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":"2009-12-14T23:52:05.224+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\u0026start-index\u003d101\u0026max-results\u003d100"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/"},{"rel":"hub","href":"http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/"},{"rel":"previous","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default?alt\u003djson-in-script\u0026start-index\u003d1\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":"101"},"openSearch$itemsPerPage":{"$t":"100"},"entry":[{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-8480471586098576744"},"published":{"$t":"2006-11-25T23:22:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2006-11-26T00:05:08.669+08:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Narcotics Anonymous 12 Steps - Step 11"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"When you're reading NA 12 Steps, please keep an open mind especially to my countrymen/women and to all muslim. Adapt the Steps accordingly with our faith and you will be all right. Based on their experience, they believe that every addict, including the \"potential\" addict, suffers from incurable disease of body, mind and spirit. We, the addict were in grip of a hopeless dilemma, solution of which is spiritual in nature. Therefore, Narcotics Anonymous (NA) will deal with spiritual matters. NA are not a religious organization. Their program is a set of spiritual principles through which we are recovering from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eStep 11 of Narcotics Anonymous By Terry\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAfter applying the knowledge that we’ve gained from all the previous Steps, we are now ready and geared up to seek out our Higher Power’s will for our lives. To work Step 11 in Narcotics Anonymous, we seek through prayer and meditation to strengthen our relationship with our Higher Power, and to live in accordance with His will for our lives.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFor this Step to be carried out, we have to strengthen our conscious contact with God through the two options available for us to utilize: Prayer and Meditation. By increasing our conscious contact with our Higher Power, we will acquire the essential knowledge necessary to carry out His will for our lives.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBy praying for knowledge and guidance, our Higher Power will reveal to us the way we should go. We will acquire direction, ability, understanding, and strength through increased conscious contact.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eConscious contact means being aware, mindful, and awake to align ourselves with God, as we understand Him. We gain all-knowing knowledge and perception of the way to truth – our destined path to success, happiness, and peace of mind.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eTo have conscious contact with God is to be alert with our inner essence. We gain awareness and attentiveness to our chosen path to freedom. We gain the familiarity and knowledge to live in accordance with God’s will for our lives. When we become aware of the Light of God’s love through prayer and meditation, we become at peace with ourselves, our life’s direction, and of our newfound life within.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eTo experience conscious contact brings with it a great amount of healing elements that will give us the serenity that we seek. Our life’s path becomes a positive, insightful, and joyous adventure.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOur Higher Power resides within, but we acquire the knowledge of His will from our inner being, and from without. Deep within us we find the serenity that we once thought was impossible to achieve.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOur Higher Power has been with us from the start. He has been guiding us thus far through the Steps, and now our Higher Power desires for us to strengthen the conscious contact necessary to continue growing in our recovery, among many other things.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThrough prayer we seek God and find Him; and through meditation, we find His presence from within. Both prayer and meditation are the suggested tools to use to succeed with improving our conscious contact with God.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThrough prayer and meditation, we not only become aware of our Higher Power, but we also become alert to reality, to ourselves, and to others. Our overall attentiveness expands to enlighten us to the direction we should follow – God’s will for our lives. We experience peace, faith, love, tranquility, calmness, and a positive mindset that will lead us to the victory that we seek.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFaith and acceptance reigns. Responsibility and accurate perception becomes a way of life. We become more aware of our strengths and weakness. We acquire the ability to rise above the challenges we encounter on our quest for personal freedom.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe achieve freedom in many areas of our lives, but the most important freedom that we gain, is freedom from active addiction – the freedom to never have to use again, even if we want to. We seek out God’s will for our lives, and we are led to victory.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003ePersistence in recovery becomes a way of life, and we finally begin to enjoy and cherish all the marvelous wonders of this world.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThrough the process of Step 11, we become in connection with truth from mind, body, and spirit. Total enlightenment transforms us into spiritual beings. This process is achieved through prayer and meditation.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThrough prayer, we communicate with our Higher Power, and we ask that His will be done, and also that He give us the power, knowledge, and ability to carry it out. The answers will be revealed as He shows us the way. We’ve already learned through working the previous Steps that if we become reliant on ourselves, insanity will result, which will lead us to unmanageability and total chaos.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOur Higher Power has Ultimate Knowledge, and as we tap into that source through improved conscious contact, we gain direction and life, as it should be. As we establish an improved relationship with our Higher Power, we become God-centered, less selfish and self-seeking, and we thrive in life, and in our recovery.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eObtaining conscious contact doesn’t have to be a complicated issue. To achieve conscious contact, we become honest and open, we pray and meditate, and we not only love ourselves, but we show love to others. Remember, it is suggested that we keep it simple. It can be difficult and vague to distinguish God’s will for our lives.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eKnowing this, we remember the fact that our Higher Power only wants the best for our lives. In life, we are given free will, so it’s up to each of us to decide if we want to travel along the right path. If we live in disobedience, then obtaining the knowledge of God’s will is impossible.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhy is God’s will so vague sometimes? Well, God’s will is life and truth, and He tends to show us the direction through Steps. We show our obedience to Him by succeeding with the small tests that are always given to us. We comply with, and respect the knowledge that is given to us. We then will be led to great triumph. We recognize God’s will for our lives by His voice from within, by the events in our lives, and by the experiences of others who succeed.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBy living with conscious contact, it is imperative that we take it one day at a time, and one step at a time. To achieve the fourth step on our journey, we have to take the first three Steps in faith and obedience. And as we follow the suggestions of the program, we take the 12 Steps one Step at a time, and then we’re led to victory.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe more we are obedient to God’s will, to the direction that is shown to us, then the more we’ll accomplish on our path. To be disobedient to God’s will is to reject life. Doing so will derail us to disaster.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eTo succeed and grow in our recovery, we choose to abide by the direction that is shown to us. If we love God by choice, then our Higher Power will show love and guidance in return. If we set our priorities to live in accordance with God’s will, we are shown the Light of love, and the course to freedom.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSo, in summary, to achieve God’s will for our lives, we stay accepting and obedient to the path revealed before us, as we continue to seek through prayer and meditation the knowledge of His will. In due course, the Light is shown to us.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIts illuminescent radiance will show us the way to victory in our recovery. After strengthening our conscious contact with God, and seeking out the knowledge to live in accordance with His will, we are ready to continue on to the last Step on Narcotics Anonymous.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThank you, my name is Terry, and I am an addict.\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/33346377-8480471586098576744?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/8480471586098576744/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/11/narcotics-anonymous-12-steps-step-11.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/8480471586098576744"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/8480471586098576744"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/11/narcotics-anonymous-12-steps-step-11.html","title":"Narcotics Anonymous 12 Steps - Step 11"}],"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","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-7432527760491746263"},"published":{"$t":"2006-11-25T00:11:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2006-11-25T00:27:48.081+08:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Narcotics Anonymous 12 Steps - Step 10"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"I was constantly searching for \"the answer\"-that person, place or thing that would make everything all right. I lacked the ability to cope with daily living. As our addiction caught up with us, many of us found ourselves in and out of institutions. As addict, we are people whose use of any mind-altering, mood-changing substance causes a problem in any area of life. Addiction is a disease which involves more than simple drug use. Some of us believe that our disease was present long before the first time we used!              \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eStep 10 of Narcotics Anonymous By Terry\u003cbr /\u003e            \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAfter making our amends in Step 9, we now move on to Step 10, in which we continue to take personal inventory, and when we are wrong, we admit our faults without delay.  This particular Step should be practiced daily to ensure a steady course in our recovery. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAs we now live by the new Spiritual Principles that we’ve learned so far, we can be even more certain that the knowledge, strength, courage, faith, and hope can be utilized in our daily lives as we continue to move forward in our recovery.  All the skills that we’ve learned thus far can help us to steady our minds eye toward the destination that we seek.\u003cbr /\u003e            As we maintain a sharp, persistent focus on our goals, desires, and ambitions, we start to prepare ourselves for the many rewards to come.  We continue to work the program to better all aspects of our lives.  As we employ this optimistic mindset, we start to notice negative traits of character that may still hinder our positive growth. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eDuring the process of Step 10, we become critics of our own character.  The character flaws that still plague us are scrutinized, and we do our part in their removal.  Humility is still a principle that we have to utilize, as we continue to take personal inventory. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe’ve learned through the course of working the Steps that we must accept the things that we cannot change, and we use our newfound awareness, strength, and courage to change the things that we can.\u003cbr /\u003e           \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAs we continue to take personal inventory, we reflect on all the knowledge and wisdom that we’ve acquired through working the previous Steps.  Every day becomes an adventure, as we strive to achieve the desires of our heart. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOur new and true inner voice directs our every step on our march towards everlasting joy, peace of mind, and personal freedom.  We come to realize that all of our experiences have led us to this point, and that we are precisely where we’re supposed to be right now. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eRighteous living, integrity, honesty, and positive motivation become a way of life.  We start to become more secure in our recovery, and we start to appreciate the foundation that we’ve built.\u003cbr /\u003e           \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eTo continue traveling down the right path, it is suggested that we not only continue to take personal inventory, but that we also promptly admit our wrongs.  Our plate has been cleansed through working the first nine Steps, now we have to maintain and preserve our uprightness. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIn order to uphold our improved state of being, we must admit when we’re wrong, and do our utmost to correct our character flaws, while we continue to abide by the suggestions of the program.  We begin to become comfortable with ourselves, with our new way of life, and all of the tools that we’ve learned thus far on our journey. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe’ve come to understand our disease of addiction, and we’ve learned how to rise above its deadly grips.  We continue to live and to learn, to work the Steps, to go to meetings, to keep in touch with a sponsor, and to associate with clean and sober people who are supportive of our recovery. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAs we continue to live upon this strong and secure foundation, we know that life awaits with all its wonders.  We no longer have to live in fear and regret.  We’ve transformed into spiritual beings, which are ready and willing to achieve the desires that drive us forward.  Imagination and vision expose a Light that’s bursting of new and exciting adventures.\u003cbr /\u003e           \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAs we sail towards the horizon, we refuse to allow the winds of misery to knock us off our course.  The picture of our destination is within our grasp.  An ever-present Protector that ensures our safe and sound passage is guiding us.  We can’t go wrong, as we strive forward in our recovery.\u003cbr /\u003eTo thoroughly work this Step, we begin to reflect on each day.  We get in touch with ourselves on a deeper level, as we start to recognize our inner workings.  As we reflect on our day, we bring to mind our attitudes, feelings, thoughts, behaviors, actions, reactions, interactions with other people, our sense of self-confidence, and self-esteem, as we acknowledge the good and the bad through the course of the day. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThis is our personal inventory, and we especially need to make sure that we didn’t wrong others, and if we did, then we need to admit our wrongdoings.  This is Step10, the action step that maintains and enhances our personal development. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAll the Spiritual Principles that we’ve learned can be put to use as we march onward in our recovery.  Day after day, as we work this Step, we positively grow in the direction that we’re led.  Our meaningful, serene existence becomes a way of life.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eToday, after already completing the 12 Steps, I continue to work Step 10 on a daily basis to uphold my sharp focus, and to continue down the road to positive change, and spiritual growth.  Day after day, I see the wonders of the program revealing itself.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI was once an out-of-control addict, and now I’m free – enlightened to this new way of living.  My fellow addicts and alcoholics, Step 11 and 12 is soon to come.  Now let us thrive on, and enjoy this splendid way of life. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eRecovery is a continuous journey, one of growth, enlightenment, and positive motivation.  We never forget to maintain our secure foundation, as we strive to do our best throughout each day.\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/33346377-7432527760491746263?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/7432527760491746263/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/11/narcotics-anonymous-12-steps-step-10.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/7432527760491746263"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/7432527760491746263"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/11/narcotics-anonymous-12-steps-step-10.html","title":"Narcotics Anonymous 12 Steps - Step 10"}],"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":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-3851993601849067887"},"published":{"$t":"2006-11-23T21:28:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2006-11-23T21:51:58.881+08:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Narcotics Anonymous 12 Steps - Step 9"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"This Blog is the shared experience of the fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous. I welcome you to read all posts regarding \u003cstrong\u003eRECOVERY, ADDICTION, 12-STEPS, HIGHER-POWER, SOBER, SELF-DEVELOPMENT, SELF-INJURER, SPITITUALITY, GOD, NA, \u003c/strong\u003eor\u003cstrong\u003e AA,\u003c/strong\u003e hoping that you will choose to share with me in a new life I have found. Mind you, I have no means found a \"cure\" foe addiction.  I can only offer a proven plan for daily recovery and doing the right thing for the right reason. For now let's move on to :-)              \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eStep 9 of Narcotics Anonymous By Terry D\u003cbr /\u003e         \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAfter acquiring willingness to make the necessary amends from our list in Step 8 of NA, we are now prepared for the action Step.  In Step 9 of NA, we make amends to all persons we had harmed, with the exception of injuring others or ourselves.  The objective of this Step is to repair the damages of our past wrongs. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIt should be our intention to resolve the disturbances that we encounter.  This act of restoration will eliminate our regretful feelings.  The faults of our past are now brought to light for the healing process to take place.  No longer does shame and dishonor have to inhibit our forward growth.\u003cbr /\u003e           \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe should approach our amends with a confident and assured attitude because we deserve the many rewards to come.  We ought to take our time while making our amends.  We are on our way to a sense of “normality.”  We become excited with our progress, and our conscience becomes cleansed of remorse and guilt.\u003cbr /\u003e           \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe will experience various feelings as we start making amends.  We may feel comfortable with some amends, and fearful of others.  If we face our amends anticipating refusal or reprisal, then this experience won’t be of benefit to us. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe may be fearful, but it should always be our intention to be prepared for whatever outcome may result – fearlessly.  A lot of our amends may never be totally completed; however, we should strive with an attempt at complete restoration.  With our relationships, we must exert vigor on a continual basis to better improve them; only then will many of our amends really have affect.\u003cbr /\u003e           \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMany members in the Fellowship are not able to repair each and every one or our wrongs.  We do have added support from our Sponsors, from supporters of our recovery, and from the love of our Higher Power to safeguard us from potential ruinous fallouts. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIn actuality, we still grow through the course of action, and in the end, we become grateful that we made the amends.  We always wear the shield that our Higher Power equips us with, in which we can make use of at any point in time during our amends process.\u003cbr /\u003e           \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThis act of making amends is one of humility, and it’s rewarding for many reasons.  We learn to act with love and respect in our relationships, and in dealings with other people.  We become much less self-seeking in nature, and start to become attentive and care about other people’s feelings. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOur behavior is uncovering itself, giving us an added occasion to further reinforce our values and personality.  We get to start working on our behaviors with other people, which give us an opportune time to reinforce our newfound sincerity, trustworthiness, and reliability.  Good times begin to overshadow the downbeat occurrences of our past. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eNow we get the opportunity to work on ourselves, and also with family and friends, the Fellowship, and society as a whole.  Stability is therefore established in our lives.  We are now obtaining the moral framework vital for a life of achievement and fulfillment.\u003cbr /\u003e           \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThrough making our amends, a great amount of spiritual growth shines forth.  We start to view our circumstances and lives differently, while becoming aware of our wrongdoings.  We admit our faults that bring us a lasting harmony. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe become less self-absorbed.  This Step has tremendous impact on our spiritual quest.  We learn humbleness, and to be openly straightforward.  We become released from the chains that confined us to our wrongs.  Freedom results, and we have at last concluded another crucial aspect in our recovery.\u003cbr /\u003e           \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe tools that we’ve gained while working the Steps have given us hope, strength, and the knowledge necessary to live a blissful, thriving existence.  Our entire moral filament has intensified into one of integrity and virtuous values.  We can now live uninhibited by the failures and impurities of our past. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eA whole alteration of disposition has occurred.  We’ve learned the key principles necessary to stay on the right track leading to personal advancement, positive change, enhanced alertness, and spiritual illumination.\u003cbr /\u003e          \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI’ve personally learned through this Step working experience that once my mind becomes clarified, inspired, and optimistically ambitious, then I can bravely initiate the process of indisputable personal victory.  By surrendering my will to the Divine Essence, I acquire might and courage – the vital ingredients to reclaim self-confidence, sense of worth, and the motivating force needed to escalate beyond restricting horizons. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI can now distinguish my true, unconstrained essence within; and by following my new inner voice, while seeking the strength of my Higher Power, I can lock onto true understanding, thereby becoming able to achieve success.\u003cbr /\u003e           \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThrough the process of Step 9, we release the binding agents that hinder true personal growth.  We purge ourselves of further harmful elements that could restrict our advancement.  We are on our way to a life bursting of endless opportunities, and we’ve acquired the fundamental skills needed to achieve victory in all aspects of our lives. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe now utilize the Spiritual Principles that we’ve learned, while remaining confident in their ability to assist us in our daily affairs.  We become appreciative of all the awareness, strength, and knowledge that we’ve thus far attained while working the 12 Steps. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThank you, my name is Terry, and I am an addict.\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/33346377-3851993601849067887?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/3851993601849067887/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/11/narcotics-anonymous-12-steps-step-9.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/3851993601849067887"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/3851993601849067887"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/11/narcotics-anonymous-12-steps-step-9.html","title":"Narcotics Anonymous 12 Steps - Step 9"}],"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","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-8424357113789865821"},"published":{"$t":"2006-11-22T21:09:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2006-11-22T21:47:19.341+08:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Narcotics Anonymous 12 Steps - Step 8"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"I have had the privilege to know a very talented recovery writer, Terry D (formerly of NA AA RecoveryZone) that has been so gracious as to agree to share his personal experiences as to how he applied the Narcotics Anonymous 12 Steps to his life in recovery. Starting with Step One and moving through the Steps, you will discover the wonderful benefits that all Twelve Step Programs offer. The true ability to be Happy, Joyous, and Free from that chains that once bound us. The chains of addiction and alcoholism.           \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eStep 8 of Narcotics Anonymous By Terry\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eStep 8 of NA is the process of forgiveness that we desire from our guilt-ridden past.  We now make every effort to heal past embarrassment, dishonor, and humiliation from the people in our lives.  All the people that we have harmed or ill-treated in the past are now given an open invitation to provide us their forgiveness, or basic acknowledgement. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIn Step 8 of NA, we organize a list of all the people that we’ve harmed, and we equip ourselves to make direct amends, which occurs in Step 9.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFor this Step to work suitably, we should not be unenthusiastic to include certain people in our list.  It is stated clearly, to make a list of ALL the people that we’ve wronged.  Writing the list shouldn’t be difficult, but the preparation for the willingness to make amends may take additional exertion. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAt this point in our recovery, we had admitted our wrongs, and furthermore, we humbly asked our Higher Power to remove those shortcomings.  By now, it should be exceedingly apparent in our lives that the process of recovery has changed us into positive, motivated, faithful, hopeful, and spiritual people. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe now do what’s necessary to continue growing on our journey.  We have learned to accept our disease of addiction, and became aware of the necessary measures that need to take place to ensure our persistent status of being clean and serene.  Our spiritual and intellectual expansion has brought us a new sense of enlightenment, expectation, and inspiration to continue on in our journey. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFear or disinclination to before long face the people that we’ve wronged shouldn’t hold us back.  We are positively changed, improved individuals that are now ready to rebuild our relationships, and make an effort to mend our past afflictions.\u003cbr /\u003e           \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eRecovery is the process of rebuilding all the things that we had lost in our active addiction.  We started the 12 Steps of Narcotics Anonymous totally focused and unwavering to do what was necessary to positively progress in our recovery.  We in actuality needed time to work on ourselves, to remodel our moral makeup, to strengthen our character, and to eliminate the chaotic behaviors of our active addiction. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe followed by the suggestions of the program, and we honestly, and thoroughly undergone the revitalizing course of action.  At this juncture in our recovery, while completing the first 7 Steps of NA, it is suggested that we make this list, and obtain the required willingness to complete Step 9 of NA.  In this Step, we are in preparation of the amends that is soon to follow.\u003cbr /\u003e           \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhile making the list of all the people that we’ve wronged, we ought to make sure to utterly reflect on our lives to ensure a detailed list.  A quiet and peaceful surrounding, with a lucid frame of mind will aid us to more easily complete our list.  Keep reviewing the list to make sure that everyone is listed. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOnce that process is complete, it is now time to evaluate our thoughts on each individual, and then, I would advise that we write down next to their name all the things that need to be recalled and admitted.  A list of all the wrongs to each person will help us get geared up to make the direct amends. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe need to acquire the tools necessary to humbly admit our faults, and see what can be done to restore the relationship, if sought-after.  We review all of our dealings with each person and prepare ourselves to make amends, which is the next Step.\u003cbr /\u003e           \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAs we honestly and humbly work this Step, we acquire the traits we’ll need to become willing to make the amends.  Step 9 of NA, is the direct action procedure, so for now we prepare ourselves for the amend process to take place.  A sincere and meticulous list will ensure a more victorious attainment in the 9th Step. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThis whole process will give us a newfound peace that will bring us happiness, hopeful expectancy, tranquility, contentment, and a serenity that will set our spirits free.  As we rebuild past disgrace, we are allowing the affliction to heal because it’s out into the open, and we execute our part in the healing process.\u003cbr /\u003e           \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eNow in our recovery, we are better able to build strong, and affectionate relationships with our family and friends.  We also get the opportunity to make amends to all the other people that had crossed our path. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe obtain the willingness to courageously, and fearlessly move onward to continue advancing in our recovery.  Balance and peace is created as a result of these Steps.  We enter a new realm of life, and we start to envision the spiritual enlightenment that we’ve been striving for.\u003cbr /\u003e           \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThrough the process of Step 8 of NA, we are finally able to set in motion the amends process that will ultimately liberate us of past guilt, regret, indignity, embarrassment, dishonor, remorse, heartache, pain, misery, and all turmoil from the people in our lives. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eLike all the Steps, start this process in an honest manner, and know that in the end, a tremendous positive growth transformation will occur.  Make sure to be willing to make all the amends before we begin Step 9 of NA.  This is just another Step in this proven program that will bring us long-lasting harmony and personal escalation. \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThank you, my name is Terry, and I am an addict\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/33346377-8424357113789865821?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/8424357113789865821/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/11/narcotics-anonymous-12-steps-step-8.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/8424357113789865821"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/8424357113789865821"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/11/narcotics-anonymous-12-steps-step-8.html","title":"Narcotics Anonymous 12 Steps - Step 8"}],"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":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-6895036080787144021"},"published":{"$t":"2006-11-21T23:06:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2006-11-21T23:32:42.664+08:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Narcotics Anonymous 12 Steps - Step 7"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"I am a real \u003cstrong\u003eRecovering Addict \u003c/strong\u003efrom Malaysia, who has lived and applied these principles in my own Recovery. Now it is my hope that you too can achieve victory in your own recovery. I shall show you the way to true peace, personal fulfillment, or personal development and spiritual enhancement. You too can obtain a spiritual awakening, as you apply the 12 Steps to freedom. So, let's move on.......\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eStep 7 of Narcotics Anonymous\u003cbr /\u003eBy Terry\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAfter we get prepared for the elimination of our character defects, we now humbly ask the God of our understanding to remove our shortcomings. Through the process of Step 7, true positive alteration will advance us to a new realm, full of tranquility, peace of mind, and an increased sense of purpose and fulfillment.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFor us to humbly ask God to remove our deficiencies, we ought to be unpretentious and compliant. Anticipate only the best to unfold as God begins to work miracles in our lives. It is imperative that we fully trust that God will lead us to the peace that we seek. This will be an ongoing process that will harvest loads of rewards in our lives.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe imperfections of our past and present no longer have to tear us down. As we obediently follow in the direction that is shown to us, we will flourish, and gain the necessary knowledge to ascend above the blunders that haunted us. In order for Step 7 to reap its many rewards, it will be essential for us to do our part in the positive change development. Our Higher Power will fill us with positive motivation to continuously move forward in our recovery.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe should courageously take a step determinedly forward, devoid of reservation or distrust, and follow in the direction that is shown to us. We learn to utilize the many Spiritual Principles accessible to us as we transform and mould into the beings we were destined to be. Positive change will be noticeable while undertaking Step 7, and you will be guided and shown the way to the freedom that serenity produces.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAs we rely and entrust our will to God, the restrictions and limitations that we possess will dissipate into oblivion. We will become proficient in replacing our shortcomings with Spiritual remedies, such as faith, acceptance, courage, vigilance, and staying power. While we preserve an unwavering and strong faith that out Higher Power will deliver us from the inadequacies of our past, we become filled with a newfound strength of character.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe strive for greatness on our path, and we refuse to permit trepidation or weakness to restrain our personal growth, and spiritual advancement.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhen we obtain self-discipline and open-mindedness during the ongoing process of Step 7, we acquire awareness and understanding, and we begin to see a new, inspiring Light to guide our way. Our broken spirits become re-energized as the path is laid before us. Our defects of character become removed as time goes by.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe become inspired to follow in the direction that God leads us. God makes us aware of our weaknesses and inadequacies, and begins to give us the tools we need to help prevail over them. The qualities that we had lacked for completeness become revealed. We acquire a new sense of purpose that motivates us toward uprightness.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAs we abide by the Spiritual Principles of NA, we become aware of the destructive and chaotic ways and behaviors of our past. Always uphold a positive frame of mind, which will help us to continuously travel down the path of positive change, personal enrichment, and spiritual growth.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe continue to follow by the suggestions of the program as we undergo this positive change process. Our Higher Power only wishes the best for us, and we should accept nothing less.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe should acknowledge and ask God to remove all of our character defects and deficiencies. The moral inventory from Step 4 is now set forth in humility, as we ask God to remove our shortcomings. After we have completed Step 6, we are now entirely ready for this unpretentious act. God will see our desire to abide in genuineness and completeness, and will therefore work His miracles in our lives.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOur eyes will open to life’s wonders, and we will finally be capable of acquiring the fulfillment and serenity that we’ve been searching for. That never-ending, empty void that we tried to fill in our active addiction becomes overflowing with the new, loving influence of God in our lives.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eRecovery is a lifelong process because no one obtains absolute faultlessness.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSo the process of Step 7 should be worked throughout our lives. When we become geared up to start Step 8, then we will know, and we’ll commence a process of forgiveness that will heal our past wounds. At this point in our recovery, we are really headed in the direction of peace, fulfillment, spiritual enlightenment, and personal freedom.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe can sit back and say, “Right on.” We become appreciative to this proven program, and for all the improvements that have occurred thus far in our recovery. Take pleasure in the countless rewards of working Step 7, you will be extremely thankful that you did.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThank you, my name is Terry, and I am an addict.\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/33346377-6895036080787144021?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/6895036080787144021/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/11/narcotics-anonymous-12-steps-step-7.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/6895036080787144021"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/6895036080787144021"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/11/narcotics-anonymous-12-steps-step-7.html","title":"Narcotics Anonymous 12 Steps - Step 7"}],"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-5462354015013280313"},"published":{"$t":"2006-11-20T21:12:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2006-11-21T23:41:41.683+08:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Narcotics Anonymous 12 Steps-Step 6"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"I am grateful for the opportunity to share my experiences, strenght, and hope. I know it ain't easy but to show a helping hand and to spread the messages overcome all obstacles that may block my journey. Even my best friend tried to warn me, about me exposing my true identity. I told him that I still believe there are a lot of good hearted living souls roaming around this wonderful world of ours. So, let us move on...\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eStep 6 of Narcotics Anonymous\u003cbr /\u003eBy Terry D\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAfter coming to believe that a Higher Power could restore us to sanity, while we surrendered our will over to the care of God as we understood Him, we then wrote a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eNext, we admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs. Now we are ready to move on to Step 6 of NA by becoming entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe process of Step 6 requires us to learn how to be faithful and trusting towards our Higher Power. We start the process of humbling ourselves, and to trust that God will give us the guidance, knowledge, and ability to act according to His will, so we will no longer have to live amidst the defects of our past.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBy being faithful that God will remove our defects of character, our inner spirit and true essence becomes competent to receive the divine treasures that God will provide us to help us rise above the perils that plague us. The negative, chaotic behaviors of our past will be replaced with the life-giving force of actively applying the Spiritual Principles associated within the 12 Steps.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBy becoming faithful and humble, we are now able to apply key principles that will allow the positive growth process of recovery to commence, which will include honesty, acceptance, hope, courage, perseverance, open-mindedness, God-centeredness, vigilance, self-discipline, patience, selflessness, positive thinking, tolerance, trust, and gratitude. All of those Spiritual Principles are now open to us as we begin working Step 6 of NA.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAs we become accepting and humble by becoming entirely ready to have God remove our defects of character, we learn that patience is a virtue. Gradually, we become open-minded, and willing to apply Spiritual Principles to our daily lives. As we learn to live in humility, and to become vigilant and honest in our daily endeavors, positive change transforms us into whole, spiritual beings.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eNo longer does a negative mindset have to control us and hinder our forward progress. A new sense of hope and courage propels us forward, and we obtain the direction that we need to live anew, to continuously move onward in our recovery, and to attain the spiritual enlightenment that we seek.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eTo attain victory, it is essential that we uphold a sharp, relentless focus on our goal. Being complete and bursting of goodness while straying from mayhem, deceit, arrogance, self-indulgence, egotistical desires, resentment, and edginess will result in the execution of our ambitions.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAbsorbing all awareness, helpful criticism, counsel, suggestions, virtuous motivations, while always considering the genuineness from our voice within will ensure our safe and sound means of access along the road to recovery. When difficulties on your path arise, examine all facets of the assessment watchfully to ensure an action of triumph.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAbiding in patience and faith, while working the 6th Step, will ensure us a complete release of our defects of character. Our attentiveness should be focused upon a strong and confident mindset toward God, and God’s will for us.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThen, as we move on to Step 7, our faith and confidence in the ability of our Higher Power will be strong and firm. We will be better able to allow the process of true positive change and transformation to occur. We continue to see the wonders of this program, and we become open and willing to allow this process to occur in our own recovery.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAs we diligently seek for truth, and the ability to rise above our addiction, we learn what is required of us if we wish to achieve greatness on our journey. The serenity that we all wish for becomes possible for us to achieve. We learn to abide by the proven suggestions, and to live in accordance with the Spiritual Principles involved with working the 12 Steps. We take action to the suggestions offered, while keeping it simple, and working the Steps one day at a time.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOur newfound, enlivened spirit shines forth, we gain integrity, and strength of character, and we’ve learned to accept and let go of the things that we cannot change. We persevere on our journey, and an endless amount of opportunities are presented to us.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eLife becomes a fulfilling adventure, instead of a demoralizing, chaotic, and out of control existence that we all faced in our active addiction. Recovery becomes a way of life, and we become grateful of the immense amount of positive change that transpired on our path.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eStep 6 of Narcotics Anonymous must be applied if we desire the removal of our character defects that take place in Step 7. Awareness and knowledge of the tools provided to us through applying the Spiritual Principles will help to get us ready for the removal of our character deficiencies.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWe pursue the positive motivations of our conscience, while maintaining a steadfast determination to abide in truth, as we live each day. We refuse to allow negative thoughts, or corrupt desires to intrude upon our newfound strength of character.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThen we steady ourselves to live in the direction that our Higher Power reveals to us. The character defects of our past no longer have to obstruct our onward growth. Limitless positive change and development can now be ours as we move on to Step 7 of Narcotics Anonymous.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThank you, my name is Terry, and I am an addict.\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/33346377-5462354015013280313?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/5462354015013280313/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/11/narcotics-anonymous-12-steps-step-6.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/5462354015013280313"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/5462354015013280313"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/11/narcotics-anonymous-12-steps-step-6.html","title":"Narcotics Anonymous 12 Steps-Step 6"}],"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":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-2847044329809221675"},"published":{"$t":"2006-11-19T20:53:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2006-11-19T21:16:06.363+08:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Narcotics Anonymous 12 Steps-Step 5"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"This Blog is designed to give you basic knowledge and awareness of the 12           Step programme. Not only will you be led through each of the 12 Steps, but you will also be given my personal thoughts and feelings on each topic as it applied to My Journey To Recovery.       \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eStep 5 of Narcotics Anonymous\u003cbr /\u003eBy Terry D\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e          Admitting to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs is the objective of Step 5 in Narcotics Anonymous. Admitting our wrongs thoroughly in a manner reminiscent of this will heal us of guilt, indignity, regret, alarm, resentment, animosity, jealously, and countless other obstructions that may thwart our forward progress in recovery. Acknowledgement of our sins will guarantee us God’s forgiveness, thereby enabling us a safe, protected passage down the path of ongoing recovery. For us to disclose to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the precise nature of our wrongs will necessitate an act of proper humility on our part; however, humbling ourselves brings us superior attentiveness and candidness that will unquestionably bring us liberation of the bondage of our past sins.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e           After writing down our personal moral inventory in Step 4, we are now ready to mend our past wounds through confession and humility. This confession process is truly life giving. Once this act has been accomplished, a new source of guidance and protection will thrive in our journey. All obstructions are set aside from our path, and we obtain complete insight, understanding, and direction from our Higher Power. We will get more in touch with our spirituality and sense of purpose that will provide us with the additional drive that we need to excel. I cannot stress enough the importance of carrying out Step 5 in our recovery.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e          Personally, I was very timid and frightened of painstakingly completing this crucial Step. It took awhile to gain the nerve to initiate this Step, but when I finally admitted my wrongs, a sense of relief and pleasure filled me like never before. It was a very awe-inspiring occurrence for me, but the act itself wasn’t as bad as I pictured. For me to sincerely, and entirely follow through with this Step, I had to eliminate all unenthusiastic thoughts from my mind. I told myself that completing this Step would only generate additional expansion and improvement in my life, and in my upturn. I set aside the false pride that was trying to surface. I quieted my mind, while asking my Higher Power for the audacity and vigor to put together a thorough confession.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e          I then started admitting my wrongs to my Higher Power to begin with. I read my personal inventory, while recollecting all corrupt situations that I could commit to memory. I started with my childhood, and then admitted my wrongs all the way to the present, while asking for God’s forgiveness and mercy. I wasn’t able to complete that whole procedure in one session, but I in due course told God each and every one of my wrongs that I could possibly remember, particularly those wrongs that brought me annoyance, bitterness, guilt, humiliation, and sorrow. After I admitted my wrongs to God, I chose my sponsor to admit my wrongs to. I trusted my sponsor with this information, and I was meticulously open and straightforward; what a relief I felt after the course of action was concluded. It would take pages for me to portray the feelings and events that took place. I will, on the other hand, stress the magnitude of completing this Step.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e          Admitting our wrongs is intended to set in motion the reparation process that is to later commence. Until we own up to our wrongdoings, our Higher Power will not forgive our sins. It is imperative that our Higher Power grant us the strength and audacity to confess our sins, so He can further help us on our journey. Other results of admitting our wrongs include the removal of temptation to insensitive feelings from those people that we’ve ill-treated, and to encourage us to become humble in nature. Admitting our faults promotes our self-assessment. Admission furthermore ensures our spiritual advancement, which is ultimately the central factor in our positive development in recovery. Forgiveness from those that we’ve sinned against will cure our conscience, and allow us to move onward in our quest for progressive recovery, personal growth, and spiritual advancement.