ones too.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI saved this great news for last. After a long deliberation, I've decided to take this blog to another step forward. \u003ca href\u003d\"http://arahman7.blogspot.com/\" title\u003d\"Having a brand new domain name\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eMy Journey To Recovery\u003c/a\u003e has got her own brand new domain name. Her new URL will be \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003ehttp://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/\u003c/span\u003e and she will be hosted by Blogger/Google for now before taking yet again another giant leap.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SVNvQ01KuLI/AAAAAAAABFM/TBuAlWvi5x4/s1600-h/One_Addict_Helping_Helping_Another_.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 399px;\" src\u003d\"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SVNvQ01KuLI/AAAAAAAABFM/TBuAlWvi5x4/s400/One_Addict_Helping_Helping_Another_.jpg\" alt\u003d\"ShOrEbReAk ReHaB\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283689122685958322\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ccenter\u003eImej from \u003ca href\u003d\"http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction\u003duser.viewprofile\u0026friendid\u003d388295271\" title\u003d\"ShOrEbReAk ReHaB\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eShOrEbReAk ReHaB's MySpace\u003c/a\u003e profile\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eTransferring to a new domain name and hosting is no small matter. Hopefully \u003ca href\u003d\"http://arahman7.blogspot.com/\" title\u003d\"Transferring to a new domain name and host\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eMy Journey To Recovery\u003c/a\u003e will start to be of service on January the first, 2009. But not to worry, I got a little bit of help from \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.netmonetization.com/\" title\u003d\"Make money online for dummies\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eThe Wise Ol' Vic.\u003c/a\u003e All his blogs are now hosted with Blogger/Google and he has got great many experiences doing so easily.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWell, that's it for now. See you next year on a brand new domain name, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003ehttp://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eGreetings and lots of love from Kuale Kangsor, MALAYSIA.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003ep/s Unfortunately, myjourneytorecovery[dot]COM has been taken leaving me with no other choice except to apply for a DOT NET.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"tag_list\"\u003eTechnorati Tags: \u003cspan class\u003d\"tags\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/another+giant+step\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eanother giant step\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/brand+new+domain+name\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ebrand new domain name\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/carrying+recovery+message+to+another+addict\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ecarrying recovery message to another addict\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/christmas\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003echristmas\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/linky+love\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003elinky love\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/malaysia\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003emalaysia\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/myjourneytorecovery\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003emyjourneytorecovery\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/my+journey+to+recovery\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003emy journey to recovery\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/narcotics+anonymous\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003enarcotics anonymous\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/reciprocal+link\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ereciprocal link\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/recovering+addict+talking+about+feeling+experiences+hope\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003erecovering addict talking about feeling experiences hope\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/sense+of+belonging\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003esense of belonging\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/twelfth+step+personal+program\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003etwelfth step personal program\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-7059197991238809358?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/7059197991238809358/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2008/12/another-giant-step.html#comment-form","title":"5 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/7059197991238809358"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/7059197991238809358"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2008/12/another-giant-step.html","title":"\u003ch1\u003eAnother Giant Step\u003c/h1\u003e"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SVPK5HTlF3I/AAAAAAAABFU/zJ0NGQB7glY/s72-c/iphone_app_store_addiction.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"5"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-7082558026293927325"},"published":{"$t":"2008-11-04T22:44:00.001+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2008-11-04T22:58:33.747+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"unresolved problem"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"giant wooden sandal"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"treasure hunt"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"penalty shoot out"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"friend in na"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"family day"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Family Day 2008"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003c!--google_ad_section_start--\u003e\u003ch2 style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003eLiving with unresolved problems\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"It makes a difference to have friends who care if we hurt.\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eBasic Text, p. 54\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFor most of our problems, the solution is simple. We call our sponsor, pray, work The Steps, or go to a meeting. But what about those situations where the burden is ongoing and there's no end in sight?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMost of us know what it's like to live with a painful situation - a problem that just isn't going to disappear. For some of us, the problem is an incurable, life-threatening illness. Some of us have incorrigible children. Some of us find that our earning simply don't cover our expenses. Some of us care for a chronically ill friend or family member.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThose of us who have ever had to live with an unresolved problem know the relief that comes from just talking about our problem with our recovering friends. We may get some comic relief. Our friends may commiserate or cry in sympathy. Whatever they do, they ease our burden. They may not be able to solve our problem for us or take away our painful feelings, but just knowing that we are loved and cared about makes our problems bearable. We never have to be alone with our pain again.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eJust for today:\u003c/span\u003e Those problems I can't resolve can be made bearable by talking to a friend. Today, I shall call someone who cares.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e-------------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ch2 style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"dropcap\"\u003eT\u003c/span\u003ehe Gathering in Pictures:\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eDate:\u003c/span\u003e Saturday, August 2nd 2008\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003ePlace:\u003c/span\u003e Impian Morib Hotel, Morib, Selangor.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eOccasion:\u003c/span\u003e The late Haji Abdul Manan's Annual Family Day.\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eMood:\u003c/span\u003e Happy, memorable and enjoyable day! :-)\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe whole clan met last April and decided for the year 2008, our annual Family Day had to be held earlier. It seemed that almost every family will be busy with their own agenda at the end of the year.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eYour Honour\u003c/span\u003e of the family has lead the petitioned and it was accepted unanimously by the whole clan. Unfortunately for this year's Family Day, two families (\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eThe Doctor\u003c/span\u003e who will be needed in the operation room on the said date and \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eThe Navy\u003c/span\u003e whom I guess their battleship claimed more jurisdiction than us mere family) could not attend.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eNow there were only seven families left and not all of them were in full strength except for \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eYours Truly\u003c/span\u003e. There's only the two of us, Arah and Man the smallest contingent of gung ho participant for the Family Day. Nonetheless, we were having an enjoyable and memorable moments as usual whenever the whole clan met.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHere's the legend:\u003cbr /\u003e\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eThursday\u003c/span\u003e - \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eYours Truly\u003c/span\u003e and the Matriarch of the family began their journey early in the morning from Sayong, Kuala Kangsar going south on the highway (accompanied aptly by the song, Highway Star by Deep Purple much to the disapproving looked by the Matriarch) heading to Batu Cave where \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eThe Corporate\u003c/span\u003e of the family reside.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eThursday and Friday\u003c/span\u003e - As usual, ArahMan7 and his beloved wife will go on a shopping spree whenever they were in the vicinity of Kuala Lumpur. Their favourite haunting places were at Low Yat for computer's thingy and Central Market where ArahMan7 will spent hours looking at books (there's an Indian Muslim's bookstore where they sold second hand's books).\u003c/li\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eFriday\u003c/span\u003e - From 1st until 3rd of August, PC Fair 2008 was being held at Kuala Lumpur Convention Center (KLCC). Thus, right after Friday's prayers, both ArahMan7 and his honey-pie was seen at the PC Fair 2008 until closing time!\u003c/li\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eSaturday\u003c/span\u003e - (Morning) The whole families started moving out in convoy to Morib.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eSaturday\u003c/span\u003e - (Noon) Registering at the front-desk headed by \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eYour Honour.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eSaturday\u003c/span\u003e - (Afternoon) The opening game began with the youngest members of the clan. They started running to the finish line while carrying a ping pong ball on a spoon. All games was organized by the courtesy of the Impian Morib Hotel's personnel. Games included were  carrying ping pong's ball on a spoon for the kids, giant wooden sandal (terompah gergasi), carrying ping pong's ball with chop-stick, walking on three bricks, carrying a ball between participant's heads, penalty shoot-out and treasure hunts.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eSaturday\u003c/span\u003e - (Night) BBQ and prize giving. \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eThe Academician\u003c/span\u003e was unable to retain their championship this year because of the obvious reason stated above. This year's championship goes to \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eThe Corporate\u003c/span\u003e of Batu Cave. Despite that, ArahMan7 still managed to win two games, walking with the giant wooden sandal and treasure hunt. Both games \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eThe ArahMan7's\u003c/span\u003e were joined by \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eThe Attache.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eSunday\u003c/span\u003e - (Morning) Water-polo played by the whole families at the Hotel's swimming pool.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eSunday\u003c/span\u003e - (Noon) Check-out after lunch.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eSunday\u003c/span\u003e - (Afternoon) Still on a shoping spree, ArahMan7 and his darling was seen at Shah Alam Civic Center attending a mobile phone's expo and getting their attires at Zara and Pierre Cardin.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eSunday\u003c/span\u003e - (Late at night) Heading back to Batu Cave.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eMonday\u003c/span\u003e - (Afternoon) On the road again up north to Kuala Kangsar. This time accompanied by \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eSi-Burung Bebas\u003c/span\u003e, a song by Lynyrd Skynyrd (I wish \u003ca href\u003d\"http://matsalo.blogspot.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eMat Salo\u003c/a\u003e could see me impersonating Van Zant belting out Free Bird in voice-less and I could see my mother-in-law could only rolls her eyes heavenward).\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBelow are some pictures taken on that memorable day. Just like the Longgeng folks who used to say, \"\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003ea picture paints a thousand words,\u003c/span\u003e\" therefore I gonna let these pictures do the talking. K, here goes:\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SQ52cuLZ98I/AAAAAAAABB8/o16IRekyX3w/s1600-h/DSC01780.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SQ52cuLZ98I/AAAAAAAABB8/o16IRekyX3w/s320/DSC01780.jpg\" alt\u003d\"Registering for Family Day 2008\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264275250246973378\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:78%;\"\u003eClick image to enlarge\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003eYour Honour\u003c/span\u003e attending the front desk, registration and doing the head-count with her daughter.\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SQ52c1BkoEI/AAAAAAAABCE/da9jiK30yV0/s1600-h/DSC01805.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SQ52c1BkoEI/AAAAAAAABCE/da9jiK30yV0/s320/DSC01805.jpg\" alt\u003d\"Holding ping pong ball with chop stick\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264275252084777026\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:78%;\"\u003eClick image to enlarge\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003ccenter\u003eLet's the games begun!  Expertise of using a pair of chop-stick applied here. Try holding it with a ping pong ball while running to your partner and your partner doing the same thing ran back to the finish line? It ain't easy I can tell you that, but we had a great laugh seeing some participants tried to cheat. You were suppose to stop and picked up the ball on the same spot where the ball dropped.  But then I guess, rules were made to be broken, huh?\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SQ53dBl8wPI/AAAAAAAABC0/avmg6H8-IJk/s1600-h/DSC01836.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SQ53dBl8wPI/AAAAAAAABC0/avmg6H8-IJk/s320/DSC01836.jpg\" alt\u003d\"The GoalKeeper\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264276354970206450\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:78%;\"\u003eClick image to enlarge\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003ccenter\u003eThe much awaited, the penalty shoot-out. Ever tried kicking a balloon? That's how soft the balls were. No fancy foot-work needed. Just kicked the ball as hard as you can toward the goal hoping that the goalkeeper will get confused because the ball won't travel in a straight line!\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SQ52darGpOI/AAAAAAAABCM/5myYxMTRfqM/s1600-h/DSC01807.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SQ52darGpOI/AAAAAAAABCM/5myYxMTRfqM/s320/DSC01807.jpg\" alt\u003d\"Loving couple  with a ball between their head\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264275262191084770\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:78%;\"\u003eClick image to enlarge\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003ccenter\u003eLove this game. I guess no explanations were needed here. Just let your imaginations roamed wild especially when your partner in these game were your loved ones. Fyi, ArahMan7 is still the most romantic couple for this year's Family Day, hehehe!\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SQ52doiqLpI/AAAAAAAABCU/n9i0ppgRgps/s1600-h/DSC01817.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SQ52doiqLpI/AAAAAAAABCU/n9i0ppgRgps/s320/DSC01817.jpg\" alt\u003d\"Getting ready for the giant wooden sandal's race\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264275265913761426\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:78%;\"\u003eClick image to enlarge\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003ccenter\u003eArahMan7's were joined by \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003eThe Attache\u003c/span\u003e to win this giant wooden sandal's (terompah gergasi) race. Skilled and high command of coordination and cooperation were essential. Need I say more? (\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003eCewah! Mentang2lah team dia menang!\u003c/span\u003e)  ;-)\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SQ52dzEceTI/AAAAAAAABCc/Y-GOw7iSJwQ/s1600-h/DSC01872.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;\" src\u003d\"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SQ52dzEceTI/AAAAAAAABCc/Y-GOw7iSJwQ/s320/DSC01872.jpg\" alt\u003d\"ArahMan7 receiving his prize from the Academician\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264275268739823922\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:78%;\"\u003eClick image to enlarge\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003ccenter\u003eOnce again, ArahMan7 was the sportsman of the year (twice in a row) receiving his prize from \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003eThe Academician\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SQ53cgQXVSI/AAAAAAAABCk/JS4BbwKLHos/s1600-h/DSC01895.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SQ53cgQXVSI/AAAAAAAABCk/JS4BbwKLHos/s320/DSC01895.jpg\" alt\u003d\"The winning team with their prizes\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264276346021303586\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:78%;\"\u003eClick image to enlarge\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003ccenter\u003eAfter dinner and prize giving, everybody was tired. The new champ (The Corporate) team members sitting around lazily and their prizes.\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SQ53c2cSTpI/AAAAAAAABCs/oLkqxQZoK-k/s1600-h/DSC01927.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SQ53c2cSTpI/AAAAAAAABCs/oLkqxQZoK-k/s320/DSC01927.jpg\" alt\u003d\"The most loving couple having lunch together\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264276351976885906\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:78%;\"\u003eClick image to enlarge\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003ccenter\u003eThe most romantic couple enjoying quality times and lunch together. Gonna make it an habit, spending QT each month just the two of us. Sound great, huh?\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMore pictures are available on Flickr, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/arahman7/sets/72157608636514824/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e\"Before And After Family Day 2008.\"\u003c/a\u003e Video will also be made available soon. No promises though (if only I can find the time to edit and publish it possibly on \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.youtube.com/user/ArahMan7\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eYouTube\u003c/a\u003e).\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWell, I guess that's it for now. I hope you enjoy this post as much as I do. I'm sure you would like to read last year Family Day's post. Look no further, just click this link here, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://arahman7.blogspot.com/2007/12/familys-day.html\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eFamily Day 2007.\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSee you when I see you!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"tag_list\"\u003eTechnorati Tags: \u003cspan class\u003d\"tags\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/a+picture+paints+a+thousand+words\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ea picture paints a thousand words\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/batu+cave\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ebatu cave\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/central+market\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ecentral market\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/deep+purple\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003edeep purple\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/family+day\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003efamily day\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/free+bird\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003efree bird\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/friend+in+na\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003efriend in na\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/giant+wooden+sandal\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003egiant wooden sandal\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/highway+star\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ehighway star\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/impian+morib+hotel\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eimpian morib hotel\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/kuala+kangsar\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ekuala kangsar\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/kuala+lumpur+convention+center\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ekuala lumpur convention center\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/low+yat\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003elow yat\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/lynyrd+skynyrd\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003elynyrd skynyrd\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/penalty+shoot+out\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003epenalty shoot out\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/terompah+gergasi\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eterompah gergasi\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/treasure+hunt\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003etreasure hunt\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/unresolved+problem\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eunresolved problem\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_end--\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-7082558026293927325?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/7082558026293927325/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2008/11/family-day-2008.html#comment-form","title":"7 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/7082558026293927325"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/7082558026293927325"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2008/11/family-day-2008.html","title":"\u003ch1\u003eFamily Day 2008\u003c/h1\u003e"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SQ52cuLZ98I/AAAAAAAABB8/o16IRekyX3w/s72-c/DSC01780.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"7"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-2545665952304985380"},"published":{"$t":"2008-10-30T03:59:00.001+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2008-10-30T04:09:57.499+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"grateful"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"drug addiction"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"bad attitude"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"gratitude"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"addiction"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"narcotics anonymous"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"bantal peluk"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Grateful"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003c!--google_ad_section_start--\u003e\u003ch2 style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003eAttitudes\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"We can also use the steps to improve our attitudes.\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eBasic Text, p. 53\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eEver have a day when everything seems to be working against you? Do you go through periods when you are so busy taking people's inventories you can barely stand yourself? What about when you find yourself snapping at your coworker or loved one for no reason? When we find ourselves in this bleak frame of mind, we need to take action.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAt any point in the day, we can set a few moments and take a \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"spot inventory.\"\u003c/span\u003e We examine how we are reacting to out-side situations and other people. When we do, we may find that we are suffering from a plain old \"bad attitude.\"\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eA negative out-look can hurt our relationship with our Higher Power and the people in our lives. When we are honest with ourselves, we frequently find that the problem lies with us and our attitude.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe have no control over the challenges life gives us. What we can control is how we react to those challenges. At any point in time, we can change our attitude. The only thing that \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003ereally\u003c/span\u003e changes in Narcotic Anonymous is \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eus\u003c/span\u003e. The Twelve Steps give us the tools to move out of the problem and into the solution.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eJust for today:\u003c/span\u003e Throughout the day, I shall check my attitude. I shall apply the steps to improve it.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e------------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI was about to type a new post but the subject seems to elude me somehow. It has been like that for several days now. I told \u003ca href\u003d\"http://cendana287.wordpress.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eAhmad Cendana\u003c/a\u003e about it during our earlier \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003econversations\u003c/span\u003e via the SMS.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIn fact it was the first of many text messages between us after giving him my phone no. and street address. It could has been earlier had I not mistyped my own phone number. Yeah, it's true! I guess I must be sleepy or something. Or maybe I should cook-up some excuses like I used to do when I was still using. It was always the easiest way out, pointing the finger to others.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIn his message that took place on October 25th, 2008 at 03:02:01am (hehehe, I've saved it) he said, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"Just write what you feel and think, about ANYTHING. It should not be on any set topic, like a karangan (composition). At least that's how I try to do at the Recovery site...anything that comes from *the heart*\".\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThank you, my friend. I shall always bear that in mind. Anyway, I read a quote somewhere (still can't figure it out where did I read it?) that aptly say, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"if you can write one sentence, then you're already a writer\"\u003c/span\u003e or something to that effect. I know I can never be as good as the English folk does, but people like \u003ca href\u003d\"http://cendana287.wordpress.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eAhmad Cendana,\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href\u003d\"http://madsalos.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eMat Salo\u003c/a\u003e (incidentally a very distant relative from Langiang), \u003ca href\u003d\"http://elviza.wordpress.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eElviza\u003c/a\u003e (of Write Away's fame) and \u003ca href\u003d\"http://kamabakar.blogspot.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003ePuteri Kamaliah\u003c/a\u003e (another distant neighbour in Kuale Kangsor) just to name a few, can still appreciate and understand what I've written. Thank you guys. More will be written about them in the near future as my way to say I am grateful.\u003cspan class\u003d\"pullquote\"\u003eAfter almost a year of living on the road (I thought I was doing a favour to my family - don't want them to be ashamed and dragged them into the mess), in and out of jail, in and out of rehabilitation centers, I returned to my hometown, broke, sick, and beaten. Of course, my old friends from secondary school were still around, so I figured that I'd be taken care of. They didn't respond to me the way I'd anticipated. Frankly, they didn't seem to want to have anything to do with me, so I switched crowds. Humiliated, I ended up moving in with my family, because they were the only people that would claim me.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e[... be right with you after this little advertisement. If you don't want to miss any future post and are looking for a way to be notified of new content, please subscribe to this blog's \u003ca href\u003d\"http://feedburner.google.com/fb/a/mailverify?uri\u003darahman7\u0026amp;loc\u003den_US\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003efull RSS feed.\u003c/a\u003e Rest assure, it will be sent directly to your email inbox every time the BlogMaster add something to the blog. No hassle!]\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eRight, that's over with! Where were we? Ah yes! I want to share with you another \u003ca href\u003d\"http://cendana287.wordpress.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eAhmad Cendana's\u003c/a\u003e clear and deep perception of writing better. His advise to me, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"No, you can be better. Read and read, especially BOOKS and printed matter. Anyone can be better than another . And I would be happy for that. Anyway,I might be better than [and be] this year's Booker Prize winner, who knows? Just read, and write...repeat, repeat...\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAnd I'm sure you will be Booker Prize winner in the near future, if you didn't win it this year. I shall always pray for your success. Your success will be mine too especially among the addicts. I'm positive that you will be the much needed role model to our mutual friends who are still on the street. They can also be successful and be whatever they want as long as they are free from drug addiction (or whatever addiction it may be).\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI received an anonymous email today. It was kinda scary after reading it especially so whatever was said rings true. It reminded what my elders in TC (Therapeutic Community) when I was in Penjara Khas Seremban (special penitentiary for drug related crimes) who used to say, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"There's no graduation in drug addiction.\"\u003c/span\u003e It means to show that as long as I shall live, I've to be extra careful. In short, I can relapse and turn to drug addiction any time without me even realizing it. It's scary, huh? Especially so when I realized the sender of the email was...\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(51, 51, 255);\"\u003eYour addiction.........................  \u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(51, 51, 255);\"\u003eI hate your meetings. I hate your 12 steps. In fact, I hate anybody who has anything to do with a recovery program. Allow me to introduce myself…\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(51, 51, 255);\"\u003eI am your addiction.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(51, 51, 255);\"\u003eI am know to many in your program as “cunning, baffling and powerful.” And yet, I did not come uninvited. You chose me. In fact, you welcomed me with open arms.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(51, 51, 255);\"\u003eI was your courage, your strength and your hope. I took away your feelings of being shy, angry, lonely, tired, hungry and happy. Eventually, I took away any feeling you ever had until you were nothing but an empty shell- void of any feelings at all.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(51, 51, 255);\"\u003eWhen we first met, you said that you didn’t deserve all the good things you had in life. I was the only one who agreed with you and was more then happy to take it all away from you. But now you claim to have found a better way? You say that you have found a Higher Power? HA! I thought I was your higher power.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(51, 51, 255);\"\u003eWasn’t it me you used to turn to every morning and pray that I would stay down in your guts?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(51, 51, 255);\"\u003eWasn’t it me that you used to ask to steady your nerves and give you courage to face the world again?\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(51, 51, 255);\"\u003eI thought it would be you and me forever - friends to the end. And damn it, I almost had you until the end. But I let you slip away from me. I had you wrapped around my finger. I could make you beg, borrow and steal just to have me. I had you at the point of believing that suicide was the only way out…\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(51, 51, 255);\"\u003e…until your so-called Higher Power came to the rescue.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(51, 51, 255);\"\u003eBut that’s OK. I’m Patient- I can wait. You can’t see me, but you’ll always remember me. And every once in a while, I’ll remind you that I’m still here- waiting for you to return. So until we meet again… (If we meet again), I wish you a long painful, suffering death like you could have had with me.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:78%;\"\u003eFrom \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.na12.org/index.htm\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eThe Narcotics Anonymous Program\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWell, it's nearly 4am. I'm about to join my enraged beloved wife (for not given her the usual \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003enight-night\u003c/span\u003e kisses and hugs)\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThat's it, folk - ta ta, ti ti, tu tu...!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:78%;\"\u003e[... am tiptoeing to bed lest she knows I'm way pass my sleeping hour. Well, it's just one of those nights you only have your pillow (bantal peluk, bantal bucuk - take your pick) for company! Or should I say the standard, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003e\"Not tonight, Hon. I've a headache.\"...\u003c/span\u003e]\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"tag_list\"\u003eTechnorati Tags: \u003cspan class\u003d\"tags\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/addiction\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eaddiction\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/ahmad+cendana\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eahmad cendana\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/bad+attitude\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ebad attitude\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/bantal+bucuk\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ebantal bucuk\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/bantal+peluk\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ebantal peluk\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/drug+addiction\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003edrug addiction\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/elviza\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eelviza\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/grateful\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003egrateful\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/gratitude\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003egratitude\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/mat+salo\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003emat salo\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/narcotics+anonymous\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003enarcotics anonymous\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/no+graduation+in+drug+addiction\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eno graduation in drug addiction\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/puteri+kamaliah\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eputeri kamaliah\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/recovery+from+drug+addiction\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003erecovery from drug addiction\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_end--\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-2545665952304985380?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/2545665952304985380/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2008/10/grateful.html#comment-form","title":"17 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/2545665952304985380"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/2545665952304985380"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2008/10/grateful.html","title":"\u003ch1\u003eGrateful\u003c/h1\u003e"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"17"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-7831592296585328842"},"published":{"$t":"2008-10-16T11:46:00.001+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2008-10-16T13:20:27.850+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"make money with buluhmas"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"buluhmas"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"utusan malaysia online"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"loaded"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"facebook"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"narcotics anonymous"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"google"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"new straits times online"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"just for today"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"bnm press statements"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Making Money With BuluhMas"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003c!-google_ad_section_start-\u003e\u003ch2 style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003eBut they come \u0026 go\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"dropcap\"\u003eE\u003c/span\u003even since the news hit the masses last Monday on October 13th, 2008, I was bombarded with questions via email and hand phone. Unfortunately my hand phone was out of order since last Saturday (as I stated on \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id\u003d583901607\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eFaceBook\u003c/a\u003e) and I guess it's more practical to make a post about it to answer to all my friends inquiry rather than answering it one by one.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eYou can read about BuluhMas being busted by Central Bank of Malaysia (Bank Negara Malaysia) here on \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Wednesday/National/2375718/Article/index_html\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eThe New Straits Times Online,\u003c/a\u003e and here on \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.bnm.gov.my/index.php?ch\u003d8\u0026pg\u003d14\u0026ac\u003d1699\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eBNM Press Statements\u003c/a\u003e and here on \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y\u003d2008\u0026dt\u003d1014\u0026pub\u003dUtusan_Malaysia\u0026sec\u003dMuka_Hadapan\u0026pg\u003dmh_01.htm\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eUtusan Malaysia Online\u003c/a\u003e or you can just \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.google.com/webhp?hl\u003den\"\u003eGoogle\u003c/a\u003e it.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThis post is not about the legality of BuluhMas. The law can deal with it. If they say it's against the to make money with BuluhMas, so be it! If not, I can still live my life happily ever after. But one thing for sure, BuluhMas had been good to me. I didn't miss from getting paid, yet.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhen I was still using heroin heavily, I would not tolerate if I were to be asked, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003e\"What going on with BuluhMas? I heard their office had been raided by The BNM!\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI simply felt the questioners are just being sarcastic. I could see them standing akimbo, sneering at me. \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003e\"See, I told you so..., \"\u003c/span\u003e I heard them say.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIn a worst case scenario, it usually ended up with a fist fight. Oh boy, what a nut case I were before? I don't know, I just thought I were doing the right thing. I could never listened to any advises, no matter how sincere it was given. I just felt they were all being sarcastic and insincere. They were just jealous and wouldn't let me have my peace of mind!\u003cspan class\u003d\"pullquote\"\u003eThe story of my street using is pretty normal. I used anything and everything available every day. It didn't matter what I took so long as I got high. Drugs seemed good to me in those years. I was a crusader; I was an observer; I was afraid; and I was alone. Sometimes I felt all-powerful and sometimes I prayed for the comfort of idiocy - if only I didn't have to think. I remember feeling different - not quite human - and I couldn't stand it. I stayed in my natural state ... LOADED.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBut now after several years of living clean and sober, I felt different. I'm grateful for their thought and concerned about me. If I meant nothing to them, would I be receiving those kind messages? It's a nice feeling. I'm being loved after all. Thank you.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e-------------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ch2 style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003eThe simplest prayer\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003e\"... praying only for knowledge of God's will for us and the power to carry that out.\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eStep Eleven\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHow do we pray? With little experience, many of us don't even know how to begin. The process, however, is neither difficult nor complicated.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe came to Narcotics Anonymous because of our drug addiction. But underlying that, many of us felt a deep sense of bewilderment with life itself. We seemed to be lost, wandering a trackless waste with no one to guide us. Prayer is a way to gain direction in life and the power to follow that direction.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBecause prayer plays such a central part in NA recovery, many of us set aside a particular time each day to pray, establishing a pattern. In this quiet time, we \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003e\"talk\"\u003c/span\u003e with God, either silently or aloud. We share our thoughts, our feelings, our day. We ask, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003e\"What would You have me do?\"\u003c/span\u003e At the same time we ask, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003e\"Please give me the power to carry out Your will.\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eLearning to pray is simple. We ask for \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003e\"knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.\"\u003c/span\u003e By doing that, we find the direction we lacked and the strength we need to fulfill God's will.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eJust for today:\u003c/span\u003e I shall set aside some quiet time to \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003e\"talk\"\u003c/span\u003e with God. I shall ask for God's direction and the ability to act on it.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e-----------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWell, that conclude our session today. As usual, before I take my leave here's a warning to parents about 'Pharming' brought to you by The News Room.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cscript language\u003d\"javascript\" src\u003d\"http://www.thenewsroom.com//mash/swf/voxant_player.js?a\u003dV1753966\u0026m\u003d660918\u0026w\u003d420\u0026h\u003d375\u0026v\u003d2\"\u003e\u003c/script\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"tag_list\"\u003eTechnorati Tags: \u003cspan class\u003d\"tags\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/bnm+press+statements\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ebnm press statements\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/buluhmas\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ebuluhmas\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/clean+and+sober\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eclean and sober\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/facebook\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003efacebook\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/google\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003egoogle\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/just+for+today\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ejust for today\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/loaded\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eloaded\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/make+money+with+buluhmas\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003emake money with buluhmas\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/narcotics+anonymous\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003enarcotics anonymous\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/new+straits+times+online\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003enew straits times online\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/simplest+prayer\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003esimplest prayer\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/utusan+malaysia+online\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eutusan malaysia online\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c!-google_ad_section_end-\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-7831592296585328842?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/7831592296585328842/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2008/10/making-money-with-buluhmas.html#comment-form","title":"7 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/7831592296585328842"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/7831592296585328842"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2008/10/making-money-with-buluhmas.html","title":"\u003ch1\u003eMaking Money With BuluhMas\u003c/h1\u003e"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"7"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-8528033074409410188"},"published":{"$t":"2008-09-29T18:59:00.001+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2008-09-29T19:07:29.482+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"jail"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"aidil fitri"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"selamat hari raya"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"drug addict"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"dirty syringe"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"recovering addicts"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"dirty needle"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"just for today"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"rehab center"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"helping hand in na"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"eid ul fitri"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Selamat 'Aidil Fitri"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003c!--google_ad_section_start--\u003e\u003ch2 style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003eRight Back Up\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"There is something in our self-destructive personalities that cries for failure.\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eBasic Text, p. 77\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"Poor me; woe is me; look at me, my life is such a mess! I've fallen, and no matter how hard I try, I continue to fail.\"\u003c/span\u003e Many of us came to NA singing this sad refrain.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eLife isn't like that anymore. True, sometimes we still stumble; at times we even fall. Sometimes we feel like we can't move forward in our lives, no matter how hard we try. But the truth of the matter is that, with the help of other recovering addicts in NA, we find a hand to pull us up, dust us off, and help us start all over again. That's the new refrain in our lives again.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eNo longer do we say, \"I'm a failure and I'm going nowhere.\" Usually, it's more like, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"Rats! I hit that same bump in the road of life again. Pretty soon I shall learn to slow down or avoid it entirely.\"\u003c/span\u003e Until then, we may continue to fall down occasionally, but we've learned that there's always a helping hand to set us on our feet again.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eJust for today:\u003c/span\u003e If I begin to cry failure, I shall remember there is a way to move forward. I shall accept the encouragement and support of NA.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e---------------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ch2 style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003eSelamat Hari Raya\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"dropcap\"\u003eW\u003c/span\u003ehen I was still using, I used to feel that way. As though there's no life for me anymore. I sort of lost hope with nothing to look for in the future. So, I kept on using. Sometimes I wished I could just die. I felt so tired of living, living life with the same old routine every single day. Day in and day out I lead the same kinda life. The first thing that I thought about whenever I opened up my eyes was drug - where was I going to get it (to score) or where was I going to get the money to buy it?\u003cspan class\u003d\"pullquote\"\u003eRecovery is a healing process from which I am emerging stronger and more able to face the tasks ahead of me. It is sad that we must pass through such hell before reaching the serenity of peace of mind in recovery.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eDo you know that it took quite some times before I admitted I was a drug addict. I've used, misused and abused drugs and still I did not consider myself an addict. All through it all, I kept telling myself, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"I can handle it,\"\u003c/span\u003e or \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"I'm using it just for fun,\"\u003c/span\u003e or \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"I can quit any time that I want to!\"\u003c/span\u003e Because I thought (it was misconceptions about the nature of addiction really) addictions are full of violence, street crime, dirty syringes and rehab centers. And I was not violence at all, I don't do street crime or used needle to get high and I certainly not going to any rehab centers nor jails! How wrong I was?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eJust the same, I never thought there was anything special whether it was Ramadan (fasting month) or Eid ul-Fitr? It was all the same to me. I still eat as usual during Ramadan and I don't bother to go to the mosque to perform Teraweh. To me every day is Eid ul-Fitr especially when I got enough money and drugs to stay high all day! No drug meant no Eid ul-Fitr. It was as simple as that.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOnly now (for the past five years actually) do I realized how wrong I've been. Ramadan and Eid ul-Fitr are special occasions. I admit for my lack of credibility and I certainly cannot go back to undo any of the damages that I have done. But with all the support I have in my life today, I intend to remain clean and sober for the rest of my life (one day at a time).\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eTo all my friends especially the Muslim, please accept my apology for every mistakes I made whether I realized it or not. Selamat Hari Raya!