FAITH

“If there is One thing left on Earth that you can strongly hold on to in life, please let it be Unshakeable Faith.”

Faith…A Powerful and Controversial concept. Many people are willing to die for their Faith and there are those who laugh or scoff at the same idea…

Faith is defined as confidence or trust in something…To me,  Faith is simply belief…Belief in the unseen or the unproven…

The concept of Faith is almost always related to a Religious theme…. Almost all organized Religions or groups that cite GOD or the concept of a “Higher Power” rely on the idea of Faith, their belief in an unseen power, the “Creator” , the “Host”,  or the “Father”…

My experience with Faith has been both  powerful and rewarding….As a young man I had None. My life was my own, that’s how I was raised…I had All the Power…Discipline, Hard Work, Determination, & Ambition were the only things that mattered…I had Faith that I alone could “Will” the outcomes of my life…

“Man Makes Plans & GOD Laughs.”  My favorite expression from the Talmud…As  I have travelled the winding road of my life at the age of 55 today, I am happy to report to you all…

Faith is Knowing…Knowing that ALL is in GOD’s plan…Knowing that “No Matter What”,  All will be OK…”Belief Squared”  is how I see Faith today…

So many people have doubts. So many think I am foolish to believe in a GOD, a power that I cannot see, that I cannot hear…Where is He? Reveal yourself to me…Show yourself…Just one glimpse…

I liken my Faith in GOD and his Power to a magical force in the Physical world that We ALL know ….The Wind!!!  You cannot see the Wind…Yet we all know it exists…We can easily see the effects of the Wind, we can feel the beauty of a breeze, and we can see the devastation and the power the Wind can bring…

As many of you know I am in a brutal legal situation…My life since July 2009 has been “Out Of My Control”….I consider it  “Dire” and “Life Threatening”….So many of you have reached out to me and asked,  “Are you OK?”  “How do you function?”  “What’s holding you up?”

The answer is simple and becoming increasingly more clear…My Faith…My belief that All will be OK in the end…Like many of you, I Know that I’m being tested by forces beyond my control…For whatever the reason I am walking on a lonely and a dangerous path…

However, I must tell you…I am not walking alone. GOD is with me. At times he is holding me up, keeping me calm, encouraging me to go forth…

From time to time I become Overwhelmed….I cannot deal, I cannot concentrate…Fear takes over,  paralyzing me, causing me great pain and discomfort…

That’s when I seek my Faith…I pray, I pray hard, I even beg….I beg GOD to take the fear and the anxiety away…

And he does…Time and Time again he removes the pain, the fear, the discomfort…It is Unbelievable!!!  When I can’t take one more ounce of pain, the Grace of GOD, the unseen GOD, blesses me , and ALL feels OK once again…

I’m not sure why but I feel compelled to share this with you…One thing I know for sure, GOD loves you as well…All will be OK…No matter what you are facing, who,  or where you are , please have Faith, and know ALL will be OK…He is Here and He knows…Like the Wind, his Power and his Grace can be felt…Have no doubt, find your Faith…

“Yea, Though I Walk Through The Valley Of The Shadow Of Death, I Will Fear No Evil: For Though Art With Me.” ~ Psalm 23

SPRINGTIME BABY!!!!

“Spring Forward”,  “Spring Into Action”, and  “Spring In Your Step” are just a few expressions that capture the Spirit of the Season now upon us…

Springtime is my Favorite time of year. As a Kid I can remember with Clarity the first Spring days of the season. After a long, cold, and dark Winter,  Spring is like a Reprieve when you’re a Youngster.

“Rebirth, Renewal, and Regrowth” are the themes of the Spring Season…As we transition from Winter to Summer, Springtime signifies a “New Beginning” in the Cycle of Nature…The Temperature begins to rise, the Plant World starts coming back to life, and there is an “Awakening” amongst all Living Things…

If there are Troubling Aspects to your life, Situations that are Uncomfortable or Painful, this is the Perfect time to Restart your Engines and Right your Life…

The “Darkness of Winter” in our Lives can be Replaced by the “Light of Spring” as the Seasons change…This is a natural cycle of the Plant and Animal World. All of Nature seems to understand this inexplicably, yet as People mired in our own “Darkness”, we simply see these words as “Metaphors” and “Cute Expressions” of language.