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e          To admit the exact nature of our wrongs, we should include all the aspects of sin that we’ve committed, such as our wrongs against people, community wrongdoings, private offences that recurrently overpower us, detrimental mannerisms of makeup, devastating tendencies, persistent faults, infrequent blunders, weak points, and all other faults or weaknesses of character that we can summon up. Simply, sins against God or against people, huge sins or minor sins, or intentional sins or minute sins. Through this process, God removes our guilt, throwing it away into the depths of the sea. God covers our embarrassment, and disposes our liability, leaving us with no more to pay, while cleansing us of all unrighteousness.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e          If we decline to follow through with this Step, our unconfessed sins will haunt us, resulting in the demise of our body and spirit. We will have to continue paying the penalty of our wrongdoings. We will be deficient of strength and peace of mind, leaving us feeling feeble and depressed. We will lose all sense of joy and completeness. We will become perturbed and besieged with the dishonor and guilt caused from our unconfessed sins.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e          By completing Step 5 of Narcotics Anonymous, we gain God’s forgiveness, supervision, and strength. We obtain complete forgiveness, clearing our debt from precedent wrongs. We become open to receive the blessings of our Higher Power. We receive God’s safe and sound refuge. We gain God’s cautious counsel. We receive God’s unconditional love and support in our recovery. And, foremost, we choose God’s blissful victory as an alternative of sin’s catastrophic demise.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e          To put declaration of guilt in practical requisites, we should address everyone implicated; stray from ifs, buts, and maybes; declare the precise nature of our wrongs; accept the pain that we’ve created; stomach the effects; alter our conduct; and receive God’s reconciliation. Through these Steps, we release the burden that our addiction brought us. We step out into the spiritual realm, acquiring the much-needed additional assistance that we need to continue moving ahead in our recovery.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e          From the familiarity that I’ve gained from completing this Step, I’ve learned that facing this Step with fear is redundant, and trepidation will obstruct our detailed confession. We must be open, candid, and wholehearted when beginning Step 5. There is no need for disinclination or apprehension because after you complete this Step, a feeling of relief and healing will engulf us like never before. This is a life giving experience that will promote a heightened level of positive intensification in our recovery. Stand strong, and know that God is behind us, waiting to supply us with His full forgiveness. We will become open to receive God’s astuteness in our daily endeavors. The opportunities for personal and spiritual advancement will be unending. You will be converted into a grateful recovering addict like I have become. I have never had the increased amount of awareness, knowledge, and understanding in my life than I do now, especially after completing Step 5 of NA.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e          I want to emphasize the immense amount of serenity and freedom that we will receive while working this Step. All of the baggage from our past is uncovered for the healing process to commence. At this stage in our recovery, all that is required of us is the confession of our wrongdoings - to ourselves, God, and another human being. As we then Let Go and Let God work His miracles, we are provided the necessary means to move on to Step 6 of NA. Our Higher Power gets us geared up for the 6th Step, in which we become entirely ready to have God remove these defects of character. The 12 Steps are constructed in a way that guides us in our recovery process. As we pursue in this established route of recovery, we will be proficient to achieve triumph in our hunt for total recovery. And in the process, we will acquire a better, more enlightened outlook of ourselves, our life, our purpose, and of the direction that we are being guided towards.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e          I personally would suggest that all members of Narcotics Anonymous should undergo these Steps at their own pace. Rushing through the Steps will only generate trivial alteration in my opinion. We will get out of our recovery what we put into it. If we unwearyingly, thoroughly and honestly work the 12 Steps of Narcotics Anonymous, we will be rewarded with all the benefits of recovery; a more satisfying standard of living; a more in depth perceptive of our true essence; a more open insight of the everlasting opportunities accessible to us; a more loving relationship with our Higher Power; healthier overall relationships with family and friends; all the benefits of a spiritual awakening; a happier, more peaceful way of life; increased expectation and assurance that God will continue showing us the line of attack; a superior sense of identity, and the influence of affirmative contemplation; heightened vigor, valor, devotion, drive, astuteness, and the knowledge needed to perpetually progress in our revival.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e          Never again does the recovering addict have to continue trying to fill the empty void inside of him. The tools and knowledge that we receive in the course of working the 12 Steps completely fills that emptiness. All the qualities of true delight and contentment are available to us. Step 5 of NA is a major Step in our recovery process. I previously listed all the benefits of working Step 5, and the knowledge essential to thoroughly complete this Step. Keep it trouble-free, take it one day at a time, seize the opportunity, and candidly tread forth in faith, relying on your Higher Power to supply you with the audacity and power necessary to engage in this Step. I hope that my suggestions help you to understand that fear will only stall the thorough process. Let Go and allow God to demonstrate the way. This will be a major milestone in your recovery, and good luck to all. Thank you for allowing me to be of service. My name is Terry, and I am an addict.\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/33346377-2847044329809221675?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/2847044329809221675/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/11/narcotics-anonymous-12-steps-step-5.html#comment-form","title":"1 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/2847044329809221675"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/2847044329809221675"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/11/narcotics-anonymous-12-steps-step-5.html","title":"Narcotics Anonymous 12 Steps-Step 5"}],"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-5484055587061854996"},"published":{"$t":"2006-11-18T23:01:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2006-11-18T23:10:27.205+08:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Narcotics Anonymous 12 Steps - Step 4"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Recovery for Addicts and Alcoholics at this Blog has a lot of informations and more to come, God willing. It is freely available because my ultimate purpose is to spread the message of hope that is available to us in our recovery. So let move on to Step 4.         \u003cbr /\u003e \u003cbr /\u003eStep 4 of Narcotics Anonymous\u003cbr /\u003eBy Terry D\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e          Before starting Step 4 of Narcotics Anonymous, I came to realize that I had new resources accessible for me to call upon in times of need. Once I surrendered to my Higher Power, I obtained the ability, knowledge, and vigor necessary to take a step forward devoid of fear. I became self-assured in my innovative, healthy decision-making skills, and my newfound spring of hope. I refused to permit myself to embark upon Step 4 with trepidation, reluctance, or dishonesty. I had already, at this point, given my Higher Power the authority to direct my life according to His Will. Now it was time to apply faith and trust that God will see me through this experience. I knew that only good would result from making a searching and intrepid moral inventory of myself. So, wearing the shield of valor, and stepping forth in confidence, I began this new journey that in due course led to a successful, fulfilling, and happy lifestyle.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e          The definition of moral in the dictionary says, “Of or concerned with the judgment or instruction of goodness or badness of character and behaviors.” It also goes on to describe moral as: “Conforming to established standards of good behavior”; and, “Arising from conscience.” I’ve personally come to understand in my journey that morals are habits of demeanor. Moral is an expression that means right, good, candid, respectable, and ethical. A moral person is a virtuous person, and an upright person; an individual who maintains standards of livelihood that mirror love, righteousness, and integrity. I had made it my utmost objective in recovery to be converted into a moral human being, someone who people can depict as a virtuous person of true integrity. Integrity became an immense model for me. Having integrity is to be sincere, truthful, and honorable, ultimately to be a moral person. In order for us to arrive at this position, we must follow through with our personal moral inventory, and bring to light the deficiencies of disposition that manage to survive, in order that we may get in touch with our uniqueness, and draw closer to be acquainted with ourselves, so we can better mould our lives to positively progress in our recovery.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e           I was instructed that before I begin the 4th Step, I would need to ensure that I was prepared, eager, and competent to be utterly straightforward, meticulous, and courageous while I write down my moral inventory. Through my newfound faith that my Higher Power supplied me with, I obtained the audacity considered necessary to follow through with this Step. Applying and utilizing the Spiritual Principles that I had learned so far in Narcotics Anonymous, helped me to complete this Step, which totally changed my life for the better.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e          Honesty is the essential element of this Step. When we are honest with ourselves, with our personality flaws, our moral fiber, our depraved standards, and all the negative aspects of our recovery, we gain the capacity for positive change to transpire. An ever-abundant amount of opportunities for positive alteration, growth, and development awaits us as we are honest about our powerlessness, our addictive behaviors, and our disease of addiction. By being straightforward, we are equipped to make the most of all the other Spiritual Principles of NA that include: Acceptance, hope, commitment, faith, courage, willingness, meekness, unconditional love, firmness, open-mindedness, alertness, strength of mind, sharing and caring, and, of course, honesty, which is the Ultimate Spiritual Principle in which all the others derive from. Remember, before commencing Step 4 of NA, that changing is a course of action that starts with the mind, then enters the soul, and comes forth through our decisions. We are the architects of our destiny, and by living one day at a time we gain familiarity, might, and anticipation to face life on life’s stipulations, to accept the things we cannot change, and the nerve to confront the ultimate actuality of existence.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e          In my personal moral inventory, I wrote down all the characteristics that were connected with my addiction and me. All negative aspects of my character were exposed. The primary defects that should be listed in your moral inventory are the causes of your resentments and anger. These are the vital defects that you should focus on: Arrogance, self-pity, voracity, deceitfulness, egotism, narrow-mindedness, spite, jealousy, edginess, fear, lust, remorse, indignity, failures, disgust, and pride. A searching and fearless moral inventory should also contain all of your good characteristics that you wish to keep and build on that could include love, faith, sincerity, kindheartedness, consideration, triumph, endurance, and so on. The whole idea of a moral inventory is to bring to light our character defects and personality flaws that bring us fear, resentment, or guilt, and anything that can hold us back or obstruct our forward advancement in recovery.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e          As my Higher Power provided me with the tools to work this Step, I was able to efficiently travel along its path. The journey was a roller coaster of feelings and emotions, but in the end, good did prevail, and I gained the awareness, knowledge and understanding that I desired. As I looked inward for the truth, I came to glimpse how my active addiction distorted my vision. I noticed that I thrived on anger and holding resentments. As I started to write down my moral inventory, a feeling of harmony and calmness filled me. After I thoroughly wrote down my inventory, I knew what would have to be done to reach the level of freedom that I needed. A new attentiveness provided me with additional strength to embark upon the positive changes that needed to take place in my recovery. I had all the resources that I needed to safely and audaciously step purposefully onward in my pursuit.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e          I had learned from this Step that my character defects were simply the consequence of my inability to uphold conscious contact with my Higher Power. Now that I was clean and serene, I wanted to be unconstrained from the binding grips that were destroying me, making my life totally unmanageable. I desired positive change, spiritual growth, and personal freedom, so I did what was necessary to start removing my character defects. Step 4 of NA brings us awareness, and at later Steps we gain the aptitude, intellectual capacity, and potency to carefully eliminate these defects of temperament. Step 4 is the starting point for a total renovation of character to begin in our revitalization. Personally, I wanted my character defects detached right then and there; however, I also had learned tolerance and confidence in Narcotics Anonymous. Recovery is a lifelong course of action. True positive change occurs when you’re prepared, and can handle it. Therefore, I recommend that you gain all the awareness that you possibly can in this Step, then start preparing yourself for positive change to commence. Plain awareness is all we need some times for change to set in motion. Trust that your Higher Power will guide you and show you the way to true tranquility and gratification.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e          Perfection is not our objective, but progress is the key to steadfast recovery. As we honesty work Step 4, positive behavior change will occur. As we are candid and bold, we come to know the things we want to change about ourselves, and the things we wish to keep. Self-examination opens the door for true alteration to begin. We continue to hear in the meetings of Narcotics Anonymous that maintaining stability is extremely imperative in our recovery. Achieving equilibrium is crucial for us to remain unyielding and unfaltering in our search for positive change. We equalize all parts of our lives to preserve balance. In NA, the four levels of balance are Self, God, Society, and Service. So, as you do your personal inventory, scrutinize all areas of your life carefully and fearlessly to achieve superior results. A whole, happy person maintains poise in those few areas of his life. Doing so, he is better able to achieve victory. I hope that my description of Step 4 will help you to better understand the magnitude that this Step will have in your life, and in your recovery. Thank you for allowing me to be of service. My name is Terry, and I am an addict.\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/33346377-5484055587061854996?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/5484055587061854996/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/11/narcotics-anonymous-12-steps-step-4.html#comment-form","title":"1 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/5484055587061854996"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/5484055587061854996"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/11/narcotics-anonymous-12-steps-step-4.html","title":"Narcotics Anonymous 12 Steps - Step 4"}],"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":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-355089213599562915"},"published":{"$t":"2006-11-17T21:16:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2006-11-17T21:59:14.494+08:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Narcotics Anonymous 12 Steps - Step 3"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"The general principles of the 12 Step program is discussed, as Terry D share his experience, strenght, and hope to all who desire positive change. Terry D is an active member of the 12 Step Fellowship, and he has done extensive research on all aspects of recovery, personal growth, spiritual development, and positive change.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIt is my intention to share the knowledge that Terry D has gained, so that you too can gain the level of awareness and understanding that can lead you to a successful recovery.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMost addicts, alcoholics, and the like have tried to quit on their own, and it is nearly impossible to stay clean and sober without the loving support of the 12 Step Fellowship. This is a proven program of success, and with it, you can't go wrong. We have a saying when I was doing TC Class. It goes like this: \"I can do it but I can't do it alone!\"\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eStep 3 of Narcotics AnonymousBy Terry D\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThrough personal reflection from the first two Steps of Narcotics Anonymous, we acknowledged our powerlessness and unmanageability resulting from our addiction. The first two Steps brought us enlightenment of our disease, and we became open and willing to allow our Higher Power to lead the way. As we came to accept our powerlessness over drugs and alcohol, a relinquishment of self-will occurred, allow us the opportunity for positive change to manifest. Honesty, open-mindedness, willingness, and acceptance were the Spiritual Principles involved through working the first two Steps. From that point on, we must take action in our recovery for the remaining Steps to work their miracles. It was our self-will that blocked the entry of our Higher Power to shed the light of truth.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWillingness is essential for Step 3 to commence its wonders. Our decision and willingness to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God disconnects us from our addictive patterns – our false pride, arrogance, selfishness, dishonesty, and the insanity, among other things, that inhibited our control over our lives. As we allow God to lead the way, the bondage that once imprisoned us fades away. We begin to get in touch with our spirituality, realizing that true growth and development results from the awakening of our spirit. We come to know and understand our true essence, free from destructive ailments. The road to recovery begins from applying Step 3 into our lives. Applying the Spiritual Principles associated with each Step allows us to positively progress in our journey. At the challenging and difficult times in our recovery, it is through Step 3 that we acquire steadfastness, ability, patience, and an awakened mindset to battle the perils we encounter.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFrom the spiritual enlightenment that results from applying Step 3 in our lives, we come to recognize the negative characteristics that inhibit our further growth and development. We become willing to let them go, and to rely on God to free us from their grips. Through faith we can quiet the voice within that causes us turmoil and stress, releasing the ties that bind them together. And through faith we strengthen our relationship with our Higher Power. As time goes by, we come to know God’s Will, and we strive to follow in the direction that it leads us. Through faith we step aside, allowing God to work His miracles. The process of acceptance silences the unnecessary worry over the things that we cannot change. In times of stress, when we apply our newfound faith, we are filled with energy, and we become reconditioned, revitalized and enlivened. Hopeful expectance fills our vision. Spiritual reflection becomes a way of life, enlightening our path, showing us the way to serenity.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBefore you commence your journey, bear in mind that the reconditioning of your mind is very important to stay in connection with the Hand of God who will lead you. God alone has the ability to rise above the confines of our mind to carry us into the realm of the spirit. A person who attains the essential knowledge of God’s all-pervasiveness will unlock the doors to true freedom and happiness. Personally, I had to gain knowledge and understanding of my true essence within before I obtained the ultimate enlightenment that I was searching for. It was necessary for me to clear away the binding attitudes and thoughts to continue stepping forward in my recovery. Clarity of mind allows one to experience the innermost joy that lies at the heart of our spirit.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWith the help of my Higher Power, I was capable of intensifying my spiritual awareness, and was irrevocably competent to retrieve balance in my life. The emptiness that once consumed me was replaced by the all-knowing power of God. I started to establish a secure, solid foundation with its base held together by the loving Hand of God. I possessed the ability of spiritual acuity, which greatly enhanced my intellectual perception of this world, my role therein, and the direction that God was leading me. It had become apparent that my previous past character defects and shortcomings were eliminated, and that the primary motive of my new, clean and serene existence was to take pleasure in life, achieve my goals, live in love, and to follow in the direction of my ever-lasting source of strength. A newfound serenity had replaced the fears, inadequacies, and failures of my active addiction.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe benefits of my total relinquishment of self-will were plentiful. A new, courageous state of mind motivated me towards positive growth, and helped me to rebuild my integrity. I learned to pursue the achievement of righteous goals that would lead to continual advancement in my recovery. I became open-minded, patient, and willing to incorporate any new ideas, thoughts, behaviors, attitudes, and actions that would promote my healthy lifestyle. As I began letting go of old resentments, fears, doubts, failures, and self-centered ways, a massive weight had been lifted from my shoulders, enabling me to strive towards the new freedom that was uncovering itself before me.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI had an entirely new outlook on life. All the Spiritual Principles that I learned to apply to my life from the program of Narcotics Anonymous had given me a new life, free from the bondage of active addiction, and free from the agony of character demoralization. Through actively working Step 3, I freed myself from the grips of my old ways, and gained the knowledge and ability to step resolutely forward in my recovery, with a new, positive mindset that escalated me beyond the limitations of the past, and set me free from false pride, anger, and all hostility. The results of my surrender to my Higher Power were extraordinary. I was finally relieved of all doubt, and I became very trusting that my Higher Power wouldn’t let me down, or allow me to become besieged, but instead, would bring me serenity, victory, spiritual illumination, and a joyous freedom that knows no bounds. The God of my understanding is a remarkable God. Today, I am a grateful addict, who is evermore indebted from the rewards of Step 3 in NA.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eYou too can achieve prominence. Never tolerate reservations to encroach upon your new center of attention. Be unrelenting in your search for ongoing recovery, and personal and spiritual expansion. Through working and applying the Steps into your life, you can free yourself from the pain of active addiction, and all of its destructiveness. It is uncomplicated and simple to follow in the path that the 12 Steps will lead you.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAwareness and readiness to apply the Spiritual Principles of Narcotics Anonymous will replenish your mind and spirit to an increased level of awareness that will enable you to achieve greatness in your daily endeavors. God can do for you what you couldn’t do for yourself through incorporating Step 3 into your life. Know that through the power of the Divine Essence, recovery is possible; and, our perceived limitations of the past can be set aflame and tossed into the depths of the sea, never again inhibiting our forward growth. It is comforting to know that our past destructive lifestyle is no more. The new liveliness that is all-pervading is propelling us towards triumph. And it all started from the absolute surrender of our self-will. This decision to step into the spiritual realm will ensure your unending recovery and personal growth. Take pleasure in the benefits of applying Step 3 of Narcotics Anonymous into your life. Thank you, my name is Terry, and I am an addict.\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/33346377-355089213599562915?