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SOBx0330viI/AAAAAAAAAxk/QzyhPqh3Q50/s1600-h/selamat+hari+raya-web.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SOBx0330viI/AAAAAAAAAxk/QzyhPqh3Q50/s400/selamat+hari+raya-web.jpg\" alt\u003d\"Happy Eid ul-Fitr to all my Muslim friends\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5251322318679227938\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI dedicated this post to \u003ca href\u003d\"http://cendana287.wordpress.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eAhmad Anon(ymous)),\u003c/a\u003e a fellow traveller. Selamat hari raya. Maap zahir batin.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"tag_list\"\u003eTechnorati Tags: \u003cspan class\u003d\"tags\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/aidil+fitri\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eaidil fitri\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/dirty+needle\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003edirty needle\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/dirty+syringe\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003edirty syringe\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/drug+addict\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003edrug addict\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/eid+ul+fitri\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eeid ul fitri\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/fasting+month+ramadan\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003efasting month ramadan\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/helping+hand+in+na\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ehelping hand in na\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/jail\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ejail\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/just+for+today\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ejust for today\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/recovering+addicts\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003erecovering addicts\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/rehab+center\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003erehab center\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/sad+refrain\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003esad refrain\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/selamat+hari+raya\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eselamat hari raya\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/self+destructive+personalities\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eself destructive personalities\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/special+occasion+for+every+muslim\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003especial occasion for every muslim\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_end--\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-8528033074409410188?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/8528033074409410188/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2008/09/selamat-aidil-fitri.html#comment-form","title":"5 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/8528033074409410188"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/8528033074409410188"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2008/09/selamat-aidil-fitri.html","title":"\u003ch1\u003eSelamat 'Aidil Fitri\u003c/h1\u003e"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SOBx0330viI/AAAAAAAAAxk/QzyhPqh3Q50/s72-c/selamat+hari+raya-web.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"5"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-1484225953645967724"},"published":{"$t":"2008-09-16T22:03:00.001+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2008-09-16T22:27:17.482+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"afterimage"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"near balance"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"anti narcotics elite police"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"two wolves"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"cherokee legend"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"d8"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"prayer"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"hope"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"jelebu drug rehabilitation institute"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"meditation"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"emotional balance"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The Two Wolves"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003c!-google_ad_section_start-\u003e\u003ch2 style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003eEmotional Balance\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003e\"Emotional balance is one of the first results of meditation, and our experience bears this out.\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eBasic Text, p. 45\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"dropcap\"\u003eT\u003c/span\u003ehough each of us defines \"emotional balance\" a little differently, all of us must find it. Emotional balance can mean finding and maintaining a positive outlook on life, regardless of what may be happening around us. To some, it might mean an understanding of our emotions that allows us to respond, not react, to our feelings. It can mean that we experience our feelings as intensely as we can while also moderating their excessive expression.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eEmotional balance comes with practice in prayer and meditation. We get quiet and share our thoughts and hopes with God. Then we listen for guidance, awaiting the power to act on that direction.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eEventually our skills in maintaining near-balance get better, and the wild up-and -down emotional swings we used to experience begin to settle. We develop an ability to let others feel their feelings; we have no need to judge them. And we fully embrace our own personal range of emotions.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eJust for today:\u003c/span\u003e Through regular prayer and meditation, I shall discover what emotional balance means to me.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e--------------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ch2 style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003eAn Afterimage\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"dropcap\"\u003eA\u003c/span\u003es I was driving down the highway to Ipoh, with my usual speed so as making up unusually good time, a police car came out of nowhere - blue strobe lights whirling, making considerable noise with it siren. My stomach clenched. \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003eGee, was I speeding\u003c/span\u003e as though I didn't know?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBut then the police cruiser speed on passing me on high gear, chasing down God knows who, leaving me with only an afterimage burnt on my retina and a memory of a time I rarely thought about any more.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eA D8 (Malaysian anti-narcotics elite police force) officer took me into the courtroom in handcuffs.\u003cspan class\u003d\"pullquote\"\u003eSurviving against all odds, we are addicts who meet regularly. We respond to honest sharing and listen to the stories of our members for the message of recovery. We realize that there is hope for us at last. We make use of the tools that have worked for other recovering addicts who have learned in NA to live without drugs. Our primary purpose is to stay clean and to carry the message to the addict who still suffers.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI wore a white \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003ePagoda\u003c/span\u003e round neck t-shirt, which was too big on me making me looked exactly like I want the Honorable Judge to look - a sad looking creature who deserve a second or maybe a third chance (I lost counts, really). The D8 police officer, a squat, potbellied man (like he was pregnant 8 months), took me over to the long wooden table next to my lawyer. The D8 man waited until I sat down before he removed the cuffs.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe courtroom was stuffy and overheated, smelt of perspiration and cleaning fluid. I glanced at my attorney, my own brother-in-law Wan Nazri who'd been assigned to defend me by my beloved Mum. He gave me a quick, sympathetic look that told me he wasn't hopeful.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMy heart was pounding loudly. The Magistrate was big with a tangle of frizzy red hair (dye?) who wore tortoiseshell reading glasses on a chain round her neck. She was whispering something serious to the clerk who just nodded her head. I stared at the nameplate in front of her: THE HONORABLE ZURIDAH BINTI SUHUD.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFinally, the judge turned towards me, peering me over her half moon glasses. Right on time, she cleared her throat. 'ArahMan7,' she said. 'When I was just a student in the State (I guess she meant USA), I heard a Cherokee legend about a young man like you who keeps getting into trouble because of his aggressive tendencies. The young man goes to see his grandfather, and says, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003e\"Sometimes I feel such anger that I can't stop myself.\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAnd his grandfather, who's a wise tribal elder, says, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003e\"I used to be the same way. You see, inside of you are two wolves. One is kind and peaceful, and the other one is mean and angry. The mean wolf is always fighting the good wolf.\"\u003c/span\u003e The boy thought for a moment, then said, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003e\"But, Grandfather, which wolf will win?\"\u003c/span\u003e And the old man said, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003e\"The one you feed.\"\u003c/span\u003e'\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eShe picked up a manila folder, flipped it open. A minute went by. Then two. My mouth had gone dry, and I was finding it hard to swallow. It was difficult to breathe even. Finally, I took a deep breathe.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e'ArahMan7, I have found you guilty of criminally \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003eblah blah blah.'\u003c/span\u003e My brother-in-law next to me inhaled slowly. 'You should thank your lucky stars that I'm in such a good mood today. (As a matter of fact, I've never told anyone any story, not even to my dear Hubby!) I'm remanding you to a limited-secure residential facility - that is, Jelebu Drug Rehabilitation Institute for thirty six months. And I can only hope that by the time you've completed your sentence, you'll have learned which wolf to feed.'\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://www.womensfunnyvideos.com/Inspirational/two-wolves.htm\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;\" src\u003d\"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SM-McjiRw_I/AAAAAAAAAxE/kkOO1XxVRSU/s400/twoWolves450.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Two wolves, which one the good or evil you gonna feed?\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246566513113154546\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ccenter\u003eImage submitted by Pam Henderson of \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.womensfunnyvideos.com/Inspirational/two-wolves.htm\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eWomen's Funny Videos\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBelow, another great news \"Talking To Children About Drug Addiction\" brought to you by \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.thenewsroom.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eThe News Room.\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cscript language\u003d\"javascript\" src\u003d\"http://www.thenewsroom.com//mash/swf/voxant_player.js?a\u003dV2129336\u0026m\u003d628874\u0026w\u003d420\u0026h\u003d375\u0026v\u003d2\"\u003e\u003c/script\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"tag_list\"\u003eTechnorati Tags: \u003cspan class\u003d\"tags\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/afterimage\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eafterimage\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/anti+narcotics+elite+police\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eanti narcotics elite police\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/cherokee+legend\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003echerokee legend\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/d8\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ed8\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/emotional+balance\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eemotional balance\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/hope\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ehope\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/jelebu+drug+rehabilitation+institute\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ejelebu drug rehabilitation institute\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/meditation\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003emeditation\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/near+balance\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003enear balance\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/prayer\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eprayer\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/two+wolves\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003etwo wolves\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"tag_list\"\u003eFiled in del.icio.us: \u003cspan\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://del.icio.us/clearliconfused/afterimage,\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eafterimage,\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href\u003d\"http://del.icio.us/clearliconfused/anti\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eanti\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href\u003d\"http://del.icio.us/clearliconfused/narcotics\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003enarcotics\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href\u003d\"http://del.icio.us/clearliconfused/elite\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eelite\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href\u003d\"http://del.icio.us/clearliconfused/police,\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003epolice,\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href\u003d\"http://del.icio.us/clearliconfused/cherokee\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003echerokee\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href\u003d\"http://del.icio.us/clearliconfused/legend,\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003elegend,\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href\u003d\"http://del.icio.us/clearliconfused/d8,\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ed8,\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href\u003d\"http://del.icio.us/clearliconfused/emotional\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eemotional\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href\u003d\"http://del.icio.us/clearliconfused/balance,\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ebalance,\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href\u003d\"http://del.icio.us/clearliconfused/hope,\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ehope,\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href\u003d\"http://del.icio.us/clearliconfused/jelebu\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ejelebu\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href\u003d\"http://del.icio.us/clearliconfused/drug\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003edrug\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href\u003d\"http://del.icio.us/clearliconfused/rehabilitation\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003erehabilitation\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href\u003d\"http://del.icio.us/clearliconfused/institute,\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003einstitute,\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href\u003d\"http://del.icio.us/clearliconfused/meditation,\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003emeditation,\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href\u003d\"http://del.icio.us/clearliconfused/near\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003enear\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href\u003d\"http://del.icio.us/clearliconfused/balance,\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ebalance,\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href\u003d\"http://del.icio.us/clearliconfused/prayer,\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eprayer,\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href\u003d\"http://del.icio.us/clearliconfused/two\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003etwo\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href\u003d\"http://del.icio.us/clearliconfused/wolves,\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ewolves,\u003c/a\u003e \u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c!-google_ad_section_end-\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-1484225953645967724?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/1484225953645967724/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2008/09/two-wolves.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/1484225953645967724"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/1484225953645967724"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2008/09/two-wolves.html","title":"\u003ch1\u003eThe Two Wolves\u003c/h1\u003e"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SM-McjiRw_I/AAAAAAAAAxE/kkOO1XxVRSU/s72-c/twoWolves450.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-7996564409131611315"},"published":{"$t":"2008-06-10T20:56:00.007+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2008-06-10T23:42:36.216+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"changing motives"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"garbage trucks"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"recovery"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"letting go"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Letting Go"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eChanging Motives\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"When we finally get own selfish motives out of the way, we begin to find a peace that we never imagined possible.\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eBasic Text, p. 44\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAs we examined our beliefs, our actions, and our motives in recovery, we'll find that sometimes we do things for the wrong reasons. In our early recovery, we may have spent a great deal of money and time on people, wanting only for them to like us. Later on, we may find that we still spend money on people, but our motives have changed. We do it because \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003ewe\u003c/span\u003e like \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003ethem.\u003c/span\u003e Or perhaps we used to get romantically involved because we felt hollow inside and were seeking fulfillment through another person. Now our reasons for romantic involvement are based in a desire to share our already rewarding lives with an equal partner. Maybe we used to work the steps because we were afraid we'd relapse if we didn't. Today we work the steps because we want to grow spiritually.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe have a new purpose in life today, and our changing motives reflect that. We have so much more to offer than our neediness and insecurities. We have developed a wholesomeness of spirit and a peace of mind that moves our recovery into a new realm. We extend our love and share our recovery with complete generosity, and the difference we make is the legacy we leave to those who have yet to join us.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eJust for today:\u003c/span\u003e In recovery, my motives have changed. I want to do things for the right reason, not just for my personal benefit. Today, I shall examine my motives.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e----------------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_start--\u003e\u003ch2 style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003eThe Law of the Garbage Truck\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eBeware of Garbage Trucks by David J. Pollay\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"dropcap\"\u003eB\u003c/span\u003eelow is a very interesting article about the concept of letting go. A very dear friend of mine who would like to remain anonymous sent it to me these afternoon via one of her many emails. I hope by reading the little story will make you understand more clearly about the concept of letting go. When I was still active drugging myself, I found it difficult to accept other people especially those I thought who wanna hurt me. I kept on saying one of these days I gonna make them pay for what they have done to me, but once I forgave them all I felt relieved. Anyway, have fun reading it.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHow often do you let other people's nonsense change your mood? Do you let a bad driver, rude waiter, curt boss, or an insensitive employee ruin your day? Unless you're the Terminator, for an instant you're probably set back on your heels. However, the mark of a successful person is how quickly he/she can get back her focus on what's important.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSixteen years ago I learned this lesson. I learned it in the back of a New York City taxi cab.\u003cspan class\u003d\"pullquote\"\u003eSharing with fellow addicts is a basic tool in our program. This help can only come from another addict. It is this help that says, \"I have had something like that happen to me, and I did this... \"\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eFor anyone who wants our way of life, we share experience, strength, and hope instead of preaching and judging. If sharing the experience of our pain helps just one person, it was worth the suffering. We strengthen our own recovery when we share it with others who ask for help. If we keep what we have to share, we lose it. Words mean nothing until we put them into action.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHere's what happened.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI hopped in a taxi, and we took off for Grand Central Station. We were driving in the right lane when, all of a sudden, a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his breaks, skidded, and missed the other car's back end by just inches!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe driver of the other car, the guy who almost caused a big accident, whipped his head around and he started yelling bad words at us.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMy taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy.  And I mean, he was friendly.  So, I said, 'Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!'\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAnd this is when my taxi driver told me what I now call, 'The Law of the Garbage Truck.'\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMany people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it. And if you let them, they'll dump it on you. When someone wants to dump on you, don't take it personally.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eYou just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. You'll be happy you did.  So this was it: The 'Law of the Garbage Truck.'\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI started thinking, how often do I let Garbage Trucks run right over me? And how often do I take their garbage and spread it to other people: at work, at home, on the streets? It was that day I said, 'I'm not going to do it anymore.' I began to see garbage trucks.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI see the load they're carrying. I see them coming to drop it off. And like my Taxi Driver, I don't make it a personal thing; I just smile, wave, wish them well, and I move on.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOne of my favorite football players of all time, Walter Payton, did this every day on the football field. He would jump up as quickly as he hit the ground after being tackled. He never dwelled on a hit. Payton was ready to make the next play his best.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eGood leaders know they have to be ready for their next meeting. Good parents know that they have to welcome their children home from school with hugs and kisses.  Teachers and parents know that they have to be fully present, and at their best for the people they care about.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe bottom line is that successful people do not let Garbage Trucks take over their day. What about you? What would happen in your life, starting today, if you let more garbage trucks pass you by?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHere's my bet.\u003cbr /\u003eYou'll be happier.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSo.. Love the people who treat you right.\u003cbr /\u003eForget about the ones who don't.\u003cbr /\u003eBelieve that everything happens for a reason.\u003cbr /\u003eIf you get a chance, TAKE IT!\u003cbr /\u003eIf it changes your life, LET IT!\u003cbr /\u003eNobody said it would be easy...\u003cbr /\u003eThey just promised it would be worth it!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://bp3.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SE6E1JLXTPI/AAAAAAAAAwY/DwtTyoSRfoE/s1600-h/rose.gif\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://bp3.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SE6E1JLXTPI/AAAAAAAAAwY/DwtTyoSRfoE/s200/rose.gif\" alt\u003d\"A Rose for ArahMan7\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210247867445759218\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\"Blessings always look small if we hold them in our hands. But if we learn to share them, we realize how great \u0026amp; precious they are!\" \u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://bp3.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SE6E1ULOwfI/AAAAAAAAAwg/YpgwQOV9G-c/s1600-h/deep+in+thought.gif\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://bp3.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SE6E1ULOwfI/AAAAAAAAAwg/YpgwQOV9G-c/s200/deep+in+thought.gif\" alt\u003d\"ArahMan7 deep in thought\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210247870397989362\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAs usual before I took my leave, here's another great news brought to you by \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.thenewsroom.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eThe News Room\u003c/a\u003e entitled, Program Helps Ex-Convict \u0026 Addict Land Job On HBO's 'The Wire'.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eEnjoy, my friends. See you when I see you.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cscript language\u003d\"javascript\" src\u003d\"http://www.thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/voxant_player.js?a\u003dV357376\u0026m\u003d504840\u0026w\u003d351\u0026h\u003d551\"\u003e\u003c/script\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"tag_list\"\u003eTechnorati Tags: \u003cspan class\u003d\"tags\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/changing+motives\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003echanging motives\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/do+things+for+the+right+reason\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003edo things for the right reason\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/garbage+trucks\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003egarbage trucks\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/letting+go\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eletting go\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/neediness+and+insecurities\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eneediness and insecurities\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/peace+of+mind\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003epeace of mind\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/personal+benefit\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003epersonal benefit\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/recovery\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003erecovery\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/working+the+steps\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eworking the steps\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_end--\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-7996564409131611315?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/7996564409131611315/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2008/06/letting-go.html#comment-form","title":"13 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/7996564409131611315"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/7996564409131611315"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2008/06/letting-go.html","title":"\u003ch1\u003eLetting Go\u003c/h1\u003e"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://bp3.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SE6E1JLXTPI/AAAAAAAAAwY/DwtTyoSRfoE/s72-c/rose.gif","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"13"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-8884983934614091704"},"published":{"$t":"2008-06-04T08:05:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2008-06-04T11:48:38.919+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"drug addicts"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"direct indirect amends"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"stigma"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"hate me"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Hate Me!"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eDirect and indirect amends\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003e\"We make our amends to the best of our ability.\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eBasic Text, p. 40\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe Ninth Step tells us to make direct amends wherever possible. Our experience tells us to follow up those direct amends with long-lasting changes in our attitudes and our behaviour - that is, with \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003eindirect\u003c/span\u003e amends.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFor example, say we've broken someone's window because we were angry. Looking soulfully into the eyes of the person whose window we've broken and apologizing would not be sufficient. We directly amend the wrong we've done by admitting it and replacing the window - we mend what we have damaged.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThen, we follow up our direct amends with \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003eindirect\u003c/span\u003e amends. If we've acted out on our anger, breaking someone's window, we examine the patterns of our behaviour and our attitudes. After we repair the broken window, we seek to repair our broken attitudes as well - we try to \"mend our ways.\" We modify our behaviour, and make a daily effort not to act out on our anger.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe make direct amends by repairing the damage we do. We make indirect amends by repairing the attitudes that cause us to do damage in the first place, helping insure we won't cause further damage in the future.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eJust for today: I shall make direct amends, wherever possible. I shall also make indirect amends, \"mending my ways,\" changing my attitudes, and altering my behaviour.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e-----------------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c!-google_ad_section_start-\u003e\u003ch2 style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003eJust because I'm a drug addict!\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"dropcap\"\u003eT\u003c/span\u003ehere was an email from a very angry lady in my Inbox since yesterday. She was telling a drug addict like me is the scum of the earth. She thought that the world will be a better place to live if there are no drug addicts, especially me. She even puked herself dry when she read my posts telling the world how good I've became. She kept on telling reminding me that I am a drug addict, nothing special about me at all.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eDear nice Lady. Thank you for reminding me that I am a drug addict and I know there's nothing great about me at all. In fact I've live in shamed and I've sinned so much for the past twenty-four years living the unmanageable life as a drug addict.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI know no matter what I say or do, you will not believe me. Yours are full of hate and your mind closes up, failing to believe to anything that I do or say. It will only be registered in your mind as a show-off. You truly believed that there are no sincerity whatsoever just because I'm a drug addict? You don't even believed I can stay clean and sober till the day I die? And you've been praying everyday so that I shall fall and relapse?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBelieve me, dear nice Lady. You're not the only one. There are many others who has been praying like you. As you know when it come to the subject matter of drug addicts, you picture us as being dirty, homeless, cannot be trusted type and all the negative things you can label on us.\u003cspan class\u003d\"pullquote\"\u003eMost of us did not consider ourselves addicted. The information available to us came from misinformed people. As long as we could stop using for a while, we thought we were all right. We looked at the stopping, not the using. As our addiction progressed, we thought of stopping less and less. Only in desperation did we ask ourselves, \"Could it be the drugs?\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eYeah, that was the stigma I've to shoulder till the day I die. I guess I've already getting used to be called so and so and I really don't mind at all. You can called me anything that you want to, as long as it pleases you. Don't worry, I've been called and referred to many things before, worst than the one you referred me. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI was wondering why do you hated us so much? What have we done to you? Did any of us asked you for some money to buy drugs? Did any of us kicked or stepped on you in a harmful way? Please tell me if any of us forced you to buy things for them? Or any of them threated to expose who you are?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWait a minute, I think I know why you hated drug addicts. Is your boy friend a drug addict, or your husband, perhaps?? Yes, that it! I've hit the right button. For whatever it worth, everything that happens, sometimes it affects you or sometimes it's just plain none of your business not benefiting or harming you whatsoever. But one thing for sure is that when things happened to you, they are for a reason.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI think I know what you've gone through with your boy friend/husband. I guess he had done any of the things I have mentioned above. In a very serious scenario, he had done all of those things! I'm really sorry, my sympathy for you but I shall not call you stupid or anything like you referred yourself. You've got to stop blaming yourself and calling yourself names. I repeat, nobody was calling you stupid for not knowing how to choose a boy friend/husband? Even myself made the same mistakes too but I didn't blame myself as being dumb because I surely believe when things happened to you, there must be a reason for it.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eNow, I'm not saying I'm a very good person and I would really love to be a good person like you. I hope you can teach me somehow...\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThat's all for now, nice lady. Do write some more. I kinda like it. The more hate you put in it, the more I'm grateful.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBefore I took my leave, here's another great news brought to you by \u003ca href\u003d\"http://thenewsroom.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eTheNewsRoom,\u003c/a\u003e entitled Former Drug Addict Thanks His Arresting Officer.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cscript language\u003d\"javascript\" src\u003d\"http://thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/voxant_player.js?a\u003dV2053318\u0026m\u003d498465\u0026w\u003d351\u0026h\u003d551\"\u003e\u003c/script\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"tag_list\"\u003eTechnorati Tags: \u003cspan class\u003d\"tags\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/direct+indirect+amends\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003edirect indirect amends\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/drug+addicts\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003edrug addicts\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/fall+and+relapse\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003efall and relapse\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/hate+me\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ehate me\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/mending+my+ways\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003emending my ways\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/scum+of+the+earth\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003escum of the earth\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/stigma\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003estigma\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/till+the+day+I+die\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003etill the day I die\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/unmanageable+life\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eunmanageable life\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c!-google_ad_section_end-\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-8884983934614091704?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/8884983934614091704/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2008/06/hate-me.html#comment-form","title":"5 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/8884983934614091704"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/8884983934614091704"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2008/06/hate-me.html","title":"\u003ch1\u003eHate Me!\u003c/h1\u003e"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"5"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-2047562181563773691"},"published":{"$t":"2008-05-26T19:26:00.005+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2008-05-26T23:19:35.710+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"addiction sign"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"recovery"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"5 Ways To Spot An Addict"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003c!--google_ad_section_start--\u003e\u003ch2 style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003e\"Good\" and \"bad\" feelings\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"A lot happens in one day, both negative and positive. If we do not take time to appreciate both, perhaps we will miss something that will help us grow.\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eIP No. 8, Just For Today\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMost of us seem to unconsciously judge what happens in our lives each day as good or bad, success or failure. We tend to feel happy about the \"good\" and angry, frustrated, or guilty about the \"bad.\" Good and bad feelings, though, often have little to do with what's truly good or bad for us. We may learn more from our failures than our successes, especially if failure has come from taking a risk.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAttaching value judgments to our emotional reactions ties us to our old ways of thinking. We can change the way we think about the incidents of everyday life, viewing them as opportunities for growth, not as good or bad. When we do this, we learn something from each day. Our daily Tenth Step is an excellent tool for evaluating the day's events and learning from both success and failure.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eJust for today:\u003c/span\u003e I am offered an opportunity to apply the principles of recovery so that I shall learn and grow. When I learn from life's events, I succeed.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e------------------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eNot too long ago I received an email from Clare Flynn who offered me one of her articles, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.meditoxofpalmbeach.com/blog/5-ways-to-spot-an-addict/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e5 Ways To Spot An Addict\u003c/a\u003e to be published here. You can also use this tiny url, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://tinyurl.com/66lz5g\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003ehttp://tinyurl.com/66lz5g\u003c/a\u003e just in case the one above url was wrapped. So, here goes;\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIf you suspect a friend, colleague or loved-one is addicted, you might be afraid of approaching the person, how can you tell if someone might be addicted?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eConfronting someone based purely on a gut instinct could lead to a big mistake and a real mess if you are wrong, but if you care about this person you desperately want to help.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhat can you do?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:130%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eTop 5 Warning Signs\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHere are 5 warning signs that point to addiction:\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e1. Social withdrawal\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAddicts will often withdraw from their normal social circles, becoming distant from friends, family and work colleagues.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAs the addiction is prioritized relationships, studies and careers suffer.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOf course people can become distant for many reasons, work stress, worries, illness, but a sign might be evasiveness when approached about it.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e2. Personality changes\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAs someone becomes addicted their personality can change.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOnce happy and bubbly personalities can lose energy, have less get up and go, and become less outgoing.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eLook for signs of lethargy, and moodiness.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMany addicts become depressed, especially when addicted to opiates which affect your serotonin receptors.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e3. Physical Withdrawal symptoms\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAt the outset you might spot that they are tired all the time, jumpy or just not looking healthy.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eDepending on the dependency, the person could suffer from sleeplessness, anxiety, or even apparent illnesses like nausea and diarrhea.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOf course they could just be feeling sick, so look for other signs rather than jump to conclusions.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e4. Financial impact\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe combination of falling behind at work and funding the addiction can cause a great deal of financial weight on top of the physical symptoms.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMoney that should be paying bills, food, and so on is instead going to their new priority.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAre they borrowing more? Do their spending habits seem to have changed? Have they stopped doing activities they used to pay to take part in or attend?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e5. Trouble with the law\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhile not every addict will have a scrape with the law, trying to ease the financial burden through petty crime, and the illegal nature of the addiction or drug source could lead to an increased risk of being arrested.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAlso the psychological changes could mean the person gets into fights, accidents or associating with the less upstanding members of society.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:130%;\"\u003eSummary\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eEach symptom in isolation could be just a coincidence but the more factors that seem to fit the more you should be thinking about seeking advice. Just make sure you tread cautiously. The earlier you can detect the signs the faster you can find help, and the less damage there will be for everyone concerned.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e----------------------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:130%;\"\u003eMy take:\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHere is a true story. One of my client who can't read or don't want to accept the warning signs to addiction ends up marrying an addict husband who treated her like football. I really can't blame her, maybe she like it rough.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBut please take heed of these warning. For one, you can seek help for your loved one or at least you don't end up marrying an addict without you knowing it until it's too late. I'm an addict and I've been there and done that. I know how life can be a bloody mess living with an addict, especially with an addict who think he/she is always right and the rest are wrong!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThat's all for now, my friends. See you when I see you. Take care...\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"tag_list\"\u003eTechnorati Tags: \u003cspan class\u003d\"tags\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/good+and+bad+feelings\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003egood and bad feelings\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/sign+of+addiction\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003esign of addiction\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/warning+signs+that+point+to+addiction\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ewarning signs that point to addiction\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/ways+to+spot+an+addict\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eways to spot an addict\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_end--\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-2047562181563773691?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/2047562181563773691/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2008/05/5-ways-to-spot-addict.html#comment-form","title":"5 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/2047562181563773691"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/2047562181563773691"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2008/05/5-ways-to-spot-addict.html","title":"\u003ch1\u003e5 Ways To Spot An Addict\u003c/h1\u003e"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"5"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-7763328678794979158"},"published":{"$t":"2008-05-20T10:16:00.006+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2008-05-20T13:30:16.785+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"quality time"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"beautiful weekend"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"love"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Beautiful Weekend"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eFriends and amends - keeping it simple\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"We made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to od so would injure them or others.\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eStep Nine\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIn every relationship, we don't always handle things the way we would have hoped. But friendships don't have to end when we make mistakes; instead, we can make amends. If we are sincerely willing to accept the responsibilities involved in friendship and make the amends we owe, those friendships can become stronger and richer than ever.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMaking amends is simple. We approach the person we have harmed and say, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"I was wrong.\"\u003c/span\u003e Sometimes we avoid getting to the point, evading an admission of our own part in the affair. But that frustrates the intent of the Ninth Step. To make effective amends, we have to keep it simple; we admit our part, and leave it at that.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThere will be times when our friends won't accept our amends. Perhaps they need time to process what has happened. If that is the case, we must give them that time. After all, we were the ones in the wrong, not them. We have done our part; the rest is out of our hands.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eJust for today:\u003c/span\u003e I want to be a responsible friend. I shall strive to keep it simple when making amends.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e--------------------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ch2 style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003eQuality Times At LakeTown Resort\u003c/h2\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_start--\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eLast Friday after my beloved wife came back from work, I surprise her like I usually do almost everyday. Usually, my darling would never know what will I be doing or say to surprise her. One day, I could buy her a bunch of pink roses, or maybe a love poem which I stick-on her laptop, perhaps? Nice, huh?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI just love to see her smiling gleefully after receiving my gifts. After doing it almost everyday since our marriage, I could see that she anticipated a gift after a long hard works at her office. Sometime, I would hide behind a wall to see her reaction. When she noticed that I was no where to be seen, I could see her face turned to disappointment. It really breaks my heart to see her like that.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSo last Friday, after opening out the door for her and hugging her tight I whispered to her ear; \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"Why don't we go somewhere nice just the two of us this weekend?\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe could think of several places to go like Lumut, Penang, Langkawi or maybe even to Port Dickson! At last we decided to spent the weekend at Bukit Merah. Furthermore, I've never been there before and I thought it would be a very good idea to visit there now. And yeah, it turned out to be heavenly as I imagined it would be!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFor those who were regular readers here, would know how much I love my wife. And I also know many of you has been asking me when I gonna post a picture of my darling. After a long discussion, we have decided to post not one, but a series of pictures of our outing at Bukit Merah's LakeTown Resort, a beautiful place in Perak, Malaysia.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSo without further ado, I present you pictures of our trip to Bukit Merah and for the first time, you got the chance to see my Angel. Enjoy it, my friends and don't forget to leave a comment or two on this bloghttp://joanjoyce.com/blog/wp-trackback.php?p\u003d393.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://bp1.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SDJVCKlZ2jI/AAAAAAAAAtg/nki9p_sdfCM/s1600-h/DSC01405.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://bp1.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SDJVCKlZ2jI/AAAAAAAAAtg/nki9p_sdfCM/s320/DSC01405.JPG\" alt\u003d\"Hubby among the Deers\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202314015255681586\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ccenter style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eHubby in the Deer's park\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://bp1.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SDJPPKlZ2fI/AAAAAAAAAtA/CmIRk4_LJzM/s1600-h/DSC01350.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://bp1.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SDJPPKlZ2fI/AAAAAAAAAtA/CmIRk4_LJzM/s320/DSC01350.JPG\" alt\u003d\"Main entrace on the way up to Bukit Merah\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202307641524214258\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ccenter style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eMain Entrance On The Way Up To Bukit Merah\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://bp2.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SDJPPalZ2gI/AAAAAAAAAtI/GlFBo_nMyp8/s1600-h/DSC01386.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://bp2.