When it makes you as well your competitiors better people. I used to not like competition at all. I thought it brought out ugliness and selfishness in people. And in some ways it does. Look at some of the so called "role models' in professional sports. But what changed my out look was my daughters. I have twin girls who are so incredibly talented in school and in swimming. I honestly have no idea where they get it from (not me). But ever since they were tiny 2 or 3 years old, I could see a keen, competiton between them. But it has never ever been nasty. In fact each others achievment drives the other to try harder. And when one stumbles the other picks her sister up and helps her, then the competition is on again. Also when one does better, the other girl genuinely cheers for her sister. But after the "fanfare" all bets are off and she's back trying to improve. I don't think either girl would be as successful with out her sister to help and compete with. It's really neat. I wish I had a sibling like that to drive me to higher heights. It will be incredibly fun to watch them in their endeavors throughout the future.

Hmmm.... Never.

Not really never, but not often. Really I've only ever felt unconditionally accepted by my daughters, my dog and my mom. A true "mother" is just built for unconditional acceptance of her children. Dogs, well ask anyone who has ever owned one. They live in the here and now, and don't hold grudges. And, Kids have this uncanny knack for accepting you as you are, at least until they reach a certain age learn not to. And that's really it. We all have the ability to accept all others unconditionally, but at some point we learn not to.

I think a more telling reflection question would be: when was the last time you accepted someone unconditionally? I know I haven't as much as I would like. Maybe I'll start there.

I remember the moon used to follow me, I was probably about 3 or 4, and just couldn't seem to figure out why. When ever we would go for a walk or a ride in the car in the evening I'd look up and it would be right there. "Hmm.. how funny. That tree we passed a minute ago is waaaaaay back there. When I looked up the moon was back there, too. So how come when I look up its still right over my head?"



C

Wow, I havent logged into this site in a year. What a difference some time makes. After reading my one and only blog and my old e-mails, it seems I may have gotten a little lost in the last year. Still sober, but I have had a really, really hard time being present.

I have gotten so wrapped up in my "busy" life, I can't remember when I just stopped to enjoy my breath, the sun, my family, the now.

I can't express how nice it is to have stumbled across this old bookmark and been given the opportunity to stop the cycle for a second.

I really needed this "bell of mindfullness".

Here's hoping we can all be brought back to the here and now from time to time.Since here and now is the only thing we have to share.

Namaste,
C

Hello My name is C and I am an Alchoholic. I've had a bit of practice saying these words, bit I've never typed them before. Lots of time I forget that I am what I am, perhaps I should take Popeye's lead in the matter.

I have been sober for 2 years, 2 months and 5 days. And my life has been so much more since I threwaway the bottle. It's like a the difference between watching the game on a 13" black and white tv or a 60" plasma in High Def or the mid morning when the fog burns off and the sun is so bright and the sky is so blue it almost hurts. You know what, nah it's not like that at all. It's so much more. I can't even explain it. But one thing is true, it is the best thing I ever did.

Since sobriety, I've climbed a mountian (literally and figuratively), run more miles than I can count, let loose my inner buddha, gone back to school, really gotten to know and love my family, become a novice yogi, rediscoverd old friends, and learned that there is just so damn much to experince in this life. So much to learn, so much to teach. So much to laugh at.