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/355089213599562915/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/11/narcotics-anonymous-12-steps-step-3.html#comment-form","title":"1 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/355089213599562915"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/355089213599562915"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/11/narcotics-anonymous-12-steps-step-3.html","title":"Narcotics Anonymous 12 Steps - Step 3"}],"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-5949793256807526436"},"published":{"$t":"2006-11-16T23:10:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2006-11-17T22:04:18.208+08:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Narcotics Anonymous 12 Steps - Step 2"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Recovery for Addicts and Alcoholics here is to supply you with all your recovery needs. The 12 Step Fellowship has saved my life. By applying the suggestions of the program, I have been transformed into a positive and enlightened person, who is full of hope that you too can gain the level of understanding that I have by working the program. If you have an addiction, whether it's Alcohol, Drugs, gambling, sex, love addiction, or whatever, then you will discover that this 12 Steps is for you.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eStep 2 of Narcotics Anonymous By Terry D\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAs we continue our journey to Step 2, we have already had a glimpse of a Higher Power working in our lives, through the program of Narcotics Anonymous, and through the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions. I came to understand that my personal beliefs about my Higher Power were unique and personal, which was the way it was meant to be. My Higher Power is the God of my understanding. This isn’t a religious program; it is a spiritual program set up in a way that everyone with his or her diverse beliefs can utilize. My Higher Power only wants the best for me. Now through the active process of Step 2, I was competent to release the binding grips of fear and insecurity that hindered my forward progress.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOur belief in God may possibly be different from others; however, the ultimate reality is that help is accessible to those who seek out. As we surrender and become open and eager for change to occur, our Higher Power, and our personal understanding of God will emerge and bring us out of our insanity, releasing us from the grips of fear. NA has countless walks of life, various people with diverse religious backgrounds, in addition to atheists’ and agnostics. So don’t be deterred that NA has a specific group understanding of God because that isn’t the case. Your belief in a Higher Power can be private, and it should be. Our members don’t have to choose among our religion, or our search for recovery because we can have either. Always know that Narcotics Anonymous is a spiritual program that uses universal spiritual principles and practices for the foundation of our recovery. It has been proven, and it unquestionably works, I know from personal experience. If it wasn’t for NA, I would probably be dead, and for that I am everlastingly indebted.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhen I completed working Step 1, I was in a state of total powerlessness. I couldn’t surmount this disease under my own power. I urgently needed a Higher Power to show me the way. After surrendering my will, I had to become willing to permit God to work His miracles in my life. I had undergone a 100% change in all aspects of my life. No longer did I have to rely on my own power to overcome the obstacles that recovery handed me. I began to “Let Go and Let God” take charge of my life. As I noticed and observed all of the miracles of recovery in others and in myself, my faith matured, my hope increased, and the knowledge essential to stay clean and serene was revealed.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIn Step 2, we come to accept as true that God can convert us into spiritual beings, devoid of all apprehension, misery, and failure. Increasing spiritual expansion leads to enhanced awareness and clarification in our journey. The more we seek righteousness and clearness of mind, the greater our personal improvement. The routes to victory are countless with the help of our Higher Power showing us the way. Perplexity no longer torments us as we take each step decisively forward. The more I became God-centered, the more my life reflected positive growth. Once I began seeking the knowledge to reside in accordance with God’s Will, the greater my development became.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhen God entered my life, I discovered that acceptance was a trait that brought me peace of mind. I was able to accept the life I lived in the past, the life I was living, and the endless opportunities of the life that awaits. My reachable horizons expanded, allowing me to achieve goals that were not obtainable in my active addiction. Through patience and dedication, I Took a step resolutely forward, always seeking help and guidance from my ever-present Higher Power. When I faced life’s challenges and difficulties, I always turned to God for the strength and energy that I needed to overcome the perils of daily life. Never once has God given me too much to handle. My life has never been the same.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOptimistic anticipation increased during the 2nd Step as I came to believe that this power greater than myself could direct me towards positive growth. Greater awareness and understanding filled my vision through becoming more God-centered, and less self-centered. Through time, I came to realize that God has always been with me. The caring, loving Hand of God came back into my life because I let Him in. I came to believe that only through God would I become whole again. From that point on, I let go of my shortcomings, my fears, and all of my negative traits. True recovery started emerging from the depths of my spirit. I started to transform into a spiritual being, not a person of sin.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI discovered through personal experience and observation that by talking about God, and through personal reflection, I was able to learn more about this Higher Power. In the rooms of Narcotics Anonymous, I found hope, inspiration and understanding of this divine Essence that I had put my trust in. Also, after working Step2, I learned that false pride and arrogance would only cause destruction and chaos. My ego couldn’t stand in the way if I was to continue moving forward in my recovery.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFor us to come to believe that a power greater than ourselves can restore us to sanity, we are equipped with tools that can enhance our understanding of God, and help us to gain a better relationship with our loving Higher Power. One tool is the process of meditation. Meditation is used to expand our awareness of the spiritual realm, and all that it entails. We come into connection with our inner being, we re-align ourselves with truth, we get to explore the life of the spirit, which is, in itself, life. Through mediation, we can envision our direction, and live out the possible outcomes before any action is made. We still our minds, releasing all negative thought patterns, and we enter the spiritual world, devoid of insanity and hindrances.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIn the meditation process, we establish conscious contact with God as we allow His Will to flow into our essence. Our new, improved conscious can initiate positive influence to drive us towards personal growth and ongoing recovery. For me, I sit down and relax, stilling my mind, while releasing all stress. I notice the marvelous wonders on nature, and all living things as Divine in essence. My mind becomes free, and I come into contact with God. Answers are revealed.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eStrength and energy fill me as I am shown the way. There becomes no question as to which direction I should take. The knowledge of God’s Will is revealed. Peace of mind and assurance envelope me, and all is well. It is reassuring to know that whatever happens on my journey in recovery, good will prevail. A greater understanding of myself, of God, and of life will result from always seeking God’s Will, and the power to carry it out.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eGod’s harmony is without fault, refusing thoughts and behaviors not in agreement with His excellence. I am now free to strive towards my goals in confidence and trust that my labors will now be in vain. Resentments, guilt, shame, dishonor, regret, hopelessness, fear, weakness, doubt, negativity and confusion removes itself from our being as we constantly maintain constant contact with our Higher Power. The Spiritual Principles of NA replaces the fear we abide in, and gives us the courage to move onward in our recovery, uninhibited by negative qualities that plagued us in our active addiction. Spiritual principles are used in our personal growth. Such principles as honesty, acceptance, patience, surrender, love, faith, courage, strength, open-mindedness and willingness can be used to assist us in our forward growth. Commitment and devotion to move onward in our recovery is necessary for continuous growth to occur.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSuccess awaits us as we use our newfound strength and positive direction by maintaining conscious contact with God, by allowing God’s love to penetrate our perimeters, and by being open and willing to follow in the direction that God leads us. With God’s direction, our drive can propel us towards success. Life is more fulfilling and joyous because we are now able to trust God with the things that we have no control over. So let our journey commence amidst the spiritual realm, and let us find meaning, purpose, and truth as we follow in the direction that God leads us. Without spiritual growth, progressive recovery would be impossible. Good luck. I hope that all of you come to believe that a power greater that yourself can restore you to sanity. Thank you for allowing me to be of service. My name is Terry, and I am an addict.\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/33346377-5949793256807526436?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/5949793256807526436/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/11/narcotics-anonymous-12-steps-step-2.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/5949793256807526436"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/5949793256807526436"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/11/narcotics-anonymous-12-steps-step-2.html","title":"Narcotics Anonymous 12 Steps - Step 2"}],"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":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-2529878159400616393"},"published":{"$t":"2006-11-15T21:05:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2006-11-17T22:11:05.114+08:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Narcotics Anonymous 12 Steps"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"What you are reading now are recovery writing by Terry D. It was taken from the twelve steps- \"A detailed interpretation of the NA 12 steps as lived and applied to everyday life\". Enjoy reading it as much as I do.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eStep 1 of Narcotics Anonymous By Terry\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe 1st Step on Narcotics Anonymous requires us to admit our powerlessness over our addiction because our lives have become unmanageable. When I came to Narcotics Anonymous and began working the 1st Step, a total transformation occurred in my life. I began to feel alive again. No longer did I have to live in chaos and negativity. My life had undoubtedly changed for the better, and for that I am forever grateful to the program of Narcotics Anonymous. Before coming to NA, I lived a destructive lifestyle full of lies, anger, hopelessness and guilt. I felt separated from my true essence, and I knew that I couldn’t go on living in this manner. I discovered the 1st Step on NA, which began my progressive journey of recovery.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI finally admitted my disease of addiction and became willing to follow the simple guidelines of this proven program. I learned that I had to become honest with myself, my addiction, and with my complete powerlessness. I had to surrender my will, my addictive patterns, and my self-centeredness to begin anew. I was finally tired of always feeling inadequate and unworthy; and, most of all, I was tired of living a meaningless existence separated from God. I came to realize that surrender, acceptance, honesty, open-mindedness, willingness, and trust were essential for the process of recovery to begin. Surrender is the foundation that all other spiritual principles and growth derive from. Daily, I had to surrender my powerlessness and unmanageability to set the stage for personal growth to transpire.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAs I practiced applying these spiritual principles, I gained a new freedom and peace that I had never dreamed possible. I honestly started working and applying the 1st Step to my daily life. I discovered that I wasn’t alone in this fight for ongoing recovery. I didn’t have to face this by myself. The loving Fellowship of NA had my back. I was filled with hope, and a true desire for change. As my recovery progressed, I began to feel alive like never before. I began to learn how NA works. I noticed that other members were living happy, successful lifestyles. And if they could do it, then I knew that I could too. I dedicated my life to grow spiritually, mentally, physically, and re-align myself with my Higher Power. I obtained the drive and strength necessary to continually move forward in my recovery. My journey commenced, and I haven’t stopped growing since I began working the 1st Step.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAfter applying the 1st Step of Narcotics Anonymous, I learned to focus my attention upon the truth. No longer did I have to deceive myself. I was positively driven to emerge victorious in the battles I faced as I began to live life on life’s terms. With clarity of mind, I could now align my energies toward righteousness. It became apparent that concentrating my mind on doing right brought me continuous success. I learned to rid myself of all degrading, impure and negative traits that would hinder my forward progress. I was compelled toward righteousness. I had finally awakened from my drug-induced haze that I for so long couldn’t live without. Total abstinence was priority. As I embarked on this journey, my obtainable horizons expanded, providing me with endless opportunities for further growth and achievement.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eTo successfully complete Step 1, I had to be totally honest with my addiction and myself. I had to adhere to the suggested guidelines in order to stay clean one more day. I had to be credible for my actions, and how I carried myself. I had to be straightforward in order to fully receive the direction I needed to remain clean and serene. As I was open and sincere on my journey, I gained the strength and knowledge necessary for fastidious allegiance with truth and uprightness. I gradually became genuine and forthright in my search for personal freedom. I honestly applied the suggestions offered in NA to better my life, and all aspects of my being. My inner spirit awakened, finally emerging to assist me in my journey. My true essence came forth, overcoming all obstacles that held me in check for so long during my addiction, and self-centered existence. Displaying acts of candor and decency became admirable traits. My new, positive moral values ascended beyond the limitations of my past. Righteousness took the wheel, steering me towards an unknown land full of opportunities and chances to excel. After working Step 1 of Narcotics Anonymous, I began to notice the positive changes that were taking place. All of this had occurred in my life because I became truly honest in all aspects of life.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOpen-mindedness is another quality that must be practiced to remain clean and sober. Being open-minded unlocks the doors to success. We become tolerant and inclined to absorb all ideas, thoughts, behaviors, and actions that will bring us growth in our recovery. Being open-minded means being receptive of suggestions that can elevate us to a different realm. Being lenient and easygoing during our journey will allow us to adhere to the principles that will enhance our ability to remain clean. Being open-minded means that we are accepting towards anything that will promote our new, healthy way of living. Open-mindedness is important in the process of change and positive growth.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOnce we become open-minded, it is necessary that we acquire the willingness to act upon the positive influences that we encounter. To obtain willingness is to be favorably disposed in mind; to be ready, and prompt to do the necessary tasks to enhance our well-being. We must contain the willingness, and desire for change in order for us to follow through in action to achieve positive change. We must not be reluctant, but eager and without delay to do what is necessary to remain in recovery. With enthusiasm we venture into the realm of life, and all that it entails.\u003cbr /\u003eAnother positive attribute of Step 1 is the process of acceptance. With a consenting mind we step forward, unafraid of failure, but courageous in nature. We receive with favor the many facets of our disease. We come to understand that we are addicts and learn about our disease, knowing that we have the ability to make the required changes that are necessary to move onward in our recovery. We learn to adjust and coexist with reality. We endure the trails we encounter, always remaining in hopeful expectancy and anticipation that good will prevail. Remaining long-suffering and uncomplaining we march on, ready to battle the perils of life, while armored with the spiritual principles of Narcotics Anonymous.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eDuring the first stages of my recovery, it was very difficult for me to set aside my pride and self-centeredness. Through patience and diligence, I learned the importance of acting with humility. Being humble is to be free from pride and arrogance. Humility is the act of submission. It is to have a consistent mildness of temper, while lacking conceit. Acting with humility is to be subservient, to be obedient and compliant with spiritual principles and the Steps of NA. As we yield to our Higher Power, we gain freedom from our excessive pride. I learned to be compatible with living these principles. To be humble is to have a lack of vanity, and it is to be menial. When I learned the true nature of humility, I finally obtained serenity and peace of mind. I never thought I would be able to reach a true state of serenity. Well, I did! And it was quite simple too. While being humble, accepting, open-minded, willing, and honest I began to notice and feel all of the positive changes that were occurring in my life. From that point on, I knew that recovery was surely for me, and that through the suggestions and guidelines of NA and the 12 Steps, I could obtain success and fulfill all of my deepest desires. All of this understanding and enlightenment took place after applying the 1st Step of NA to my life.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThrough personal reflection after first entering the rooms of NA, it was made clear that my powerlessness over addiction was uncontrollable. I had to accept responsibility and take charge of my recovery. Open-mindedness and willingness enabled me to apply the spiritual principles of NA, and provided me with the tools necessary to honestly work the 1st Step. As I recognized the destruction and horrific qualities of my addiction, I came to understand the importance of surrender, acceptance and honesty. The 1st Step allows us the opportunity to stray away from our selfishness, and learn to become God-centered. Becoming less self-centered encourages new, healthy ways of living without the insanity of obsession and compulsive behavior. No longer does fear, doubt, isolation, confusion and the feeling of separation from life has to control us. In recovery, we strive to get back the sanity that we lost in our addiction.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhen I came to NA, I always heard the familiar slogans: “Let go and let God,” “Keep coming back,” Easy does it,” “One day at a time,” and “Don’t leave before the miracle happens.” These sayings made a lot of sense, especially in the first stages of recovery. Through these simple suggestions, I discovered new ways to adjust to life on life’s terms. Through time, I started to reclaim control and hope, while obtaining the ability to detour around temptation, isolation, seclusion, and alienation. Strength of mind and spirit enabled me to attain the power to live. By observing and listening to the experience, strength, and hope of other recovering addicts is an indication that miracles do happen to those who devote their energies and focus towards ongoing recovery.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eTo completely surrender, I had to yield to a Higher Power, while admitting defeat as I whole-heartedly abandoned self. By surrendering, we release the chains that bind us. Those things that we cannot change no longer have to torment us. Surrender becomes victorious over our powerlessness. Open-mindedness removes us from the pits of despair. Uncertainty no longer has to cloud our vision. We can now move in the direction we choose. We must never become “powerful” again, or we will fall back into our old ways of chaos. Acting responsibly severs the course of insanity that controlled us. Remember, if nothing changes, then nothing changes.\u003cbr /\u003eAs we move forward, we become aware of our triggers and all situations that initiate our demise. We learn to steer clear of all circumstances that would hinder our further growth, and spiritual advancement. In our recovery, we improve our well-being, our happiness, and we rise above the seclusion of the past. We gradually begin to act out of love, respect, and anticipation that out Higher Power will see us through. When we let go and let God take over, a newfound strength emerges from the awakening of our soul. I’ve learned that spiritual advancement necessitates enduring the things that we cannot change as we surrender, learn, and apply the Spiritual Principles offered in the program of Narcotics Anonymous. We can be assured that by NOT practicing spiritual principles, we would be cut off from further growth. Applying spiritual principles will seize unsound patterns of self-absorption and intemperance. Expanding the quality of our uprightness, gaining enlightenment, becoming aware of our spirituality, and by releasing fear we transform into spiritual beings.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eDuring my active addiction, my spirit seemed inaccessible. I had separated myself from all life. I discovered that NA is full of practical advice and suggestions that help us get out of our own head and recognize our disease of addiction. I learned that by removing my destructive thought patterns, behaviors, and qualities that promoted my insanity, I could uncover my true nature, get to know myself, and become a power for good. A sense of meaning and purpose was finally reachable through the uplifting process of spiritual growth, awareness, enlightenment, understanding, and personal freedom. Commitment together with action leads to transformation and conversion from impure to responsible. Positive expectations overcome misery and anguish. Faith in our Higher Power to do for us what we couldn’t do for ourselves, brings us assurance and hope that the impossible is possible.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFor the newcomer working the 1st Step: Keep it simple, surrender, admit defeat, abandon all destructive forces, form new beliefs, heighten your strength of mind, be honest and open-minded, willing, faithful, and hopeful. By living in the moment, we receive the ability to be strong, firm, steadfast, and dedicated to the renewal of our mind. I hope that my personal experiences and beliefs regarding the 1st Step of Narcotics Anonymous has brought you enlightenment, and knowledge of this first step that begins our journey of recovery. Next time I will discuss Step 2 of NA, so until then, I am glad to be of service.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e Thank you for allowing me to be of service. My name is Terry, and I am an addict.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cfont size\u003d\"1\"\u003eAlcoholics Anonymous, and AA, are registered trademarks of Alcoholics Anonymous as is NA, Narcotics Anonymous a registered trademark of Narcotics Anonymous World Services, Inc. The publication of this web page does not imply affiliation with or approval or endorsement from Alcoholics Anonymous, or NA World Services, Inc or any other 12 step program or organization.\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/33346377-2529878159400616393?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/2529878159400616393/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/11/narcotics-anonymous-12-steps.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/2529878159400616393"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/2529878159400616393"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/11/narcotics-anonymous-12-steps.html","title":"Narcotics Anonymous 12 Steps"}],"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","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-7342757424108559641"},"published":{"$t":"2006-11-09T21:56:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2006-11-09T22:55:33.231+08:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Reciprocal Links Are Dead!"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Here is another wonderful article about \u003cstrong\u003eLINK.\u003c/strong\u003e Visit \u003ca href\u003d\"http://jonathanleger.com/\"\u003ehttp://jonathanleger.com/\u003c/a\u003e and you can read an awesome range of articles under the categories of AdSense, Blog, Internet Marketing, SEO and Web Design.