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SDJPPalZ2gI/AAAAAAAAAtI/GlFBo_nMyp8/s320/DSC01386.JPG\" alt\u003d\"Husband and beloved wife at Eco-Park\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202307645819181570\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ccenter style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eHubby and Beloved Wife Together At Eco-Park\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://bp3.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SDJPPqlZ2hI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/rndLhBWF7oc/s1600-h/DSC01412.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://bp3.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SDJPPqlZ2hI/AAAAAAAAAtQ/rndLhBWF7oc/s320/DSC01412.JPG\" alt\u003d\"Beloved wife patting the Deer's head\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202307650114148882\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ccenter style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eEven the Deers Love the Wife, Let Alone Grateful Hubby\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://bp0.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SDJPP6lZ2iI/AAAAAAAAAtY/p-i5yy-Mz30/s1600-h/DSC01443.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://bp0.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SDJPP6lZ2iI/AAAAAAAAAtY/p-i5yy-Mz30/s320/DSC01443.JPG\" alt\u003d\"Floating Chalet\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202307654409116194\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ccenter style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eMemorable Nights At The Floating Chalet\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIf you like to see more pictures of us, please visit us at \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.flickr.com/photos/arahman7/sets/72157605117670905/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eArahMan7 on Flickr.\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"tag_list\"\u003eTechnorati Tags: \u003cspan class\u003d\"tags\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/beautiful+weekend\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ebeautiful weekend\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/forever+in+love\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eforever in love\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/honeymoon\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ehoneymoon\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/quality+time\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003equality time\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/recreation\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003erecreation\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/to+love+and+be+loved\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eto love and be loved\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_end--\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-7763328678794979158?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/7763328678794979158/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2008/05/beautiful-weekend.html#comment-form","title":"5 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/7763328678794979158"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/7763328678794979158"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2008/05/beautiful-weekend.html","title":"\u003ch1\u003eBeautiful Weekend\u003c/h1\u003e"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://bp1.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SDJVCKlZ2jI/AAAAAAAAAtg/nki9p_sdfCM/s72-c/DSC01405.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"5"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-2201892351427932416"},"published":{"$t":"2008-05-11T23:53:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2008-05-11T23:55:49.172+08:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Mother's Day"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ch2 style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003eBalancing The Scales\u003c/h2\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_start--\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"A lot of our chief concerns and major difficulties come from our inexperience with living without drugs. Often when we ask an oldtimer what to do, we are amazed at the simplicity of the answer.\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eBasic Text, p. 41-42\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFinding balance in recovery is quite a bit like sitting down with a set of scales and a pile of sand. The goal is to have an equal amount of sand on each side of the scales, achieving a balance of weight.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe do the same thing in recovery. We sit down with the foundation of our clean time and the Twelve Steps, then attempt to add employment, household responsibilities, friends, sponsees, relationships, meetings, and service in equal weights so that the scales balance. Our first try may throw our personal scales out of kilter. We may find that, because of our over-involvement in service, we have upset our employer or our family. But when we try to correct this problem by resigning from NA service altogether, the other side of the scales go out of balance.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe can ask for help from members who have stabilized their scales. These people are easy to recognize. They appear serene, composed, and self-assured. They'll smile in recognition at our dilemma and share how they slowed down, added only a few grains of sand at a time to either side of the scales, and were rewarded with balance in recovery.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eJust for today:\u003c/span\u003e I seek balance in my life. Today, I shall ask others to share their experience in finding that balance.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e-------------------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eToday is Mother's Day and for once I'm speechless. I just want to take a moment to wish you all a happy mothers day!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMake sure you take some time to enjoy it like I do. Below are a few pictures that was taken about a month ago at my parent's house in Longgeng.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://bp2.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SCcGmKlZ2bI/AAAAAAAAAsk/gilfGOQ05ME/s1600-h/BreakfastWithMum.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://bp2.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SCcGmKlZ2bI/AAAAAAAAAsk/gilfGOQ05ME/s400/BreakfastWithMum.jpg\" alt\u003d\"Breakfast With Mum\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199131547568560562\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://bp1.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SCcGl6lZ2aI/AAAAAAAAAsc/LTdmfWTeqWc/s1600-h/BreakfastWithDearMum.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://bp1.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SCcGl6lZ2aI/AAAAAAAAAsc/LTdmfWTeqWc/s400/BreakfastWithDearMum.jpg\" alt\u003d\"Breakfast With Dearest Mum\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199131543273593250\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://bp0.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SCcGlqlZ2ZI/AAAAAAAAAsU/dbgtfS11X-Y/s1600-h/BreakfastWithMumAndSis.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://bp0.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SCcGlqlZ2ZI/AAAAAAAAAsU/dbgtfS11X-Y/s400/BreakfastWithMumAndSis.jpg\" alt\u003d\"Mum With Youngest Sista\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199131538978625938\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://bp2.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SCcGlKlZ2YI/AAAAAAAAAsM/rV_-eD-TP-0/s1600-h/BreakfastInLonggeng.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://bp2.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SCcGlKlZ2YI/AAAAAAAAAsM/rV_-eD-TP-0/s400/BreakfastInLonggeng.jpg\" alt\u003d\"Breakfast in Lenggeng\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199131530388691330\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMom you are a shining star though the world doesn't know your name.\u003cbr /\u003eYou have no fancy title like Baroness or Dame.\u003cbr /\u003eMom you really are a star, my mother mentor and friend.\u003cbr /\u003eA Nobel Prize for motherhood is what I'd recommend.\u003cbr /\u003eAnd if I were rich I'd share my riches with you\u003cbr /\u003eI'd take you Mom on a spending spree each day the whole year through!\u003cbr /\u003eYou may not be famous, as your face is known to few.\u003cbr /\u003eBut Mom I think you are wonderful and I'm so proud of you!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:78%;\"\u003e(Copy and pasted from \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.mothersdaypoems.info/funny-mothers-day-poems.html\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eMothers Day Poems\u003c/a\u003e)\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBelow is another great news brought to you by \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.thenewsroom.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eThe News Room.\u003c/a\u003e Enjoy my friends!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSee you when I see you.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_end--\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cscript language\u003d\"javascript\" src\u003d\"http://thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/voxant_player.js?a\u003dT2178217\u0026amp;m\u003d471290\u0026amp;w\u003d410\u0026amp;h\u003d750\"\u003e\u003c/script\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"tag_list\"\u003eTechnorati Tags: \u003cspan class\u003d\"tags\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/mother+day\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003emother day\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/celebrating+mother\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ecelebrating mother\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/mum\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003emum\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/mummy\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003emummy\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/sista\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003esista\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-2201892351427932416?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/2201892351427932416/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2008/05/mothers-day.html#comment-form","title":"4 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/2201892351427932416"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/2201892351427932416"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2008/05/mothers-day.html","title":"\u003ch1\u003eMother's Day\u003c/h1\u003e"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://bp2.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SCcGmKlZ2bI/AAAAAAAAAsk/gilfGOQ05ME/s72-c/BreakfastWithMum.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"4"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-2538451054857387039"},"published":{"$t":"2008-05-06T07:25:00.001+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2008-05-06T07:32:35.002+08:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"PageRank 5"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ch2 style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003eJust Maybe...\u003c/h2\u003e\u003c!-google_ad_section_start-\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cfont style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"There is one thing more than anything else that will defeat us in our recovery; this is an attitude of indifference or intolerance toward spiritual principles.\"\u003c/font\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cfont style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eBasic Text, p. 18\u003c/font\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhen we first came to NA, many of us had great difficulty accepting the spiritual principles underlying this program - and for good reason. No matter how we'd tried to control our addiction, we'd found ourselves powerless. We grew angry and frustrated with anyone who suggested there was hope for us, because we knew better. Spiritual ideas may have had some bearing on other peoples' lives, but not on ours.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eDespite our indifference or intolerance toward spiritual principles, we were drawn to Narcotics Anonymous. There, we met other addicts. They'd been where we'd been, powerless and hopeless, yet they'd found a way not only to stop using but to live and enjoy life clean. They spoke of the spiritual principles that had pointed the way for them to this new life of recovery. For them, these principles were not just theories but a part of their practical experience. Yes, we had good reason to be skeptical, but these spiritual principles spoken of by other NA members really seemed to work.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOnce we admitted this, we didn't necessarily accept every single spiritual idea we heard. But we did start to think that, if these principles had worked for others, just maybe they'd work for us, too. For a beginning, that willingness was enough.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cfont style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eJust for today:\u003c/font\u003e Just maybe the spiritual principles I heard spoken of in NA might work for me. I am willing, at least, to open my mind to the possibility.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e---------------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWow, I didn't now that my \u003ca href\u003d\"http://arahman7.blogspot.com/2008/04/be-careful-what-you-ask-for.html\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003elast post\u003c/a\u003e got so many reactions from my readers offline. Especially from all my brothers and sisters-in-law. Everyone was home since last Thursday (Labour Day) coming home to visit my dear mother-in-law. One of them even challenged me to reveal who was the said lady?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhat can I say? I can only say please, please read the disclaimer I've pasted at the bottom of the post. To satisfy their desire I'm gonna paste the disclaimer again at the bottom of this post too. Read it, there was also written in plain view,\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003e* any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.\u003c/blockquote\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cfont style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 0, 0);\"\u003eUpdates:\u003c/font\u003e God's willing, next post will be about the times and life of a short documentary actor's wife. Let see if I can get the video.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThat's it, no more personal post after this! Today's post gonna be about this blog's PageRank. But before I proceed any further, I would like to explain what is PageRank?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cfont style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eWhat is PageRank?\u003c/font\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003ePageRank is a numeric value that represents how important a page is on the web. Google figures that when one page links to another page, it is effectively casting a vote for the other page. The more votes that are cast for a page, the more important the page must be. Also, the importance of the page that is casting the vote determines how important the vote itself is. Google calculates a page's importance from the votes cast for it. How important each vote is is taken into account when a page's PageRank is calculated.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003ePageRank is Google's way of deciding a page's importance. It matters because it is one of the factors that determines a page's ranking in the search results. It isn't the only factor that Google uses to rank pages, but it is an important one.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cfont style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 0, 0);\"\u003eNotes:\u003c/font\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eNot all links are counted by Google. For instance, they filter out links from known link farms. Some links can cause a site to be penalized by Google. They rightly figure that webmasters cannot control which sites link to their sites, but they can control which sites they link out to. For this reason, links into a site cannot harm the site, but links from a site can be harmful if they link to penalized sites. So be careful which sites you link to. If a site has PR0, it is usually a penalty, and it would be unwise to link to it.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cfont size\u003d\"1\"\u003e(copy and paste from \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.webworkshop.net/pagerank.html\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003ePageRank Explained)\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/font\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI didn't notice it at first but then my beloved wife came running to me and hugged me playfully. She said, \u003cfont style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"know something?\"\u003c/font\u003e And when I shook my head, she continued, \u003cfont style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"your blog is now at PR5!\"\u003c/font\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cfont style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"Nah, can be,\"\u003c/font\u003e I said.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWithout saying a word, my darling took my hand and went straight to my domain, where I placed my PC, audio and video gadgets. Below was the image I took using FireFox extension, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://screenshot-program.com/fireshot/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eFireShot.\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://bp0.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SB83m-z8vUI/AAAAAAAAAr8/f5pC-BWsSlI/s1600-h/Genuine_PR5_Blog.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://bp0.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SB83m-z8vUI/AAAAAAAAAr8/f5pC-BWsSlI/s400/Genuine_PR5_Blog.jpg\" alt\u003d\"Genuine PR5 Blog\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196933637844286786\" border\u003d\"0\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI still can't believed it yet. I clicked on \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.prchecker.info/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003ePR Checker,\u003c/a\u003e a free tool to check Google™ page ranking of any web site pages easily and to display your site's PageRank value on your web pages.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBelow was another image to confirm that this blog is a genuine PR5 blog. Yipeee! Both of us were so happy that I wrestle her down on the floor (sorry, no snap-shot for this scene). Anyway, just enjoy the view below...\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://bp2.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SB84Wez8vVI/AAAAAAAAAsE/T0GijCj7uE0/s1600-h/MyJourneyToRecoveryPR5.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://bp2.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SB84Wez8vVI/AAAAAAAAAsE/T0GijCj7uE0/s400/MyJourneyToRecoveryPR5.jpg\" alt\u003d\"My Journey To Recovery is a PR5 Blog\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5196934453888073042\" border\u003d\"0\"\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI know, many of you are a bit skeptical about PageRank. There's no big deal about it, it's just a number, right? Yeah, maybe you're right but for me it's another achievement, another milestone for this blog. I don't know whether I should say this (Google spy are everywhere and this blog can get slapped any time) but I was offered to monetize this blog many times over. Get my drift?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThat's it folk. See you when I see you.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBelow is another great news brought to you by \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.thenewsroom.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eThe News Room.\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cscript language\u003d\"javascript\" src\u003d\"http://thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/voxant_player.js?a\u003dV2132978\u0026m\u003d464036\u0026w\u003d400\u0026h\u003d500\"\u003e\u003c/script\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_end--\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eTechnorati Tags: \u003cfont class\u003d\"tags\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/another+achievement\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eanother achievement\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/milestone\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003emilestone\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/pagerank\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003epagerank\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/pr+5\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003epr 5\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/indifference+or+intolerance+toward+spiritual+principles\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eindifference or intolerance toward spiritual principles\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/font\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-2538451054857387039?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/2538451054857387039/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2008/05/pagerank-5.html#comment-form","title":"6 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/2538451054857387039"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/2538451054857387039"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2008/05/pagerank-5.html","title":"\u003ch1\u003ePageRank 5\u003c/h1\u003e"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://bp0.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/SB83m-z8vUI/AAAAAAAAAr8/f5pC-BWsSlI/s72-c/Genuine_PR5_Blog.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"6"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-1387807285214151121"},"published":{"$t":"2008-04-30T17:26:00.006+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2008-05-01T01:42:39.095+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"lovers quarrel"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"what if"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"disappointment"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Be Careful What You Ask For"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ch2 style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003e\"What if... \"\u003c/h2\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_start--\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"Living just for today relieves the burden of the past and the fear of the future. We learned to take whatever actions are necessary and to leave the results in the hands of our God.\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eBasic Text, pp. 90-91\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIn our active addiction, fear of the future and what might happen was a reality for many of us. What if we got arrested? lost our job? our spouse leaved or die? we went bankrupt? and on, and on, and on. It was not unusual for us to spend hours, even whole days thinking about what \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003emight\u003c/span\u003e happen. We played out entire conversations and scenarios before they ever occurred, then charted our course on the basis of \"what if... \" By doing this, we set ourselves up for disappointment after disappointment.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFrom listening in meetings, we learn that living in the present, not the world of \"what if,\" is the only way to short-circuit our self-fulfilling prophecies of doom and gloom. We can only deal with what is real today, not our fearful fantasies of the future.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eComing to believe that God has only the best in store for us is one way we can combat that fear. We hear in meeting that God won't give us more than we can handle in one day. And we know from experience that, if we ask, God will surely care for us. We stay clean through adverse situations by practicing our faith in the care of a Power greater than ourselves. Each time we do, we become less fearful of \"what if\" and more comfortable with what \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eis.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eJust for today:\u003c/span\u003e I shall look forward to the future with faith in God.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e----------------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI'm really sorry that I've been neglecting this blog and to all my recovery friends online and offline. I was side-tracked doing unproductive things. In fact, my life had gone haywire but now, it's all over. I'm picking up my life back again and I shall try never to neglect you again.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAlright now that's over, I want to tell you a little story. Call it an episode of my life or whatever you want to name it, it doesn't matter. Before I tell you about it, I suggest you make a cup of coffee and relax while reading it. Hope you can learn something out of it as I have. OK, here goes...\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOnce upon a time in a little place called Longgeng, I befriended a young lovely lady. Very \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003evogue and vass\u003c/span\u003e (her words not mine and I'm still searching the dictionary for the word, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003evass\u003c/span\u003e) as she described herself. Yeah, I admit. She is a stunning little lady, witty and intelligence.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAnd don't forget, she is rich (a subject she would adamantly disagree and she would have tell you it is her parent, not her who is rich) and got her own wheel to drive around making all the boys goes \"ahhh\" whenever she passes by! And I'm proud to be \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eselected\u003c/span\u003e one of her many friends coz I'm just a drug addict compared to her other male friends who she never misses to talk about.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAmong her friends is a local politician's son living in a house as big as The Buckingham Palace with an Olympic size swimming pool. Then there's an aircraft's engineer (now, that's a \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003ebig\u003c/span\u003e job). There's also one who just got married in a 5-star hotel in a banquet's room full of flowers (the things she always dreamed for her own wedding) and the wedding was given a wide coverage in the local media. Awesome, huh?                \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThen came this old hopeless romantic drug addict in her life. As times passed by against my best judgment I admit I started to fall head over heel in love with her (oh boy, here it goes!). FYI, I'm gonna blog about \"the why\" pretty soon. I've already written about \"the why\" but kept it safe in an air-tight vault underground. Do not worry my friend. Just subscribe to this blog \u003ca href\u003d\"http://feeds.feedburner.com/arahman7\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003efull feed RSS\u003c/a\u003e if you don't want to miss the tell-all episode.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOK, where were we? Ah yes, I want to tell you that she did made me happy at one time. I can't just forget that moment and I made a promise to myself. No matter what happen, even if I were to be kicked out from her life I would never forget that moments. I'm really thankful to her for making me very happy indeed.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAnd I was acting like a small kid after been given a jar full of candies! Oh boy, I was in love and I wanted the whole world to know about it. But she was not like any other ladies that I knew before. She never stopped reminding me to come back to earth, come back to reality. She don't want to be the person to mess up my life with my beloved wife.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhat had happened doesn't mean that I didn't love my wife anymore. No, no that was not the case. Right from the beginning of our friendship I've told her how much I love my wife. She was the one who picked me up when I was really down, when I had nothing not even my dignity as a man! That's what addiction to drugs had done to me but she has total confidence in me. How could I leave my wife for someone else who have done nothing yet for me?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBut then as selfish as I was, I wanted both of them in my life. I've told my new found friend, if given a choice I would still choose my darling wife. Nothing, nobody can take her place. Should there be a second woman in my life, I wanted my wife herself to ask for her hand in marriage. Would you considered that as a tall order?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAt last I found the answer after seeking it everywhere, online and offline. I don't get any support from my own family. Everyone was against my decision to take a second lady in my life. I even wrote to some of my recovery friends listed on My Sacred Links (it's at the bottom on the right side-bar, click +/- to expand the list) and I was grateful especially to my South African's friend, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://gsp-shadow.blogspot.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eShadow.\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eShe (Shadow) said in one of her long emails to me, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eIn your case, I would have to think really hard and long about leaving your wife for another. If I understand correctly from your blog, she stood by you, helped you and supported you during your hard time in life. Loyalty, trust and dedication to another person are hard to come by, and I think she did that out of love for you. How important is that love to you, to your life and your future stability? And can you walk away from that and live with yourself? How would she feel about it? How would her hurt affect you? Difficult, hard and not so nice questions that you need to ask yourself.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eLastly, are you okay to trade what you have, for a future of maybe? Maybe find another, maybe then have a baby, maybe that person will not turn out the way you envision, maybe you change your mind about that person, maybe… there are lots of them.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAfter thinking things over, I've to accept my new lady friend only as a friend, no more no less. And during one of my pillow-talked with my beloved wife, I confessed everything to her. It was my fault that these things happened. If I didn't take advantage of a girl in a very vulnerable state, I'm sure these things wouldn't happened. By the grace of God, I felt very relieved after telling my dear wife about it. My God, how I love my wife that night! It was as though my love toward her has grown stronger and I held her tight in my arm, like I don't want to let her go until we fell asleep in each other's arms.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThen my relationship with this other lady started to go down-hill. She started doing things that displeased me, shouting at me to leave her alone, that kind of things that can made any ordinary person who can't stand her personality gone mad! Then she started accusing me of being sarcastic, never appreciated what I've done for her and branded me as a hopeless romantic!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBut I still believed my relationship with her was worth saving. Usually I was the one who backed down during those arguments which sometimes started just because of a very small matter as though she has been asking for it all these while. Asking me to do something out of the ordinary. I was a drug addict and I mixed around with some bad people. Talking with the 'F' words was not unusual for me, but I've stopped being nasty after I've got clean and sober nearly five years ago.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eLast Monday, it finally happened. In the morning after I've backed-down after yet from another arguments, it was ok as though nothing has happened. Then it started to turn sour at noon. In her last email, she shouted at me to leave her alone and then it was quiet. Well, as usual I let her be to cool down. I had my lunch and then I spent the whole afternoon trying to reconcile and asking for her forgiveness. I sent her several greeting cards, wrote something funny but still no respond from her.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI was beginning to get angry around 4pm. Let me asked you something. How do you feel when you spent the whole afternoon trying to reach your brother, sister or whoever, but that person ignored your call and kept quiet without telling you anything?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI had it and snapped! I wrote her a very short (about 4 sentences only) email which I'm sure will get her attention, something like I gave her an offer she can't refuse. I'm not proud for what I've done but she has been asking for it and finally I succumbed to her request. I'm sorry if I've hurt her feeling. At least she knows that I can get hurt too and not to treat others who were trying to help her like shit!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI've never asked her for anything. That's why I'm keeping quiet by myself lest she might think it would cost her friendship if I call her up again. I've enough of my share asking for forgiveness to try to make things work. Now it's up to her. In my book, she has never do me wrong and if she did, I've already forgiven her. Let's see if she can humble herself to say she's sorry and call me.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI guess what had happened was for our own good. I just gonna  keep quiet (like she had taught me) and picked up the mess of my own doing. Now I've time for my blogs, Internet Marketing and best of all, quality times with my dear lovely wife.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e--------------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eEx-friends, lovers\u003c/span\u003e and \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eestranged ladies friend\u003c/span\u003e who have been cut out of the author's life should refrain from reading this post. If the relationship has ended or about to be ended, there is no reason you should get daily updates on the author's life. If you simply can't help yourself, do it quietly, and never repeat what you read or use it to hurt the author.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe Internet is a place that encourages free and creative expression, and as in any environment where people are given this freedom, conflict may arise. If an author uses language or materials that offend you, leave. Contacting the person or their ISP, demanding they remove the content or change their ways is absurd because you are viewing their content of your own free will by visiting their site. Simply stop going there and you won't have to see whatever it is you don't like about the site.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThis information is:\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003e*\u003c/span\u003e of a general nature only and is not intended to address the specific circumstances of any particular individual or entity;\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003e*\u003c/span\u003e any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003e*\u003c/span\u003e not necessarily comprehensive, complete, accurate or up to date;\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003e*\u003c/span\u003e sometimes linked to external sites over which the Commission services have no control and for which the Commission assumes no responsibility;\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003e*\u003c/span\u003e not professional or legal advice (if you need specific advice, you should always consult a suitably qualified professional).\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_end--\u003e \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"tag_list\"\u003eTechnorati's Tags: \u003cspan class\u003d\"tags\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/disappointment\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003edisappointment\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/lovers+quarrel\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003elovers quarrel\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/what+if\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ewhat if\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-1387807285214151121?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/1387807285214151121/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2008/04/be-careful-what-you-ask-for.html#comment-form","title":"1 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/1387807285214151121"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/1387807285214151121"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2008/04/be-careful-what-you-ask-for.html","title":"\u003ch1\u003eBe Careful What You Ask For\u003c/h1\u003e"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"1"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-6201222278146561069"},"published":{"$t":"2008-04-01T21:43:00.004+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2008-04-02T01:48:30.273+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"fellowship"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"message of recovery"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"love making"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"get loaded"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Hard Love"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ch2 style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003eInsides And Outsides\u003c/h2\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_start--\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"Our real value is in being ourselves.\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eBasic Text, p. 101\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAs we work the steps, we're bound to discover some basic truths about ourselves. The process of uncovering our secrets, exposing them, and searching our characters reveals our true nature. As we become acquainted with ourselves, we'll need to make a decision to be just who we are.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe may want to take a look at what we present to our fellow addicts and the world and see if it matches up with what we've discovered inside. Do we pretend that nothing bothers us when, in truth, we're very sensitive? Do we cover our insecurities with obnoxious jokes, or do we share our fears with someone? Do we dress like a teenager when we're approaching forty and are basically conservative?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe may want to take another look at those things which we thought \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"weren't us.\"\u003c/span\u003e Maybe we've avoided NA activities because we \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"don't like crowds.\"\u003c/span\u003e Or maybe we have a secret dream of changing careers but have put off taking action because our dream \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"wasn't really right\"\u003c/span\u003e for us. As we attain a new understanding of ourselves, we'll want to adjust our behaviour accordingly. We want to be genuine examples of who we are.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003ch3\u003eJust for today:\u003c/h3\u003e\u003c/u\u003e I shall check my outsides to make sure they match my insides. I shall try to act on the growth I have experienced in recovery.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e--------------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eWe want to be genuine examples of who we are.\u003c/span\u003e Those words kept on ringing inside my head for several days now. I kept on asking myself, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"Am I a good example for those people who came and asked for my help?\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOn several occasions I received emails requesting my help. Almost of of them are drug related. Ironically, it was their women folks who wrote to me, telling me about their husband drug problems. And they were asking me all sort of questions like what should they do, will their husbands recover, should they filed a divorce and many many more.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSometimes, I had doubt in myself which is NOT me. I tried to answer every questions as honestly as possible, base on what I've gone through. I believe that way I can answer every questions truthfully and not get caught lying.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIn some instances, I've to refer with some of my friends for answers which I can't answer or which I have no experienced about it personally. I tried to get all the answers for them, if possible.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOne thing I noticed, almost all of them loved their husbands very much even though they knew about their husband's problems. Filing a divorce will be their last option after several attempts to reconcile. But believed me, filing a divorce will be on top of their list when they found out the hard way that their husbands loved their drugs more than their wife. Other instance will be like, the husbands in an unmanly way beat and kicked or even treated their wife like dirt!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThat was one thing I really hate, no matter how bad my wife will be (which I'm sure both of my ex and present beloved wife are not) I shall never use my hands nor legs on her. I just don't get it, I knew they were some husbands who beats up their wives during the day and at night they have the gall to make love with their wives! And get this, the wife performed all the mumbo jumbo of love making as though nothing has happened. Sometimes I feel like cutting up their husband's cock and gives it to the dog!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBut then, I have to congratulate one or two of them (the wives). They will not stop supporting their husbands even if the husbands was in jail. They went through all sort of channels to know more about their husbands, about addictions, their husbands drug of choice and the like. They have strong faith that their husbands can go through recovery and become like a normal person again.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eYeah, I know. Recovery will not be easy. I've been through some really hard times. I wasn't the fortunate one who knew someone in recovery and all the craving and obsession was immediately removed. I can still clearly remember I was sitting on the toilet's bowl upstairs all day long because I was afraid to go out, lest I shall meet my friends and get loaded again. I kept on mumbling, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"Just for today, I shall not get loaded, it will pass, it will pass, it will pass... \"\u003c/span\u003e And it did passed.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThen less than a year after that, I lost my job, my girl friend, my condo, all in rapid succession. Many will not believed, but I still read the Quran regularly and I believed God will help me somehow and God will not make me suffer more than I can handle. Everything that has been taken away from me, I believed God will replace it with something better. Indeed, it was.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI'm very grateful to have a very supporting family especially \u003ca href\u003d\"http://haalfnaakedthursday.blogspot.com/2007/08/my-beloved-mummy.html\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003emy beloved Mummy\u003c/a\u003e and friends from the Fellowship. As far as I'm concerned, they have never let me down. Especially when I needed someone to talk to during the early stage in recovery. I would sometimes called them at four o'clock in the morning when I found myself turning and tossing in bed sweating and they've always been there for me. From them I learned, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"You keep what you have by giving it away.\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e And so I've been there for others too even if it meant my mobile rings at three o'clock in the morning!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://bp2.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R_JUZVa5oLI/AAAAAAAAAqA/g_ZWrMkNIBM/s1600-h/gse_multipart46005%5B1%5D.png\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://bp2.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R_JUZVa5oLI/AAAAAAAAAqA/g_ZWrMkNIBM/s400/gse_multipart46005%5B1%5D.png\" alt\u003d\"One Addict Helping Another Addict\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5184298915280298162\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e For now I'm turning all my life and my will into God's hand. It also gave me such peace and great pleasures to watch someone who came to me and then grow into a wonderful person in recovery. And then watched that same wonderful person passing down to others the same knowledge that was given to me is such a wonderful feeling. The love and caring in this Fellowship is something you will never find anywhere else, one addict helping another addict.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI've also learned to live life on life's terms. With my brothers and sisters during meeting, I was shown how to accept myself and even how to love myself. With them I continued to grow and my faith with God grew as well. I have no longer to feel that total pitiful and incomprehensible demoralization. I never have to hate myself, or be alone or feel unwanted.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAnd I really enjoy my life today. I never have to hate myself, or be alone or feel unwanted. I have a very wonderful wife who can accept me as I am. We went together to all the exotic places which I can't go before. I also have other outside interests I had never dreamed I would be doing, like this one. I have a blog of my own, my own Internet marketing where I taught other how to make money online which I considered a good job, doing what I love to do.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI found out that it really isn't what we used, how much we used, or how long we used that gets us here. It's the feelings, the hopelessness and helplessness we felt. In the Third Tradition of the Fellowship it states, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\"The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop using.\"\u003c/span\u003e I have my friends in the program. They held my hand and told me it was okay, and they gave me that hard love of telling me to sit down, shut up and listen when I needed that too.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThank you for reading my friends. Before I'm off to another crusade, below is a news about a drug addict kicked habit after her father forced her into rehab. Read about it. Maybe you can learn something about it. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSee you soon.\u003c!--google_ad_section_end--\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cscript language\u003d\"javascript\" src\u003d\"http://thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/voxant_player.js?a\u003dT1468721\u0026m\u003d423285\u0026w\u003d410\u0026h\u003d750\"\u003e\u003c/script\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"tag_list\"\u003eTechnorati's Tags: \u003cspan class\u003d\"tags\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/fellowship\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003efellowship\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/get+loaded\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eget loaded\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/hard+love\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ehard love\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/love+making\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003elove making\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/make+money+online\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003emake money online\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/message+of+recovery\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003emessage of recovery\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-6201222278146561069?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/6201222278146561069/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2008/04/hard-love.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/6201222278146561069"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/6201222278146561069"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2008/04/hard-love.html","title":"\u003ch1\u003eHard Love\u003c/h1\u003e"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://bp2.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R_JUZVa5oLI/AAAAAAAAAqA/g_ZWrMkNIBM/s72-c/gse_multipart46005%5B1%5D.png","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-9041707143023244085"},"published":{"$t":"2008-03-19T23:22:00.001+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2008-03-20T09:15:23.566+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"message of recovery"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"sharing"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"plantilla blogy o2"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"experience"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Plantilla Blogy - O2"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ch2 style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003eSomething Valuable To Share\u003c/h2\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_start--\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"A simple, honest message of recovery from addiction rings true.\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eBasic Text, p. 50\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eYou're in a meeting. The sharing has been going on for some time. One or two members have described their spiritual experiences in an especially meaningful way. Another has had us all rolling in the aisles with entertaining stories. And then the leader calls on you... \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003egulp\u003c/span\u003e. You shyly introduce yourself, apologetically stammer out a few lines, thank everyone for listening, and sit out the rest of the meeting in embarrassed silence. Sound familiar? Well, you're not alone.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe've all had times when we've felt that what we had to share wasn't spiritual enough, wasn't entertaining enough, wasn't \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003esomething\u003c/span\u003e enough. But sharing is not a competitive sport. The meat of our meetings is identification and experience, something all of us have in abundance. When we share from our hearts the truth of our experience, other addicts feel they can trust us because they know we're just like them. When we simply share what's been effective in our lives, we can be sure that our message will be helpful to others.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOur sharing doesn't have to be either fancy or funny to ring true. Every addict working an honest program that brings meaningful recovery has something of immense value to share, something no one else can give: his or her own experience.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eJust for today:\u003c/span\u003e I have something valuable to share. I shall attend a meeting today and share my experience in recovery from addiction.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e-----------------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eTalking about sharing, there's one thing that made me sad. I don't usually expect anything when I shared something, but does it made you feel difficult to say a simple thank you?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI've joined a local forum as a regular member mainly to help my colleague things about Blog*Spot. Furthermore, I believed when the old wise men said, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"Sharing is Caring.\"\u003c/span\u003e Then I realized, after all these while I seldom received a thank you note. Let alone to reply to a comment or two that I left on their blogs!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAnyway, how are you my friends? As you can see, I'm very very happy. I've finally finished converted \u003ca href\u003d\"http://arahman7.blogspot.com/2007/10/template.html\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eMy Journey To Recovery\u003c/a\u003e to a new look, using \u003ca href\u003d\"http://blogandweb.com/2007/12/19/plantilla-blogy-o2/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003ePlantilla Blogy - O2.\u003c/a\u003e O yeah, that's a little Spanish for you, ;-)\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://bp0.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R-B84JqC3HI/AAAAAAAAApg/NU8JdctS_mI/s1600-h/O2+Original.png\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://bp0.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R-B84JqC3HI/AAAAAAAAApg/NU8JdctS_mI/s400/O2+Original.png\" alt\u003d\"Original O2 Interface\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179276875582856306\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ccenter\u003eClick image to enlarge\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI can still remembered the first time I saw this template. It was on Eches's blog. And I was quite excited about it too. You see, I had a friend named Eches too. I knew him when I was still new to blogging. I had a little bit of trouble with a zipped file and I emailed him asking for help. That was the beginning of our friendship.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAs a courtesy, I dropped a comment or two on his blog thanking him for being a friend, telling him how proud I was to him as the creator of a magnificent template and many many more. But I guess I got the wrong person because I've yet to receive any reply from him. My bad! I should have check about it first, not jumping to conclusion just because the other fellow had the same name! Yikes, it' such an embarrassing situation, claiming an unknown person as my friend! Sorry about that.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHere is a list of persons and things that has helped me to convert O2 to the present state. I'm sorry if your names were not listed. There must be severals reason why it was not listed. Mainly, it might be I'm getting old. I tend to forget things easily.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003ePlantilla Blogy - O2. Created by Eches for Wordpress. Created for Blogger compatibility by \u003ca href\u003d\"http://blogandweb.com/2007/12/19/plantilla-blogy-o2/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eFrancisco.\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eBanner - I used my favourite photo editor, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.acdsee.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e ACDSee.\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eSearch Box - Changed it to Google Search. At least it will add something to my AdSense's coffer.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eThe Rest - A simple CSS and HTML tweak.\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003eHow do you like it? Need any changes on your template? Just leave some comments or shoot me an email. I shall get to you, pronto! Now like Lynn Anderson (remember her?) used to sing, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"I never promised you a rose garden\",\u003c/span\u003e at least there will be some changes on your template, if you will just let me.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBefore I leave you to dwell on what you gonna do with your template, here's an interesting reading material brought to you exclusively by The News Room. It got some thing to do with \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"Civility Online.\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSee you soon. Greetings and lots of love from Malaysia.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cscript language\u003d\"javascript\" src\u003d\"http://thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/voxant_player.js?a\u003dT193730\u0026m\u003d408922\u0026w\u003d410\u0026h\u003d750\"\u003e\u003c/script\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"tag_list\"\u003eTags: \u003cspan class\u003d\"tags\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/civility+online\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ecivility online\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/experience\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eexperience\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/message+of+recovery\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003emessage of recovery\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/plantilla+blogy+o2\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eplantilla blogy o2\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/sharing\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003esharing\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_end--\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-9041707143023244085?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/9041707143023244085/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2008/03/plantilla-blogy-o2.html#comment-form","title":"5 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/9041707143023244085"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/9041707143023244085"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2008/03/plantilla-blogy-o2.html","title":"\u003ch1\u003ePlantilla Blogy - O2\u003c/h1\u003e"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://bp0.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R-B84JqC3HI/AAAAAAAAApg/NU8JdctS_mI/s72-c/O2+Original.png","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"5"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-774945740667218895"},"published":{"$t":"2008-03-14T11:48:00.001+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2008-03-14T18:45:59.281+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"online detox store"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"pass drug test"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"drug testing kits"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Online Detox Store"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ch2 style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003ePassing A Drug Test\u003c/h2\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_start--\u003eThe following post is an advertisement.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eLong long times ago when I was still using, I would do anything as long as I could \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.onlinedetoxstore.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003epassed a drug test\u003c/a\u003e. You see, in my country, Malaysia, it would cost me two wasted years in a rehabilitation's center if I were to fail a \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.onlinedetoxstore.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003edrug test\u003c/a\u003e!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOne time, I did swallowed a handful of salts when I was told salt would cleaned up my urine. Then, I heard the story about copper, and I swallowed that too. Like I said, I would do anything to \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.onlinedetoxstore.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003epass a drug test.\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eEspecially now, staying clean and sober doesn't guaranteed my urine is clean. I've heard so many stories from my former colleagues that they were \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.onlinedetoxstore.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003etested drug positive\u003c/a\u003e even though they're in recovery for so many years. Frankly, I don't want to be in that predicaments to be tested drug positive just when I'm about to hold a very lucrative job.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAs you know, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.onlinedetoxstore.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003edrug tests\u003c/a\u003e are now being implemented almost everywhere: businesses want their employees to be drug tested, schools and colleges practice random \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.onlinedetoxstore.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003edrug tests\u003c/a\u003e as well. Then, where will my future be should I failed a random drug test especially to a former drug addict like me?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://www.onlinedetoxstore.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://bp2.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R9h-KpqC2_I/AAAAAAAAAnk/hEUxk7Sugik/s400/Online+Detox+Store.gif\" alt\u003d\"Online Detox Store\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5177026493108378610\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eNow it is available for my friends especially in America, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.onlinedetoxstore.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eOnline Detox Store\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e that offer not only \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.onlinedetoxstore.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003edrug testing kits,\u003c/a\u003e but provide you with solutions so that you can pass a drug test easily, no matter what type it is: saliva or urine drug test, hair drug test or blood drug test. Be safe and be ready, or you might regret it later on.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFor now, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.onlinedetoxstore.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eOnline Detox Store\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e has 49 bestseller items which included \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.onlinedetoxstore.com/product_thc-marijuana-cannabis-dip-strip-drug-urine-test-p13587.html\"\u003eTHC Marijuana Cannabis Dip Strip Drug Urine Test\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e at $3.99 and \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.onlinedetoxstore.com/product_urine-luck-detoxifying-agent-p2722.html\"\u003eUrine Luck Detoxifying Agent\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e at $31.99 to add to your cart. Beside these two items mentioned, there are 47 more bestseller items for you to choose. \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.onlinedetoxstore.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eOnline Detox Store\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e catered for your every needs.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eYou must also take notes of their shipping policies. They ship only to Continental United States plus Alaska and Hawaii (50 states). \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.onlinedetoxstore.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eOnline Detox Store\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e cannot accept any Non-U.S. Method of Payment and they also cannot accept any credit card with a billing address outside the 50 U.S. States. To know more about their shipping policies, return policy, privacy policy, security, terms and conditions, just click on their \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.onlinedetoxstore.com/information.html\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003einformation\u003c/a\u003e's link on their website.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHead over to their website now, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.onlinedetoxstore.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eOnline Detox Store\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e or \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003ecall toll free: (866) 600-8820\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"tag_list\"\u003eTags: \u003cspan class\u003d\"tags\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/alternative+detoxifying+product\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003ealternative detoxifying product\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/home+drug+test+kit\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003ehome drug test kit\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/online+detox+store\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eonline detox store\u003c/a\u003e,  \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/drug+testing+kits\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003edrug testing kits\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-774945740667218895?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/774945740667218895/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2008/03/online-detox-store.html#comment-form","title":"6 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/774945740667218895"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/774945740667218895"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2008/03/online-detox-store.html","title":"\u003ch1\u003eOnline Detox Store\u003c/h1\u003e"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://bp2.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R9h-KpqC2_I/AAAAAAAAAnk/hEUxk7Sugik/s72-c/Online+Detox+Store.gif","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"6"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-933589921770456028"},"published":{"$t":"2008-03-08T23:14:00.002+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2008-03-09T03:25:52.148+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"colorful life"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"heroin"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"to love and be loved"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"My Colorful Life"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ch2 style\u003d\"font-weight: normal;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003eLearning To Love Ourselves\u003c/h2\u003e\u003c!-google_ad_section_start-\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003e\"What we want most is to feel good about ourselves.\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eBasic Text, p. 97\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003e\"We'll love you until you can learn to love yourself.\"\u003c/span\u003e These words, heard so often in our meetings, promise a day we look forward to eagerly - the day when we'll know how to love ourselves. Self-esteem - we all want this elusive quality as soon as we hear about it. Some of us seem to stumble upon it accidentally, while others embark on a course of action complete with affirmations made to our reflections in the mirror. But fix-it-yourself techniques and trendy psychological cures can only take us so far.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThere are some definite, practical steps we can take to show love for ourselves, whether we \"feel\" that love or not. We can take care of our personal responsibilities. We can do nice things for ourselves, as we would for a lover or a friend. We can start paying attention to our own needs. We can even pay attention to the qualities that we cherish in our friends - qualities like intelligence and humour - and look for those same qualities in ourselves. We're sure to find that we really are lovable people, and once we do that, we're well on our way.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eJust for today:\u003c/span\u003e I shall do something today that helps me recognize and feel love for myself.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e--------------------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhen I think about my life now, my eyes became watery. I never thought I would lead a very fruitful life like today. Not too long ago about four years back, I thought my life would always ended up with me in rehabilitation's center or being left to rot in prison. Lastly, I thought I would die in a dirty drain somewhere.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eLooking back, I had never felt scared thinking where will I ended up. Whether I ended up in rehab's center, prison or even in death itself. You might wondered why? Well, I can answer that easily. It was because I had lost the love for myself. I hated myself and I had never gave a damn what gonna happen to me!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI was introduced to heroin when I was thirteen years old and I immediately fell in love getting high all the time. Then came the time when I was in the University, I got the distinct impression that I could do anything. I felt like Superman, the man of steel himself. And I truly believed I were Superman for many years to come!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI guess I was inclined to be an addict. Deep inside me I felt unsecured and inadequacy. I had these feeling that something was missing in my life. So, in my twisted way of thinking to cover up all the uneasiness, I gotta get high most of my waking hours. That way, I felt I was able to stand among the giants and be as good as them. It took me twenty four agonizing years and abused before I realized I was living life in sub-human form.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eEven though I passed Secondary School with flying colours and followed by my times and life in University on Dean's List, I still thought it wasn't enough. I thought I could do more and I pumped myself with lots of heroin so that I could stayed awake studying twenty four hours. Ironically, I knew that heroin was killing me slowly and I also knew that I couldn't stayed in University without heroin. Little do I realized, I was caught in a deadly cycle.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI'm not going to post in detail what heroin had done to me. Simply put I couldn't function like normal human being without heroin. Heroin were my god and I bowed myself before them. I had lied not only to myself, but to countless others. I used people who were stupid enough to trust me where I conned and stole from them. I knew, deep in my heart, I hated myself for doing what I had done, but heroin had dulled my mind, altering my way of straight thinking. For one, I didn't know how to identify or to express my feelings. Like I had lost love somewhere along the way.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMany people, especially my own family tried to convince me to give up heroin. I thought they were just trying to mess up my \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003enormal\u003c/span\u003e life! I felt they didn't understand as I kept on insisting there were nothing wrong with my life. I felt normal. I told them I used heroin just \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003eonce in the blue moon\u003c/span\u003e which became all of the time. As I told those lied over and over, I began to believe what I had said to be true.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAs times progressed, so do my habit to the level that I couldn't sleep for a week at a time. I would become irrational that I couldn't even carry on a simple conversation. I hallucinated visually and aurally, became extremely forgetful and needless to say irritable and grouchy. Then I would level off, and no matter how much heroin I pumped into my body, I couldn't get any higher. My body would ache for sleep, but my mind was wide awake. I was caught at a halfway point where I could neither stay up nor sleep. It was at these times when inordinate paranoia and depression would set in. Sometimes I would try taking sleeping pills to put me to sleep, but each time I became ill and vomited them up.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eTo make it short, I got myself caught by the Anti-Narcotics Unit of Kajang in an ambushed while dealing in a drug score. It was cold and raining quite heavily in Hulu Langat. My life had been a let-down, and I was fed-up with everyone especially with my ex doctor wife. She was giving me a hard times and deep in my heart I was happy that I got caught and handcuffed by the police.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eTalk to you later. Here's news about Rock Legend, Motley Crue's Nikki Sixx brought to you by \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.thenewsroom.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eThe News Room.\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c!-google_ad_section_end-\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cscript language\u003d\"javascript\" src\u003d\"http://thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/voxant_player.js?a\u003dT648998\u0026m\u003d395490\u0026w\u003d410\u0026h\u003d750\"\u003e\u003c/script\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"tag_list\"\u003eTags: \u003cspan class\u003d\"tags\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/colorful+life\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003ecolorful life\u003c/a\u003e, \u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/heroin\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eheroin\u003c/a\u003e, \u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/to+love+and+be+loved\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eto love and be loved\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-933589921770456028?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/933589921770456028/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2008/03/my-colorful-life.html#comment-form","title":"4 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/933589921770456028"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/933589921770456028"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2008/03/my-colorful-life.html","title":"\u003ch1\u003eMy Colorful Life\u003c/h1\u003e"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"4"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-5751290022306147856"},"published":{"$t":"2008-02-02T16:15:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2008-02-02T16:18:17.669+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"1800nodrugs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"drug rehab center"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"referral services"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"1800NoDrugs"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ch2 style\u003d\"font-weight: normal;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003eDrug Rehab Referral Service\u003c/h2\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_start--\u003eThe following is an advertisement.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIf you are struggling with the disease of drug addiction or alcoholism, here's a very good news especially for my American's friends. This also involved for those who are searching for a drug rehabilitation center that will help someone that is close, friends or family.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eYeah, I know drugs and alcohol addictions is one of the most dreaded social problems even here in my country Malaysia. But my American's friends are very lucky because there's an easily reachable online service called \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.1800nodrugs.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e1800NoDrugs.\u003c/a\u003e Yes my friends, you can call them toll-free and speak with one of their high qualified counsellors.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.1800nodrugs.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e1800NoDrugs\u003c/a\u003e is a drug rehab referral service. A free, non-profit drug rehab and addiction treatment placement service.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eJust Call Now! Talk to the Most Experienced Drug Rehab Counselors. 1-800-NO-DRUGS (800-663-7847)\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"pullquote\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eCall 1-800-NODRUGS now\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\"We offer an International network of drug rehab treatment centers for all types of alcoholism, drug addiction, substance abuse, dual diagnosis, and chronic relapse clients. Finding a drug rehab program that meets your individual needs can be overwhelming. We can help assist you in finding the right treatment solution for you.\"\u003c/span\u003eNow that I know about \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.1800nodrugs.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e1800NoDrugs,\u003c/a\u003e I couldn't help it to compare what I've to face long long time ago when I was still using. I wish I had known about it then. Gee, I didn't know that there are so many types of drug rehab programs. I thought there were no help for me and I kept on using until I was caught by the narcotic policemen and eventually sent to a Government controlled rehab center.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHere, their drug rehab program mode were the notorious tough and ragged, where I was forced to march like an elite special force's soldier till I dropped. I'm not going to list what happened to me in detail because those were one moment in time that I wish to forget. What I'm trying to say my friends is that, there are so many rehabilitation centers and all of them offered differing in recovery approaches. Just thinking about all of the above can make an addict who is sincerely wishes to recover become confused but rest assure my friend, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.1800nodrugs.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e1800NoDrugs\u003c/a\u003e can help you to choose which rehab center and/or program that is suitable for you or for your loved one, friends and families.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.1800nodrugs.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e1800NoDrugs\u003c/a\u003e will make certain that you choose among the many rehab centers and programs that: \u003cblockquote\u003eYou have an absolute right to be treated with dignity and respect by the staff members. You may be an addict, but you are still a valuable person and should be treated accordingly.\u003c/blockquote\u003e I still remember what my beloved wife told me long ago. She is one of the top gun with the Ministry of Internal Security once said, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"There is no graduation for an addict.\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThat's why even though it is now nearly five years I'm in recovery from drug addiction I've got to be aware all the time lest I shall fall back to the old way, living life as an addict. And I can tell you my friends, life as an addict was not very pretty I can assure you that. Been there, done that you see. Call \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.1800nodrugs.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e1800NoDrugs\u003c/a\u003e and they can tell you that recovering from any addiction, be it drugs or alcohol is more than that. Believe it or not, you've got to have knowledges and educations. You can learn a lot about yourself, your weakness, your limitations in a rehab center.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eJust Call Now! Talk to the Most Experienced Drug Rehab Counselors. 1-800-NO-DRUGS (800-663-7847)\u003c/span\u003e At \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.1800nodrugs.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e1800NODRUGS.com\u003c/a\u003e Drug Rehab Referral Services know the nation’s drug treatment centers, and can place your loved one in the drug rehab center most appropriate for them at no charge.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_end--\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-5751290022306147856?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/5751290022306147856/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2008/02/1800nodrugs.html#comment-form","title":"8 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/5751290022306147856"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/5751290022306147856"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2008/02/1800nodrugs.html","title":"\u003ch1\u003e1800NoDrugs\u003c/h1\u003e"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"8"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-9157968593733861502"},"published":{"$t":"2008-01-25T23:42:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2008-01-26T09:49:35.452+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"vacation"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"recovery"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"langkawi"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Back From Vacation"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ch2 style\u003d\"font-weight: normal;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003eAn Added Gift\u003c/h2\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_start--\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003e\"We see it happening among us every day. This miraculous is evidence of a spiritual awakening.\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eBasic Text, p. 49\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe watch them walk in to their first meeting defeated, their spirits broken. Their suffering is obvious, and their desire for help even more apparent. They collect a welcome chip and go back to their seats, shaken by the efforts.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe see them again, and they seem a little more comfortable. They've found a sponsor and are attending meetings every night. They still won't meet our glance, but they nod their heads in recognition as we share. We notice a spark of hope in their eyes, and they smile uncertainly when we encourage them to keep coming back.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eA few months later, they are standing straight. They've learned how to make eye contact. They're working the steps with their sponsor and are healing as a result. We listen to them sharing at meetings. We stack chairs with them afterward.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eA few years later, they are speaking at a convention workshop. They've got a wonderful, humorous personality. They smile when they see us, they hug us,and they tell us they could never have done it without us. And they understand when we say, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003e\"nor could we, without you.\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eJust for today:\u003c/span\u003e I shall find joy in witnessing the recovery of another.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e-----------------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe had a wonderful vacation, just the two of us. Bringing my beloved wife on a trip was such a huge blessing, and it was a dream fulfilled for myself. It's like our second honeymoon. We stayed mostly in our room. Rarely do we go out, but we live like king and queen. Room service took care of our need, what's more can you asked?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAs always, I feel the need to make a disclaimer: I’m NOT telling you any of this to brag. However, I do think it’s important to mention occasionally that I am “living the dream” in many ways.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAfter all, WHY should you listen to what I say about recovery unless I’m actually DOING these things? Most of us in recovery aspire to experience more freedom, never worry about money, spend time with family, take vacations, etc.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThings of I won't never dreamed of doing when I was still using. I've got to have my \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003e'stock'\u003c/span\u003e in my pocket before I felt safe to go anywhere. But now I'm free, free to do whatever I want without worrying where I gonna have my next fix!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThat's why in my family's photo album, you will notice there's someone missing. Both my parent, especially my sisters has gone to many exotic places around the world except ME! I don't want to be left alone anymore!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAnyway, here's some pictures taken in Langkawi.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://bp0.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R5p55S3Lw1I/AAAAAAAAAlA/URZ9uqMJsVM/s1600-h/ArahMan7+in+Langkawi+2008.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://bp0.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R5p55S3Lw1I/AAAAAAAAAlA/URZ9uqMJsVM/s400/ArahMan7+in+Langkawi+2008.jpg\" alt\u003d\"ArahMan7 in Langkawi\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159570348329124690\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eArahMan7 in Langkawi\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://bp0.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R5ky3i3Lw0I/AAAAAAAAAk4/VCBsTZGIhbw/s1600-h/ArahMan7+in+Langkawi.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://bp0.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R5ky3i3Lw0I/AAAAAAAAAk4/VCBsTZGIhbw/s400/ArahMan7+in+Langkawi.jpg\" alt\u003d\"Vacation in Langkawi\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159210777962070850\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eArahMan7's Vacation in Langkawi\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://bp1.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R5kyjy3LwzI/AAAAAAAAAkw/G9ViLM2frEU/s1600-h/Bay+View+in+Kuah,+Langkawi.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://bp1.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R5kyjy3LwzI/AAAAAAAAAkw/G9ViLM2frEU/s400/Bay+View+in+Kuah,+Langkawi.jpg\" alt\u003d\"A hotel in Langkawi\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159210438659654450\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eThe Hotel\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://bp0.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R5kyQi3LwyI/AAAAAAAAAko/nJ6SovZHEbA/s1600-h/After+Sunset+at+Cenang+Beach.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://bp0.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R5kyQi3LwyI/AAAAAAAAAko/nJ6SovZHEbA/s400/After+Sunset+at+Cenang+Beach.jpg\" alt\u003d\"Beautiful sunset at the beach\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159210107947172642\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eBeautiful Sunset\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://bp2.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R5kx9C3LwxI/AAAAAAAAAkg/ZeDhFRF1jgs/s1600-h/Dinner+for+Two.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://bp2.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R5kx9C3LwxI/AAAAAAAAAkg/ZeDhFRF1jgs/s400/Dinner+for+Two.jpg\" alt\u003d\"Dinner for two\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159209772939723538\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eDinner\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://bp1.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R5qLUi3Lw2I/AAAAAAAAAlI/IeCIxzx70TE/s1600-h/DSC01068.png\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;\" src\u003d\"http://bp1.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R5qLUi3Lw2I/AAAAAAAAAlI/IeCIxzx70TE/s400/DSC01068.png\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"Tom Clancy's Executive Orders\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5159589508178232162\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eThe latest book book that I bought in Langkawi. I'm a Tom Clancy's fan.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_end--\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"tag_list\"\u003eTags: \u003cspan class\u003d\"tags\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/vacation\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003evacation\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/langkawi\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003elangkawi\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/recovery\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003erecovery\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-9157968593733861502?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/9157968593733861502/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2008/01/back-from-vacation.html#comment-form","title":"5 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/9157968593733861502"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/9157968593733861502"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2008/01/back-from-vacation.html","title":"\u003ch1\u003eBack From Vacation\u003c/h1\u003e"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://bp0.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R5p55S3Lw1I/AAAAAAAAAlA/URZ9uqMJsVM/s72-c/ArahMan7+in+Langkawi+2008.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"5"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-8458320441734397411"},"published":{"$t":"2007-12-27T20:21:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-12-28T11:49:36.684+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"prayer"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"family day"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"gathering"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Family's Day"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ch2 style\u003d\"font-weight: normal;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003eThe Gathering in Pictures!\u003c/h2\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_start--\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eDepression\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"We are no longer fighting fear, anger, guilt, self-pity, or depression.\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eBasic Text, p. 26\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAs addicts, many of us experience depression from time to time. When we feel depressed, we may be tempted to isolate ourselves. However, if we do this, our depression may turn to despair. We can't afford to let depression leads us back to using.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eInstead, we try to go about the routine of our lives. We make meeting attendance and contact with our sponsor top priorities. Sharing with others about our feelings may let us know we aren't the only ones who have been depressed in recovery. Working with a newcomer can work wonders for our own state of mind. And, most importantly, prayer and meditation can help us tap the power we need to survive depression.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe practice acceptance and remember that feelings like depression will unquestionably pass in time. Rather than struggle with our feelings, we accept them and ask for the strength to walk through them.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eJust for today:\u003c/span\u003e I accept that my feelings of depression won't last forever. I shall talk openly about my feelings with my sponsor or another person who understands.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e-----------------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eDate:\u003c/span\u003e Saturday, December 22nd 2007\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003ePlace:\u003c/span\u003e Somewhere in Kuale Kangsor.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eOccasion:\u003c/span\u003e The late Haji Abdul Manan's Annual Family Day.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eMood:\u003c/span\u003e Not depressed, but happy! :-)\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eLegend:\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003e\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003eThursday and Friday - The family started arriving from all over Malaysia.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eThere are nine families altogether and every families are designated with colours.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eEncik Husni and Puan Sikin are the largest family. Total twelve, enough for three Futsal's teams. For this year this year they are wearing black.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eThe smallest goes to the family of Arah and Man - Just the two of us! Maroon is our colour.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eSaturday - The games begin. Started with Futsal and ended with X-Box's World Cup (soccer).\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eSaturday - Late in the evening, the whole family gathered for \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eMaghrib\u003c/span\u003e's prayer led by Dato' Mushidi. Taskirah by The Eminence Abu Bakar and the matriarch herself, my Mother-in-law.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eAfter Isyak, BBQ, prize giving, karaoke etc etc etc.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eSunday - The cleaning of the late Haji Abdul Manan's graveyard.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eBefore lunch, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003etahlil\u003c/span\u003e for the whole clan.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eMonday, Tuesday, Wednesday - The Family started leaving one by one leaving the three of us, Arah, Man and Mother-in-law.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eLike they said in a song (The Bread if I'm not mistaken), \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"a picture can paints a thousand words.\"\u003c/span\u003e So, I'm going to let the photo do the \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003etalking\u003c/span\u003e for me. Here goes:\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://bp0.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R3PjAz_0VzI/AAAAAAAAAi0/iaRWWwbHIu8/s1600-h/DSC00789.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://bp0.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R3PjAz_0VzI/AAAAAAAAAi0/iaRWWwbHIu8/s400/DSC00789.JPG\" alt\u003d\"Preparing the field\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148708402111993650\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ccenter\u003eSome of participants preparing the field.\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://bp2.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R3PjzT_0V0I/AAAAAAAAAi8/zc0a1GLYpUU/s1600-h/DSC00797.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://bp2.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R3PjzT_0V0I/AAAAAAAAAi8/zc0a1GLYpUU/s400/DSC00797.JPG\" alt\u003d\"Some of the prizes\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148709269695387458\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ccenter\u003ePrizes to be won.\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://bp2.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R3PuuT_0V9I/AAAAAAAAAkE/im4ae0VtcKw/s1600-h/DSC00847.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://bp2.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R3PuuT_0V9I/AAAAAAAAAkE/im4ae0VtcKw/s400/DSC00847.JPG\" alt\u003d\"Futsal!\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148721278423947218\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ccenter\u003eThe games began with Futsal. My team (aptly called Liverpool) got third place. We gonna be \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003enumbah\u003c/span\u003e one next year!\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://bp0.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R3PtUz_0V7I/AAAAAAAAAj0/CE-ZwX3pwNY/s1600-h/DSC00881.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://bp0.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R3PtUz_0V7I/AAAAAAAAAj0/CE-ZwX3pwNY/s400/DSC00881.JPG\" alt\u003d\"The young ones - Collecting as many balls as you can\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148719740825655218\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ccenter\u003eFor our young athletes, collecting as many balls as they can in a basket.\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://bp0.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R3PsKz_0V6I/AAAAAAAAAjs/pYedxShN2j0/s1600-h/DSC00907.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://bp0.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R3PsKz_0V6I/AAAAAAAAAjs/pYedxShN2j0/s400/DSC00907.JPG\" alt\u003d\"Three legged running ladies\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148718469515335586\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ccenter\u003eFor our young heroine, the three legged race.\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://bp3.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R3PrPj_0V5I/AAAAAAAAAjk/WuwIHJQZ8So/s1600-h/DSC00914.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://bp3.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R3PrPj_0V5I/AAAAAAAAAjk/WuwIHJQZ8So/s400/DSC00914.JPG\" alt\u003d\"Catch as many balls as you can using a basket\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148717451608086418\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ccenter\u003eCatching the most balls - won by Yours Truly's family. ;-)\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://bp1.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R3PpiD_0V4I/AAAAAAAAAjc/dbJP3JRTsD0/s1600-h/DSC00931.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://bp1.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R3PpiD_0V4I/AAAAAAAAAjc/dbJP3JRTsD0/s400/DSC00931.JPG\" alt\u003d\"The ladies - Putting in the thread into the sewing needle's hole\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148715570412410754\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ccenter\u003eThe ladies of the house - Threading the needle. Won by the House's doctor. When asked how could she do it so fast? She said she got lots of training during surgery!\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://bp2.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R3PmNT_0V2I/AAAAAAAAAjM/WWZWcgz_8I8/s1600-h/DSC00867.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://bp2.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R3PmNT_0V2I/AAAAAAAAAjM/WWZWcgz_8I8/s400/DSC00867.JPG\" alt\u003d\"Third place - Dart throwing.\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148711915395241826\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ccenter\u003eI was third for dart throwing. \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eNumbah\u003c/span\u003e one, next year!\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://bp1.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R3PlHD_0V1I/AAAAAAAAAjE/9KAcQ_doMxg/s1600-h/DSC00899.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://bp1.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R3PlHD_0V1I/AAAAAAAAAjE/9KAcQ_doMxg/s400/DSC00899.JPG\" alt\u003d\"The champion running in a sack - Yours Truly!\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148710708509431634\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ccenter\u003eThe Champ in action - Running in the sack. Maroon on the top of the world!\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://bp2.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R3PoAT_0V3I/AAAAAAAAAjU/QkWwEkogD4k/s1600-h/DSC00976.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://bp2.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R3PoAT_0V3I/AAAAAAAAAjU/QkWwEkogD4k/s400/DSC00976.JPG\" alt\u003d\"Receiving the prize\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148713891080198002\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ccenter\u003eAt night we had BBQ and prize giving. Yours Truly, the Maroon's skipper receiving the prize for the best athletic skill, lol!\u003cbr /\u003eFor the whole Family - We gonna create that category next year. For this year Family's Day, I'm claiming it, lol!\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://bp1.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R3Pt_D_0V8I/AAAAAAAAAj8/Iq_85_icvlo/s1600-h/DSC00873.JPG\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://bp1.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R3Pt_D_0V8I/AAAAAAAAAj8/Iq_85_icvlo/s400/DSC00873.JPG\" alt\u003d\"The Haji Abdul Manan's Family\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5148720466675128258\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ccenter\u003eThe Family preparing for photo shooting. For now, there are forty eight of us. More will be coming soon, I'm sure ;-)\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_end--\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-8458320441734397411?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/8458320441734397411/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/12/familys-day.html#comment-form","title":"13 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/8458320441734397411"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/8458320441734397411"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/12/familys-day.html","title":"\u003ch1\u003eFamily's Day\u003c/h1\u003e"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://bp0.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R3PjAz_0VzI/AAAAAAAAAi0/iaRWWwbHIu8/s72-c/DSC00789.JPG","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"13"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-201216703472753641"},"published":{"$t":"2007-12-18T13:37:00.001+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2009-07-29T08:19:37.525+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"message of recovery"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"wedding anniversary"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"malaysian dotcom youth search"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Malaysian Dotcom Youth Search"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ch2 style\u003d\"font-weight: normal;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003eVote For My Journey To Recovery\u003c/h2\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_start--\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eThe message of our meetings\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"The fact that we, each and every group, focus on carrying the message provides consistency; addicts cancount on us.\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eBasic Text, p. 64-65\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eTales of our antics in active addiction may be funny. Stories of our bizarre reactions to life when using may be interesting. But they tend to carry the mess more than the message. Philosophical arguments on the nature of God are fascinating. Discussions of current controversies have their place - however, it's not at an NA meeting.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThose times when we grow disgusted with meetings and find ourselves complaining that \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"they don't know how to share\"\u003c/span\u003e or \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"it was another whining session\"\u003c/span\u003e are probably an indication that we need to take a good, hard look at how \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003ewe\u003c/span\u003e share.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhat we share about how we got into recovery and how we stayed here through practicing the Twelve Steps is the real message of recovery. That's what we are all looking for when we go to a meeting. Our primary purpose is to carry the message to the still-suffering addict, and what we share at meetings can either contribute significantly to this effort or detract greatly. The choice, and the responsibility, is ours.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eJust for today:\u003c/span\u003e I shall share my recovery at an NA meeting.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e--------------------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFirst of all, I would like to share with you a couple of good news. Today, December 18th, 2007 is my third wedding anniversaries. And as a present to my beloved wife, this is what I got to say;\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv style\u003d\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:180%;\"\u003eSpecial Woman In My Life\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv style\u003d\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:130%;\"\u003eIt's hard for me to find the words\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThat will very clearly say\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHow very much I love you\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAnd how you're the meaning to each day.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI'm so very glad I found you\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFor, with all your gentleness\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eYou have brought joy into my life\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAnd untold happiness.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMy life has been enriched\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSince the time that I met you\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFor, in everything we share\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI see a love that is so true.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI see a heart that always cares,\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eA nature that's so kind\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSuch a beautiful lady\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWho I've been so fortunate to find\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eYou make my heart beat faster\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWith you I am myself\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAnd the love we share I treasure\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFor it is a love above all else.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThank you! Thank you! Thank you! (Taking a bow - to a standing ovations) You're so kind! (Still bowing and bowing. Cat-calling and whistling are heard everywhere, interspersed with the the shout of, Bravo! Bravo!)\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e(Timidly.) \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eCan I begin my Oscar's acceptance speech now?\u003c/span\u003e ;-)\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOkay, here's another good news. I heard about these \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.youthmalaysia.com/youthsearch/index.php\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eMalaysian Dotcom Youth Search\u003c/a\u003e from \u003ca href\u003d\"http://stevenwongblog.com/contest/malaysian-dot-com-youth-search/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eSteven Wong's blog.\u003c/a\u003e For your information, this award is for Malaysians only.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"pullquote\"\u003eThe Malaysian Dotcom Youth Search is the hunt to identify the hottest and most innovative website, made by youths. With thousands of Malaysian websites including blogs and portals emerging daily, we are on the lookout for owners of super cool sites, giving them recognition for their work.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIf you are currently into Internet Marketing, and you are looking for oppo-tunities to get funded into your business, here is the event you shouldn't missed. Established in conjunction with Youth ’08 - Malaysia’s Youth Lifestyle Showcase, The Malaysian Dotcom Youth Search is the hunt for websites, portals and even blogs with the ability to generate income and influence communities with an innovative factor.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe Malaysian Dotcom Youth Search is brought to you by \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.youthmalaysia.