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eYou can even subscribe to his free Marketing Insiders list and receive three (3) incredible free gifts. I have been his faithful and loyal subscriber for quite sometime and I have never regretted my decision. Go there now and have fun.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI've been reading a lot of nonsense on various SEO forums about reciprocal linking being dead. People screaming and crying because their sites no longer rank well after Google's big Jagger update. I thought it would be timely for me to write an article about what REALLY happened, and what you can do about it.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReciprocal Links Aren't Dead\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFirst of all, reciprocal links aren't dead, not by a long shot. It would be foolish of any search engine to ignore links from one authority site to another just because that other site points back to it. That, in fact, reinforces the value of both sites!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhat really happened is that Google got smarter about reciprocal links. They are harder on link farms now, and bogus \"directories\" of links. So the people who are crying foul probably had most or all of their links coming from these kinds of shady sources.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFrom my own experience with my many sites, however, it seems clear that reciprocal links have been devalued by Google. All that means is that they don't count quite as much as they used to, but they are still very valuable.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIf you follow my philosophy of optimizing for keywords that are not super competitive, though, then you may have already guessed that my sites weren't affected much, since most of my \"competition\" isn't really competing for the keywords I'm targeting anyway.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReciprocal Links Have Always Been A Short-Term Solution\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBesides, reciprocal links should ALWAYS be looked on as a short-term boost to get a site going. You want to get those reciprocal links so that you can get ranked for some less competitive keywords. Once you're getting some traffic, if you're offering high quality content to your visitors, you'll get more links into your site naturally.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThis happens because if a lot of people value your site, you are bound to get talked about in forums and message boards that are related to your site topic. And other webmasters who visit your site and like it will \u003ca class\u003d\"external\" href\u003d\"http://www.jonathanleger.com/recommended/power-linking.php\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eadd links from their sites to yours\u003c/a\u003e. Your link popularity will grow naturally–as long as your site content is high quality.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBut a site needs the initial momentum that reciprocal links provide to get started. Just the act of emailing webmasters for reciprocal links will result in people who are in your area of expertise looking at your site. So whether you get a link or not, if you have a quality site, you've put it in front of a person who has the opportunity to spread the word about you. And believe me, quality sites get talked about a lot.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGetting More Links\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSince it's true that reciprocal links have been devalued by Google, that could mean that you need to get more links to stay competitive (though that really depends on what keywords you're targeting).\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003ePersonally, I find \u003ca class\u003d\"external\" href\u003d\"http://www.jonathanleger.com/recommended/seo-elite.php\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eSEO Elite\u003c/a\u003e to be a huge asset in this regard, because it automates the process of getting people to link to your site. I also highly recommended Jack Humphrey's \u003ca class\u003d\"external\" href\u003d\"http://www.jonathanleger.com/recommended/power-linking.php\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003ePower Linking\u003c/a\u003e methods.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSumming It All Up\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIf you're building quality content and using reciprocal links as they should be used (to get ashort-term boost that launches a new site), then changes in the valuation of reciprocal links will not be a problem.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIf you're a link spammer, or if you're relying on shady directories or link farms, then yes, you're in trouble. Stick to the methods I've outlined above and use software-assisted link gathering tools like \u003ca class\u003d\"external\" href\u003d\"http://www.jonathanleger.com/recommended/seo-elite.php\" target\u003d\"_blank\"\u003eSEO Elite\u003c/a\u003e and you'll be on top of the search engine game for many more algorithm updates to come.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFiled under \u003ca title\u003d\"View all posts in Blog\" href\u003d\"http://www.jonathanleger.com/\" rel\u003d\"category tag\"\u003eBlog\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca title\u003d\"View all posts in Search Engine Optimization\" href\u003d\"http://www.jonathanleger.com/category/search-engine-optimization/\" rel\u003d\"category tag\"\u003eSearch Engine Optimization\u003c/a\u003e by \u003ca class\u003d\"external\" href\u003d\"http://www.adsensegold.com/\"\u003eJonathan Leger\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/33346377-7342757424108559641?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"related","href":"http://www.jonathanleger.com","title":"Reciprocal Links Are Dead!"},{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/7342757424108559641/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/11/reciprocal-links-are-dead.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/7342757424108559641"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/7342757424108559641"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/11/reciprocal-links-are-dead.html","title":"Reciprocal Links Are Dead!"}],"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":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-4734508028737451392"},"published":{"$t":"2006-10-21T23:44:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2006-10-22T23:59:02.016+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Personal"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"To Link Or Not To Link"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Not long ago while surfing the Internet, I came across a Blog from South India. It was described \"as a typical South Indian(Tamil)...My Thought, My Interests, Opinions...\"\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhat caught my intention was an article \"Feedburner feeds - Why? How To?\" posted on September 14th, 2005. I was just using FeedBurner feeds for its usage tracking and user-friendly display of my feeds, hence my interests on that post.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWith FeedBurner you can:\u003cbr /\u003e1. make sure your RSS/atom feed look best\u003cbr /\u003e2. find how many people have subscribed to your blog\u003cbr /\u003e3. which are the posts that users are interested to read\u003cbr /\u003e4. create awareness about your feed\u003cbr /\u003e5. implement revenue-generating programmes\u003cbr /\u003e6. have paid Premium Services for advanced statistical usage (optional)\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eDid I mention most of these tools are \u003cstrong\u003efree\u003c/strong\u003e, and can help increase the traffic you get to your blog, by using your feeds? Click \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.feedburner.com\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e and see for yourself.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOr you can go to \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.freetraffictip.com\"\u003ehttp://www.freetraffictip.com\u003c/a\u003e Tell Tinu, Tok Man sent you. Tinu Abayomi-Paul is the author of \"Rescue Your Blog\". She can tell you about some of these incredible features FeedBurner is offering you.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBy the way, Tinu has no idea who the hell is Tok Man but it will be fun, I promise. Go there now and she will tell you \"21 Ways To Increase Your Blog Traffic With FeedBurner and get more traffic tips at \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.freetraffictip.com\"\u003eFreeTrafficTip\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMany feedreaders use auto discovery a feature by FeedBurner which enable you to find your blog feed URL. I had mine change to feedburner feed and I was wondering whether I had it right?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBeing a gentleman as I am, I had my blog linked with the blog from South India. After everything was ready, then only I sent the blog's owner an email complementing their blog before asking whether the auto discovery feature were working alright as it should?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAfter the usual warm-up, last but not least I asked the owner the one million dollar worth of question, asking them to link up with mine. As a show of good will, I told them that I had already linked up with them.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSoon afterward I got a reply from them thanking me for writing. As for linking, they recommended me to write something and\u003cstrong\u003e forget\u003c/strong\u003e about linking with other blogs. Their reason was that linking is of \u003cstrong\u003eno use \u003c/strong\u003enowadays.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAnd I really \u003cstrong\u003edo \u003c/strong\u003eunderstand what they meant. So I told them just that and to show them that I'm sincere,I let their link remain intact in my blog. But then I learned how important it is to link. Every WebMaster will tell you so. Below is Joel Comm answer when he was being question concerning link. It was taken from an ebook \"AdSense Answers Revealed! An Interview With Joel Comm. Real Questions From People Like You!\"\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eQuestion:\u003cbr /\u003eConcerning links. I hear conflicting theories about outbound and inbound links. Should we only have links to and from websites relevant to our content and with good PR, or links from any website and any subject ok?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAnswer:\u003cbr /\u003e\"I don't like to agonize over all of the theories that are out there. I do what's natural. For example, on my blog if I think that a site is worthy of being linked to I'm going to link to it, whether it's new and has no page rank, or whether it's old and it's a superstar with PR8 or so. It doesn't matter to me. I'm going to create the best content that I can create, and leave the rest in the hands of the Google gods so to speak. Trying to nitpick over all these little methodologies; I think that the search engine strategies change so often, because the search engine are constantly evolving as long as what you're doing is good stuff. I'm going to beat that drum until that drum is worn out and we're going to have to put a new skin on it. As long as you are creating content rich sites, sites that have content that people will actually want to read that is some sort of solution to some sort of problem, some sort of information, some sort of entertainment, then I don't think you have to worry about all of these little things. That's just my take on it. I don't agonize over it, I just do what comes naturally. And, I think others would be best suited to do so as well. Trying to figure out the strategy of the day and how to game the search engines for that day, I think you could end up expending a lot of time, a lot of effort and money, and your time is money. And, by the time you get it figured out, you find out the game is changed. It's like the tag and ping, the whole social bookmarking craze and people finding a way to game that, and before you know it, you've got thousands of people trying to do the same thing and it's no longer effective anyhow. So, just do what's natural, that's my recommendation. Be free to create your content and make it the best site that you can. Carve out your place in that niche. It's the Field of Dreams thing, \"If you build it, they will come.\" They might come slowly. They might come quickly. But, if you keep building it, you're going to build something worthwhile, and I believe you'll be rewarded for it.\"\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThen, there are an ebook by Ryan P. Allis, \"Building Thousands of Links to Your Web Site\". It is a 37 page full of informations, \u003cstrong\u003eTo Link Or Not To Link?\u003c/strong\u003e After reading all that I could about linking, it is clear as daylight that linking is \u003cstrong\u003every very very useful.\u003c/strong\u003e Contradictory to what the Blogger from South India had told me!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSo, with a heavy heart I had to erase their link from my blog. Why can't they told me the truth? I knew that I'm new and had no PR whatsoever and the content of my blog are just from a rambling senile old man, I could have understood if they had told me the truth!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThey said laughter is the chicken soup for the soul. Here's another one:\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhere Am I?\u003c/u\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHarry had a bit of a drinking problem. Every night, after dinner, he took off for the local watering hole, spent the entire evening there and arrived home, well inebriated, around midnight each night. He always had trouble getting his key into the keyhole and getting the door opened. His wife, waiting up for him, would go to the door and let him in. Then she would proceed to yell and scream at him for his constant nights out and his returned drunken state. But Harry continued his nightly routine.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOne day, the wife, distraught by it all, talked to a friend about her husband's behavior. The friend listened to her and then asked, \"Why don't you treat him a little differently when he comes home? Instead of berating him, why don't you give him some loving words and welcome him home with a kiss? He then might change his ways.\" The wife thought it was worth trying.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThat night, Harry took off again after dinner. Around midnight, he arrived home in his usual condition. His wife heard Harry at the door and let him in. This time, instead of berating him as she had always done, she tok his arm and led him inti the living room. She sat him down in an easy chair, put his feet up on the ottoman and took his shoes off. Then she went behind him and started to cuddle him a little. After awhile, she said to him, \"It's pretty late. I think we had better go upstairs to bed now, don't you?\"\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAt that, Harry replied in his inebriated state, \"I guess we might as well. I'll get in trouble if I go home anyway!\"\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/33346377-4734508028737451392?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/4734508028737451392/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/10/to-link-or-not-to-link.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/4734508028737451392"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/4734508028737451392"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/10/to-link-or-not-to-link.html","title":"To Link Or Not To Link"}],"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","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-4438938642831838105"},"published":{"$t":"2006-10-15T23:00:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2006-10-22T23:40:08.597+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Personal"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Afterthought II"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Now I know why married couples live on their own and not living under the same roof as their parent. Mainly because living with your mother-in-law could be like living in hell. That's what I felt right now.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBelieve me, I'm not trying to condemn my very own mother-in-law or anybody associated with her. I'm maybe down right now but who knows, in a day or two I shall be her good buddy. This is a rambling old man letting off steam in the best way possible. So, be a Blogger. It will do you good.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI know it is against the teaching of Islam to make enemy with your own mother or you will not even get to smell paradise. I knew that but to err is human and I'm just an ordinary old man who had nothing to show to the world is liable to make mistake. Yaa Allah, astaghfirullahal adzim wa atubu ilaik.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMy mother-in-law definition of a successful man are those who has a fat tummy and a round face and also hold a nine to five job. In which case, I have neither. Compared to her sons, daughters, sons and daughters-in-laws, I'm just a nobody who had nothing! Who am I compared to a millionaire, doctors, lawyer, business corporates, Head Master of a school and even to a High Court's Judge? Not forgetting an Attache for the Malaysian Embassy in London!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHow do you explained that you are doing a home base business and now for the past five months surfing the Internet trying to self-educate yourself learning to do business online? Even though I don't earned millions but I do earned enough money and having enough money and enough time to do what I want, when I want. That's my personal definition of wealth and I think it pretty much captures the biggest benefits of wealth.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eDo you think Bill Gates, who is worth billions,keeps his job as CEO of Microsoft because he \u003cstrong\u003eHAS\u003c/strong\u003e to...or because he \u003cstrong\u003eWANTS\u003c/strong\u003e to? I think it's safe to say that Bill Gates has enough money and enough time to do what he wants, when he wants, because Bill Gates has created \u003cem\u003etrue\u003c/em\u003e wealth, not just income. In a word, true wealth is freedom.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eChuck Feeney is in the same financial league as Bill Gates. As the founder of hundreds of duty-free shops in airports all over the world, Feeney is worth billions. Or I should say, he \u003cstrong\u003eWAS\u003c/strong\u003e worth billions. In 1984, Feeney donated 99.5% of his $3.5 billion fortune to a charitable foundation. Today he is donating his time and his money to worthy causes all over the world.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBoth Bill Gates and Chuck Feeney understand that true wealth means having total freedom to choose how to spend your time...and your money. Gates is choosing to spend his time creating more wealth, while Feeney is choosing to spend his time giving his fortune away. The common denominator that enables these two men to make two very different choices is \u003cem\u003etrue\u003c/em\u003e wealth.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eCertainly the word \u003cem\u003ewealth\u003c/em\u003e means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. To me, wealth isn't just about being able to buy things, although that's a nice side benefit. To me, \u003cem\u003etrue wealth\u003c/em\u003e is synonymous with freedom.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSometime I just couldn't take it anymore. I would asked, pleaded, begged, appealed my wife to move out and rent a house somewhere else but my wife will never do such a thing and asked, pleaded, begged, appealed to me to make friend again with her mother!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAs for your information, I am a very friendly type of person who can adapt to any kind of situations. My wife knew this because she has seen me in action in numerous occasions. That's why I made a promised when I was courting her that I shall stayed with my mother-in-law after we got married. I thought I could wooed her with my charms but I was wrong. My mother-in-law has \u003cstrong\u003eNEVER\u003c/strong\u003e liked me even before we were married and I guess she never will!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eTo her I am just a lazy \u003cstrong\u003eSOB\u003c/strong\u003e who is wasting time in front of the computer doing nothing and using my wife paycheck for my own used! That's why I chose not to speak to her rather than say anythings that I shall regret later on.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eNow she's telling everybody how I have been avoiding her. I realised I'm not a good son-in-law like the rest but I could never win her heart. Nothing that I do is right to her eye but deep in my heart I knew I could never hate her.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHow I wish to lead a wonderful fruitful life during these last phase of my life. Sometime I just don't know what to do anymore. Maybe a joke will sober me up. They say laughter is \"Chicken Soup For The Soul.\" Jokes and comics are said to relieve some of that \u003cstrong\u003e\"stress\"\u003c/strong\u003e that we all experience from time to time. Hope the humour below will be enjoyed by everyone. So here goes:\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cu\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGoing Home\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/u\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eA man, whose level of drunkenness was bordering on the absurd, stood up to leave a bar and fell flat on his face.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\"Maybe all I need is some fresh air,\" thought the man as he crawled outside.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHe tried to stand up again, but fell face first into the mud.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\"Argh,\" he said in frustration, thinking, \"I'll just crawl home.\"\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe next morning, his wife foung him on the doorstep asleep.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\"You went out drinking last night, didn't you?\" she said.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\"Uh, yes,\" he said sheepishly. \"How did you know?\"\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\"You left your wheelchair at the bar again!\"\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/33346377-4438938642831838105?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/4438938642831838105/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/10/afterthought-ii.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/4438938642831838105"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/4438938642831838105"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/10/afterthought-ii.html","title":"Afterthought II"}],"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","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-8468774393712744195"},"published":{"$t":"2006-10-11T02:51:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2006-10-13T02:53:35.648+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Personal"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"An Afterthought"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"My auntie and me were very close. Even until now, we were very much attached to each other. One thing I like about her is that I can talk or discuss whatever subjects under the sun. There will be no taboo topic. I can even discuss about sex with her without embarrassing each other.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThis story took place back in the year 1977, when I was sweet seventeen. While waiting for my Malaysian Certificate of Education's result, I came to stay at her house in Damansara. Eventually I end up as her handy man.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eShe was a beautiful forty-seven year old lady back then and successful too. She was a doctor with several self-owned clinics under her belt. She was the eldest of two children by my Grandfather's (on my mother's side) Tok Lang Ali. Her younger brother was still a student, studying Law at University Malaya. He was seldom at home, leaving my aunt taking care both of her parent.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBoth of her parent, Tok Lang Ali and his wife are both too old to take care of themselves. Both of them needed constant guidance but my aunt can never trust especially a foreigner to take care both of her parent. She would rather do it herself.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThat was how I eventually end-up as her handy man. Her house was in Damansara, a high class and elite residential place. Just by looking at her house, we knew she was successful. She had everything. She has the look, young, wealthy and all the necessary ingredient to make her successful but she was missing something.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eYes! That's right. There was no \u003cstrong\u003eMan of the House\u003c/strong\u003e. It keeps me wondering, how could a beautiful and successful lady stay single?. I have thought of asking her. So one fateful day I entered her room. I couldn't believed what I saw on that day. She was so busy playing with herself and deeply engrossed that I doubt she knew I was in her room watching.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eNot to embarrassed her and me especially, I sneaked inside a closet and waited for her to finish. Whatever happened while waiting in the closet, are things I have no special desire now to tell in detail. After she was decently dressed, I came out of the closet. She didn't show any sign of surprised gestures that got me thinking, was she purposely performing a show for me to watch? I would be lying if I said I was not turn on at all! What do you expect from a seventeen year old boy?