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eYouthMalaysia.com,\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.mirc.com.my/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eMIRC Incubator\u003c/a\u003e and \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.nuffnang.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eNuffnang.com.\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI never thought of winning the award. All I can think of is that I'm able to meet the A-listed WebMasters of Malaysia. Less than 24 hours later after submitting my registration's form, I received an email from \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.youthmalaysia.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eYouthMalaysia.com,\u003c/a\u003e congratulating me for my blog, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://redirect.alexa.com/redirect?arahman7.blogspot.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eMy Journey To Recovery\u003c/a\u003e has been accepted to be among the great nominated sites for the award.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://www.youthmalaysia.com/youthsearch/index.php\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://bp3.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R2hiBT_0VyI/AAAAAAAAAio/OWeHe_kguzo/s400/Vote+for+My+Journey+To+Rcovery.png\" alt\u003d\"Vote for My Journey To Recovery\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5145470348958127906\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e(Click image to see the \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003ereal things\u003c/span\u003e on YouthMalaysia.com)\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThat's it my friends. And don't forget to \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:130%;\"\u003evote\u003c/span\u003e for this blog.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBelow are some news about China and their \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003efight\u003c/span\u003e against drugs. brought to you by \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.thenewsroom.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eThe News Room.\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHave a progressive weekdays.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv id\u003d\"cubeDiv\" style\u003d\"position: relative;\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"position: relative; z-index: 2;\"\u003e\u003cobject classid\u003d\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" id\u003d\"swfclipt1258534\" height\u003d\"750\" width\u003d\"410\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"allowScriptAccess\" value\u003d\"always\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"movie\" value\u003d\"http://www.thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/cube.swf?a\u003dt1258534\u0026amp;m\u003d281271\u0026amp;v\u003d1\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"base\" value\u003d\".\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"wmode\" value\u003d\"transparent\"\u003e\u003cembed src\u003d\"http://www.thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/cube.swf?a\u003dt1258534\u0026amp;m\u003d281271\u0026amp;v\u003d1\" base\u003d\".\" wmode\u003d\"transparent\" name\u003d\"swfclipt1258534\" allowscriptaccess\u003d\"always\" type\u003d\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" pluginspage\u003d\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" height\u003d\"750\" width\u003d\"410\"\u003e\u003c/embed\u003e\u003c/object\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan id\u003d\"voxAdt1258534\" style\u003d\"position: absolute; z-index: 2;\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"tag_list\"\u003eTechnorati Tags: \u003cspan class\u003d\"tags\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/malaysian+dotcom+youth+search\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\" onmouseover\u003d\"this.href\u003d'http://technorati.com/tag/malaysian+dotcom+youth+search?user\u003dArahMan7'\"\u003emalaysian dotcom youth search\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/message+of+recovery\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\" onmouseover\u003d\"this.href\u003d'http://technorati.com/tag/message+of+recovery?user\u003dArahMan7'\"\u003emessage of recovery\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/wedding+anniversary\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\" onmouseover\u003d\"this.href\u003d'http://technorati.com/tag/wedding+anniversary?user\u003dArahMan7'\"\u003ewedding anniversary\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_end--\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-201216703472753641?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/201216703472753641/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/12/malaysian-dotcom-youth-search.html#comment-form","title":"9 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/201216703472753641"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/201216703472753641"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/12/malaysian-dotcom-youth-search.html","title":"Malaysian Dotcom Youth Search"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://bp3.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/R2hiBT_0VyI/AAAAAAAAAio/OWeHe_kguzo/s72-c/Vote+for+My+Journey+To+Rcovery.png","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"9"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-6198256214002423892"},"published":{"$t":"2007-12-03T23:48:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-12-04T21:30:18.421+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"chase the dragon"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"recovery"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"addiction"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Addiction Vicious Cycle"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ch2 style\u003d\"font-weight: normal;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003eVision Without Limits\u003c/h2\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_start--\u003e\u003cfont style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"Perhaps for the first time, we see a vision of our new life.\"\u003c/font\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cfont style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eBasic Text, p. 34\u003c/font\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIn our addiction, our vision of ourselves was very limited. Each day, we went through the same routine: getting, using, and finding ways and means to get more. And that's all we could reasonably expect for the duration of our lives. Our potential was limited.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eToday, our prospects are changed. Recovery has given us a new vision of ourselves and our lives. We are no longer trapped in the endlessly gray routine of addiction. We are free to stretch ourselves in new ways, trying out new ideas and new activities. In doing so, we come to see ourselves in a new way. Our potential is limited only by the strength of the Higher Power that cares for us - and that strength \u003cfont style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003ehas\u003c/font\u003e no limits.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIn recovery, life and everything in it appears open to us. Guided by our spiritual principles, driven by the power given us by Allah swt, our horizons are limitless.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cfont style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eJust for today:\u003c/font\u003e I shall open my eyes to the possibilities before me. My potential is as limitless and as powerful as Allah swt. Today, I shall act on that potential.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e----------------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBefore I proceed any further, I would like to thanks to all my friends, in recovery or not who have reached out to me in comments and emails sent to me. I don't know what I'm gonna do without you guys/gals? Your moral supports meant so much to me, and only God can ever repay your kindness. Thank you for making me clean and sober today.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI remembered when I was still using, my life routine centered on where to get drugs. After getting it, came the same ritual of using, the burning of the aluminum's foil and preparing the straw to \u003cfont style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003ecatch the dragon.\u003c/font\u003e Then came the part where I started to plan all sort of ways on how to get more drugs. I would resort to anything, mostly involved criminal activities as long as I can get more drugs.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cfont class\u003d\"pullquote\"\u003eToday, we experience a full range of feelings. Before coming into the Fellowship, we either felt elated or depressed. Our negative sense of self has been replaced by a positive concern for others. Answers are provided, and problems are solved. It is a great gift to feel human again.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhat a change from the way that we used to be! We needed to change ourselves, instead of trying to change the people and situations around us. We discovered new opportunities. We found a sense of self-worth. We learned self-respect. Acceptance leads to recovery. We lose our fear of the unknown. We are set free.\u003c/font\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAnd it's the same old story that goes on over and over again. I would go through the same scripts days in days out. It would only ends when the scene on the scripts changed to three things. It's either I dropped death, or I get caught and sent off to prison or rehabilitation center!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIn the beginning, it was really fun. I could stay up late to study for my coming exams, but not long after that \u003cfont style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003ehabit\u003c/font\u003e took a turn for the worse. It seem that I've to take drugs to survive. It has become a necessity without me realizing it. So, I kept on using drugs, continuously on a journey toward hell. When I was high full of drugs, all my troubles and problems seems so far away. I was avoiding reality, pain and misery with the drugs I took. I felt like a king with no problems whatsoever to worry about.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBut when I came back to earth, the problems and misery which I thought had gone away was still there waiting for me. That was what kept me on using drugs, to \u003cfont style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eshoo\u003c/font\u003e away all the pained and troubles. That was the only kind of life I knew. Gone were my ambition to be successful in life. My only thought were centered around drugs. With drugs I felt alive. No matter what I got to have it!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThinking about it now, I still didn't realize I had a problem when I lost my job at the bank, my apartment, my car, my every things. I still thought I could handle it, thinking that every things gonna be fine. And I kept on thinking every things gonna be fine for twenty six long years! \u003cfont style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eGee, what was I thinking?\u003c/font\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhen every things was lost and gone, my cousin took me in. Introduced me to NA. I was really desperate and I would do anything so that I could be human again! Slowly, I said slowly because I was quite a rebel at first. I thought this was just another B.S program. In my mind I thought how could I be cured if all they do was talk!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAfter sitting in a meeting, and several meeting after that, I began to feel that people really care for me and were willing to help. The people there in NA gave me hope by insisting I could recover. It hit me hard on the face and I thought, \u003cfont style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"Wow! Nobody trusted me before!\"\u003c/font\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003ePeople had lost their trust in me for twenty six years, and now these people that I've known for only a few days had given their trust in me. That was truly amazing. I found that no matter what my past thoughts or actions were, these people had felt and done the same. Surrounded by fellow addicts, I realized that I'm not alone anymore. Recovery is what happens in these meetings. My life is at stake here and I found that by putting recovery first, I can be cured.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIn these meetings I came to three disturbing realizations:\u003cbr /\u003e\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003eI am powerless over addiction and my life are unmanageable;\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eAlthough I am not responsible for this disease, I am responsible for my recovery;\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eI can no longer blame people, places and things for my addiction. I must face my problems and my feelings.\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003eThe ultimate weapon for recovery is a recovering addicts. We concentrate on recovery and feelings not what we have done in the past. Old friends, places and ideas are often a threat to our recovery. We need to change our playmates, playgrounds and playthings.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhen we realize that we are not able to manage without drugs, some of us immediately begin experiencing depression, anxiety, hostility and resentment. Petty frustrations, minor setbacks and loneliness often make us feel that we are not getting any better. We find that we suffer from a disease, not a moral dilemma. We were critically ill, not hopelessly bad. Our disease can only be arrested through abstinence.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHave a good day, my friends.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_end--\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv id\u003d\"cubeDiv\" style\u003d\"position:relative;\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"position:relative; z-index:2;\"\u003e\u003cobject classid\u003d\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" id\u003d\"swfclipt850639\" width\u003d\"410\" height\u003d\"750\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"allowScriptAccess\" value\u003d\"always\" /\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"movie\" value\u003d\"http://www.thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/cube.swf?a\u003dt850639\u0026m\u003d256247\u0026v\u003d1\" /\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"base\" value\u003d\".\"/\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"wmode\" value\u003d\"transparent\"\u003e\u003cembed src\u003d\"http://www.thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/cube.swf?a\u003dt850639\u0026m\u003d256247\u0026v\u003d1\"base\u003d\".\" wmode\u003d\"transparent\" width\u003d\"410\" height\u003d\"750\" name\u003d\"swfclipt850639\" allowScriptAccess\u003d\"always\" type\u003d\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" pluginspage\u003d\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\"\u003e\u003c/embed\u003e\u003c/object\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan id\u003d\"voxAdt850639\" style\u003d\"position:absolute;z-index:2;\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-6198256214002423892?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/6198256214002423892/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/12/addiction-vicious-cycle.html#comment-form","title":"7 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/6198256214002423892"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/6198256214002423892"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/12/addiction-vicious-cycle.html","title":"\u003ch1\u003eAddiction Vicious Cycle\u003c/h1\u003e"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"7"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-5432071214774382213"},"published":{"$t":"2007-11-24T23:51:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-11-26T00:31:20.143+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"grateful"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"recovery"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"acceptance"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"More Will Be Revealed"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ch2 style\u003d\"font-weight: normal;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003eGratefully Recovering\u003c/h2\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_start--\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"We entertained the thought that staying clean was not paying off, and the old thinking stirred up self-pity, resentment, and anger.\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eBasic Text, p. 98\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThere are days when some of us wallow in self-pity. It's easy to do. We may have expectations about how our lives \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eshould\u003c/span\u003e be in recovery, expectations that aren't always met. Maybe we've tried unsuccessfully to control someone, or we think our circumstances should be different. Perhaps we've compared ourselves with other recovering addicts and found ourselves lacking. The more we try to make our life conform to our expectations, the more uncomfortable we feel. Self-pity can arise from living in our expectations instead of in the world as it actually is.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhen the world doesn't measure up to our expectations, it's often our expectations that need adjusting, not the world. We can stand by comparing our lives today with the way they used to be, developing gratitude for our recovery. We can extend this exercise in gratitude by counting the good things in our lives, becoming thankful that the world does not conform to our expectations but exceeds them. And if we continue working the Twelve Steps, further cultivating gratitude and acceptance, what we can expect in the future is more growth, more happiness, and more peace of mind.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe've been given much in recovery; staying clean \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003ehas\u003c/span\u003e paid off. Acceptance of our lives, just for today, frees us from our self-pity.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eJust for today:\u003c/span\u003e I shall accept my life, gratefully, just as it is.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e----------------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI know I've made the mistake of trying to people pleasing lately,  especially to my mother-in-law who has nothing good to say about me. She thought I'm an embarrassment and a burden to her well-groomed family. I nearly lost it. O yeah, I admit I nearly lost it. I've gone back to my cocoon and wallowed myself in self-pity, resentment and anger. I kept  asking myself, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"why did I became a drug addict?\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOut here all alone, I got no one to talk to. Not even with my beloved wife. Hei, look guys. I'm talking about her mother here, for God sake. What am I suppose to say? Say \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003ebad\u003c/span\u003e things about her mother? No way, man! I'm not gonna say anything bad about her mother. I would rather keep it to myself. As far as she knows, her mother and me are buddy-buddy, really close to each other.\u003cspan class\u003d\"pullquote\"\u003eThere are times, however, such as in cases of health problems involving surgery and/or extreme physical injury, when medication may be valid. This does not constitute a license to use. There is no safe use of drugs for us. Our bodies don't know the difference between the drugs prescribed by a Physician for pain and the drugs prescribed by ourselves to get high. As addicts, our skills at self-deception will be at its peak in such a situation. Often our minds will manufacture additional pain as an excuse to use.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr/\u003eI realized now, no matter what I do, I could never pleased her. To her I'm just a failure In her book, to be a successful person you have to work a nine to five job. Since I never came close to hold a nine to five job, I'm just a BIG failure! Frankly, it hurt me. Very bad indeed! Look, I'm just an ordinary human being. I got feeling too, you know. I'm not some kind of robot. You pinched me, it sure does hurt!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhile sitting in front of this PC, my other side whispered to me to go out. To take some fresh air. Call my old friends, better still see them. Join them. Ask them what's up, dude? Anything fancy going on lately? Come on, what you're having. Nobody, gonna know. Come on, once in the blue moon. It not gonna hurt you. Forget everything. Even though you're clean now, you're still a piece of SHIT to them! So, who cares?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSTOOOOOPPP! I care, damnit! Pleeeaasee God, I care very much!!!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eJUST FOR TODAY my thoughts will be on my recovery, living and enjoying life without the use of drugs.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eJUST FOR TODAY I shall have faith in someone in NA who believes in me and wants to help me in my recovery.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eJUST FOR TODAY I shall have a program. I shall try to follow it to he best of my ability.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eJUST FOR TODAY through NA I shall try to get a better perspective on my life.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eJUST FOR TODAY I shall be unafraid, my thoughts will be on my new associations, people who are not using and who have found a new way of life. So long as I follow that way, I have nothing to fear.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eYeah, life is like a merry-go-round. Sometimes you're up, and sometimes you're down. Some things we gotta accept, while others we can change or do something about it. Only with Allah swt guidance, we can have the wisdom to know the difference. If we're able to maintain with our spiritual condition daily, we will find it easier to deal with the pain and confusion that comes along in our growth.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIt seem that over time on my journey to recovery, I shall face all kind of crisis, like the death of a loved one, financial difficulties and like the nasty divorce with my ex Doctor wife. All in all, I got to face it. No matter how hard it gonna knock me down. All these are the realities of life, and they don't go away just because I got clean and sober! No matter how painful life's tragedies comes and go, only one thing is clear, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eI'M NOT GONNA TAKES DRUGS AGAIN, NO MATTER WHAT!\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHave a good week, my friends.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_end--\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv id\u003d\"cubeDiv\" style\u003d\"position:relative;\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"position:relative; z-index:2;\"\u003e\u003cobject classid\u003d\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" id\u003d\"swfclipv891790\" width\u003d\"400\" height\u003d\"500\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"allowScriptAccess\" value\u003d\"always\" /\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"movie\" value\u003d\"http://www.thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/cube.swf?a\u003dv891790\u0026m\u003d238723\u0026v\u003d1\" /\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"base\" value\u003d\".\"/\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"wmode\" value\u003d\"transparent\"\u003e\u003cembed src\u003d\"http://www.thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/cube.swf?a\u003dv891790\u0026m\u003d238723\u0026v\u003d1\"base\u003d\".\" wmode\u003d\"transparent\" width\u003d\"400\" height\u003d\"500\" name\u003d\"swfclipv891790\" allowScriptAccess\u003d\"always\" type\u003d\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" pluginspage\u003d\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\"\u003e\u003c/embed\u003e\u003c/object\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan id\u003d\"voxAdv891790\" style\u003d\"position:absolute;z-index:2;\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-5432071214774382213?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/5432071214774382213/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/11/more-will-be-revealed.html#comment-form","title":"8 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/5432071214774382213"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/5432071214774382213"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/11/more-will-be-revealed.html","title":"\u003ch1\u003eMore Will Be Revealed\u003c/h1\u003e"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"8"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-2871113478784805001"},"published":{"$t":"2007-11-17T18:30:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-11-26T00:16:06.631+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"sponsored post"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"recovery"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"drug detox center"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Drug Detox Center"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ch2 class\u003d\"subtitle\" style\u003d\"FONT-WEIGHT: normal\"\u003eFreedom From Active Addiction!\u003c/h2\u003e\u003ccenter style\u003d\"FONT-WEIGHT: bold\"\u003eAdvertisement\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThrough my experiences as a drug addict, one thing that stopped me from getting help was the thought of going through the withdrawal period. The pained and the horrors of delirium tremors of a withdrawal symptoms and what it is to really suffer is indescribable.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThis is where \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.summerhousedetoxcenter.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eDrug Detox Center,\u003c/a\u003e a dignified and compassionate drug and alcohol and substance abuse detox facility, also known as rehab play an important role. Their main mission is to provide a detoxification program that minimizes pain, suffering and the stifling confines of a sterile or confrontational institution. In other words, their whole mission is to make the detoxification process comfortable for those addicts who are trying to find ways to free themselves from the disease of addiction.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.summerhousedetoxcenter.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eDrug Detox Center,\u003c/a\u003e is also available and seen on A\u0026amp;E Intervention series.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eTheir around the clock medical staff provides a liquid cocktail which is a combination of several potent medications which you will receive every four hours around the clock in reducing doses until you are clean. One of the medications is a short acting narcotic which will, in most cases, initially meet or slightly exceed your current \"habit\" to ensure that you are comfortable during your stay with them. Thus making rehab at \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.summerhousedetoxcenter.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eDrug Detox Center\u003c/a\u003e as gentle as possible. The Drug Detox Center's staff, many of whom are also in recovery, is a group of compassionate dedicated professionals working together towards your goal of recovery from drug and alcohol addiction.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eYou may ask, \u003cspan style\u003d\"FONT-STYLE: italic\"\u003e\"How could this be possible?\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWell, as we all know the ultimate weapon for recovery is the recovering addict. Those recovering addicts concentrate on recovery and feelings not what we addicts have done in the past. Old friends, places and ideas are often a threat to our recovery. Therefore, we need to change our playmates, playgrounds and playthings and they will show us the ways.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAt \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.summerhousedetoxcenter.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eDrug Detox Center,\u003c/a\u003e they believe that each individual is unique. They know from first hand experiences that alcoholics and addicts have often endured considerable suffering and they at \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.summerhousedetoxcenter.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eDrug Detox Center\u003c/a\u003e want to make the option of getting clean and sober as appealing as possible. They know the horrors of delirium tremors, withdrawal symptoms and what it is to really suffer... They've all been there! \u003cspan style\u003d\"FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-size:130%;\" \u003eNo addict or alcoholic need suffer in the strict confines of a generic drug treatment institution where your identity is reduced to a mere number! \u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.summerhousedetoxcenter.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eDrug Detox Center\u003c/a\u003e is also devoted to the process of becoming 'clean' without the discomfort and indignity of being sick. Patients also have the opportunity to engage with \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.summerhousedetoxcenter.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eDrug Detox Center\u003c/a\u003e counselors and their dynamic team of recovering staff in a refreshing non-confrontational manner. This is where many people have struggled with addictions for some times experience their first glimmer of hope.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cobject codebase\u003d\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#4,0,0,0\" height\u003d\"90\" width\u003d\"420\" classid\u003d\"clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"_cx\" value\u003d\"11113\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"_cy\" value\u003d\"2381\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"FlashVars\" value\u003d\"\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"Movie\" value\u003d\"http://www.summerhousedetoxcenter.com/media/detox123banner.swf\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"Src\" value\u003d\"http://www.summerhousedetoxcenter.com/media/detox123banner.swf\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"WMode\" value\u003d\"Opaque\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"Play\" value\u003d\"-1\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"Loop\" value\u003d\"-1\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"Quality\" value\u003d\"High\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"SAlign\" value\u003d\"\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"Menu\" value\u003d\"0\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"Base\" value\u003d\"\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"AllowScriptAccess\" value\u003d\"\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"Scale\" value\u003d\"ShowAll\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"DeviceFont\" value\u003d\"0\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"EmbedMovie\" value\u003d\"0\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"BGColor\" value\u003d\"\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"SWRemote\" value\u003d\"\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"MovieData\" value\u003d\"\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"SeamlessTabbing\" value\u003d\"1\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"Profile\" value\u003d\"0\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"ProfileAddress\" value\u003d\"\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"ProfilePort\" value\u003d\"0\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"AllowNetworking\" value\u003d\"all\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"AllowFullScreen\" value\u003d\"false\"\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e   \u003cembed src\u003d\"http://www.summerhousedetoxcenter.com/media/detox123banner.swf\" menu\u003d\"false\" quality\u003d\"high\" wmode\u003d\"opaque\" type\u003d\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" pluginspage\u003d\"http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version\u003dShockwaveFlash\" height\u003d\"90\" width\u003d\"420\"\u003e\u003c/embed\u003e\u003c/object\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eDetox is only the first step to a drug free life, making \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.summerhousedetoxcenter.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eDrug Detox Center\u003c/a\u003e to act as a getaway to other alcohol and drug treatment programs. They help patients make these connection as well as with other community resources for the next stage of their treatment.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.summerhousedetoxcenter.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eDrug Detox Center\u003c/a\u003e provide a wide variety of amenities so that the pressure of everyday life dissolve as the patients take time out to start a new and better life. The patients may use laptop computers, cell phones or enjoy DVDs and CDs on the huge entertainment system. Other amenities include acupuncture, Tai Chi, WIFI Internet, and Jacuzzi tubs. Optional services of massage therapy and salon services are also available.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.summerhousedetoxcenter.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eDrug Detox Center\u003c/a\u003e program emphasizes group and individual recovery activities that are readily available to all patients. They encourage attendance at AA and NA meetings that are held on the premises throughout the day.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIn short, here are several reasons why \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.summerhousedetoxcenter.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eDrug Detox Center\u003c/a\u003e is our first choice to seek help from:? \u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eThey Make The Process of Detox Easy!\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eThey Use Strong Detox Meds Every 4 Hrs\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eComfortable and Friendly Atmosphere\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eNon Treatment Style Environment\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eDetox From All Drugs and Alcohol!\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eOver 10 Years of Detox Experience\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eThey Know How You Feel... They Can Help!\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003eHead over there now at \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.summerhousedetoxcenter.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eDrug Detox Center\u003c/a\u003e and read all the amazing stuff make available for your comfort, to become clean and sober again. PDF brochure are also available for your reading pleasure and getting to know about them better. You can download the PDF brochure using this, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.summerhousedetoxcenter.com/media/Brochure.pdf\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eRecovery Link.\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eYou can write an email to \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.summerhousedetoxcenter.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eDrug Detox Center\u003c/a\u003e anytime by clicking on one of the links below... Help is only a mouse click away.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIf you have a question about Drug Detox Center or anything regarding detox, please fill out the form by clicking this link, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.summerhousedetoxcenter.com/ask-a-question.html\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eAsk A Question\u003c/a\u003e and a specialist will respond within 20 minutes. Please be as thorough as possible so he or she can answer your question more accurately. \u003cspan style\u003d\"FONT-WEIGHT: bold\"\u003ePrivacy Policy:\u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan style\u003d\"FONT-STYLE: italic\"\u003eThis information is private and will \u003cspan style\u003d\"FONT-WEIGHT: bold\"\u003enever\u003c/span\u003e be shared with any other organizations.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.summerhousedetoxcenter.com/ask-a-question.html\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e~ Ask A Question\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe amount of time someone stays at Drug Detox Center varies depending on what the patient is using, how much and for how long and age. Other pre-existing health issues other than drugs and alcohol also play a factor in determining the length of stay so please be as thorough as possible when filling out this form. \u003cspan style\u003d\"FONT-WEIGHT: bold\"\u003ePrivacy Policy:\u003c/span\u003e \u003cspan style\u003d\"FONT-STYLE: italic\"\u003eThis information is private and will \u003cspan style\u003d\"FONT-WEIGHT: bold\"\u003enever\u003c/span\u003e be shared with any other organizations.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.summerhousedetoxcenter.com/length-of-stay-3.html\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e~ Length of Stay\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003ePlease fill out their secure form so they can verify benefits with your insurance company. If you fill this out during normal business hours they will contact you the same day, If you fill this out after hours they will contact you the next morning. \u003cspan style\u003d\"FONT-WEIGHT: bold\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:+0;\"\u003ePrivacy Policy:\u003c/span\u003e \u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"FONT-STYLE: italic\"\u003eThis information is private and will \u003cspan style\u003d\"FONT-WEIGHT: bold\"\u003enever\u003c/span\u003e be shared with any other organizations.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.summerhousedetoxcenter.com/am-i-covered.html\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e~ Am I Covered?\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ccenter\u003e\u003cimg title\u003d\"Here, Recovery present the awesome Drug Detox Center!\" height\u003d\"70\" src\u003d\"http://h1.ripway.com/ArahMan7/HiFromRecovery.gif\" width\u003d\"125\" /\u003e\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cobject codebase\u003d\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#4,0,0,0\" height\u003d\"90\" width\u003d\"420\" classid\u003d\"clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"_cx\" value\u003d\"11113\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"_cy\" value\u003d\"2381\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"FlashVars\" value\u003d\"\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"Movie\" value\u003d\"http://www.summerhousedetoxcenter.com/media/888detox123.swf\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"Src\" value\u003d\"http://www.summerhousedetoxcenter.com/media/888detox123.swf\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"WMode\" value\u003d\"Opaque\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"Play\" value\u003d\"-1\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"Loop\" value\u003d\"-1\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"Quality\" value\u003d\"High\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"SAlign\" value\u003d\"\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"Menu\" value\u003d\"0\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"Base\" value\u003d\"\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"AllowScriptAccess\" value\u003d\"\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"Scale\" value\u003d\"ShowAll\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"DeviceFont\" value\u003d\"0\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"EmbedMovie\" value\u003d\"0\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"BGColor\" value\u003d\"\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"SWRemote\" value\u003d\"\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"MovieData\" value\u003d\"\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"SeamlessTabbing\" value\u003d\"1\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"Profile\" value\u003d\"0\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"ProfileAddress\" value\u003d\"\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"ProfilePort\" value\u003d\"0\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"AllowNetworking\" value\u003d\"all\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"AllowFullScreen\" value\u003d\"false\"\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e   \u003cembed src\u003d\"http://www.summerhousedetoxcenter.com/media/888detox123.swf\" menu\u003d\"false\" quality\u003d\"high\" wmode\u003d\"opaque\" type\u003d\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" pluginspage\u003d\"http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/index.cgi?P1_Prod_Version\u003dShockwaveFlash\" height\u003d\"90\" width\u003d\"420\"\u003e\u003c/embed\u003e\u003c/object\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThis is a sponsored post brought to you by substance abuse detox facility, also known as rehab, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.summerhousedetoxcenter.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eDrug Detox Center.\u003c/a\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-2871113478784805001?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/2871113478784805001/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/11/drug-detox-center.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/2871113478784805001"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/2871113478784805001"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/11/drug-detox-center.html","title":"\u003crel\u003d\"nofollow\"\u003e\u003ch1\u003eDrug Detox Center\u003c/h1\u003e"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-3686009828109541264"},"published":{"$t":"2007-11-15T19:27:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-11-15T02:30:01.413+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"willingness"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"surrender"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"acceptance"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"New Resolution"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ch2 style\u003d\"font-weight: normal;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003eFrom surrender to acceptance\u003c/h2\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_start--\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"We surrender quietly and let the God of our understanding take care of us.\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eBasic Text, p. 26\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSurrender and acceptance are like infatuation and love. Infatuation begins when we encounter someone special. Infatuation requires nothing but the acknowledgment of the object of our infatuation. For infatuation to become love, however, requires a great deal of effort. That initial connection must be slowly, patiently nurtured into a lasting durable bond.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIt's the same with surrender and acceptance. We \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003esurrender\u003c/span\u003e when we acknowledge our powerlessness. Slowly, we come to believe that a Power greater than ourselves can give us the care we need. Surrender turns to \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eacceptance\u003c/span\u003e when we let this Power into our lives. We examine ourselves and let our God see us as we are. Having allowed the God of our understanding access to the depths of ourselves, we accept more of God's care. We ask this Power to relieve us of our shortcomings and help us amend the wrongs we've done. Then, we embark on a new way of life, improving our conscious contact and accepting our Higher Power's continuing care, guidance and strength.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSurrender, like infatuation, can be the beginning of a lifelong relationship. To turn surrender into acceptance, however, we must let the God of our understanding take care of us each day.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eJust for today:\u003c/span\u003e My recovery is more than infatuation. I have surrendered. Today, I shall nurture my conscious contact with my Higher Power and accept that Power's continuing care for me.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e-----------------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eToday, my good friend Mighty Morgan taught me about \u003ca href\u003d\"http://themiracleprocess.com/2007/11/13/willingness/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003ewillingness.\u003c/a\u003e Here is her definition of willingness: \u003cblockquote\u003eWillingness is that stretch of the road that leads you from where you are to where you wish to be. The inner journey of self- love that gently and softly guides you home towards the person you truly are.\u003c/blockquote\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFrankly, I'm not feeling well lately. But I'm not gonna use that lame excuse for not updating both of my blogs regularly like I used to do. I'm sorry my friends, it's not gonna happen again. God's willing, I shall try my best to update regularly, maybe like one post for every three days. How's that for starter?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan class\u003d\"pullquote\"\u003eHad enough? Me too. Just add “Life”, “Ramblings”, “Thoughts” or something similar to your “Tag Surfer” at Wordpress. You’ll be surprised by the number of posts that’ll pop up. Some people have all the luck. They live through every single minute in their lives twice - once, when they actually experience it; and second, when they blog about it.\u003cbr /\u003e~ by \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://havetoremember.wordpress.com/category/blogging/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eRuhi\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eEver since my beloved wife introduced me to the world of computers and the Internet, I got hooked immediately. Ever since then, I go no where. I would sit in front of my PC all day long. Looking on one side from my family's perspective, especially my dear Mummy - she's very happy that I'm able to stay home all the time. It's not like when I was using. I was never at home, making her worried all the time.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBut on my beloved wife's family especially my mother-in-law, their perspective are totally different. I would like to tell you about it, but I think this cartoon's script below explained it well. I guess it's true then that a picture paints a thousand words. I found it at Ruhi's \u003ca href\u003d\"http://havetoremember.wordpress.com/category/blogging/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eTime and Again.\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://h1.ripway.com/ArahMan7/dorktower331.jpg\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://bp1.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/Rzsp9X1bucI/AAAAAAAAAhs/FdwlnX-X2ds/s400/dorktower331.jpg\" alt\u003d\"This is me, wasting my time!\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5132742334665701826\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003ccenter style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 0, 0);\"\u003eClick image to enlarge\u003c/center\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBefore I take my leave, here's another news about \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.thenewsroom.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eVoxant.\u003c/a\u003e Voxant's Newsroom has a huge collection of video, text, and photos from over 200 news sources. Find in-depth news, embed it to your site, and build community! Enjoy!\u003c!--google_ad_section_end--\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv id\u003d\"cubeDiv\" style\u003d\"position: relative;\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"position: relative; z-index: 2;\"\u003e\u003cobject classid\u003d\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" id\u003d\"swfclipt602357\" height\u003d\"750\" width\u003d\"410\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"allowScriptAccess\" value\u003d\"always\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"movie\" value\u003d\"http://www.thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/cube.swf?a\u003dt602357\u0026amp;m\u003d221072\u0026amp;v\u003d1\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"base\" value\u003d\".\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"wmode\" value\u003d\"transparent\"\u003e\u003cembed src\u003d\"http://www.thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/cube.swf?a\u003dt602357\u0026amp;m\u003d221072\u0026amp;v\u003d1\" base\u003d\".\" wmode\u003d\"transparent\" name\u003d\"swfclipt602357\" allowscriptaccess\u003d\"always\" type\u003d\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" pluginspage\u003d\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" height\u003d\"750\" width\u003d\"410\"\u003e\u003c/embed\u003e\u003c/object\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan id\u003d\"voxAdt602357\" style\u003d\"position: absolute; z-index: 2;\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-3686009828109541264?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/3686009828109541264/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/11/new-resolution.html#comment-form","title":"3 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/3686009828109541264"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/3686009828109541264"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/11/new-resolution.html","title":"New Resolution"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://bp1.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/Rzsp9X1bucI/AAAAAAAAAhs/FdwlnX-X2ds/s72-c/dorktower331.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"3"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-4683082804026170185"},"published":{"$t":"2007-11-01T15:54:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-11-26T00:14:36.941+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"nofollow"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"beware"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"PayPerPostDotCom"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ch2 class\u003d\"subtitle\" style\u003d\"FONT-WEIGHT: normal\"\u003eI signed up for PPP!\u003c/h2\u003e\u003c!--GOOGLE_AD_SECTION_START--\u003eI still remembered the first time I heard about payperpost. I was in a local forum in my country, Malaysia when a friend opened up a new thread telling me to review one of his posts and I shall be paid seven fifty in US Dollar! Of course I said I'm interested. If converted to RM (Ringgit Malaysia), it's equivalent to RM28.50 (that was the time when every dollar equal to RM3.80). Not bad, considering just for typing up a single post!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSo, on March the fourth, 2007 I signed up for payperpost. I was told that I've got to wait for at least 72 hours before payperpost's administration approved my application, but I received my confirmation email on the same day. I was impressed, they've got a very fast services. I immediately fell in love with payperpost.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThat was my first impressions of them last March.How could you not loved payperpost? Let me asked you another question. \u003ci\u003eHow would you feel sitting in a restaurant waiting for your foods that you've ordered one hour ago?\u003c/i\u003e Yeah, me too. I shall wait for the foods to arrive no matter how long it going to take, but that will be the last time you going to see me in that restaurant, ever again.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAnd now a little bit of history. Hey, you got to know with whom you're dealing with, right? Well, on the second half of 2006, Mr. Ted Murphy, CEO of advertising firm Mindcomet, has launched a new service called payperpost.com. It is a marketplace for companies to connect with bloggers like us who are willing to blog about their products or services - for a price. The companies or the advertisers can set guidelines for their requests such as whether an image or links to be included or not. It's very wise to learn more of their \u003ci\u003eTerms of Service\u003c/i\u003e and read their \u003ci\u003efrequently asked questions.\u003c/i\u003e It can be very helpful to know more about them.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eNow, during the early days of payperpost, I'm sure you have heard many nasty things being said about them. Some said PayPerPost offers to sell your soul, while others said PPP bribe bloggers for positive posts! PPP has even been branded as \u003ci\u003eevil and stupid!\u003c/i\u003e And would you believed it that most of the posts that said that came from an A-Listed Bloggers? But, after all that have been said and done, payperpost came through it all with flying colours. In fact, payperpost are taking over the world!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eNo matter, I still signed up for payperpost. As you've known by now, especially to all my recovery friends listed on \u003ci\u003eMy Sacred Links,\u003c/i\u003e I'm a drug addict. Life is harsh for an drug addict in Malaysia, even to a recovering addict like me. After trying many ways to earn a living, I've discovered the Internet and I believed I can made a living out of it, via blogging to be exact. So, for the past twelve months, I would spent most of my times learning the Internet, computer, trying to find ways how to make money online.