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhen I managed to speak, I told her to get the real thing, get married and live happily ever after. The word 'marriage' does surprise her. She had no intention to get married after all because according to her, marriage will destroy her live and she was happy living the life as it was!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFor conversation sake, I told her to marry someone stupid who will not boss her around like a husband should. Someone who will be content living as a second fiddle to her. Someone who will be afraid to ask for a divorce when thing got bad. Especially someone who can took care of her parent when she was off to work!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eShe had a good laugh when I told her just that before she became serious again.She confessed to me that she's willing to sacrifice her life for her parent sake. She preferred staying as a spinster so that she can take good care of her parent. According to her no man, even as her husband can managed her parent well.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIt was common knowledge, when you are in love, a man will pledge whatever agreements even including to act as a maid to her parent after they got married! At first I couldn't accept her explanations but it took me nearly twenty years(nineteen years to be exact)for me to agree with her. Only \u003cstrong\u003enow\u003c/strong\u003e I can fully understood what she had been trying to say to me on that fateful day when I was seventeen year old!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eNow I am happily married with a lovely lady from Sayong. She used to be my motivator and she's the reason I'm embarking on this Journey To Recovery. Without her guardian I don't think I could stayed on track and made it on the other side safely. In fact I owed her my life. That is why I love her very very very much and I shall do whatever it take to make her life meaningful for having a husband like me.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThis is my second marriage. My former wife was a beauty from Karak and she is a dental doctor. With her I felt as though I'm having my very own personal dentist who took good care of my teeth periodically. But my marriage didn't last long because she had to do what she had to do and I have to do what I have to do!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI have tried everything to save my marriage but due to outside influenced, she finally got her wish. I felt no regret about it now because I had done everything in my power to make my marriage work. It is Allah will. Why not Allah grant me my prayer if He has something more worthwhile waiting for me after the collapse of my marriage with her?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI had no regret, I've come with a smile and I go with a smile too. Maybe one of these days I'm going to \u003cstrong\u003eBlog\u003c/strong\u003e about my Dentist!\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/33346377-8468774393712744195?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/8468774393712744195/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/10/afterthought.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/8468774393712744195"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/8468774393712744195"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/10/afterthought.html","title":"An Afterthought"}],"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":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-3189512474691693521"},"published":{"$t":"2006-09-30T22:59:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2006-10-01T02:05:28.906+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Personal"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Green"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Well, I'm not well at all. For the past four days I'm not feeling well. My head felt as though a jackhammer had been driven right through it. Oh boy! Do I felt so weak?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAt first I didn't notice what's wrong with my Blog. You would too if you looked at first glance. The latest post showed no problem at all but when you visited the rest of the posts you will noticed some irregularities at the bottom of each posts.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThere you will realized that the line \"Link To This Post\" is not activated. I mean when you point your mouse at that line, no hand image are shown. Then they are two lines of words that are visible on them posts which are not suppose to be there.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe words are \"CREATE A LINK\" and \"\u003c\u003c Home\". I tried my very best to make it disappear but it wasn't about to obey me. I tried out all that I had learned in my journey to self-educate myself but it's still wasn't enough!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhat can a newbie like me do when faced with this kind of obstacles except to seek help. So I composed an email and sent it to Blogger Help Group and to my new found friend, DarkUFO. I have yet to receive his reply but I know and I'm confident he will be with me to stand by me.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI know there are many die-hard fans of the TV series of LOST. As a tribute to all die-hard fans of LOST and especially to my friend DarkUFO, I have linked myself with LOST's homepage. Click the link and enjoy.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eEarly this morning, my faithful wife took me to the Kuala Kangsar's General Hospital. I finally relented to her plea to see a doctor after the fever I'm having did not subside.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhen my name was called I was taken to see a Hospital Assistant's trainee to take my blood. When I asked what for? I was told it was for Dengue's blood test. To be honest, there is only one thing that I'm afraid of.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eYes, you got it. A hypodermic needle! There is a story why I'm a little bit of phobia when it come to syringe. When I was young and foolish, I befriended a group who uses hypodermic needle as their tools of trade! In short, I had vast experienced when it comes to syringe.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAnd when this young new trainee come and touch my hand, I knew I shall be in deep trouble. I tried to tell him that he won't find my vein at the usual place but he would not listen. So, what can I do? I held my breath and let him do his job.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBad choice. After piercing both my arm without success, I felt myself turning green. Not green with envy but green as in\u003cstrong\u003e HULK! \u003c/strong\u003e \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI was really in pained and to make matter worst, I was fasting too that day! Oh God, please forgive me for losing my temper but I have to do it myself. I knows my anatomy well enough to know which part of my body will make my vein visible!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAnyway I would like to thank Dr.Lim Voon Lee and her staff for a job well done even after I blew my top.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI only realized my mistake after I published this post. It was normal after all. All this while I thought there must be something wrong and I had spent hours at it trying to remedy the situation.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThen I thought back about this topic that I sent to Blogger Help Group. How stupid am I not to realize earlier? I presume I must be bombarded with sarcastic words for being so stupid but I was wrong. I'm turning green again but this time from shyness!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhen I came back to Blogger Help Group, only Rhubarb answered my question. He told me that it was perfectly normal and leave it just like that because it suppose to look like that!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI felt bad about myself for thinking like that. The way Rhubarb answered my question, it was in a nice orderly way. It compelled me to leave a reply. So I told Rhubarb how nice of him to answer my question and thanking him for his thought and concerned.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI'm a newbie and I'm on a journey to self-educating myself to be a savvy webmaster one of these days. So, AdSense Forum and Blogger Help Group are the natural places to go and learned because my first adventure are with Google's AdSense and Blogger.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI have been an avid reader to both places and I have come across how a stupid question was treated. Maybe to them it was stupid but to a newbie like me, it's not. But don't get me wrong, if you want to learn about AdSense or Blogging, both places are a great place to seek knowledge. I thank you all.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eLast but not least, to Rhubarb for his thought and concerned.\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/33346377-3189512474691693521?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/3189512474691693521/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/09/green.html#comment-form","title":"1 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/3189512474691693521"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/3189512474691693521"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/09/green.html","title":"\u003cfont color\u003d\"green\"\u003e\u003cfont size\u003d\"6\"\u003eGreen\u003c/font\u003e\u003c/font\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-7304573962681498112"},"published":{"$t":"2006-09-27T23:25:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2006-09-28T01:07:43.484+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Local News"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"AdSense"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Were You Told The Truth?"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Scott Boulch the author of \"The Death Of AdSense\" and \"Life After AdSense\" said \"All Truth Passes Through Three Stages. First, It Is Ridiculed. Second, It Is Violently Opposed. And Third, It Is Accepted Being Self-Evident.\"\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003ePlease don't get me wrong. Let the record state that I don't accept nor do I reject Scott Boulch's view on AdSense. Furthermore, I'm not well-verse in AdSense, let alone to judge who's right and who's wrong. I'm just the innocent bystander watching from the ringside observing \"The Clash Of The Titan.\"\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIn the red corner, we have the Nada Guru, Scott Boulch who is not satisfied with the reign of AdSense and openly declared the reign of AdSense is death on August 1st, 2006. Now he is the champion of \"Click Flipping\".\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIn the blue corner, we have the Mayor of World Village himself, the Ultimate AdSense Guru now defending the title by saying, \"The Kingdom Is Very Much Alive!\"\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAs predicted, the clash of the titan has definitely stirred up some controversy in the Internet Marketing and Business Forum, Web Masters and the Non-Web Masters all around the world.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAs I have stated earlier, I'm just the innocent bystander. I thought after my name has been banished from the all-important list of names controlled by the kin of my faithful wife in Kedah, the story will stop there and then. For those who can't make head or tail what I'm talking about, \u003ca href\u003d\"http://arahman7.blogspot.com/2006/09/feeling-is-mutual.html\"\u003e\u003cfont color\u003d\"blue\"\u003eclick here.\u003c/font\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe latest news I heard is that, she has been very busy calling and sending messages to all of them that was listed in her VIP list of names. And one of them is my esteem mother-in-law!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOf course I'm to be blamed for being rude. I should humble myself and talked nicely especially to those who has an alphabets of \"D\" and \"r\" before their name! Especially to those who has been working very hard day and night to help me earn my living! Now, due to my ignorance, all helps are to be terminated officially.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\"I heard and I obey,\" I told my mother-in-law.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFor a person who has not the decency to say a simple \"thank you\" to all my good well wishes, she has the \u003cstrong\u003e'balls'\u003c/strong\u003e to say that she has a prospect for me to join my Network Marketing Programme! I could just heard myself said, \u003cstrong\u003eB.S!\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBy her cunning scheme, she has validated herself not to render any services to me coz I had turn off her offer! In other words, her good deeds has expired the day I said, \"I don't give a @#$%.......\".\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBut then who am I to say all that. So let's carry on what Joel Comm has to say about that.......\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThousands of unsuspecting Internet marketers have been believing untruths about Google AdSense.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBut now you know the truth.......\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAdSense is \u003cstrong\u003eALIVE!\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eGoogle will earn \u003cstrong\u003eOVER $10 BILLION \u003c/strong\u003ein ad revenue in 2006.......\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e.......and they are \u003cstrong\u003eSHARING\u003c/strong\u003e it with \u003cstrong\u003eSMART\u003c/strong\u003e site publishers!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eA couple of years ago, Google's stock went public at $100 per share.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe naysayers said, \"That's too high!\" What a stupid investment!\"\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eToday, Google stock is worth \u003cstrong\u003eOVER $400\u003c/strong\u003e per share!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eDid you listen to the naysayers then?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWill you listen to the naysayers now?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI might be ridiculed, threatened, unsolicited, second guessed, discouraged violently opposed and so forth now but when truth be told.......\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-7304573962681498112?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/7304573962681498112/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/09/were-you-told-truth.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/7304573962681498112"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/7304573962681498112"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/09/were-you-told-truth.html","title":"Were You Told The Truth?"}],"author":[{"name":{"$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","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-8629326470867161320"},"published":{"$t":"2006-09-26T14:42:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2006-09-26T16:18:48.707+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Local News"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The Feeling is Mutual"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"I don't know what to say. I don't know whether my life is about to change or not. Whether it's gonna benefit me or curse me down to the lowest peak of my life.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eLately, it has come to my intention that I have been receiving lots of email bearing good news, how my life is about to change in a true rags to riches success story.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAll those emails come from all over the world but mostly from countries in Africa and the Netherlands. Every one of them carried a banner saying that I have money waiting in the bank just waiting for me to disclose my bio data and the money will be mine worth a million plus in US Dollar. Never once the offer is less than a million.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThat is a lot of money. Even $1 000, it is still a lot of money. With that kind of money, I could buy all the ebooks written by Joel Comm and more.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIt keep me wondering, am I that blessed that people all over the world is offering me money, Banks saying that I have won lottery prizes that I had never once bought a ticket, a lucky draw that I have never anticipated? Why the sudden attentions? \u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAnd the most amazing email I received is from a very rich but dying old lady. She told me that she is going into an operation for a disease or two and will not comes out alive. She has instructed her very prominent lawyer that she is leaving a 5 million plus US Dollar will to \u003cstrong\u003eME\u003c/strong\u003e! Can you believe it?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIt has become my habit on every occasion's, I would sent a sms (short message system) using my mobile phone to every friends, relatives, brothers, sisters, in-laws, out-laws, in-between-laws and so on.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe last time I sent out a message was on the coming month of Ramadhan. As usual I sent out a message to every one wishing them all the best during the fasting month and as usual, I would never received a reply especially from those who are closes to \u003cstrong\u003emy adoring wife!\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThen I received a message from her kin in Kedah. She was joking and having fun telling every one that she is moving to Thailand on a short notice to become their Premier! I doubt those message were for me coz to her, I'm just a nobody for her to joke around and furthermore she has never replied my sms before so why should she do it now? Then I realized those messages were not\u003cstrong\u003e meant \u003c/strong\u003e for me!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhen I told her I don't give a @#$% who's she gonna be, she retaliates. My name will be struck off from her VIP List (ha! ha!) and some more. That's when I told her, the feeling is mutual.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBack to the story, how could anyone has my email address? As far as I know, I only gave my email address whenever I subscribed something from a Web Master but with a clause. My email address will only be used by them and would never be sold, rented, borrowed or what-so-ever to a third party!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThere must be something wrong somewhere and what harm will it do me if I gives out my bio data to comply to their wishes? I shall leave all that to you readers, you will be the judge to that and I shall appreciate all your comments.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c/strong\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/33346377-8629326470867161320?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/8629326470867161320/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/09/feeling-is-mutual.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/8629326470867161320"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/8629326470867161320"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/09/feeling-is-mutual.html","title":"The Feeling is Mutual"}],"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":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-4450334696901148568"},"published":{"$t":"2006-09-24T15:45:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2006-09-24T16:27:56.682+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Network Marketing"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"You're Allowed to Bypass the Order Button At This Site Today"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"There is a secret insider link which allows you to bypass the $97 order button today, and I'll get to that in a minute.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFirst, I need to address a common theme in My Journey as I travel and meet people seeking success online.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI feel many people aren't achieving the success they desire online because they're constantly caught in a state of information overload. They can't help but lose focus!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThat's why too many people bounce from one good idea to the next, never reaching the level of success they deserve.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIf there is ONE thing I would tell these people to do, it would be to FOCUS on ONE business idea.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIf you can start doing this TODAY, you can be successful faster than you think. I'd like to help you accomplish this goal by GIVING you a \"blueprint\" that works.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMy good friend Jim Daniels, who's been making a living off the web for 10 years now, has just released his secret \"blueprint\" he's been using.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eNot only is this responsible for his impressive profits, his clients have been achieving great success with it as well.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIt's titled \"Internet-Based Financial Independence in 10 Simple Steps\" and I love it!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhy? Because as the title states, Jim keeps it simple!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAnd he has allowed me to GIVE you readers, the special report today by sharing a secret order button bypass link at his site. That's right, if you act TODAY you'll receive the report at zero charge! You heard me, ilek, telor, kosong, bosia, you'll receive the report free of charge!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHere's how: Simply use the \"Gold Key\" at the bottom of this site to bypass the order form. You'll save $97 (that's in US Dollar, mind you!) and you get a one-of-a-kind blueprint for ever-increasing web profits.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003ehttp://www.webbusinesswizard.com/app/?af\u003d473302\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eGo there NOW and discover the 10 simple steps to your online financial independence TODAY!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003ePssst! Do not share this secret back door to the thank you page with others. This is a tip from me to you all with express permission from Jim Daniels. Here it is again;\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003ehttp://www.webbusinesswizard.com/app/?af\u003d473302\u003cdiv class\u003d\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003eI cannot undo what I have done, I can only live better \ntoday. I share my experience, strength, and hope to all \nwho desire positive change.\u003cimg width\u003d'1' height\u003d'1' src\u003d'https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/33346377-4450334696901148568?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/4450334696901148568/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/09/youre-allowed-to-bypass-order-button-at.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/4450334696901148568"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/4450334696901148568"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/09/youre-allowed-to-bypass-order-button-at.html","title":"You're Allowed to Bypass the Order Button At This Site Today"}],"author":[{"name":{"$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","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-7728698653902028322"},"published":{"$t":"2006-09-22T16:21:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2006-09-22T16:58:36.807+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Local News"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"DarkUFO"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"This article is written especially for those die-hard fans of a TV show LOST. My good friend who goes by the name of DarkUFO created an awesome blog about that TV show.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHis wonderful blog is the homepage for the suite of blogs dedicated to the TV show LOST. This homepage will provide news of updates and changes to the current blog websites along with any media coverage of the show.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhatever you wants to know about LOST you can find it there. If you wants to know about the Mysteries, Answers, Rumours, Episode Guide, Theories and what-not are all there at the menu-bar staring at you waiting to be clicked. There are even menus for Easter Eggs. If you wants to buys any products of LOST, just clicked Merchandise. You can buy anything whatever your heart desire.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFor gossips lover, you can click Whispers. Over there you can read whatever juicy rumours that happened behind the scene. Those scene are not screens on TV mind you. Then you can buy Books or Audio.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIn short, whatever you need, it's all there. For those die-hard fans of LOST, don't miss this one time opportunity. There are no other places better than this for LOST, guaranteed.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eComes on LOST fans, all hails to http://darkufo.blogspot.com.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHave fun.\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/33346377-7728698653902028322?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/7728698653902028322/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/09/darkufo.html#comment-form","title":"1 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/7728698653902028322"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/7728698653902028322"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/09/darkufo.html","title":"DarkUFO"}],"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":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-8817457520890216598"},"published":{"$t":"2006-09-20T00:39:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2006-09-20T01:33:49.229+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Local News"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Resellers AdWord and AdSense in Malaysia"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Here is another groundbreaking news for Malaysian. As you have already known, Google has accepted the Malay Language for their ads in AdSense even though they are \"In Testing\". This is a wonderful development to help those who can't really write contents in English on their websites or weblogs.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSo far Google has accepted Arabic, Thai and other languages. These will open the door to those who has the capabilities to create in those languages beside English or any other European Languages. And these will also open a very wide opportunities to make some money!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSo, let me share with you all especially Malaysian, the groundbreaking news that we have waited all these while. Here goes:\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eInternet search giant Google's Hong Kong subsidiary is looking to recruit authorized resellers in South-East Asia for it's AdWords and AdSense web-based advertising programme.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eCrid Yu, Google's Hong Kong head of sales, said companies interested in becoming authorized resellers will have to go through a certification process.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\"The process will train the applicants on how to approach client,\" he said.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eApplicants, he said, will be chosen based on their knowledge of AdWords and AdSense. \"Authorized resellers must (also) demonstrate quality of service.\"\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eYu said interested applicants can apply via e-mail to \u003ca href\u003d\"mailto:bizdev@google.com\"\u003ebizdev@google.com\u003c/a\u003e.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIn Kuala Lumpur recently on a recruitment drive, he said Malaysia is a potential market for AdWords and AdSense because the country has high Internet usage.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\"The Internet population in Malaysia has hit the 10 million mark with 62% of users living in the urban areas,\" he said.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\"Malaysia also spends about \u003cstrong\u003eRM4 million\u003c/strong\u003e online advertising annually,\" he added.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSource: The Star\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/33346377-8817457520890216598?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/8817457520890216598/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/09/resellers-adword-and-adsense-in.html#comment-form","title":"1 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/8817457520890216598"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/8817457520890216598"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/09/resellers-adword-and-adsense-in.html","title":"Resellers AdWord and AdSense in 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","$t":"1"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-3756478139713425869"},"published":{"$t":"2006-09-18T22:25:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2006-09-18T23:47:27.752+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Local News"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Google to Promote Its Advertising Programmes in Malaysia"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Who said Malaysia is not big enough for Google AdSense? Someone said Malaysia has a small market and it is not profitable for AdSense at this point. If my knowledge proves to be right, compared to Sweden whose population is only 9 millions, Malaysia has 22 million faithful citizens. I doubt Google's AdSense will not be profitable with these kind of market!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe article you are about to read are the best groundbreaking news for Malaysian. With these marvelous news, I pray so that every Malaysian will become the world recognized authoritative WEBMASTERS in the near future.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThis article was written by Ashwin Raman.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eGoogle Inc will conduct seminars with the government, local partners and advertising agencies in Malaysia this year to promote its AdWords and AdSense programmes to SMEs, government institutions, as well as multi-national brands in industries such as travel, technology, retail and financial services. Its head of sales for Google Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, Crid Yu, said its sales and operations centre that was established in Hong Kong last October would bring its advertising programmes to agencies and companies throughout Hong Kong and Southeast Asia including Malaysia this year.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\"Google's advertising programmes have proven effective for advertisers around the world conducting business online,\" Crid Yu told reporters at a briefing on Google's strategy for Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur on February 24th.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eYu said Google AdWords enabled advertisers and businesses of all sizes and industries to reach their target market by matching text-based advertisements to user search queries, providing them with informations relevant to what they were looking for.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe advertisers are also given the option to select the Internet Protocol address of the user when a search is performed to determine if the advertisement will be relevant to the user's location.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eYu said advertisers were charged based on the number visitors that clicked on the advertisements.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHe said Google AdSense was a programme specifically for website publishers. In this case, the publishers agree to allow Google advertisements on their webpage that would also match the content on the webpage.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThis, Yu said, would generate revenue for publishers while advertisers would have a better chance of reaching their audience.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eHe said Google had also launched its Authorised Reseller Programme in the region by appointing three companies in Hong Kong as its authorised resellers that would be able to serve SMEs in the Hong Kong market.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eYu added Google would appoint several companies in Malaysia either in the second half of this year or early next year to provide this service to local SMEs.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eResellers are selected based on their high quality of service, deep product knowledge and ability to provide returns to their clients.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSource: The Edge Daily, February 24th, 2006.\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/33346377-3756478139713425869?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/3756478139713425869/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/09/google-to-promote-its-advertising.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/3756478139713425869"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/3756478139713425869"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/09/google-to-promote-its-advertising.html","title":"Google to Promote Its Advertising Programmes in 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":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-7844282514931051365"},"published":{"$t":"2006-09-17T14:02:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2006-09-17T14:33:11.930+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"AdSense"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Wednesday Comes Wednesday Gone"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Joel Comm is said to be the King of AdSense. I have been his loyal and faithful fan ever since I have been surfing the Internet seeking knowledges about Marketing Online about 4 months ago. I have also been his newsletter's subscriber and I never miss to download his many free ebooks.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eLast September 13th I received Joel Comm's email telling me that I got less than SEVEN hours left to take advantage of the most generous offer he has ever presented me with.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAs his loyal and faithful subscriber, I knew about his upcoming new ebook. In fact, I received a free ebook \"An AdSense Traffic Guide\" as a bonus for typing out my name and email's address so that I can be told when the ebook is on sale.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eYes, it's true that I would like very much to buy that ebook and learns what he has to say about AdSense at the price of USD127. Should I buy that best-selling ebook, \"What Google Never Told You About Making Money With AdSense\", it will cost me RM(Malaysian Ringgit)482.60.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThat was the regular selling price. Then Joel Comm has the good sense to reduce the price to USD97 for a limited time. I still have to pay RM368.60 for it. After a limited time, the price still goes down to USD67 equal to RM254.60.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThen came the said email telling me I got until 12 Noon EST (September 13th, 2006) to download his 199-page bible on making money with Google AdSense for USD50 off the regular price and I still qualify for all the special bonus offers that come with this groundbreaking ebook, including the free case studies report, free AdSense buddy program and more!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMy God, I just couldn't believe it. For only USD47 that is RM178.60 I could have download the said ebook. If not, I am missing out on the web's recognized authoritative resource for making money with AdSense. And this is NO BRAINER on Joel Comm's part because when Wednesday comes and gone, 'no plea for insanity' will be entertained.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIf only I have RM178.60 at that time, and a CREDIT CARD, I shall not think twice to get my hands on that priceless ebook because I shall get back more than RM178.60 that I have invested as soon as I implemented his suggestions on how to make money with AdSense. Furthermore, I shall be doing a good deed too as a portion of the profits from his ebook sales went to that worthy organisation, Habitat for Humanity who provide shelter for those in need.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI realised I'm still new to all this but as his loyal and faithful subscriber, I can always download and educates myself with his free ebooks whenever it's available. I'm sure in the near future I shall have RM178.60  and a CREDIT CARD in my hands to access Joel Comm's upcoming groundbreaking recognized authoritative resource for making money with AdSense ebooks.\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/33346377-7844282514931051365?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/7844282514931051365/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/09/wednesday-comes-wednesday-gone.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/7844282514931051365"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/7844282514931051365"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/09/wednesday-comes-wednesday-gone.html","title":"Wednesday Comes Wednesday Gone"}],"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","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-8745254516658439213"},"published":{"$t":"2006-09-10T18:29:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2006-09-10T18:57:29.622+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Network Marketing"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Inspirations"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all that we need to make us really HAPPY is something to be ENTHUSIASTIC about\"\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e-G. Kingsley\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMy fonte is in Network Marketing or Multi Level Marketing to some of you. About four months ago my darling wife told me about the Internet. About how the Internet is creating a global economic revolution and being created by this revolution.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMy antenna started going up. My mind going full swing cranking up ideas one after another. I'm feeling elated now and I'm high with adrenalin. There and then, I made up my mind. I'm going to give myself a four month break from prospecting to learn all I can about doing business using the Internet.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMy first priority is to set up my very own web site. So, from that day onward, I've spent most of my waking hours in front of the computer. Sometime I would stayed up till 3am and twice during those period I didn't sleep at all. That's the way I am. When there is something new to learn, I could go on and on absorbing all I can to these new found knowledge's.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAt first my adorable wife didn't say anything but when I started to stay out late, she became restless. She said that I'm in love with my new girlfriend. I'm sorry if I made you feel neglected. Now I shall limit myself till 12 mid-night and then I shall accompanied her in bed. I don't think I ever heard her complaining since for being a good lover. In fact she's sending me off to attend a computer's course with Malaysian's first millionaire Irfan Khairi how to make money using the Internet, expenses paid. The course will start on September 22nd at the Merriot Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. Good for her. If I need anything else, I shall be a good lover to her again! Just kidding. I have always been a good husband, a good friend, a good companion and a fantastic lover to her\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eNow, my mother-in-law could never understand what I'm doing staring at the computer all day long? No explanations could moved her point of view. So, whenever I \u003cstrong\u003e'received the look'\u003c/strong\u003e from her, I would packed up my bag and headed to the nearest cyber cafe in town. Usually I would go to EZ Watani's computer shop or AMS Komputer's.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eNow I am proud to present you with \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.arahman7.blogspot.com/\"\u003ewww.arahman7.blogspot.com\u003c/a\u003e as my first project. This blog is my learning ground to understand HTML, AdSense, Template and so forth. Hopefully after this, I shall create my very own web site as well prepared as I can be.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThank you blogspot.com for making my day!\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/33346377-8745254516658439213?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/8745254516658439213/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/09/inspirations.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/8745254516658439213"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/8745254516658439213"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/09/inspirations.html","title":"Inspirations"}],"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":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-5636834825257670217"},"published":{"$t":"2006-09-09T23:07:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2006-09-10T02:07:15.986+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Network Marketing"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Leverage"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"The best tool for a Network Marketer to use in using time and effort are what\u003cbr /\u003ewe called leverage.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThat's what J. Paul Getty was getting at when he said, \u003cem\u003e\"I'd rather earn 1% of 100 men's efforts rather than 100% of my own\"\u003c/em\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThat's why leverage is so powerful - you earn a little from the efforts of a\u003cbr /\u003ebunch of people.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe most often told story in Network Marketing's meetings or books to illustrate the concept of leverage are the story of a lumberjack and the chain saw. The story goes like this:-\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOne day a rookie lumberjack went to buy a saw at the local hardware store. You see, all this while he is getting chewed out by his foremen for not meeting the quota of timbers cut. He told to the young sales clerk, ''I need the best saw you got and I'm willing to pay whatever the price is.''\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe young sales clerk went to the back of the store for a few minutes before carrying it with him a shining brand new chain saw. \"This is the best saw on the market,\" said the young sales clerk proudly. \"It will cut thru' trees like a knife thru' butter. It will cut a month's worth of timber in a day or I shall give back all your money, guaranteed!\"\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe excited rookie lumberjack paid the clerk promtly, grabbed his shining new saw and headed back to th forest.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eExactly a month later, while the young sales clerk were busy attending to his chores, he heard a loud commotion at the front-desk. Then he heard the angry voice of the rookie lumbejack, \"You! I've come here to return back the saw and I wanna my money BACK!\"\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe lumberjack looked as though he had not slept in weeks. He looked awful in his shreaded and torn clothes stained with blood, sweat and tears.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\"Wh-Wh-Wh-what happened, man? You look terrible!\", said the frighten young sales clerk.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe rookie lumberjack put the saw onto the counter and said, \"Tis here @#$%\u0026* saw you sold me. You guaranteed it could cut a month's worth of timber. I've using this *\u0026amp;%$#@ saw for the whole month now and I can't even cut a day's worth of timber in a month and I want my money back!\"\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe young sales clerk was dumbfounded and apologized sincerely, \"OK, I agreed. I shall give you back your money coz I'm a man of my words. Let's see here, maybe I can figure out what's wrong with your saw.\"\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe young clerk gave the pull rope a quick pull and the chain saw comes alive with a tremendous noise- \u003cstrong\u003e''B-B-B-R-R-R-R-R-R-R! ! !\"\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe young lumberjack jumped back from the counter as though he had been hit, shounting over the roaring noise of the chain saw, \u003cstrong\u003e\"WHAT IS THAT SOUND?\"\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cblockquote\u003e\u003c/blockquote\u003eNo wonder the rookie lumberjack looked terrible. He had been trying to cut down trees without turning on the chain saw. The story above do tell us about the awesome power the word leverage is, only to those who knows how to use it.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThe chain saw is obviously a great tool for leveraging time and effort. You know exactly what I mean, if you ever tried to cut up a big tree using a hand saw. The rookie failure didn't result from lack of talent or effort but rather from a lack of knowledge! In order to take full advantage of leverage, we have to have the knowledge. Otherwise, we will end up like the rookie lumberjack- we will still trying to get ahead \u003cem\u003eworking harder \u003c/em\u003etrading time for money, instead of \u003cem\u003eworking smarter \u003c/em\u003eby leveraging our time and efforts.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBy doing the right kind of leverage in the right situation, we can move mountains.......... Think about it before you go to sleep tonight. The key word is \u003cstrong\u003eknowledge.\u003c/strong\u003e Whatever you do, you gotta have \u003cstrong\u003eKNOWLEDGE!\u003c/strong\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/33346377-5636834825257670217?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/5636834825257670217/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/09/best-tool-for-network-marketer-to-use.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/5636834825257670217"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/5636834825257670217"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/09/best-tool-for-network-marketer-to-use.html","title":"Leverage"}],"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","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-115754082849308629"},"published":{"$t":"2006-09-06T18:07:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2006-09-07T01:38:39.403+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Network Marketing"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Blog - Tips for Making MONEY"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"A lot of people asked me, what are you doing spending most of your time in front of your PC?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWell, how do I answer that question?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eFor one thing, I'm not wasting my time playing GAMES. You know games that you played with your Play Station. I'm not great with the technical stuff so I don't play, PERIOD. I created this Blog for me to express myself. I'm not selling anything, in fact I don't have any product to sell. Well maybe I'm selling informations.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eDo you know that writing a blog can be fun and exciting? And it can also be rewarding. Maybe you need to consider implementing the following suggestions in your blog.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMake Money Tip #1 AdSense\u003cbr /\u003eAdSense is an incredible service offered by Google to help you make MONEY and help others advertise as well. This is a type of advertisement offered by Google where they share their revenue with webmasters or the owner of a website who put Google Ad in their blog or website. Google will pay for every clicks which bring traffics to their clients. In other words, Google pays for every clicks by Google AdSense to LEAVE your website! Basically, with AdSense you choose several ads that blend or complement the information talked about in your blog. Then, when individuals clicks the ads that are present in your blog, you get paid. This is a great opportunity to make money without really having to do much.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMake Money Tip #2 Affiliate Marketing\u003cbr /\u003eThis is another great way to make money. It work on the same premise of AdSense where the web surfer has to click on the affiliate website's link and when they do so they are redirected to the link they clicked on. You will be paid affiliate income for the click and if they make a purchase when they are on that website, you will be paid a commission which you has made with the affiliate programs which you had joined.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMake Money Tip #3 Blog Ads\u003cbr /\u003eThis also is not too different from AdSense or Affiliate Marketing. In a sense blog ads connect web surfers with advertisers. When any ads placement are made, you will be paid a commission that had been agreed upon.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMake Money Tip #4 Business Blog\u003cbr /\u003eYou can used your blog to write about any topic that you are comfortable with and important to you. It also can be used as a tool to make you money by advertising your business services. Make your blog a business blog by focusing part of your blog on your business services. This way, you can still communicate whatever it is you need to and make money as well.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhen it comes to making money from your blog you can do so easily with these tried and proven true tricks of the trade. Whether you utilize AdSense, Affiliate Marketing, Blog Ads, a Business Blog or a combination of all of the above, you will certainly benefit and make money. Do not delay and start implementing these types of money making strategies in your blog ASAP! Not only will you be making money but your blog will become more popular as well, insyaAllah.\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/33346377-115754082849308629?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/115754082849308629/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/09/blog-tips-for-making-money.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/115754082849308629"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/115754082849308629"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/09/blog-tips-for-making-money.html","title":"Blog - Tips for Making MONEY"}],"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":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-115744101326330833"},"published":{"$t":"2006-09-05T13:56:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2006-09-06T01:59:29.016+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Network Marketing"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"What REALLY is Network Marketing or MLM"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Let's take a look at .......\u003cbr /\u003eWhat REALLY is Network Marketing or MLM as some people called it?\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMost people say yes, but when push comes to shove, they don't get the basics. I would like to share a real life experience about the 'basics' of Network Marketing.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI am from a little place called Lenggeng in Negeri Sembilan. In the late of 2005 I tied the knot with a beautiful lady from Kampung Temiang in the royal town of Kuala Kangsar. To say that was a change is an understatement. However,it was a great first hand experience of Network Marketing at work.