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eYou see, when I was using, I know nothing about it all. So, when people see especially my mother-in-law that I spent most of my times sitting in front of a computer, what do you think they will say about it? Of course they will say that I'm wasting my times doing nothing! I've tried to explain to them what I'm doing, but no matter how hard I tried, they will not understand. Maybe they don't want to understand, even though I've never played any games using Play Station like their well-to-do sons or daughters are doing! If it is me sitting in front of a computer, it is just a matter of wasting my times doing unproductive thing!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSo, I signed up with payperpost because I can get paid typing up a post about advertisers' products or services. I wanna earned some money until I can afford to buy a domain name and hosting for my blog. With my own domain name and hosting, I can looked more professional and hopefully more opportunities will be offered to me. That's the main reason why I spent so much times in front of a computer. I wanna show it to them that addicts are also capable to learn on how to make money online. And I also want to show it to them, especially to my mother-in-law that I'm not wasting my times staring at a computer's screen all these times!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"FONT-WEIGHT: bold;font-size:130%;\" \u003eBreaking News:\u003c/span\u003e As of today, November the First, 2007 PayPerPost, Inc. will be officially known as IZEA™. It’s less about getting paid per post, and more about social media and marketing all coming together into a whole suite of products and solutions. On November 10th, at PostieCon, Izea’s new service (code name: Argus) will be released to a select few. Look at their new banner below. Cute, huh?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://www.izea.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cimg id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5127816166226449762\" style\u003d\"DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center\" alt\u003d\"My Journey To Recovery support IZEA\" src\u003d\"http://bp3.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/RympooVu1WI/AAAAAAAAAg8/e5MOp14lUj8/s400/newPPP.png\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIt was said that Mr. Ted Murphy came up with the name of \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.izea.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eIzea.com.\u003c/a\u003e Instead of continuing to operate all of the PayPerPost under the PayPerPost name, you will find sites stated below will be operating under the Izea umbrella: \u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.zookoda.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eZookoda.com\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.bloggerschoiceawards.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eBloggersChoiceAwards.com\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.rockstartup.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eRockStartup.com\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.rssbrief.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eRSSBrief.com\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.urlbrief.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eURLBrief.com\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.bloginspace.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eBlogInSpace.com\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color:#ff0000;\"\u003eUpdates: After three long weeks this post has been published, I received an email from them that they will not pay me. It's alright with me.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color:#ff0000;\"\u003eThis is a nofollow post.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_end--\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003e\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-4683082804026170185?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/4683082804026170185/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/11/payperpostdotcom.html#comment-form","title":"7 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/4683082804026170185"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/4683082804026170185"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/11/payperpostdotcom.html","title":"\u003crel\u003d\"nofollow\"\u003ePayPerPostDotCom"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://bp3.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/RympooVu1WI/AAAAAAAAAg8/e5MOp14lUj8/s72-c/newPPP.png","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"7"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-6360230833847785972"},"published":{"$t":"2007-10-23T11:25:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-10-23T15:40:30.086+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"keeping promise"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"surrender"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"islamic education"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Islamic Education"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ch2 style\u003d\"font-weight: normal;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003eKeeping Your Promise\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eSurrender\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"By surrendering control, we gain a far greater power.\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eBasic Text, p. 43\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhen we were using, we did everything we could to run things our way. We used every scheme imaginable to bring our world under control. When we got what we wanted, we felt powerful, invincible; when we didn't, we felt vulnerable, defeated. But that didn't stop us - it only led to more efforts to control and manipulate our lives into a manageable state.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eScheming was our way of denying our powerlessness. As long as we could distract ourselves with our plans, we could put off accepting that we were out of control. Only gradually did we realize that our lives had become unmanageable and that all the conning and manipulating in the world was not going to put our lives back in order.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhen we admit our powerlessness, we stop trying to control and manage our way to a better life - we surrender. Lacking sufficient power of our own, we seek a Power greater than ourselves, needing support and guidance, we ask that Power to care for our will and our lives. We ask others in recovery to share their experience with living the NA programme instead of trying to programme our own lives. The power and direction we seek is all around us; we need only turn away from self to find it.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eJust for today:\u003c/span\u003e I shall not try to scheme and manipulate my way to a manageable life. Through the NA programme, I shall surrender myself to my Higher Power's care.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e-----------------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOnce there was a man who used to drink and get drunk. At the same time, he used to attend the lectures of the Noble Prophet Muhammad saw.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOne day when the Prophet was walking down the street he saw this same man in a wine shop drinking, so he went up to him and had a word with him. The Prophet saw managed to get the man to promise that he would not drink alcohol anymore.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAt the same time, the man said to himself: \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003e\"Ah! Who is this person? What is there in a promise? I can always make one just to please him. It would not cause me any money or trouble.\"\u003c/span\u003e So he agreed not to drink anymore. To him, making this promise was like the many he had made and never kept.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMy dear readers, now ask yourself how many people do this? Have you done this too? Its sounds easy, that is if do not have a conscience! Yeah, I know, I know. I'm talking about myself here. I used to be like that before. Making promises and never kept.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAnyway, as soon as the Prophet left, the man began drinking, but everytime he put the mug of alcohol to his mouth, he remembered his promise to the Prophet. At first he ignored it but it just would not go away. Everytime his mind kept going back to the events that took place earlier. So he decided not to drink and left the shop.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe next day, as he passed the wine shop, the temptation to go in was too strong, so he went in. Just as he was about to take his drink, the picture of the Prophet talking to him and his promise not to drink once again appeared, so he was not able to drink. He then tried to reason with himself. He said that he could still drink without the Prophet knowing, but what would happen if he had to meet the Prophet or if by accident they both met one another on the street? How could he face the Prophet? What would happen if the Prophet asked him whether he had kept his promise to him not to drink? Yes, he could lie that he was not drinking but it would show on his face that he was lying. So he decided not to drink anymore.\u003cspan class\u003d\"pullquote\"\u003e\"It never pays to lie. You may get away with it once, twice, three times, but after sometime people will recognize you as a liar and an unreliable person. If you want to gain honour and respect, always speak and tell the truth. People may not agree with you but at least they will respect you for what you are.\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAfter the absence of some time, he turned up to attend the Prophet's lecture. The Prophet on seeing him stood up and announced to the whole congregation, that here was a man who had made him a promise not to drink anymore and had kept it. The Prophet saw said that for such a person there were many rewards. This was because the man had turned over a new leaf. He had repented of his past behaviour and promised not to drink anymore. Allah swt loves such people who repent and give up bad behaviour forever.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe man was surprised. He thought that the Prophet saw would not have remembered him. After all the Prophet was a busy man. Who would remember such a rotten liar like him! But the Prophet, being the Messenger of Allah swt, always promoted good, always speaking in the best possible manner, trying his best to bring people to goodness. This example of the Prophet saw should also be our way. It never pays to lie. You may get away with it once, twice, three times, but after sometime people will recognize you as a liar and an unreliable person. If you want to gain honour and respect, always speak and tell the truth. People may not agree with you but at least they will respect you for what you are.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe drunkard who stood before the Prophet saw was indeed surprised. He felt great when the Prophet recognized him and made him an example of reform to the society. This in turn made him all the more vigilant. Having gained such respect and honour, he made it a point to guard his honour and respect. He was never seen near any wine shop after that.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIn comparison to the drunkard, there was a man who was a scribe of the Prophet saw. He together with many others was appointed by the Prophet to write down revelation when it was revealed to the Noble Prophet Muhammad saw. The Prophet on receiving revelation from Allah swt would recite such verses and these would be recorded down by scribes.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eNow this man was a Christian and though he was a scribe of the Prophet, he had some doubts about this Message from Allah. He believed that the Prophet saw was making it up, by pretending to receive revelation from Allah.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSuch was his attitude and behaviour throughout his life. The Prophet knew about this but said nothing. One day, this scribe died. He was given a burial but the next morning his body was found outside his grave. On seeing this the Christians said that it must be the mischief of the Muslims, so his friends once again buried him. They also guarded his grave. However, the next morning his body was once again found outside his grave. His friends could not do anything. So they abandoned his body.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThis story can be found in the Traditions of the Noble Prophet saw in the collection of Imam Bukhari.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIn both instances, it never pays to lie. It is also dangerous to reject as lies the Word of Allah revealed in the Quran. To say that such is outdated or no longer valid, or untrue, is to incur the Wrath of Allah.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIf one is not able to comply with a command of Allah, then one should turn to Allah for guidance so that one may understand such and submit to His Will. But to reject or to refuse to submit to a command of Allah is actually an act of disbelief.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIf cannot comply with a command, one should not seek conviction from Allah but also His forgiveness. Seeking the forgiveness of Allah at all times is equally important.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOne should not only repent but also seek forgiveness, and sincerely try not to commit these sins again. But should you do - after all nobody is perfect - don't forget to seek Allah's forgiveness again, and then try once again not to commit it ever again.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAnd don't make a mockery of seeking forgiveness. Be sincere about it. Allah knows us better than we know ourselves. He is our Creator.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIf you don't understand something about Islam, do not hesitate to ask someone who knows. Don't ask those who do not know or who do not possess religious knowledge. Also ask the opinion of several people so that you may make a comparison as to what is more logical and practical. Allah loves those who seek knowledge of Him.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThat's it, folks. I hope you enjoy both stories. And to all my Muslim readers, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003e\"Minal aidzin wal faizin, taqqabballahu mina wa minkum\".\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI end this post by asking, is your beloved computer safe? Here's some news about computer safeguard brought to you by \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.thenewsroom.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eThe News Room.\u003c/a\u003e Take care, my friends.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_end--\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv id\u003d\"cubeDiv\" style\u003d\"position:relative;\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"position:relative; z-index:2;\"\u003e\u003cobject classid\u003d\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" id\u003d\"swfclipt47375\" width\u003d\"410\" height\u003d\"750\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"allowScriptAccess\" value\u003d\"always\" /\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"movie\" value\u003d\"http://www.thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/cube.swf?a\u003dt47375\u0026m\u003d185876\u0026v\u003d1\" /\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"base\" value\u003d\".\"/\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"wmode\" value\u003d\"transparent\"\u003e\u003cembed src\u003d\"http://www.thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/cube.swf?a\u003dt47375\u0026m\u003d185876\u0026v\u003d1\"base\u003d\".\" wmode\u003d\"transparent\" width\u003d\"410\" height\u003d\"750\" name\u003d\"swfclipt47375\" allowScriptAccess\u003d\"always\" type\u003d\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" pluginspage\u003d\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\"\u003e\u003c/embed\u003e\u003c/object\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan id\u003d\"voxAdt47375\" style\u003d\"position:absolute;z-index:2;\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-6360230833847785972?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/6360230833847785972/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/10/islamic-education.html#comment-form","title":"3 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/6360230833847785972"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/6360230833847785972"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/10/islamic-education.html","title":"Islamic Education"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"3"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-6747367945424813196"},"published":{"$t":"2007-10-17T23:31:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-10-18T13:21:39.897+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"illacrimo"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"eid ul-fitr"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"free template"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Template"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ch2 style\u003d\"font-weight: normal;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003eThe Truth\u003c/h2\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_start--\u003e\"Everything we know is subject to revision, especially what we know about the truth.\"\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eBasic Text, p. 91\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMany of us thought we could recognize \"The Truth\". We believed the truth was one thing, certain and unchanging, which we could grasp easily and without question. The \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003ereal\u003c/span\u003e truth, however, was that we often couldn't see the truth if it hit us square in the face.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOur disease coloured everything in our lives, especially our perception of the truth - in fact, what we \"knew\" about the truth nearly killed us. Before we could begin to recognize truth, we had to switch our allegiance from our addiction to a Higher Power, the source of all that is good and true.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe truth has changed as our faith in a Higher Power has grown. As we've worked the steps, our entire lives have begun to change through the healing power of the principles of recovery. In order to open the door for that change, we have had to surrender our attachment to an unchanging and rigid truth.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe truth becomes purer and simpler each each time we encounter it. And just as the steps work in our lives every day - if we allow them - our understanding of the truth may change each day as we grow.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eJust for today:\u003c/span\u003e I shall open my eyes and my heart to the changes brought about by the steps. With an open mind, I can understand the truth in my life today.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e---------------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBefore I go any further, I would like to take this golden opportunity to wish all Muslim all over the world a happy Eid ul-Fitr. After fasting for the whole month of Ramadan, we celebrate the festival of Eid ul-Fitr (the Festival of Fast-Breaking). It is a festival of joy, family reunion and thanksgiving to Allah swt.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eEid ul-Fitr is the festival that marks the end of the month of Ramadan.\u003cbr /\u003eFitr means to break and it therefore marks the breaking of the fasting period and of all evil habits. Happiness is observed at attaining spiritual uplift after a month of fasting. The giving of a special charity for this occasion is obligatory. This is known as Zakat. Muslims dress in holiday attire, attend a special community prayer in the morning, and visit friends and relatives. Greetings of \"Eid mubarak,\" or \"a blessed Eid\" are exchanged. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOn the day of the celebration, a typical Muslim family awakes very early, does the first normal everyday prayer, and is required to eat a little, symbolizing the end of Ramadan. They then attend special congregational prayers held in mosques, large open areas, stadiums and arenas. The prayer is generally short and is followed by a sermon (khuṭba). Worshippers greet and embrace each other in a spirit of peace and love after the congregational prayer. After the special prayers, festivities and merriment are commonly observed with visits to the homes of relatives and friends to thank God for all blessings. More infos are available @ as we say it in Malay \u003ca href\u003d\"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hari_Raya_Aidilfitri\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eHari Raya 'Aidil Fitri.\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\" class\u003d\"pullquote\"\u003e\"... Thee we serve and Thee we ask for aid. Guide us in the right path... \"\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\" align\u003d\"right\"\u003eAl Quran - Al-Fatihah\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAfter looking high and low for a new template I came across this Spanish speaking blog @ \u003ca href\u003d\"http://blogandweb.com/2007/08/10/plantilla-blogy-illacrimo/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eBlog and Web.\u003c/a\u003e Francisco, the BlogMaster of this wonderful blog have many new template which most of them are in XML. That's mean it can be used as a Blogger's template.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eActually, this template, Illacrimo is my second choice. I was eying for \u003ca href\u003d\"http://blogandweb.com/2007/10/10/plantilla-blogy-simpress/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eSimpress,\u003c/a\u003e but I don't have an image ready for the header. Maybe when I have an image ready, I shall be using Simpress, who knows?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eEven though this is a Spanish speaking template, I'm able to use it with ease. Try using it and you'll know what I meant.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI've also tried several template from an Indonesian, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.jackbook.com/2007/09/the-3-columns-version-of-red-white-web-20-template.html\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eJack Book.\u003c/a\u003e He's also an excellent blogger template maker, but after trying several I'm not satisfied with the outcome. Here is an example of one of his awesome template that I've tried sent by my wonderful South African friend, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://gsp-shadow.blogspot.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eShadow.\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://bp3.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/RxbkhvNhPCI/AAAAAAAAAgE/bUeAD4qTblc/s1600-h/JackBook%27s+Template.gif\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;\" src\u003d\"http://bp3.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/RxbkhvNhPCI/AAAAAAAAAgE/bUeAD4qTblc/s400/JackBook%27s+Template.gif\" border\u003d\"0\" alt\u003d\"My Journey To Recovery on new template\"id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5122532894440504354\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIf you're looking for a new free template, try \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003eGoogling,\u003c/span\u003e \"free template\" and I'm sure Uncle Google will present you with many excellence examples of free template.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThat's it for now. I'm going to be busy with Hari Raya Eid ul-Fitr and all, with many friends and relatives to visit. I wish all my Muslim friends, a happy Eid ul-Fitr and my apologies. I end this post with news from \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.thenewsroom.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eThe News Room.\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_end--\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv id\u003d\"cubeDiv\" style\u003d\"position:relative;\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"position:relative; z-index:2;\"\u003e\u003cobject classid\u003d\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" id\u003d\"swfclipt347687\" width\u003d\"410\" height\u003d\"750\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"allowScriptAccess\" value\u003d\"always\" /\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"movie\" value\u003d\"http://www.thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/cube.swf?a\u003dt347687\u0026m\u003d177793\u0026v\u003d1\" /\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"base\" value\u003d\".\"/\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"wmode\" value\u003d\"transparent\"\u003e\u003cembed src\u003d\"http://www.thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/cube.swf?a\u003dt347687\u0026m\u003d177793\u0026v\u003d1\"base\u003d\".\" wmode\u003d\"transparent\" width\u003d\"410\" height\u003d\"750\" name\u003d\"swfclipt347687\" allowScriptAccess\u003d\"always\" type\u003d\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" pluginspage\u003d\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\"\u003e\u003c/embed\u003e\u003c/object\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan id\u003d\"voxAdt347687\" style\u003d\"position:absolute;z-index:2;\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-6747367945424813196?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"related","href":"http://blogandweb.com/2007/08/10/plantilla-blogy-illacrimo/","title":"Template"},{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/6747367945424813196/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/10/template.html#comment-form","title":"5 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/6747367945424813196"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/6747367945424813196"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/10/template.html","title":"Template"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://bp3.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/RxbkhvNhPCI/AAAAAAAAAgE/bUeAD4qTblc/s72-c/JackBook%27s+Template.gif","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"5"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-7426199309184136280"},"published":{"$t":"2007-10-01T23:17:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-11-25T23:57:56.426+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"sponsored post"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"advetisement"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Online Casino BlueBook"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ch2 class\u003d\"subtitle\" style\u003d\"FONT-WEIGHT: normal\"\u003eAn Advertisement\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eNowadays, you don't have to go to a casino to gamble. You can gamble your heart out online. All you ever needed to gamble online are a lot of money, a computer and an Internet Provider Service (ISP). When you got all these, you can gamble with any gambling games of your choice from the comfort of your own house on your favorite sofa!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBefore you go online to gamble, there are many things to consider. Especially when money are involved. Nobody want to be scammed of their money, right? Of course you would want to know the pay out rate, the number of games available, who are the players, who can played, credits, the security issues, gambling site reputation and so on before you jump on the band wagon to gamble online.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOne of the best known guide to popular online casinos available is the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.onlinecasinobluebook.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eonline casino bluebook.\u003c/a\u003e They have many sites listed and the latest count is that there are about 800 casino gambling establishments listed and they are operating in more than 10 countries world wide web. The best thing about online casino bluebook is that they always updated their Top Ten Online Casino Sites, as reviewed by experienced online gamblers every months. This is a very good place and site to start your gambling online activities.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAll the best and most reputable online casinos listed on Online Casino BlueBook offered a wide varieties of your favorite casino games, including blackjack, slots, roulette, video poker, live poker and keno. With their Top Ten Online Casino Sites, you can compared many factors like payout percentage, game features, bonus size, number of games available, software graphics, customer services and user friendly have to be taken into account too.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe current top spot on the Top Ten list (updated for the month of September) is still InterCasino. InterCasino has also been voted top online casino in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. Upon registration, InterCasino offers new players a bonus of $100 with a first initial deposit of $100. Plus every month you will be entitled to the same bonus which totals over $1000 per year in free money.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.onlinecasinobluebook.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eOnline Casino BlueBook\u003c/a\u003e has a very basic layout and navigation which mean you will not get lost easily finding all the informations needed. Less time searching for a casino and more time making money!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eTheir customer service is the best and they are user friendly too. For a newcomer who don't know their way around or don't know which casino to choose, just email them your needs and they will reply promptly plus with their suggestions.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOverall \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.onlinecasinobluebook.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eOnline Casino BlueBook\u003c/a\u003e is a cool place if you’re looking to give online gambling a try, with a good amount of support and easy navigation you should be on your way in no time.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThis has been a sponsored post.\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-7426199309184136280?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/7426199309184136280/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/10/online-casino-bluebook.html#comment-form","title":"8 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/7426199309184136280"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/7426199309184136280"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/10/online-casino-bluebook.html","title":"\u003crel\u003d\"nofollow\"\u003eOnline Casino BlueBook"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"8"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-7275563900489288731"},"published":{"$t":"2007-09-29T04:38:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-09-29T11:28:37.806+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"recovering addict"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"active addiction"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"one day at a time"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"My Life As An Addict"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ch2 style\u003d\"font-weight: normal;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003eHope\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"KonaBody\"\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_start--\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"Gradually, as we become more God-centered than self-centered, our despair turns to hope.\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eBasic Text, p.92\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAs using addicts, despair was our relentless companion. It coloured our every waking moment. Despair was born of our experience in \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/active+addiction\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eactive addiction:\u003c/a\u003e No matter what measures we tried to make our lives better, we slid ever deeper into misery. Attempts we made to control our lives frequently met with failure. In a sense, our First Step admission of powerlessness was an acknowledgment of despair.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSteps Two and Three lead us gradually out of that despair and into new hope, the companion of the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/recovering+addict\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003erecovering addict.\u003c/a\u003e Having accepted that so many of our efforts to change have failed, we come to believe that there is a Power greater than ourselves. We believe this Power can - and will - help us.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe practice the Second and Third Steps as an affirmation of our hope for a better life, turning to this \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/power+for+guidance\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003ePower for guidance.\u003c/a\u003e As we come to rely more and more on a Higher Power for the management of our day-to-day life, the despair arising from our long experiment with self-sufficiency disappears.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eJust for today:\u003c/span\u003e I shall reaffirm my Third Step decision. I know that, with a Higher Power in my life, there is hope.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e----------------------------------------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eLong before I came to NA, never once I considered myself addicted to the use of any mind-altering, mood-changing substance which causes the problems in any area of my life. I've always thought, I could handle it! I can take care of it, I thought in ignorance. As long as I could stop using for a while, I thought I could be all right.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOnly in NA I was told how wrong I've been. I've only focus on the \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003estopping,\u003c/span\u003e whereas I should focus on the \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eusing.\u003c/span\u003e You see, as my \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/addiction\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eaddiction\u003c/a\u003e progressed, I've thought of stopping less and less. Addictions are cunning, baffling, powerful and very, very patient!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ctable border\u003d\"0\" cellpadding\u003d\"10\" width\u003d\"100%\"\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ctd width\u003d\"60%\"\u003eI was told that I suffered from a disease that expresses itself in ways that are anti-social and that makes detection, diagnosis and treatment difficult. It isolated me from people except when I was getting, using and finding ways and means to get more drugs. I became hostile, resentful, self-centered and self-seeking. I cut myself off from the outside world.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ctd style\u003d\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\" width\u003d\"40%\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;\" \u003eExcept for those who repent, believe and do righteous work. For them Allah will replace their evil deeds with good. And ever is Allah forgiving and merciful.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eHoly Quran 25:70\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eTo me, anything not completely familiar became alien and dangerous. Thus making my world shrank, and isolation became my life. Sadly, the only life that I'm familiar was when I was using. I used in order to survive. It was said that using is like a merry-go-round and will only stop when I stop putting 20 cents in! And I got back my perfectly normal life, just as soon I realize my life will never be perfectly normal again.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI was one of those who used, misused and abused drugs and still I did not consider myself an addict. I've solid background, doing well in academics and never short of money. I really thought I could handle it. Even though you got tons of money, there's come a time when drugs was not available. No matter how much you're willing to pay for it. I was simply existing to drugs and drugging for oblivion, caught up in a vicious cycle, catching hell and calling it fun - how ironic!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhen people started treating addiction as a crime or moral deficiency, I became rebellious and I drove myself deeper into isolation. Admittedly, some of the highs felt great. Then I felt like I was dancing with a gorilla. Only problem was, the gorilla who decides when to stop. In desperation, I was forced to survive in any which way I could. I manipulated people and tried to control everything around me. It's true, addicts don't have relationship, they take hostages!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ctable border\u003d\"0\" cellpadding\u003d\"10\" width\u003d\"100%\"\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ctd width\u003d\"60%\"\u003eI lied, stole, cheated and sold myself! I demeaned myself as long as I got drugs, regardless of the cost. Failure and fear began to invade my lives. Addiction causes me the inability to deal with life on life's terms. I used drugs and combination of drugs to cope with a seemingly hostile world. I even dreamed of finding a magic formula that would solve my ultimate problem - myself. But the fact remained, no mind-altering or mood-changing substance, including marijuana and alcohol works successfully. Drugs ceased to make me feel good anymore.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ctd style\u003d\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\" width\u003d\"40%\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;\" \u003eI searched for the enemy that I could not see, when I looked in the mirror the enemy was me.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/table\u003eAt times, I became defensive about my addiction and justified my right to use, especially when I had legal prescriptions. I was proud of the sometimes illegal and often bizarre behaviour that typified my using. I tend to forget about the times when I sat all alone and were consumed by fear and self-pity. That was when I fell into a pattern of selective thinking. I shall only remember the good drug experiences. I justified and rationalized the things that I did to keep from being sick or going crazy. I ignored the times when life seemed to be a nightmare. I totally avoided the reality of my addiction.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHigher mental and emotional functions, such as conscience and the ability to love, were sharply affected by my used of drugs. Living skills were reduced to the animal level. My spirit was broken. The capacity to feel like a normal human beings was lost. It may sound a little bit extreme, but many addicts have been in this state of mind - me included.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI was always on the looked out, constantly searching for the answer - that person, place or thing that would make everything all right. I found out that I lacked the ability to cope with daily living. As my addiction progressed, I found myself to be in and out of rehabilitation centers and prisons. I've missed only death, the third places normally visited by addicts. But I was sure to have many near misses though. One of my many prayers now is to die NOT as an addict.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThose experiences indicated that there was something wrong with my life. I always wanted an easy way out. Some of us addict even thought of suicide. But luckily most attempts were usually feeble. For those who escaped death, it only heightened the feelings of worthlessness. They were trapped in the illusion of \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"what if\"\u003c/span\u003e, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"if only\"\u003c/span\u003e and \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"just one more time\"\u003c/span\u003e.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhen I did seek help, I was only looking for the absence of pain. Many times I had regained good physical health, only to lose it by using again. My track record shows that it is impossible for me to use successfully. No matter how well I may appear to be in control, using drugs always brings me down to my knees.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAnd the routine mentioned above goes on and on. It lasted for twenty four long years until I said to myself that I had enough!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eTo sum it all, my new friend, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://themiracleprocess.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eMorgan MacGregor\u003c/a\u003e said it well. \u003cblockquote\u003eNo other moment from the past could ever define the one in which I now existed in. Nor could any  ever compare to the hope weaved throughout the golden rays of sunshine, streaming warm and gentle upon my face, awakening me to the path before me.\u003c/blockquote\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIn that case, I might as well make the best of the day. Have a great week-end, my friends.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_end--\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv id\u003d\"cubeDiv\" style\u003d\"position:relative;\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"position:relative; z-index:2;\"\u003e\u003cobject classid\u003d\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" id\u003d\"swfclipt9730\" width\u003d\"410\" height\u003d\"750\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"allowScriptAccess\" value\u003d\"always\" /\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"movie\" value\u003d\"http://thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/cube.swf?a\u003dt9730\u0026m\u003d143334\u0026v\u003d1\" /\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"base\" value\u003d\".\"/\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"wmode\" value\u003d\"transparent\"\u003e\u003cembed src\u003d\"http://thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/cube.swf?a\u003dt9730\u0026m\u003d143334\u0026v\u003d1\"base\u003d\".\" wmode\u003d\"transparent\" width\u003d\"410\" height\u003d\"750\" name\u003d\"swfclipt9730\" allowScriptAccess\u003d\"always\" type\u003d\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" pluginspage\u003d\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\"\u003e\u003c/embed\u003e\u003c/object\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan id\u003d\"voxAdt9730\" style\u003d\"position:absolute;z-index:2;\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-7275563900489288731?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/7275563900489288731/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/09/my-life-as-addict.html#comment-form","title":"4 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/7275563900489288731"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/7275563900489288731"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/09/my-life-as-addict.html","title":"My Life As An Addict"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"4"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-2120770904367914159"},"published":{"$t":"2007-09-20T00:11:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-09-20T03:36:16.462+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"surrender better than denial"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"blog of the day"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"na meeting"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"drug addiction"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"recovery"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"changes"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Blog Of The Day"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ch2 style\u003d\"font-weight: normal;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003eCourage To Change\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_start--\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"KonaBody\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eSerenity Prayer\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/recovery\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eRecovery\u003c/a\u003e involves change, and change means doing things differently. The problem is, many of us resist doing things differently; what we're doing may not be working, but at least we're familiar with it. It takes courage to step out into the unknown. How do we find that courage?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe can look around ourselves at \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/na+meetings\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eNA meetings.\u003c/a\u003e These, we see others who've found they needed to change what they were doing and who've done so successfully. Not only does that help quiet our fear that change - any change - spells disaster, it also gives us the benefit of their experience with what \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003edoes\u003c/span\u003e work, experience we can use in changing what \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003edoesn't.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe can also look at our own recovery experience. Even if that experience, so far, has been limited to stopping the use of drugs, still we have made many changes in our lives - changes for the good. Whatever aspects of our lives we have applied the steps to, we have always found \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/surrender+better+than+denial\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003esurrender better than denial,\u003c/a\u003e recovery superior to addiction.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOur own experience and the experience of others in NA tells us that \"changing the things I can\" is a big part of what recovery is all about. The steps and the power to practice them give us the direction and courage we need to change. We have nothing to fear.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eJust for today:\u003c/span\u003e I welcome change. With the help of my Higher Power, I shall find the courage to change the things I can.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e--------------------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://www.bestestblog.com/best-blog-of-the-day/the-cleanest-and-soberest-blog/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://bp3.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/RvFaS24lWlI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/sNLkKTANZhI/s200/BestBlogSmall.png\" alt\u003d\"\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5111966332059212370\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOn September 14th, 2007, this blog \u003ca href\u003d\"http://redirect.alexa.com/redirect?arahman7.blogspot.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eMy Journey To Recovery\u003c/a\u003e has made yet, another milestones. The readers of \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.bestestblog.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eThe Bestest Blog\u003c/a\u003e have voted \u003ca href\u003d\"http://redirect.alexa.com/redirect?arahman7.blogspot.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eMy Journey To Recovery\u003c/a\u003e as The Best Blog of the Day at \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.blankestblank.com/directory/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eBlankest Blank's Directory\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOkay! Here goes, ehem! Ehem! I would like to thank the Academy, my Pa, my Ma... Oh wait, wait - that’s my speech for something different! At another time, another era!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSeriously, I would like to thanks to all \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.bestestblog.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eThe Bestest Blog's\u003c/a\u003e readers who have voted for my blog for the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.bestestblog.com/category/best-blog-of-the-day/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eBest Blog of the Day\u003c/a\u003e category. I thanks them from the bottom of my heart.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI've posted about them last August 8th, 2007 under the title \u003ca href\u003d\"http://redirect.alexa.com/redirect?arahman7.blogspot.com/2007/08/personal-inventory.html#.\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003ePersonal Inventory.\u003c/a\u003e I just want Bobby Griffin, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.bestestblog.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eThe Bestest Blog's\u003c/a\u003e WebMaster to know that \u003ca href\u003d\"http://redirect.alexa.com/redirect?arahman7.blogspot.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eMy Journey To Recovery\u003c/a\u003e is NOT about alcohol abuse. It's about \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/drug+addiction\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003edrug addiction.\u003c/a\u003e I am a drug addict!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFor twenty four long years, I've lead a life as an addict. They say (my many Councellors) I've the category of an addict. The way I talked, the way I eat, in fact every things in me looked like an addict! I tend to believe it. If not, how can I know that somebody is an addict or not - just by looking at him! Amazing! But can I change and NOT looked like an addict?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI realized, I've only been clean and sober for the past four years. I doubt that four years can wipe out things that I've done for the last twenty four years as an addict! I did many shameful things. I've lied, I've stole - you name it, I've been there done that. There's nothing that I've done to be proud of.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHere in Narcotics Anonymous (Malaysian Chapter) I learned from my (addict) friends about Step Four. It say, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"We made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe purpose of a searching and fearless moral inventory is to sort through the confusion and the contradiction of my life, so that I can find out who I am really. I'm starting a new way of life and need to be rid of the burdens and traps that controlled me and prevented my growth.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eLet face it; when I was using, I was not honest with myself. I've been experts at self-deception and rationalization. I can only be honest with myself when I admitted that addiction have defeated me and I needed help. You know how many years it took me to admit that I am powerless, that I was beaten? Yeah! That's right. Twenty four long years. All that times I was living in denial. I thought I could controlled the drugs!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIn Step Four, by writing my inventory, I can overcome all those obstacles. A written inventory will unlock parts of my subconscious that remain hidden when I simply think about or talk about who I am. Once it is written on paper, it is much easier to see, and much harder to deny my true colours. It is said that honest self-assessment is one of the keys to a new way of life. And that mean \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/changes\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003echanges.\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThat's it for now folks. Before I take my leave, here is some news brought to you by \u003ca href\u003d\"http://thenewsroom.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eThe News Room.\u003c/a\u003e A word of advise; \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"Don't start using and if you're in trouble, get help...\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_end--\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv id\u003d\"cubeDiv\" style\u003d\"position: relative;\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"position: relative; z-index: 2;\"\u003e\u003cobject classid\u003d\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" id\u003d\"swfclipt716577\" height\u003d\"750\" width\u003d\"410\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"allowScriptAccess\" value\u003d\"always\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"movie\" value\u003d\"http://thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/cube.swf?a\u003dt716577\u0026amp;m\u003d126860\u0026amp;v\u003d1\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"base\" value\u003d\".\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"wmode\" value\u003d\"transparent\"\u003e\u003cembed src\u003d\"http://thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/cube.swf?a\u003dt716577\u0026amp;m\u003d126860\u0026amp;v\u003d1\" base\u003d\".\" wmode\u003d\"transparent\" name\u003d\"swfclipt716577\" allowscriptaccess\u003d\"always\" type\u003d\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" pluginspage\u003d\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" height\u003d\"750\" width\u003d\"410\"\u003e\u003c/embed\u003e\u003c/object\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan id\u003d\"voxAdt716577\" style\u003d\"position: absolute; z-index: 2;\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-2120770904367914159?