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAfter moving in, my dearest wife began to recommend the following to me because she knew I would need them - Maybank where all my business transaction took place, Seri Kangsar the grocery store, Ballirr Enterprise where all of my notes got binded (they have a fast and cheapest service in town), Pusat Komputer AMS where I spent most of my time doing research with the computer (where Megat Hafiz thought me the science and arts of saving a printer ink and the place\u003cbr /\u003eI went after I received 'the look' from my mother-in-law for staring at the PC for hours), BP where I filled-up my Yamaha Z with petrol and other basic necessities. I have since become a faithful customer at all of these locations (and even more) based on those simple recommendations.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eTwo months later two of my friends come up to the same area to work. Much like me, they knew nobody or anything of the area. I promptly recommended to them the exact same places I was recommended to shop at, bank with, get petrol for their transportations, receive a good haircut, etc .......\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThey too have become long-term customers with the exact same places I recommended (and were recommended to me.)\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhat is amazing is the amount of free advertising these businesses are receiving and the sales it is generating from them. One day I asked my preety wife if she received a check from the owner of the Seri Kangsar (the grocery store she recommended)? She looked at me with the normal puzzled look people always displayed when asked this kind of question and said, \"What are you talking round-about?\"\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI replied, \"Well, I have spent hundreds of RM at Seri Kangsar (not to mention my bank account at Maybank, my monthly haircut, etc .......) and I figured they would want to compensate you for referring me to them. Plus, I told my two friends and they spend a lot of RM at those places too. You started it all so I figured they would want to reward you with a commission from all of our sales.\"\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eOf course, she thought the idea was not possible. But with the distribution system called Network Marketing it is happening everyday. By taking out all of the middle-men (such as national wholesalers, regional wholesalers, local distributors, retailers and the big amount of advertising) the manufacturers can pay us for doing what we do naturally everyday; tell people about great products we use and like.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIn the above situation, here is what would happened in a Network Marketing distribution system .......\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMy angel wife referred me to a grocery store called Seri Kangsar. I got there two three times a week and purchase my groceries. At the end of the month the owner would have looked to see how much I bought and sent a percentage of those sales to my sweet wife as a way of compensating her for telling me to shop there. With the check would be a nice \"Thank You\" letter with a huge smiley face stamped on it.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI told both of my friends to shop at Seri Kangsar so in return I would receive a commission check each month from them as well. But, in addition, my dearest wife would have received a percentage of the sales from the people I referred to Seri Kangsar. Why? Simple, in Network Marketing you get paid for what you started, not on what you do right now. (That is how you can receive a lifelong stream of residual income)\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eLet me take you a little further and say my two friends both told four of their friends about Seri Kangsar. How big the sales are going to be, how much fresher their biscults is and what a great value their groceries are in comparison to their current grocery store. By doing this my two friends refer six of their friends to Seri Kangsar. Now not only are my friends receiving a commission, but so am I and my cute little wife - just for what we started and doing what we normally do.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIf this seems somewhat unbelievable to you, well times are a-changing (as Bob Dylan says in a song). No longer can companies effectively cut the costs of making a product. However, the distribution of a product to the end consumer results in a 75% mark-up or more. This is where fortunes will be made in the next 10 years - cutting the cost of distribution through more effective business models. Even more, by applying this to leading trends in the market place today, fortunes will be made in the next 5 years for those of us that recognize and take advantage of this. As the wise man say, successful people are those who look and seek opportunities.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI encourage you to start getting paid for what you are already doing by becoming involved with a high-quality Network Marketing company. You owe it to yourself to find out the facts of the industry.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThis article was inspired by an email sent to me by Mark Wittkowki of \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.onlineautomation.com\"\u003ehttp://www.onlineautomation.com\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/33346377-115744101326330833?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/115744101326330833/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/09/what-really-is-network-marketing-or.html#comment-form","title":"1 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/115744101326330833"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/115744101326330833"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/09/what-really-is-network-marketing-or.html","title":"What REALLY is Network Marketing or MLM"}],"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-115730432134009086"},"published":{"$t":"2006-09-04T00:48:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2006-09-04T01:35:55.216+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Advertisement"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Advertisement for Picasa"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"My last post dated September the 1st should be called 'A page full of AdSense'.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eYou wanna know what really happened? Let me tell you. I think it goes like this:\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eTwo nights ago when I tried to login to my blogger page, I was sent to 'beta' blogger instead. I just kept going. I thought it gonna be a breeze since it's new. Then,.......\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eA Picasa page from Google pop in. Picasa is a software that helps you instantly find, edit and share all the pictures on your PC. Everytime you open Picasa, it automatically locates all your pictures (even ones you forgot you had) and sorts them into visual albums organized by date with folder names you will recognize. You can drag and drop to arrange your albums and makes labels to create new groups. Picasa makes sure your pictures are always organized.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003ePicasa also makes advanced editing simple by putting one-click fixes and powerful effects at your fingertips. And Picasa makes it a snap to share your pictures - you can email, print photos at home, make gift CDs, instantly share via Hello, and even post pictures on your own blog.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAnd the best thing about it is that it's FREE. Click now to \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.picasa.com\"\u003ewww.picasa.com\u003c/a\u003e to download it on your PC. Find and enjoy the pictures on your computer in seconds.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eCome to think about it, I'm not gonna delete that post coz one day in the future I gonna show it to all of my grandchildrens. I'm gonna say, \"Lookit here boys and girls, this post here was the end-result of your GrandDaddy here using Picasa for the first time.\"\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eDo you think it's worth remembering? Yeah! I thought so ....... !\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBack to 'beta' blogger, I still much prefer the old blogger coz when I'm in 'beta', how do you go to setting or anywhere, for that matter? That is why I never sign out from the old blogger whenever I close down my computer because I am afraid to be sent to 'beta'. I'm sure to be confined to the Dashboard without knowing what to click to get out from there!\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/33346377-115730432134009086?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/115730432134009086/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/09/advertisement-for-picasa.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/115730432134009086"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/115730432134009086"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/09/advertisement-for-picasa.html","title":"Advertisement for Picasa"}],"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":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-115701291243178236"},"published":{"$t":"2006-08-31T14:09:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2006-08-31T22:59:32.483+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Network Marketing"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"It Is Up To You To Get Started......."},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"So what are you waiting for? Are you worried you will not succeed? Why not look at it like this. If you try to succeed in your own business and fail, the most you will lose is a little money. And not much with the low start-up costs (in \u003cstrong\u003eNetwork Marketing\u003c/strong\u003e).\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThanks to the Internet\u003cstrong\u003e,\u003c/strong\u003e you no longer have to risk your life savings when starting a business. The knowledge alone, that you will gain from simply attempting your own business will outweigh any financial loss by far.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThat is not to say it will be easy. Success can sometimes be a difficult thing to sneak up on. Perseverance is a major asset for anyone starting their own business. After all, failure, as well as success, is a part of life. As the old saying goes, if at first you do not succeed, try, and try again. This saying would not be so popular if everyone succeeded the very first time they attempted anything.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eI have read somewhere, a bit of American history, a story that had kept me going during my own start-up phase. You see, early on, I had serious doubts about \u003cstrong\u003eMulti-Level\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eMarketing \u003c/strong\u003eor \u003cstrong\u003eNetwork Marketing\u003c/strong\u003e. Just like Saiyidina Omar r.a before he embraced Islam.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhile still working my steady 9-5 job I often thought, \"What am I doing? I am not an entrepreneur\". Even though I am stuck in a less than thrilling job and living from paycheck to paycheck!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWell I was wrong. \u003cstrong\u003eANYONE \u003c/strong\u003ecan be a successful \u003cstrong\u003eMLM \u003c/strong\u003eor \u003cstrong\u003eNetwork Marketing's \u003c/strong\u003eentrepreneur especially with the help of Internet.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAround the time my doubt was reaching a peak, I happened to read this story. It turned out to be just the encouragement I needed. I still remember it clearly as though I just read it. So, here goes the short version:\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePORTRAIT OF AN ACHIEVER\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1831 - Failed in Business, Bankruptcy\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1832 - Defeated for Legislature\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1835 - Sweetheart/Fiancee Dies\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1836 - Defeated in Election\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1836 - Nervous Breakdown\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1843 - Defeated for US Congress\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1846 - Defeated again for US Congress\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1848 - Defeated once again for US Congress\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1855 - Defeated for US Senate\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1856 - Defeated for US Vice President\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1858 - Defeated again for US Senate\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eABRAHAM LINCOLN\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1860 - ELECTED PRESIDENT of the US of A!\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eSee, you cannot fail....... unless you quit!\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNow that you know the worst that can happen (and it cannot be as Honest Abe had it) concentrate for a moment on the best case scenario.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf you succeed, and more than 70% of all new entrepreneurs do, you will no longer have to rely on others for your income.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYou will be able to work the hours \u003cstrong\u003eYOU \u003c/strong\u003ewant right in your own home.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSo, what are you waiting for?\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHave faith in yourself, work hard, and you may be surprised how easy it can be.\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/33346377-115701291243178236?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/115701291243178236/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/08/it-is-up-to-you-to-get-started.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/115701291243178236"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/115701291243178236"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/08/it-is-up-to-you-to-get-started.html","title":"It Is Up To You To Get Started......."}],"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","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-115694834819688757"},"published":{"$t":"2006-08-30T22:26:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2006-08-30T22:56:12.026+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Photography"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Self Potrait"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003ca href\u003d\"http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2267/3660/1600/Noor%20Azman%20001.jpg\"\u003e\u003cimg style\u003d\"FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand\" alt\u003d\"\" src\u003d\"http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/2267/3660/320/Noor%20Azman%20001.jpg\" border\u003d\"0\" /\u003e\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/33346377-115694834819688757?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/115694834819688757/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/08/self-potrait.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/115694834819688757"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/115694834819688757"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/08/self-potrait.html","title":"Self Potrait"}],"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":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-115691215649620938"},"published":{"$t":"2006-08-30T11:26:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2006-09-01T23:41:40.443+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Network Marketing"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Bid Old Business Goodbye"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"What's the world of business coming to? A job no longer comes with any guarantees at all. No guarantee of health insurance, no guarantee you will draw a pension, no guarantee that you will wind up with a job either.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eRecord numbers of once rock-solid corporations are cutting cost or bailing out by throwing employees overboard. Everyday some corporate giant announces it is laying off thousands of workers. I know because I am one of them.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eMillions of workers are out of job. And those lucky enough to find a new job have to settle for a whopping 25% to 30% pay cut.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eSo thank the genius who invented the personal computer. The army of unemployed has taken to the Internet, causing an explosion of home-based business. And even if you still have your job, you can and should take part in this revolution.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAn Internet-based business offers the best financial return available. And of all the businesses in cyberspace, \u003cstrong\u003eNetwork \u003c/strong\u003eMarketing could easily be your best bet.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eThat is because \u003cstrong\u003eNetwork Marketing's\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c/strong\u003ecompany trains and helps you find and talk to others, who want to profit from this 21st century way of doing business. Furthermore, by using the Internet it help you to build and manage a successful business.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNetwork Marketing\u003c/strong\u003e is the perfect answer for someone looking to start a new business. Here is why:\u003cstrong\u003e \u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNo large amount of start-up money\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNo office rent\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNo employees\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNo business experience\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNo fancy education\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNo expensive legal or accounting fees\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c/strong\u003eYou can start your \u003cstrong\u003eNetwork Marketing \u003c/strong\u003ebusiness almost immediately. You would not have to raid your cookie jar or clean out the garage to make room for inventory either. You do not need anything at all except a computer and a telephone. That also can be scraped from the list because you can also do business off-line!\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp align\u003d\"left\"\u003eWait until you hear about the load of benefits \u003cstrong\u003eNetwork Marketing\u003c/strong\u003e has to offer, including some killer tax breaks you will never enjoy as an employee.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp align\u003d\"left\"\u003eSo, give me a call or send me an email or comment if you have any questions that you still want answered.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp align\u003d\"left\"\u003eThis article was inspired by Zaharah Binti Abdul Manan. You can visit her at \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.vemmabuilder.com/234388305\"\u003ehttp://www.vemmabuilder.com/234388305\u003c/a\u003e. Go there now and take a tour. I am sure you will not regret it.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp align\u003d\"left\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp align\u003d\"left\"\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\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/33346377-115691215649620938?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/115691215649620938/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/08/bid-old-business-goodbye.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/115691215649620938"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/115691215649620938"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/08/bid-old-business-goodbye.html","title":"Bid Old Business Goodbye"}],"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","$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-115678073548425629"},"published":{"$t":"2006-08-29T15:53:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2006-08-30T23:22:03.146+08:00"},"title":{"type":"text","$t":"My Fault"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Even though my blog is not perfect but I decided to have a go at it. I posted my 1st blog on Sunday August 27th with the title \"\u003cstrong\u003eJust Blogging\"\u003c/strong\u003e (like just married). Linda Bruton of \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.whymarketersshouldblog.com\"\u003ewww.whymarketersshouldblog.com\u003c/a\u003e might say, \"it is like simplified rehashes of Internet Marketing 101 for beginners. There hardly a fresh thought or ideas to be found. I doubt she will publish it if I sent her my articles but I will sent her an e-mail like I send to Joel Comm.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eWhatever it is, I am very proud and happy with my 1st article. And I wanna share my happiness and joy with Joel Comm who gave me the inspiration to create my very own blog. So I sent him an e-mail telling him that his name was mentioned in \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.arahman7.blogspot.com\"\u003ewww.arahman7.blogspot.com\u003c/a\u003e.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eNot long after that I received a reply from \u003ca href\u003d\"http://www.thehelpdesk.us\"\u003ewww.thehelpdesk.us\u003c/a\u003e telling me that they had never heard about me and told me to register if I want their services. I was dumbfounded for quite some times before I realized that Joel Comm and InfoMedia are the same.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eBut the problem is that I never wrote to InfoMedia but to \u003ca href\u003d\"mailto:JoelComm@adsense-secret.com\"\u003eJoelComm@adsense-secret.com\u003c/a\u003e. Luckily I still kept the e-mail that Joel Comm sent me for confirmation to subscribe for his newsletter.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAfter several e-mails to and fro with InfoMedia, at long last everything was verified but it left empty. The joy is no more there.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eIt is my fault really. I should educate myself more about computer and Internet. So, to any 'gurus' out there who have the time to teach me a thing or two about computer and Internet, I would be most grateful.\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003eAfter this, it is my intention to build my very own website. My niche would be about \u003cstrong\u003eNetwork Marketing\u003c/strong\u003e. I want to tell all about \u003cstrong\u003eNetwork Marketing\u003c/strong\u003e especially to my countrymen/women in \u003cstrong\u003eMalaysia\u003c/strong\u003e and those who speak and read the \u003cstrong\u003eMalay Language\u003c/strong\u003e. Please give me your comment so that my website will be the best place to visit!\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cbr /\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\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/33346377-115678073548425629?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/115678073548425629/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/08/my-fault.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/115678073548425629"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/115678073548425629"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/08/my-fault.html","title":"My Fault"}],"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":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-33346377.post-115666787674100724"},"published":{"$t":"2006-08-27T15:34:00.000+08:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2006-08-30T23:24:00.316+08:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"How to Blog"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Just Blogged (as in Just Married)"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"After reading Joel Comm's ebook \"Getting started with blogging and google adsense\" I decided to create my very own blog. I started on Friday's night (August 25th) around 11pm but till 3am the next day, my blog is still not ready!\u003cbr /\u003eTo create a blog is suppose to be easy in ONLY 3 steps. Step no.1, create an account. It took me several exhaustible tries just to choose a username. Even my real name was not available! Then I encountered no trouble to enter a password, display name, e-mail address and the acceptance of terms. Then only I was allowed to continue to step 2.\u003cbr /\u003eStep 2, naming my blog. Here is where I was stuck in a naming 'traffic-jam' the longest. I had no problem with the blog title but blog address, it was such a very tiring exercise and I see what Joel Comm meant. I guessed I was not the first person to discover blogging! Then, would you believed it? I even failed in word verification. I couldn't believed it myself, how could I had failed? Both my eyes sight were 20/20 A-OK! I just could feel the heat rising in me and the time was already past 1am and I had yet to conclude creating my blog. After a long long time I was finally allowed to continue to chose a template. I just chose a template by Dave Shea's snapshot: Madder. Now I felt very sleepy to carry on.......ZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzz\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/33346377-115666787674100724?l\u003dwww.myjourneytorecovery.net' alt\u003d'' /\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/feeds/115666787674100724/comments/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/08/just-blogging.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/115666787674100724"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http://www.blogger.com/feeds/33346377/posts/default/115666787674100724"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http://www.myjourneytorecovery.net/2006/08/just-blogging.html","title":"Just Blogged (as in Just Married)"}],"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":"0"}}]}});