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/2120770904367914159/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/09/blog-of-day.html#comment-form","title":"13 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/2120770904367914159"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/2120770904367914159"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/09/blog-of-day.html","title":"Blog Of The Day"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://bp3.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/RvFaS24lWlI/AAAAAAAAAfQ/sNLkKTANZhI/s72-c/BestBlogSmall.png","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"13"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-1199458228604683110"},"published":{"$t":"2007-09-15T03:17:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-09-15T06:59:19.309+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"filling the emptiness"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"world of recovery"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"addiction"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"thoughtful blogger award"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Thoughtful Blogger Award"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ch2 style\u003d\"font-weight: normal;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003eFilling The Emptiness\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_start--\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"...we think that if we can just get enough food, enough sex, or enough money, we'll be satisfied and everything will be alright.\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eBasic Text, p. 77\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIn our \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/addiction\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eaddiction,\u003c/a\u003e we could never get enough drugs, or money, or sex, or anything else. Even too much was never enough! There was a spiritual emptiness inside us. Though we tried as hard as we could to fill that emptiness ourselves, we never succeeded. In the end, we realized that we lacked the power to fill it; it would take a Power greater than ourselves to do that.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSo we stopped using, and we stopped trying to \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/filling+the+emptiness\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003efill the emptiness\u003c/a\u003e in our gut with \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003ethings.\u003c/span\u003e We turned to our Higher Power, asking for its care, strength, and direction. We surrendered and made way for that Power to begin the process of filling our inner void. We stopped grabbing things and started receiving the free gift of love our Higher Power had for us. Slowly, our inner emptiness was being filled.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eNow that we've been given our Higher Power's gift of love, what do we do with it? If we clasp that gift tightly to ourselves, we will smother it. We must remember that love grows only when it is shared. We can only keep this gift by freely giving it away. The world of addiction is a world of taking and being taken; the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/world+of+recovery\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eworld of recovery\u003c/a\u003e is a world of giving and being given. In which world do we choose to live?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eJust for today:\u003c/span\u003e I choose to live in the fullness of recovery. I shall celebrate my conscious contact with the God of my understanding by freely sharing with others that which has been freely shared with me.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e--------------------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIt has been about three weeks since my last post. A lot has been happening to me. The worst part was, I've been kept incommunique with the rest of the Blogosphere. Between August 27th till September 10th, my Internet Service Provider (ISP) in \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/malaysia\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eMalaysia,\u003c/a\u003e Streamyx has gone AWOL on me. It was really quite annoying and I'm gonna blog about it on \u003ca href\u003d\"http://redirect.alexa.com/redirect?web-directory.blogspot.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003emy second blog.\u003c/a\u003e Be sure to subscribe to my second blog's \u003ca href\u003d\"http://web-directory.blogspot.com/feeds.feedburner.com/webdirectory\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eFull Feed RSS.\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://bp1.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/Rurm-DwlpyI/AAAAAAAAAdU/Bb0x_6W9Rvw/s1600-h/ThoughtfulBloggerAward%28b%29.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://bp1.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/Rurm-DwlpyI/AAAAAAAAAdU/Bb0x_6W9Rvw/s400/ThoughtfulBloggerAward%28b%29.jpg\" alt\u003d\"ArahMan7 with Thoughtful Blogger Award\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5110150681040627490\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eDuring that \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eblackout\u003c/span\u003e, I was bestowed the prestigious \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eThoughtful Blogger Award\u003c/span\u003e by a fellow Recovery Blogger, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://themiracleprocess.com/2007/08/30/catching-up-thoughtful-blogger-award/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eMighty Morgan.\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI began to know this wonderful lady via \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.blogcatalog.com/user/ArahMan7\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eBlogCatalog.\u003c/a\u003e Over there, she goes by the name of Morgan9405. This is what she got to say in her profile;\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003eI lived in the cesspool of addiction for over 12 years of my life. For the past two years I have rebuilt and re-created every aspect of my life in order to never return to a life of active addiction. I'm pushing past any other limited beliefs I developed through the course of my life, to discover once and for all if anything truly is possible.\u003c/blockquote\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eLet me tell you something about The \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/thoughtful+blogger+award\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eThoughtful Blogger Award,\u003c/a\u003e for which I'm very honoured to receive. These Blogger Awards was created by Miss Christy of the fame \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.writersreviews.com/2007/07/writers-reviews-blogger-awards.html\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eWriter's Review.\u003c/a\u003e Click on the link to know more about these awards and it categories and rules.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://themiracleprocess.com/2007/08/30/catching-up-thoughtful-blogger-award/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eMighty Morgan\u003c/a\u003e got hers from Walks Far Woman of the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://walksfarwoman.wordpress.com/2007/07/16/thoughtful-bloggers/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eKissing the Dogwood\u003c/a\u003e who in turn received it from \u003ca href\u003d\"http://madgoatlady.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eThe Mad Goat Lady.\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eThe Thoughtful Blogger Awards\u003c/span\u003e are for those who answer blog comments, emails, and make their visitors feel at home on their blogs. For the people who take others feelings into consideration before speaking out and who are kind and courteous. Also for all of those bloggers who spend so much of their time helping others bloggers design, improve, and fix their sites. This award is for those generous bloggers who think of others.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThank you for your thought and concerned Mighty Morgan, and for thinking that I'm a thoughtful. I'm gonna place it high on my blog. And now comes the time for me to pass on this coveted award. For a full explanation of the award guidelines please visit Christy at \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.writersreviews.com/2007/07/writers-reviews-blogger-awards.html\"\u003eWriter’s Reviews\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eDrum-roll please…..\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe following have now officially been awarded the Thoughtful Blogger Award due to their constant pursuit of thoughtfulness (is that even a word????) towards others in the Blogosphere.\u003c/p\u003e\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eInmatez Wife\u003c/span\u003e from \u003ca href\u003d\"http://memoirsofaimateswife.blogspot.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e Memoirs of an inmates wife\u003c/a\u003e who is on a pursuit to spread the loves. A very thoughtful blogger in her telling \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eliving life as an outmate, waiting for her inmate to come home.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eShadow\u003c/span\u003e, a South African's Recovery Blogger who manages \u003ca href\u003d\"http://gsp-shadow.blogspot.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e1 Door Away From Heaven.\u003c/a\u003e She is telling her \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003elittle journey, of self examination and getting to the bottom of it...\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eAn Irish Friend of Bill\u003c/span\u003e from \u003ca href\u003d\"http://anon-recovery-archive.blogspot.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eRecovery Archive.\u003c/a\u003e As an old timer and wisdom, she has offered her expertise to many. She has also sent me \"Law of Attraction\" VCD all the way from Britain. A very thoughtful blogger. In her own words, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"So treat your neighbor as you would treat yourself, because your neighbor \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eIS\u003c/span\u003e yourself.\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eMy Sista of Swing, ScOuT\u003c/span\u003e of \u003ca href\u003d\"http://scoutsdaze.blogspot.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eScOuT's NeWCoMer DaZE.\u003c/a\u003e She is also the recipient of The Inspirational Blogger Award and she's well deserved to receive this Thoughtful Blogger Award.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eAnd last but not least, the fabulous \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eMeg Moran\u003c/span\u003e of \u003ca href\u003d\"http://megmoran.blogspot.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eYou and Me Are Floating On A Tidal Wave.\u003c/a\u003e A very supportive lady. When she found out I was using a Photostat copy of Narcotics Anonymous, she promptly sent me a hard cover version and the fantastic, Just for Today all the way from Lawndale CA. And here is her quote, which my Sista of Swing loves so much; \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003e\"I've been in \"that space\" where I am so moved, and so grateful, and feel so connected to the suffering and/or the GRACE of our recovery.... I believe it is called The Fourth Dimension.\"\u003c/blockquote\u003e \u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e\u003cbr /\u003ePhew! That's about it. Okay Laydees….You need to pass this award onto the next round of thoughtful bloggers.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eKeep spreading the love!!!!!!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c!-google_ad_section_end-\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI sign off with some news brought to you by \u003ca href\u003d\"http://thenewsroom.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eThe News Room.\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHave a great weekend.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv id\u003d\"cubeDiv\" style\u003d\"position:relative;\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"position:relative; z-index:2;\"\u003e\u003cobject classid\u003d\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" id\u003d\"swfclipt532498\" width\u003d\"410\" height\u003d\"750\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"allowScriptAccess\" value\u003d\"always\" /\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"movie\" value\u003d\"http://thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/cube.swf?a\u003dt532498\u0026m\u003d118569\u0026v\u003d1\" /\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"base\" value\u003d\".\"/\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"wmode\" value\u003d\"transparent\"\u003e\u003cembed src\u003d\"http://thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/cube.swf?a\u003dt532498\u0026m\u003d118569\u0026v\u003d1\"base\u003d\".\" wmode\u003d\"transparent\" width\u003d\"410\" height\u003d\"750\" name\u003d\"swfclipt532498\" allowScriptAccess\u003d\"always\" type\u003d\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" pluginspage\u003d\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\"\u003e\u003c/embed\u003e\u003c/object\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan id\u003d\"voxAdt532498\" style\u003d\"position:absolute;z-index:2;\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-1199458228604683110?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/1199458228604683110/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/09/thoughtful-blogger-award.html#comment-form","title":"11 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/1199458228604683110"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/1199458228604683110"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/09/thoughtful-blogger-award.html","title":"Thoughtful Blogger Award"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://bp1.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/Rurm-DwlpyI/AAAAAAAAAdU/Bb0x_6W9Rvw/s72-c/ThoughtfulBloggerAward%28b%29.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"11"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-779856852554001710"},"published":{"$t":"2007-08-24T00:56:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-08-24T02:21:16.871+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Malaysia Ringgit"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"twelve steps"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"drug"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"addiction"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"decision-making"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"narcotics anonymous"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Responsibilities"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ch2 style\u003d\"font-weight: normal;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003eDecision-making\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003e\"Before we got clean, most of our actions were guided by impulse. Today, we are not locked into this type of thinking.\"\u003c/blockquote\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eBasic Text, p. 87\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_start--\u003eLife is a series of decisions, actions, and consequences. When we were using, our decisions were usually driven by our disease, resulting in self-destructive actions and dire consequences. We came to see \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/decision-making\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003edecision-making\u003c/a\u003e as a rigged game, one we should play as little as possible.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eGiven that, many of us have great difficulty learning to make decision in recovery. Slowly, by working the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/twelve+steps\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eTwelve Steps,\u003c/a\u003e we gain practice in making healthy decisions, ones that give positive results. Where our disease once affected our will and our lives, we ask God to care for us.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe inventory our values and our actions, check our findings with someone we trust, and ask God to remove our shortcomings. In working the steps we gain freedom from the influence of our disease, and we learn principles of decision-making that can guide us in all our affairs.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eToday, our decisions and their consequences need not be influenced by our disease. Our faith gives us the courage and direction to make good decisions and the strength to act on them. The result of that kind of decision-making is a life worth living.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eJust for today:\u003c/span\u003e I shall use the principles of the Twelve Steps to make healthy decisions. I shall ask God for the strength to act on those decisions.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e-------------------------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI still remember during my hey-days (or so I thought!) when I was actively using, one of the terrors in my life was making a decision. In fact it became a phobia. Whenever I came face to face with making a decision, I would ran away from it. Better still, I would never made one! And I had never thought of facing problems head-on!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhen I was forced to make a decision, usually I would made it just to save my butt! Never a care about the others as long as my butt was saved, lol! Sadly to say, my butt-saving's decision-making usually ends up in disaster to all.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBTW, my idea of saving my butt was very primitive. As long I was not caught by the police and end up in lock-up, jails or rehabilitation centers - then I was saved! I don't give a damn what happened to others!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIn one instances, when I was buying large quantity of drugs, I would never carried it on my body. I paid others to carry it. You got my drift what I'm trying to say here? - \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:78%;\"\u003eThese paragraph might trigger someone. Do not let your imaginations runs wild!\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBack then, my life was in shambles. I followed the same routines, day in day out for about twenty fours long years! Yes! I had wasted my life that long. Needless to say, I could have been \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003esomebody\u003c/span\u003e because I was on the right track. I got my degree and my academics results was excellence, but then I wasted it all on being a drug addict!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI couldn't even managed my life. You see, I can't even bought an underwear, a tiny weeny underwear! Can you imagined that? When asked why didn't I wear an underwear, I would said (to valid my action!) I felt uncomfortable wearing it or I would answered, so that a little bit of wind might cool off \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"junior\"\u003c/span\u003e!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSadly to say, I'm not able to live and enjoy life like you do. My life began with drugs and it ended with drugs too, that was to say if I'm able to sleep after all!  Every single days during those twenty four years, I must have drugs to begin my life with. By hook or crook, I got to have it when I woke up for that day. Simply said, I lived to use and used to live.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAfter that, I would thought of nothing else. My mind was thinking hard where to find or get another score. That was where the crimes began. Even though I was allocated hundred \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/Malaysia+Ringgit\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eMalaysia Ringgit\u003c/a\u003e per day, it would never be enough. I had never said I never stole from somebody before and thinking about it nowadays, I'm very much ashamed to myself.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI thought drugs was a cool thing to get involved with. As a matter of fact, drugs did made my life better at least at the beginning. I could stayed awake studying hard while the rest was sound asleep. I could bravely faced anybody especially the girls. Due to that I managed to hook up with the hottest and most sought after beauty during my university's days who stayed loyally with me for ten  beautiful years.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBut as times passed by, I became a slave to drugs. All my actions must be base on the availability of drugs in my pocket. I could never go anywhere without drugs and I missed many many family holidays together. Both of my parent had gone to many many interesting places inside and outside of Malaysia, and I was left behind. If you see my family photo albums, there was always one family member missing.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI was placing \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/drug\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003edrug\u003c/a\u003e ahead of the welfare of my family. Like I said earlier, I got to have drug at all costs. I realized I've harm so many people whether I knew it or not but, the most harm I did was to myself. And when it came to responsibility, which I failed miserably. I shy away from having responsibilities. Throughout it all I was creating my own problems. I can't even made a simple basic decision on my own!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMy whole life and thinking was centered in drugs in one form or another - the getting and using and finding ways and means to get more. Eventually I became some sort of human being in the grip of a continuing and progressive illness whose ends are always the same. I could either be sent off to jails or to some rehabilitation centers. Last but not least, I could even be death!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThere was no way to stop me from ending my life with the three choices stated above. In fact I even realized that I was digging my own grave, committing suicide so it seem if I carried on pumping drugs into my body but, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/addiction\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eaddiction\u003c/a\u003e was a very cunning enemy of life that I lost the power to do anything about it.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eEven, after I was released from jails or from several rehabilitation centers, I can't help it. I turned back to drugs thinking aloud to myself, these gonna be the last times I was going to snort some \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eheroin.\u003c/span\u003e I don't know how many times had I said that to myself. Little do I realized that \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eone is too many and a thousand is never enough!\u003c/span\u003e How true it was.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI've tried so many times to cure myself. I sought help through medicine (Suboxone), religion, and even through psychiatry (which ended me being admitted to \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eThe Nut House\u003c/span\u003e!) - An interesting chapter of my life which I'm going to blog about it soon. After what had been said and done, those methods I mentioned was never sufficient for me. My disease will always resurfaced and continued to progress.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIn desperation in finding a cure, I sought help from another addict who introduced me to NA, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/Narcotics+Anonymous\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eNarcotics Anonymous.\u003c/a\u003e A big thank you to my cousin, Shahrudin Sharif without whom I could ends up death. It was in NA that I realized I was a sick human being. I suffered from a disease from which there is no known cure. It can, however, be arrested at some point, and recovery is then possible.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c!--google_ad_section_end--\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIf you like this post and want to see what other Recovery people were doing every Thursday, click on the recovery's belly button to make her tickle and she will sent you to a very beautiful place where every Thursday recovery people from all over the Blogosphere were enjoying themselves with their pictures. Go on, don't be shy, tickle her\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://haalfnaakedthursday.blogspot.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://bp2.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/Rs26mNZ3tlI/AAAAAAAAAdE/t0h2Gh3ZsGo/s200/bellybuttonbig.jpg\" alt\u003d\"Recovery's belly button!\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5101939118476605010\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThat's it, my friends - for now. Here's some news about the coming Narcotics Anonymous's Convention brought to you by the good people of \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.thenewsroom.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eThe News Room\u003c/a\u003e and PR Newswire. The best thing is \u003ca href\u003d\"http://scoutsdaze.blogspot.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eMy Sista of Swing\u003c/a\u003e will be attending the convention. I'm sure there gonna be lots and lots of pics which I'm sure she will share it with us. Take care, my friends.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv id\u003d\"cubeDiv\" style\u003d\"position: relative;\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"position: relative; z-index: 2;\"\u003e\u003cobject classid\u003d\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" id\u003d\"swfclipt581119\" height\u003d\"750\" width\u003d\"410\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"allowScriptAccess\" value\u003d\"always\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"movie\" value\u003d\"http://www.thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/cube.swf?a\u003dt581119\u0026m\u003d83797\u0026amp;v\u003d1\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"base\" value\u003d\".\"\u003e\u003cembed src\u003d\"http://www.thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/cube.swf?a\u003dt581119\u0026m\u003d83797\u0026amp;v\u003d1\" base\u003d\".\" name\u003d\"swfclipt581119\" allowscriptaccess\u003d\"always\" type\u003d\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" pluginspage\u003d\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\" height\u003d\"750\" width\u003d\"410\"\u003e\u003c/embed\u003e\u003c/object\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan id\u003d\"voxAdt581119\" style\u003d\"position: absolute; z-index: 2;\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-779856852554001710?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/779856852554001710/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/08/responsibilities.html#comment-form","title":"16 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/779856852554001710"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/779856852554001710"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/08/responsibilities.html","title":"Responsibilities"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://bp2.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/Rs26mNZ3tlI/AAAAAAAAAdE/t0h2Gh3ZsGo/s72-c/bellybuttonbig.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"16"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-7896679938913981300"},"published":{"$t":"2007-08-11T07:28:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-08-11T12:54:01.180+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"one addict helping another"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"narcotics anonymous"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"living life on life's terms"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Living Life On Life's Terms"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ch2 style\u003d\"font-weight: normal;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003eActive Listening\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003e\"Through active listening, we hear things that work for us.\"\u003c/blockquote\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eBasic Text, p. 102\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMost of us arrived in \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/Narcotics+Anonymous\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eNarcotics Anonymous\u003c/a\u003e with a very poor ability to listen. But to take full advantage of \"the therapeutic value of \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/one+addict+helping+another\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eone addict helping another,\u003c/a\u003e\" we must learn to listen actively.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhat is active listening for us? In meetings, it means we concentrate on what the speaker is sharing, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003ewhile\u003c/span\u003e the speaker is sharing. We set aside our thoughts and opinions until the meeting is over. That's when we sort through what we've heard to decide which ideas we want to use and which we want to explore further.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe can apply our active listening skills in sponsorship, too. Newcomers often talk with us about some \"major event\" in their lives. While such events may not seem significant to us, they are to the newcomer who has little experience \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/living+life+on+life%27s+terms.\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eliving life on life's terms.\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOur active listening helps us empathize with the feelings such events trigger in our sponsee's life. With that understanding, we have a better idea of what to share with them.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe ability to listen actively was unknown to us in the isolation of our addiction. Today, this ability helps us actively engage with our recovery. Through active listening, we receive everything being offered us in NA, andwe share fully with others the love and care we've been given.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eJust for today:\u003c/span\u003e I shall strive to be an active listener. I shall practice active listening when others share and when I share with others.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e-----------------------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cp align\u003d\"center\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fechr.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cimg src\u003d\"http://www.fechr.com/fechrlarge.PNG\" alt\u003d\"web site promotion\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHere is another good way \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.bestestblog.com/site-news/where-am-i/trackback/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eto expose your blog.\u003c/a\u003e Get your blog featured in \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.blogger.com/www.fechr.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003efechr\u003c/a\u003e pronounced \"feature\"! Just like my all time favourite band Lynyrd Skynyrd first album called \"Pronounced\". How do you pronounced Lynnyrd Skynyrd? It says Leh-Nerd Skin-Nerd. Same thing, fechr to be pronounced \"feature\". Cool, huh?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSo, how do you get your blog/site to be fechr? They said, every day at 12 AM EST, a new website is featured on the home page. They remain there for 24 hours and receive a huge boost of traffic in the process.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI know, I know. Some of you might have some crazy ideas once in awhile and asked, why do you want your blog/site to fechr-ed? Well, Fēchr.com has a quickly growing, devout audience. Many check in every single day to see what the newest featured site is.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003e So, if: your site is making its big debut...\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003e you've gotten a product you'd like everyone to know about...\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eyou're just generally displeased with the amount of traffic you're receiving...\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003eThen you need to be \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eFēchr-ed!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/span\u003eWell, did I tell you that to be fechr-ed on their site it is now free to do so? Yes, F-R-E-E! You don't have to pay a single cent. Zilch, nada, a big zero - for now. In their own words, they say,\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e Well, currently it's \u003c/span\u003e\u003cb style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003efree!\u003c/b\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e  Yes, FREE!  We're the new kid on the block and we'd just like to get our name out there.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e Though we are receiving 100+ visitors per day (and growing quickly), we don't feel like that's enough to charge for yet. So, in the mean time we are offering free \"fēchrs\" to anyone who writes up a post about us on their blog and includes a few links to us. \u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\" href\u003d\"http://www.fechr.com/feature.php\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eClick here\u003c/a\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e to get started or \u003c/span\u003e\u003ca style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\" href\u003d\"http://www.fechr.com/link-to-us.php\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eclick here\u003c/a\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e to get some link suggestions, images, and code first. \u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eAfter we do start charging per day (which will start out at a modest $5 to $10) to be featured, we will still be doing some freebies. Every week we'll have \"Free FēchrFriday\" where we continue featuring those who have written about us, so don't worry if we don't get to you immediately!\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/blockquote\u003eBut please remember they too,\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ch3 style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\u003c/h3\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003e\u003ch3 style\u003d\"font-style: italic; font-weight: normal;\"\u003ereserve the right...\u003c/h3\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e to not feature low quality sites, free or paid!  \u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eWe don't care if you plan to pay us $100 to be featured for the day, if your site is a low quality (no real content, offensive, pornographic, etc.) site that we feel our visitors would have no interest in, we will not allow your site to grace our pages for 1 hour, let alone 24 of them! \u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eFor future paid featurings, we of course will refund any money paid up front in the event we deem your site unfeaturable...\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/blockquote\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSo, what are you waiting for? After all that have been said and done, all you need to do to be \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.fechr.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003efechr-ed\u003c/a\u003e for free is feature them on your blog. Write up a short post about their site (like I'm doing now) ;-)\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI've just download(ed) a Greasemonkey's plugin so that I have the capability to trackback a post. For now Blog*Spot don't have trackback capabilities. The only closed thing they is by using backlink. I know \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.haloscan.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eHaloscan\u003c/a\u003e can do the works too. But logging into Haloscan every time you want to send a trackback is time consuming, so if you use Firefox, and the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.greasespot.net/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eGreasemonkey\u003c/a\u003e plugin, this might be your ideal answer. Read these awesome post by Andy Beard on \u003ca href\u003d\"http://andybeard.eu/2007/06/blogger-trackback.html\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eHow To Send Trackback Using Blogger?\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThat's it for now. Let read some world news brought to you by the marvelous \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.thenewsroom.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eThe News Room.\u003c/a\u003e At least we knew what's going on around the world. Enjoy my friend. Enjoy!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv id\u003d\"cubeDiv\" style\u003d\"position:relative;\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"position:relative; z-index:2;\"\u003e\u003cobject classid\u003d\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" id\u003d\"swfclipf11\" width\u003d\"300\" height\u003d\"700\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"allowScriptAccess\" value\u003d\"always\" /\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"movie\" value\u003d\"http://www.thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/cube.swf?a\u003df11\u0026m\u003d68930\u0026v\u003d1\" /\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"base\" value\u003d\".\"/\u003e\u003cembed src\u003d\"http://www.thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/cube.swf?a\u003df11\u0026m\u003d68930\u0026v\u003d1\"base\u003d\".\" width\u003d\"300\" height\u003d\"700\" name\u003d\"swfclipf11\" allowScriptAccess\u003d\"always\" type\u003d\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" pluginspage\u003d\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\"\u003e\u003c/embed\u003e\u003c/object\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan id\u003d\"voxAdf11\" style\u003d\"position:absolute;z-index:2;\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-7896679938913981300?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/7896679938913981300/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/08/living-life-on-lifes-terms.html#comment-form","title":"9 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/7896679938913981300"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/7896679938913981300"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/08/living-life-on-lifes-terms.html","title":"Living Life On Life's Terms"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"9"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-8079990440947779935"},"published":{"$t":"2007-08-08T07:05:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-08-08T09:10:37.489+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"recovery"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"personal inventory"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Personal Inventory"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ch2 style\u003d\"font-weight: normal;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003eResponsible Recovery\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003e\"... we accept responsibility for our problems and see that we're equally responsible for our solutions.\"\u003c/blockquote\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eBasic Text, p. 94\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSome of us, well accustomed to leaving our personal responsibilities to others, may attempt the same behaviour in \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/recovery\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003erecovery.\u003c/a\u003e We quickly find out it doesn't work.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFor instance, we are considering making a change in our lives, so we call our sponsor and ask what we should do? Under the guise of seeking direction, we are actually asking our sponsor to assume responsibility for making decisions about our life. Or maybe we've been short with someone at a meeting, so we ask that person's best friend to make our apologies for us. Perhaps we've imposed on a friend several times in the last month to cover our service commitment. Could it be that we've asked a friend to analyze our behaviour and identify our shortcomings, rather than taking our own \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/personal+inventory\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003epersonal inventory?\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eRecovery is something that has to be worked for. It isn't going to be handed to us on a silver platter, nor can we expect our friends or our sponsor to be responsible for the work we must do ourselves. We recover by making our own decisions, doing our own service, and working our own steps. By doing it for ourselves, we receive the rewards.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eJust for today:\u003c/span\u003e I accept responsibility for my life and my recovery.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e-------------------------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://www.blogger.com/http://www.bestestblog.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://bp0.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/RrioEZrdI4I/AAAAAAAAAbk/Yj2L-zxI5xc/s400/Recovery+Over+BlankestBlank.gif\" alt\u003d\"Recovery over BlankestBlank!\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5096007771935810434\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe first time I heard about \u003ca href\u003d\"http://bestestblog.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eBlankestBlank\u003c/a\u003e was when I heard \u003ca href\u003d\"http://memoirsofaimateswife.blogspot.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eInmatez Wife\u003c/a\u003e shouting happily at the top of her lungs when her blog was nominated finalist for The Bestest Blog of The Year. She was shouting, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://memoirsofaimateswife.blogspot.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e\"OMG!!! ME???????\"\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://bestestblog.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eBlankestBlank\u003c/a\u003e is gaining popularity each single day. The BlogMaster is Mr. Bobby Griffin. Since Mr. Bobby Griffin decided to reformat Bestest Blog, and launch the start ups of Blankest Blank and Fechr, he has referred in passing to a person he had working with him named Kevin. Well, now that the new and improved Bestest Blog is up and running, Mr. Bobby Griffin brought in Kevin.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eKevin and Mr. Bobby Griffin have been friends for a VEEERY long time. They met in 7th grade (1995) and have been friends since. Wow! That’s half of Mr. Bobby Griffin life. He didn’t even realize it was that long until he just typed it out. They went to the same middle school and high school in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and then completely by chance lived about a half hour away from each other, a state away in New Jersey (until about a month and half ago).\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eRight this very minute, both of them are very very busy presenting the daily picks for,\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eThe best Blog of the day\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eFunniest Video of the day\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eFunniest Picture of the day\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eFunniest Joke of the day\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eMost Fun Game of the day\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003eHead over there now to see the results. Maybe your blog was nominated and voted in any categories above. Making contests like they did is one of the tools to promote your Blog(s). It's a great traffic booster!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe ONLY way to nominate your blog in the running for \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.bestestblog.com/category/best-blog-of-the-day/\"\u003e\"Best Blog of the Day\"\u003c/a\u003e and get a link back in a few highly visible locations and a very unique directory, you are welcome to their \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.blankestblank.com/directory/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eBlankest Blank Blog Directory.\u003c/a\u003e You can add your link and be creative naming your blog as the ---est blog. I named this blog as \u003ca href\u003d\"http://redirect.alexa.com/redirect?arahman7.blogspot.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe Cleanest and Soberest Blog!\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/a\u003e Take note of that name and vote! \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThat's it. I shall write another great fechr, oops sorry! I mean another great feature, to promote your blog on \u003ca href\u003d\"http://bestestblog.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eBlankestBlank.\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAnd now for some news brought to you by \u003ca href\u003d\"http://thenewsroom.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eThe News Room.\u003c/a\u003e Hear the news of Angry Blogger and many more. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHave fun everybody!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv id\u003d\"cubeDiv\" style\u003d\"position:relative;\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"position:relative; z-index:2;\"\u003e\u003cobject classid\u003d\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" id\u003d\"swfclipf10\" width\u003d\"330\" height\u003d\"605\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"allowScriptAccess\" value\u003d\"always\" /\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"movie\" value\u003d\"http://thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/cube.swf?a\u003df10\u0026m\u003d65836\u0026v\u003d1\" /\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"base\" value\u003d\".\"/\u003e\u003cembed src\u003d\"http://thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/cube.swf?a\u003df10\u0026m\u003d65836\u0026v\u003d1\"base\u003d\".\" width\u003d\"330\" height\u003d\"605\" name\u003d\"swfclipf10\" allowScriptAccess\u003d\"always\" type\u003d\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" pluginspage\u003d\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\"\u003e\u003c/embed\u003e\u003c/object\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan id\u003d\"voxAdf10\" style\u003d\"position:absolute;z-index:2;\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAnd here is a very good news ;-)\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv id\u003d\"cubeDiv\" style\u003d\"position:relative;\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"position:relative; z-index:2;\"\u003e\u003cobject classid\u003d\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" id\u003d\"swfclipt575926\" width\u003d\"410\" height\u003d\"750\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"allowScriptAccess\" value\u003d\"always\" /\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"movie\" value\u003d\"http://thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/cube.swf?a\u003dt575926\u0026m\u003d65867\u0026v\u003d1\" /\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"base\" value\u003d\".\"/\u003e\u003cembed src\u003d\"http://thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/cube.swf?a\u003dt575926\u0026m\u003d65867\u0026v\u003d1\"base\u003d\".\" width\u003d\"410\" height\u003d\"750\" name\u003d\"swfclipt575926\" allowScriptAccess\u003d\"always\" type\u003d\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" pluginspage\u003d\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\"\u003e\u003c/embed\u003e\u003c/object\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan id\u003d\"voxAdt575926\" style\u003d\"position:absolute;z-index:2;\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-8079990440947779935?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"related","href":"http://redirect.alexa.com/redirect?arahman7.blogspot.com/2007/08/in-recovery.html","title":"Personal Inventory"},{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/8079990440947779935/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/08/personal-inventory.html#comment-form","title":"9 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/8079990440947779935"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/8079990440947779935"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/08/personal-inventory.html","title":"Personal Inventory"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http://bp0.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/RrioEZrdI4I/AAAAAAAAAbk/Yj2L-zxI5xc/s72-c/Recovery+Over+BlankestBlank.gif","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"9"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-1675421920160807827"},"published":{"$t":"2007-08-03T23:51:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-08-04T00:29:40.035+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"trusting people"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"drug addiction"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"recovery"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"In Recovery"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ch2 class\u003d\"subtitle\" style\u003d\"FONT-WEIGHT: normal\"\u003eTrusting people\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Many of us would have had nowhere else to go if we could not have trusted NA groups and members.\"\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/blockquote\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBasic Text, p. 81\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/trusting people\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eTrusting people\u003c/a\u003e is a risk. Human beings are notoriously forgetful, unreliable, and imperfect. Most of us come from backgrounds where betrayal and insensitivity among friends were common occurrences. Even our most reliable friends weren't very reliable. By the time we arrive at the doors of NA, most of us have hundreds of experiences bearing out our conviction that people are untrustworthy. Yet our \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/recovery\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003erecovery\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003edemands that we trust people. We are faced with this dilemma: People are not always trustworthy, yet we must trust them. How do we do that, given the evidence of our pasts?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFirst, we remind ourselves that the rules of active addiction don't apply in recovery. Most of our fellow members are doing their level best to live by the spiritual principles we learn in the program.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSecond, we remind ourselves that we aren't 100% reliable, either. We will surely disappoint someone in our lives, no matter how hard we try not to.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThird, and most importantly, we realize that we \u003cem\u003eneed\u003c/em\u003e to trust our fellow members of NA. Our lives are at stake, and the only way we can stay clean is to trust these well-intentioned folks who, admittedly, aren't perfect.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJust for today:\u003c/strong\u003e I shall trust my fellow members. Though certainly not perfect, they are my best hope.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e---------------------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBelow is the story of Super Model Naomi Campbell and \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/drug+addiction\" rel\u003d\"tag\"  target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003edrug addiction.\u003c/a\u003e Another great news brought by \u003ca href\u003d\"http://thenewsroom.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eThe News Room.\u003c/a\u003e \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cp align\u003d\"center\"\u003e\u003cdiv id\u003d\"cubeDiv\" style\u003d\"position:relative;\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"position:relative; z-index:2;\"\u003e\u003cobject classid\u003d\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" id\u003d\"swfclipt95394\" width\u003d\"410\" height\u003d\"750\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"allowScriptAccess\" value\u003d\"always\" /\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"movie\" value\u003d\"http://www.thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/cube.swf?a\u003dt95394\u0026m\u003d61977\u0026v\u003d1\" /\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"base\" value\u003d\".\"/\u003e\u003cembed src\u003d\"http://www.thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/cube.swf?a\u003dt95394\u0026m\u003d61977\u0026v\u003d1\"base\u003d\".\" width\u003d\"410\" height\u003d\"750\" name\u003d\"swfclipt95394\" allowScriptAccess\u003d\"always\" type\u003d\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" pluginspage\u003d\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\"\u003e\u003c/embed\u003e\u003c/object\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan id\u003d\"voxAdt95394\" style\u003d\"position:absolute;z-index:2;\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBeer Myths\u003c/strong\u003eUncover beer myths and discover the real answers about beer and how it affect the human body in this video?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cp align\u003d\"center\"\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv id\u003d\"cubeDiv\" style\u003d\"position:relative;\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"position:relative; z-index:2;\"\u003e\u003cobject classid\u003d\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" id\u003d\"swfclipf7\" width\u003d\"300\" height\u003d\"700\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"allowScriptAccess\" value\u003d\"always\" /\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"movie\" value\u003d\"http://thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/cube.swf?a\u003df7\u0026m\u003d62020\u0026v\u003d1\" /\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"base\" value\u003d\".\"/\u003e\u003cembed src\u003d\"http://thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/cube.swf?a\u003df7\u0026m\u003d62020\u0026v\u003d1\"base\u003d\".\" width\u003d\"300\" height\u003d\"700\" name\u003d\"swfclipf7\" allowScriptAccess\u003d\"always\" type\u003d\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" pluginspage\u003d\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\"\u003e\u003c/embed\u003e\u003c/object\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan id\u003d\"voxAdf7\" style\u003d\"position:absolute;z-index:2;\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-1675421920160807827?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/1675421920160807827/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/08/in-recovery.html#comment-form","title":"5 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/1675421920160807827"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/1675421920160807827"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/08/in-recovery.html","title":"In Recovery"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"5"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-4627142113931933918"},"published":{"$t":"2007-08-02T13:08:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-08-02T16:25:27.851+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"news"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"information overload"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"spam"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Spam: Even From A Friend!"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ch2 style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003ePracticing Honesty\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"When we feel trapped or pressured, it takes great spiritual and emotional strength to be honest.\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/blockquote\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eBasic Text, p. 81\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMany of us try to wiggle out of a difficult spot by being dishonest, only to have to humble ourselves later and tell the truth. Some of us twist our stories as a matter of course, even when we could just as easily tell the plain truth. Every time we try to avoid being honest, it backfires on us. Honesty may be uncomfortable, but the trouble we have to endure when we are dishonest is usually far worse than the discomfort of telling the truth.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHonesty is one of the fundamental principles of recovery. We apply this principle right from the beginning of our recovery, when, we finally admit our powerlessness and unmanageability. We continue to apply the principle of honesty each time we are faced with the option of either living in fantasy or living life on its own terms. Learning to be honest isn't always easy, especially after the covering up and deception so many of us practiced in our addiction. Our voices may shake as we test our newfound honesty. But before long, the sound of the truth coming from our own mouths settles any doubts: Honesty feels good! It's easier living the truth than living a lie.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eJust for today:\u003c/span\u003e I shall honestly embrace life, with all its pressures and demands. I shall practice honesty, even when it is awkward to do so. Honesty will help, my efforts to live clean and recover.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e-------------------------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/spam\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eSpam\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/span\u003e \u003d useless propositions which have nothing to do with the subject at hand,\u003cbr /\u003esometimes repeated again and again. Often deceptive.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight:bold;\"\u003eNot Spam\u003c/span\u003e \u003d a single proposition which is completely relevant to the subject at\u003cbr /\u003ehand and which people may find useful. \u003c/blockquote\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eLife is not so bad after all. I woke up this morning searching for something to cheer me up in the World Wide Web. Then I found a question from somebody who needed help and I answered his question. I felt really good when he/she accepted my answer as you can see it here, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://groups.google.com/group/blogger-help-howdoi/browse_thread/thread/720f68e8d66b1589\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eHow do I show HTML Code on a post?\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI'm sorry I've to terminate my offer. For those you've already sent your request, you will still get your postcards and to avoid any future complications, your name, email and home address will be deleted as soon as I sent you your postcards. This is not an optin to get your email addresses. That's for my other WebSite. This Blog is for my friends, that is, if you want to call me your friend?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eYou see, after publishing my last post, I'm getting a lot of emails with the header of \"postcard\". I don't know how did they do it because my email address was not even listed on the the said email. It was blank, empty and yet I still received it. After asking around, I was told that they used some kind of \"robot\" (not the \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style:italic;\"\u003egood\u003c/span\u003e one!) to surf around the Internet searching for any specific keywords that they chose.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI believed it because I still remember when I did a post on which I mentioned \"car\" \"BMW\" and the like. Not too long later, my inbox started to fill with emails offering me free cars, then one said I won a BMW in some lotteries, and something like that! I know I cannot do anything about it, because I've left my email all over the Internet. I love to subscribe newsletters especially from anyone who are doing Internet Marketing, in forums etc etc etc.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI've never ever deleted an email from a friend, but after a friend told about \"robot\" et al, I'm beginning to have my doubt!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThat's all for now. I don't want anybody to get \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/information+overload\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003einformation overload.\u003c/a\u003e Especially from Noor Azman Bin Othman.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAnd here's some \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/news\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003enews\u003c/a\u003e:\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cdiv id\u003d\"cubeDiv\" style\u003d\"position:relative;\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"position:relative; z-index:2;\"\u003e\u003cobject classid\u003d\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" id\u003d\"swfclipt505346\" width\u003d\"410\" height\u003d\"750\"\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"allowScriptAccess\" value\u003d\"always\" /\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"movie\" value\u003d\"http://www.thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/cube.swf?a\u003dt505346\u0026m\u003d60968\u0026v\u003d1\" /\u003e\u003cparam name\u003d\"base\" value\u003d\".\"/\u003e\u003cembed src\u003d\"http://www.thenewsroom.com/mash/swf/cube.swf?a\u003dt505346\u0026m\u003d60968\u0026v\u003d1\"base\u003d\".\" width\u003d\"410\" height\u003d\"750\" name\u003d\"swfclipt505346\" allowScriptAccess\u003d\"always\" type\u003d\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" pluginspage\u003d\"http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer\"\u003e\u003c/embed\u003e\u003c/object\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan id\u003d\"voxAdt505346\" style\u003d\"position:absolute;z-index:2;\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-4627142113931933918?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/4627142113931933918/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/08/spam-even-from-friend.html#comment-form","title":"5 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/4627142113931933918"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/4627142113931933918"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/08/spam-even-from-friend.html","title":"Spam: Even From A Friend!"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"5"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-1478777797496051802"},"published":{"$t":"2007-07-30T14:16:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-07-30T14:40:58.261+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"web directory"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"making money online"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"postcard from exotic Malaysia"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"blogosphere"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Postcard From Exotic Malaysia"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ch2 style\u003d\"font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;\" class\u003d\"subtitle\"\u003eRegular Inventory\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003eContinuing to take a personal inventory means that we form a habit of looking at ourselves, our actions, attitudes, and relationships on a regular basis.\u003c/blockquote\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eBasic Text, p. 41\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eTaking a regular inventory is a key element in our new pattern of living. In our addiction, we examined ourselves as little as possible. We weren't happy with how we were living our lives, but we didn't feel that we could change the way we lived. Self-examination, we felt, would have been a painful exercise in futility.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eToday, all that's is changing. Where we were powerless over our addiction, we've found a Power greater than ourselves that has helped us stop using. Where we once felt lost in life's maze, we've found guidance in the experience of our fellow recovering addicts and our ever-improving contact with our Higher Power. We need not feel trapped by our old, destructive patterns. We can live differently if we choose.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBy establishing a regular pattern of taking our own inventory, we give ourselves the opportunity to change anything in our lives that doesn't work. If we've started doing something that causes problems, we can start changing our behaviour before it gets completely out of hand. And if we're doing something that prevents problems from occurring, we can take note of that, too, and encourage ourselves to keep doing what works.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eJust for today:\u003c/span\u003e I shall make a commitment to include a regular inventory in my new pattern of living.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e-----------------------------------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI'm sorry my friends for not posting for the past two weeks. Or is it three weeks already.? You see, I was quite busy trying to promote my business online and offline. And I'm still trying my best to introduce my second blog, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://redirect.alexa.com/redirect?web-directory.blogspot.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eWeb Directory\u003c/a\u003e into the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/blogosphere\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eBlogosphere\u003cbr /\u003e.\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eShe is still a baby, with only ten posts. At first I thought I wanna fill it with all the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/web+directory\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eweb directory\u003c/a\u003e that I can find in the Internet and make a review about every single one. But then I received emails requesting how to create a blog? I find it very interesting to help others, especially when they thanks me back. Now, the purpose of that blog has changed. I shall find any subjects in forums that I registered and looked for any threads requesting help. Usually I would looked anything that got to do with Blog*Spot or Blogger.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI found that many Bloggers who are using Blog*Spot as their platform to create blogs are still blurred about it. Most of them want their blogs to different, especially about their template! They want different templates from the normal standard Blog*Spot issued one. Then they want to add some widgets or some other add-on. All that needed some hacking on their HTML!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThat's where most of them got in some sort of trouble and problem with their blogs. Most of them turned to \u003ca href\u003d\"http://groups.google.ca/group/blogger-help?lnk\u003dgschg\u0026hl\u003den\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eBlogger Help Group,\u003c/a\u003e but still can't get that needed answers. Even Blogger Employee with the help of some A1 Bloggers, they're still under staff to answer every question. They only have so much time, and even with the title of Blog*Star issued to them, many questions are left unanswered!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThat's where I shall come in with my \u003ci\u003ebaby\u003c/i\u003e \u003ca href\u003d\"http://redirect.alexa.com/redirect?web-directory.blogspot.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eWeb Directory\u003c/a\u003e, I shall published some sort of tutorials in my post. Did you know that forum marketing is the oldest method of Social Marketing. It is also the most effective, coz Social Marketing is the next Wave of Marketing online! I implore my friends to join forums and provide solid content, coz this will show that you are a decent person and people will grow to respect your expertise.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAdd links to your blog, and blog to your forum signatures and posts. This is where posting valuable information to your sites/blogs comes in handy. If you've already answered a question that someone asks, just post a link to your blog and tell them that the answer awaits them there. Not only will the person you are helping visit your blog, but many others will as well.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThank you for still reading these far, my friends. And here comes the main menu. Keep on reading, I'm sure you'll get as excited as I am. I'm sure by now, you all have already known about my involvement in Internet Marketing. Beside \u003ca href\u003d\"https://www.google.com/adsense/login/en_US/?hl\u003den_US\u0026amp;gsessionid\u003diQc8DioZx3c\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eAdSense\u003c/a\u003e which was obvious, I've been doing a bit of reviewing, publishing ads for \u003ca href\u003d\"http://amazon.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eAmazon,\u003c/a\u003e \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.auctionads.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eAuction Ads\u003c/a\u003e and many more including our very own local advertising firm, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.advertlets.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eAdvertlets\u003c/a\u003e and \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.nuffnang.com.my/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eNuffNang.\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhat I want to tell you is this, I've been doing quite well with my \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/making+money+online\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003emaking money online\u003c/a\u003e project. No! No! No! I'm not going to snap every cheque that I've received nor do I going to take screenshot of my \u003ca href\u003d\"https://www.paypal.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003ePayPal\u003c/a\u003e account statement! Let just say, I'm doing well.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOf all my making money online projects, the least I earned are from Advertlets. Before these, I've allocated three prime spot for them, being Malaysian and all that, but I still didn't earned much. Maybe it's not for an old man like me, even though I'm still young at heart! I don't know, I guess maybe I failed in my demographics poll submissions. So, please my friends, I implore you to take the Advertlets' poll which is located near the top of my right sidebar. It will not takes you more than a minutes to answer the four questions.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eTo tell you the truth, about 75% of my earnings goes to several favourite charities of my choice and the other 25% I intend to give it back to you, my friends. Yes, my friends. You heard me right! This is what I had in mind. For starters, I would like to send you \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/postcard+from+exotic+Malaysia\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003epostcard from exotic Malaysia!\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eLet just say, this is my way to give back just a portion of all the blessings I have received. I believe in \u003ci\u003e\"the more you give, the more you get!\"\u003c/i\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSince I shall be using the faithful old snail mail. Please leave your home address by clicking \"Email Me\" button. Don't be surprise, I'm using \u003ca href\u003d\"http://contactify.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eContactify.\u003c/a\u003e It's an email service, a link but without an address. You can click  on it and send me messages without revealing my email's address. Cool, huh?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://contactify.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;\" src\u003d\"http://noorazmanothman.googlepages.com/Contactify.png\" alt\u003d\"\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003eI hope to reduce spam emails that has been invading my inbox full of promises to make me several times richer than Bill Gates! There's also some magic stuff that cam make my boobs firmer! Yeah! Yeah! Even I received boobs firmer magic pills advertisement emails. Not to mentioned \u003ci\u003eViagra,\u003c/i\u003e that can make \"Junior\" bigger, stronger, firmer, longest! Grrr! I don't need that. I'm happy with \"junior\". Beloved wife happy too. Ask her if you don't believe me?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOk, ok! Back to the story. Where was I? Aaa yes! Please don't leave your home address on the comment columns, unless you want the www to know where you live. This offer will be opened without any expiry date. I shall leave a logo on the sidebar as you can see on the right sidebar as a reminder to every readers of this blog to leave their home address if they want to get postcard from exotic Malaysia in their mailboxes!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAs a conclusion, let's recap what I've been saying;\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eExposing \u003ca href\u003d\"http://redirect.alexa.com/redirect?web-directory.blogspot.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eWeb Directory.\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eUsing Forum to expose your blogs\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eSome making money online tools\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eThe concept of \u003ci\u003ethe more you give, the more you get.\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eUsing \u003ca href\u003d\"http://contactify.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eContactify\u003c/a\u003e to avoid spam\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003eHow to get postcard from exotic Malaysia?\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eDon't leave your home address on comments!\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003eThat's all my friends, see you soon.\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-1478777797496051802?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/1478777797496051802/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/07/postcard-from-exotic-malaysia.html#comment-form","title":"10 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/1478777797496051802"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/1478777797496051802"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/07/postcard-from-exotic-malaysia.html","title":"Postcard From Exotic Malaysia"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"10"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-2349516878620697794"},"published":{"$t":"2007-07-09T12:49:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-07-10T23:23:28.457+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"euphoria"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"lost dreams"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"recovery"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Old Dreams Needn't Die"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cb\u003eOld dreams needn't die\u003c/b\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ci\u003e\"Lost dreams awaken and new possibilities arise.\"\u003c/i\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cb\u003eBasic Text, p. 88\u003c/b\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMost of us had \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/dreams\" target\u003d\"_blank\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003edreams\u003c/a\u003e when we were young. Whether we dreamed of a dynamic career, a large and loving family, or travels abroad, our dreams died when our addiction took hold. Anything we ever wanted for ourselves was cast away in our pursuit of drugs. Our dreams didn't go beyond the next drug and the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/euphoria\" target\u003d\"_blank\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003eeuphoria\u003c/a\u003e we hoped it would bring.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eNow in \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/recovery\" target\u003d\"_blank\" rel\u003d\"tag\"\u003erecovery,\u003c/a\u003e we find a reason to hope that our lost dreams could still come true. No matter how old we are, how much our addiction has taken from us, or how unlikely it may seem, our freedom from active addiction gives us the freedom to pursue our ambitions. We may discover that we're very talented at something, or find a hobby we love, or learn that continuing our education can bring remarkable rewards.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe used to put most of our energy into spinning excuses and rationalization for our failures. Today, we go forward and make use of the many opportunities life presents to us. We may be amazed at what we're capable of. With our foundation of recovery success, fulfillment, and satisfaction are within our reach at last.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cb\u003eJust for today:\u003c/b\u003e Starting today, I shall do whatever I can to realize my dreams.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e-----------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eNot too long ago, I received an surprise email from the A\u0026E Television Networks\u003cbr /\u003eMarketing Specialist - Outreach, Janice Cupee. She wanted me to be a part of her team to spread around their \u003ci\u003eIntervention DVDs.\u003c/i\u003e You can see their link on my right top sidebar, \"Buy one and you'll get one FREE!\"\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ci\u003eIntervention™ is a powerful and gripping television series in which people confront their darkest demons and seek a route to redemption. The Intervention Television series profiles people whose dependence on drugs and alcohol or other compulsive behavior has brought them to a point of personal crisis and estranged them from their friends and loved ones. Each Intervention episode ends with a surprise intervention that is staged by the family and friends of the alcohol or drug addict, and which is conducted by one of four Intervention specialists.\u003c/i\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eClick on to \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:130%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-weight: bold;\"\u003eIntervention - BOGO SALE!\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:130%;\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 0, 0);\"\u003eINTERVENTION Buy One, Get One FREE Sale!\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:130%;\"\u003eFor a limited time, buy one INTERVENTION DVD, get one free. Just add two Intervention dvds to your cart and get the lowest priced one for free. Offer expires 07/19. Shop Intervention now.\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHow's that for my sales pitch? We've a local joke about how talented we addicts are at selling things! It is said that we addicts can even sell a refrigerator to the Eskimo whenever we open up our mouth! I don't know how true it is, but we are known like to sell things to get our daily \u003ci\u003efixes!\u003c/i\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOk, enough of that. After having problems after problems with my last \u003ca href\u003d\"http://thrbrtemplates.blogspot.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eThur's\u003c/a\u003e classic version of Blogger Minima template, I decided to migrate to Blogger New Layout. I've always been comfortable with a classic template, and I found it hard to understand the new layout. After several tried and errors, I finally got the hang of it.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSo, how is the new look? I hope it will load faster than before. I've got to delete a few images to achieve that, but the tweaking and hacking are not over just yet. I would like to thanks a few people for making this project (I called it \u003ci\u003e\"project\"\u003c/i\u003e whenever I've done something to \u003ci\u003eMy Journey To Recovery.\u003c/i\u003e) possible. They are;\u003cbr /\u003e\u003col\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cli\u003eMy fabulous friends listed on \u003cem\u003eMy Sacred Links\u003c/em\u003e for having the patience with me even though I've not published a new post for quite some time and rarely do any blog-stalking anymore. I really like to type up their names one by one, but I prefer you to click on My Sacred Links located at the bottom right sidebar and see for yourself who they are. All I can tell you is that they are all amazing people.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cli\u003eAll my friends listed on \u003cem\u003eNon-Recovery Links.\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cli\u003eBlogs and Sites that are listed on \u003cem\u003eRecovery Links.\u003c/em\u003e Thank you for making me clean and sober.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cli\u003eLiew Yee Piao of \u003ca href\u003d\"http://yp90.blogspot.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eSimple Life\u003c/a\u003e for teaching me to type in \"Peekaboo link list Beta Blogger\" to Google many amazing stuffs to learn new things that you can do with your blog. Why not give it a try?\u003c/li\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cli\u003eAzlynne Naranek of \u003ca href\u003d\"http://azlynne1972.blogspot.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eLife After Work\u003c/a\u003e for showing me the way how to \"drop down menu\" this blog's Label. \u003c/li\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cli\u003eHere started the credits due to Blogger from whom I learned and \u003ci\u003eexploring the beauty of Blogger (Beta).\u003c/i\u003e From Hans of \u003ca href\u003d\"http://beautifulbeta.blogspot.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eBeautiful Beta,\u003c/a\u003e I learned adding Social Bookmarking as you can see at the bottom of this post. Actually there are ten bookmarking sites but I only uses seven of them to suit the width of the main/center column.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cli\u003eI also \u003ca href\u003d\"http://beautifulbeta.blogspot.com/2006/10/adding-menubar-to-your-blog.html\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eadd a menubar\u003c/a\u003e as you can see on top of this blog. Who else?                                        \u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cli\u003eOh ya! From Ramani, I have my Labels listed in \u003ca href\u003d\"http://hackosphere.blogspot.com/2006/08/drop-down-labels-blogger-beta-hack.html\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eDrop Down Menu\u003c/a\u003e style. I've noticed that I've a very long list of labels, thus the drop down menu.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cli\u003eAnd from Anne, I learned to use \u003ca href\u003d\"http://bloggeruniversity.blogspot.com/2006/05/hideshow-expandcollapse-navigation.html\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e+/- Click To Expand\u003c/a\u003e as you can see at the bottom right sidebar.\u003c/li\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cli\u003eYes! Template by the awesome \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.blogcrowds.com/resources/templates.php?page\u003d2\u0026cat\u003d1\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eCharlemagne Stavanger.\u003c/a\u003e I'm using the three column Washed Denim template. There are many more template to choose from. If you don't wanna use Blogger type template, there are WordPress template and many more. Go ahead, make your choice.\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI think I've mentioned all the Blogger's hackers from whom I've used their widgets, javascripts and wisdom. If I've left out anybody, please let me know and please read a disclaimer notice which I've pasted at the very bottom of this page.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFor your information, I would like to use their \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eTable of Contents\u003c/span\u003e hacks and I've used Hans's \u003ca href\u003d\"http://beautifulbeta.blogspot.com/2006/10/table-of-contents.html\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eTable of Contents\u003c/a\u003e hacks, but I deleted it later coz when I used it, it didn't include the date and labels. I shall write to him and ask for his permission to use his javascripts that will include the date and labels as well.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOne more thing, the Recent Comments hacks, I \u003ci\u003estole\u003c/i\u003e it from \u003ca href\u003d\"http://bloggerindraft.blogspot.com/2007/06/introducing-blogger-in-draft.html\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eBlogger in Draft.\u003c/a\u003e I don't know whose it is, but I took it when I viewed the \u003ci\u003esource\u003c/i\u003e Blogger in Draft. I saw and read many posts about Recent Comments and I don't know whose does it belong to?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThat's all for now. Before I took my leave, I wanna ask you a question. Have you seen Bruce Willis latest film \u003ci\u003eDie Hard 4.0\u003c/i\u003e (Live Free Or Die Hard)? How I wish to own that kind of computers and be a hackers like them in the film. In one scene the FBI boss related how the bad guy (I think it was acted by Timothy Olyphant) penetrated NATO defence system using only a LAPTOP! Wow! That's awesome.\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-2349516878620697794?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/2349516878620697794/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/07/old-dreams-neednt-die.html#comment-form","title":"16 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/2349516878620697794"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/2349516878620697794"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/07/old-dreams-neednt-die.html","title":"Old Dreams Needn't Die"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"16"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-3067556351061792011"},"published":{"$t":"2007-07-02T22:08:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-07-03T02:13:09.460+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"twelve step"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"recovery"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"sick and tired"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Sick And Tired"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003cb\u003eSick and tired\u003c/b\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ci\u003e\"We wanted an easy way out ... When we did seek help, we were only looking for the absence of pain.\"\u003c/i\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cb\u003eBasic Text, p. 5\u003c/b\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSomething's not working. In fact, something's been wrong for a long time, causing us pain and complicating our lives. The problem is that, at any given moment, it always appears easier to continue bearing the pain of our defects than to submit to the total upheaval involved in changing the way we live. We may long to be free of pain, but only rarely are we willing to do what's truly necessary to remove the source of pain from our lives.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMost of us didn't begin seeking \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/recovery\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003erecovery\u003c/a\u003e from addiction until we were \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/sick+and+tired\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003esick and tired\u003c/a\u003e of being tired and sick.\" The same is true of the lingering character defects we've carried through our lives. Only when we can't bear our shortcoming one moment longer, only when we know that the pain of change \u003ci\u003ecan't\u003c/i\u003e be as bad as the pain we're in today, are most of us willing to try something different.  \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThankfully, the steps are always there. No matter what we're sick and tired of. The irony is that, as soon as we make the decision to begin the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/Twelve+Step\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eTwelve Step\u003c/a\u003e process, we realize our fears of change were groundless. The steps offer a gentle programme of change, one step at a time. No single step is so frightening that we can't work it, by itself. As we apply the steps to our lives, we experience a change that frees us.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cb\u003eJust for today:\u003c/b\u003e No matter what prevents me from living a full, happy life, I know the programme can help me change, a step at a time. I need not be afraid of the Twelve Steps.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e-------------------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI don't what came into me lately. It seem that everything that I do turned out wrong. Take my blog for example. I noticed that my sidebar's content are getting longer and longer. From a regular two column template, I changed it using \u003ca href\u003d\"http://thrbrtemplates.blogspot.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eThur Broeders's\u003c/a\u003e Minima classic three column template.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIt looked fine and I was satisfied with it for some time. One by one I added contents on both sidebars and it getting longer as time passed by. To save some valuable \u003ci\u003ereal estate\u003c/i\u003e on my blog, I decided to use some type of drop-down menu. After Googling some keywords like \"drop down menu\", \"drop down menu codes\", \"drop down menu generator\", \"drop down menu javascripts\" and the like, I came up with two WebSites that I really liked.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOne of them is offerng for free using their \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.flooble.com/scripts/expand.php#get\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eExpandable Content Scripts.\u003c/a\u003e It's easy to use once you get the hang of it but I chose to use \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.dynamicdrive.com/dynamicindex1/index.html\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eSwitch Menu\u003c/a\u003e by \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.dynamicdrive.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eDynamic Drive.\u003c/a\u003e They offered quite a lot of drop down menu in several varieties that you can choose to your heart content.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI spent nearly two days trying to perfect the used of Switch Menu. For some reason, I was using FireFox 2.0 when I tried to copy and paste the Switch Menu and it looked alright in FireFox. About a week of using the Switch Menu, I noticed that the Switch Menu are not clickable when I used Internet Explorer 7. I thought it's not clickable in all IE version but a friend of mine from UK, the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://madmickstories3.blogspot.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eJedi Master\u003c/a\u003e told me that the Switch Menu are clickable in IE6!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFrom my stats, I knew not many of my readers are using IE7 but I would like it very much if the Switch Menu are compatible in all browsers. That's not my only problem coz bt then I noticed that my main column, that is the middle column, it's content looked centered, as if I've used \u003ci\u003e\"div align\u003d'center'\"\u003c/i\u003e on my template. \u003ci\u003eThe White Angel,\u003c/i\u003e \u003ca href\u003d\"http://sippiambrose.blogspot.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eScott W\u003c/a\u003e was able to correct the post, but it seemed that the welcome note, \u003ci\u003eHello there. I see you're from ..., \u003c/i\u003e the date, post's title and at the bottom of the post starting from \u003ci\u003eLabels\u003c/i\u003e till \u003ci\u003eLinks To This Post\u003c/i\u003e wanted to stay centered!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI spent so many days and so many nights trying in vain to correct the problem. I've joined so many forums and the latest forum that I joined was \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.webdeveloper.com/forum/showthread.php?t\u003d153314\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eWeb Developer\u003c/a\u003e in my effort to find some answers to my present problems.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhile I was searching, Googling and Yahooing for answers, I came across a blog using some ingenius ways to gain traffic to his blog. He was having a \u003ci\u003eball,\u003c/i\u003e celebrating some anniverssary. He said if I wanted a gift by some known artist, I've to type in my email address so that he can sent it to me. Without thinking, I typed in my email address. Guess what? I was directed to one of his \u003ci\u003efeed\u003c/i\u003e services. Without telling the whole truth, I was made to subscribe to his feed! Shessh! \u003ci\u003eWhat a nerve?\u003c/i\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI still can accept it at first. In fact, I laughed about it telling him I might use his ingenius way to make my readers to subscribe to my blog's feed! And then he came out with another project. He said he would do a review for any blogs or WebSites for free because he is feeling generous! I can do that too, but first you must answer and give comments for the \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.advertlets.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eAdvertlets\u003c/a\u003e polls, located at the top right sidebar, below \u003ci\u003eEmail Me!\u003c/i\u003e Last but not least, subscribe to my feed and leave a comment or two on my blog for several post. To make it sweeter, leave a comment or two whenever there is a new post on my blog. How about that? Would you do that for me?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBut everything is not bad. Out of it, I found a new friend, Liew Yee Piao. He is now a Pro-Blogger earning money from his blog, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://yp90.blogspot.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eSimple Life.\u003c/a\u003e And you would not believe it coz he is only \u003ci\u003esweet\u003c/i\u003e seventeen of age. I know I can learn a lot from him about blogging and life for a matter of fact. In one of our emails communication, he said, \u003ci\u003erestricting yourself from blogs is like restricting yourself from people in the real world\u003c/i\u003e when I told him how dislike I am to any Blogger using \u003ci\u003eunethical\u003c/i\u003e ways to get some traffic to their blog. Beside, I came to know him from the said blog. He got a point there that is difficult to argue. I like him. He's a wise mature seventeen years old dude! (Lol! one of his favourite words, \u003ci\u003edude!\u003c/i\u003e)\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThat's all for now. I hope to solve my problem soon. It looked like Miss Moderator of \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.webdeveloper.com/forum/showthread.php?t\u003d153314\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eWeb Developer\u003c/a\u003e is trying to get some answer to my problem. Maybe I shall change to a new template soon...\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-3067556351061792011?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"related","href":"http://web-directory.blogspot.com/2007/06/terms-and-definitions.html","title":"Sick And Tired"},{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/3067556351061792011/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/07/sick-and-tired.html#comment-form","title":"18 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/3067556351061792011"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/3067556351061792011"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/07/sick-and-tired.html","title":"Sick And Tired"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"ArahMan7"},"uri":{"$t":"http://www.blogger.com/profile/10800847777772543779"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$extendedProperty":{"xmlns$gd":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005","name":"OpenSocialUserId","value":"14419005978517226428"}}],"thr$total":{"xmlns$thr":"http://purl.org/syndication/thread/1.0","$t":"18"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-8278331889127513994"},"published":{"$t":"2007-06-17T20:41:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2007-06-18T11:38:25.607+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"to love and be loved"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"narcotics anonymous"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"reaching out"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The Secret"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003cdiv style\u003d\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cdiv style\u003d\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 0, 0);\"\u003eNew updates (June 18th, 2007):\u003c/span\u003e Yeeessssss! Thank you \u003ca href\u003d\"http://sippiambrose.blogspot.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eScott W\u003c/a\u003e for solving my problem. It's very simple really but I was too messed up trying to solve the problem, I can't see the answer that was staring right in front of me all along! (Usually I wrote my post in \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eEdit HTML\u003c/span\u003e mode.) But Scott W, even though I clicked on \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eAlign Left\u003c/span\u003e button, The title of this post is still centered. And that included my welcome message, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"Hello there. I see you are from...\"\u003c/span\u003e and the date. FYI, I have to center the flags to justify it with AdSense. Anyway, my heartest thanks to Scott W. I salute you ...\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cb\u003eWalls\u003c/b\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/reaching+out\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e\"Reaching out\u003c/a\u003e is the beginning of the struggle that will set us free. It will break down the walls that imprison us.\"\u003c/i\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cb\u003eBasic Text, p. 80\u003c/b\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMany of us came to NA emotionally shattered. Years of using people and allowing them to use us had taken their toll on our ability to trust anyone, ourselves included. But the love and acceptance we found in \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/Narcotics+Anonymous\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eNarcotics Anonymous\u003c/a\u003e encouraged us to reach out and get close to others.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe longer we stayed clean, the more we began to long for greater intimacy with our loved ones. We began reaching out in deeper, more meaningful ways, even though we might get hurt. Despite our fears of rejection, we decided to risk revealing ourselves, our beliefs, and our needs. We decided to let down our defensive walls.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe freedom we've found has been worth the risk involved. We know there is still work to do before we will be completely free of the barriers built by years of \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/active+addiction\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eactive addiction.\u003c/a\u003e But by reaching out to other addicts and allowing them to reach out to us, despite our human failings, we have come to know that we have a great capacity for love and intimacy. When set free of their restraining walls, our hearts hold great power.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cb\u003eJust for today:\u003c/b\u003e I shall let down my personal walls and reach out to others. I shall allow my heart the freedom \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/to+love+and+be+loved\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eto love and be loved.\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e---------------------------------------------------------\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBefore I type-up this post I dropped by browsing around reading some threads at a local forum to which I'm a registered member. It has been a while since I was there last. I took an interest to one thread. It was a question. Someone asked, \"is your blog popular?\"\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI began to ask myself. Am I popular or \u003ca href\u003d\"http://arahman7.blogspot.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eMy Journey To Recovery\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/a\u003e popular?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSo, I decided to tell the truth. Yes, I considered my blog popular among us, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://technorati.com/tag/recovery+blogger\" rel\u003d\"tag\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003erecovery blogger.\u003c/a\u003e I shall tell you why I considered my blog is popular;\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003col style\u003d\"text-align: left;\"\u003e \u003cli\u003eFor keeping me clean and sober all this while;\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eMy posts still received comments by the readers;\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eI was invited to join a carnival and write a post;\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eI was sent presents by snail mails  all the way from Lawndale, when I post about my grief-stricken NA Book;\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href\u003d\"http://anon-recovery-archive.blogspot.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eAn Irish friend of Bill\u003c/a\u003e sent me \u003ci\u003ethe secret.\u003c/i\u003e (I shall tell you more about it later, at the end of this post.);\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eMy (Recovery) friends misses and asked for me when I didn't post anything for quite sometime;\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eMy posts are not the only mean of communication. It goes beyond that. E mails and IMs are standard;\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003eEric of \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.feedburner.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eFeedburner\u003c/a\u003e left a comment on one of my posts;\u003c/li\u003e  \u003cli\u003eLast but not least (there are many more),\u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e Google\u003c/span\u003e love me. \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-size:85%;\"\u003e[Hint: See my PageRank...]\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e\u003cdiv style\u003d\"text-align: left;\"\u003eIronically, my blog is not well-known among my countrymen/women. I guess the topic of addiction and drugs are still a no-no! There are many times in many of my posts I published about the love-hate relationship between the people of Malaysia in particular and the dreaded addicts. It does not make any different whether you're a recovery addict or not. They still holds dear the maxim, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"once an addict will always be an addict!\"\u003c/span\u003e Here is another one, \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"once a dog will always be a dog! Even if it doesn't eat it, it will lick it!\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWanna hear more? I think that will be enough. Let us change the subject, it's getting warmer here, (lol!)\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAfter I was able to get my post published, I noticed that my main(center) column looked centered, as though I have used \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"div align\u003dcenter\"\u003c/span\u003e tag. You will not notice it, if you clicked the post from the header \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003e\"Previous Posts.\"\u003c/span\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOK, I shall explain it again. See this post (\"The Secret\") that you're reading now? OK, now scroll down to \"Previous Posts\" and click the same post, \"The Secret\" from under it. Can you see the different of the main(center) column between the two posts?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eReluctantly, I post a question at \u003ca href\u003d\"http://groups.google.com/group/blogger-help-publishing/browse_thread/thread/3d6ec2f86353f3a6/cee277eb2af569f9?hl\u003den#cee277eb2af569f9\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eBlogger Help Group.\u003c/a\u003e Till now nobody answer my question. Thanks God for that or I shall get some sort of question in a sarcastic ways! I preferred not getting an answer because you don't know the answer than posing a question back to me like, \u003ci\u003e\"what do you mean by centered...?\"\u003c/i\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSo, I post the same question to Blogger Team and I've yet to receive an answer from them. Please, if any of you readers know what causes it to become centered and how to rectify it, please let me know. You can leave the answer at \u003ci\u003ecomment\u003c/i\u003e or use my email address, located at the top of my right sidebar.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003ca onblur\u003d\"try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}\" href\u003d\"http://anon-recovery-archive.blogspot.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;\" src\u003d\"http://bp3.blogger.com/_8hp4Ww7DnF8/RnVOdPQchKI/AAAAAAAAAZg/e459ozGnJfk/s400/DSC00471.JPG\" alt\u003d\"Gift from An Irish Friend Of Bill\" id\u003d\"BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5077050419148784802\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThis is \u003cspan style\u003d\"font-style: italic;\"\u003eThe Secret\u003c/span\u003e that I told you about, delivered by The Royal Mail UK. Thank you \u003ca href\u003d\"http://anon-recovery-archieve.blogspot.com/\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eMy Irish Friend of Bill.\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWanna more about it? Read about it here, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://anon-recovery-archive.blogspot.com/2007/05/secret-is-great-excuse-for-mental.html\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Secret is Great\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/a\u003e and learn about \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.thesecret.tv/home.html\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Law of Attraction.\u003c/i\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThat's it for now. See you later.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cspan style\u003d\"color: rgb(255, 0, 0);\"\u003eUpdates: Come and view my new blog \u003c/span\u003e@\u003ca href\u003d\"http://web-directory.blogspot.com/\"\u003e Web Directory.\u003c/a\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-8278331889127513994?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"related","href":"http://web-directory.blogspot.com/","title":"The Secret"},{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/8278331889127513994/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2007/06/secret.html#comment-form","title":"17 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/8278331