It’s  OUR Time my friends!!! The Calendar and the Seasons are Working in our Favor…Let’s Ride this Seasonal Momentum and take Charge of our Own Lives. No More Darkness, No More Cold or Lonely… Let’s All Move Into The Light of Spring and Be Renewed…

FIFTY FIVE – A TRUE BIRTHDAY BLOG!

“Double Nickels” , “Hard Ten” , & 55 is what you’re telling me…Yesterday, on my fifty fifth birthday I heard a brand new one…”The Senior Discount” at IHOP!!!! I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry….

March 18th, 1957 is my birth date…I turned 55 yesterday and this was my birthday weekend. In my house we make a big deal over a birthday and mine just happened to fall on a sunday. Perfect!!!

Friday night my 12 year old daughter had 3 of her friends sleep over. It was crazy!!! My 19 year old niece stopped over with the 2 little boys she was babysitting, ages 3 & 5…My 8 year old daughter was going back & forth between the 12 year olds and the little boys…The wife was doing her best to keep everybody happy in her usual patient and accommodating mode.

“What about me? It’s my birthday weekend!!!” ….That’s what I was really thinking as I sat and watched TV by myself…

Saturday morning I climbed out of bed fully expecting a little attention. Perhaps my favorite breakfast I thought. As I made my way to the kitchen I heard the roar. “Daddy, we want french toast!!! Can you make us some bacon, Daddy??!!”

Four 12 year old girls, my wife, my 8 year old daughter, and 4 dogs all looking at me with “hungry faces.”  And so it was …French toast, bacon, eggs, cereal, toast, coffee, & juice…. What’s a 55 year old Dad supposed to do?

Thank GOD for the little things in life…Later on, our friend picked up ALL the girls and took them to the Beach Club…At last, some alone time with the wife, and some quiet time in the house…

I would love to kiss and tell as this would make my blog rather sensational,  but I’m going to leave that to some of the other bloggers out there as I am hoping to make it to 56.  All I can say is that I am not the average 55 year old in any way!!!  My wife definitely made it a birthday weekend worth remembering!!!

Saturday night was date night! A quiet dinner at my favorite Chinese restaurant…Sounds a little boring, because it probably is…After all I am a 55 year old Jew living in Boca Raton. Enough said…

Dinner out was made possible by my nephew Mark…A freshman at FAU, he offered to babysit my daughters…Mark comes over with his 3 college buddies  and an X Box.  Within minutes the TV is connected and I have 700 pounds of testosterone sitting on my couch, quite a difference from this morning’s scene.

When we get home from our quiet dinner out,  I walk in to find my 2 daughters, 4 dogs, and 4 College freshmen on the couch with all eyes riveted to the big screen…My 12 year old is shooting away at aliens and  screaming  trash talk to her competitors…No one even acknowledged our coming home from dinner…Not even my faithful dogs who were all caught up in the action…

Oh well. Sunday was going to be my big day anyway, my 55th birthday!!!

Everyone was so tired and spent after the last 2 nights of craziness in the house that I was up all alone Sunday morning!!!  I refused to make myself breakfast on My Birthday!!!  Finally, by 11am the last of my stragglers was up…

“C’mon, we’re ALL going to IHOP”, I barked…Knowing this is a family favorite I encountered no pushback…

As we were being seated at our table a very cute young waitress came over, gave us our menu’s, and said hello…While we were chatting back and forth my wife mentioned that it was my birthday…

“Wow, that’s so cool. how old are you today?” she asked….”I’m 55 today.” I answered…”Get outta here!!! You’re not 55!!! You’re kidding me.” she squeaks…

My wife says, “No really, he is 55 today…He doesn’t look his age, but really!” ….

“You guys are kidding me, really…You’re just trying to get the discount!!!” …

“What discount?” I asked increduously…”You know, it’s right there in the menu!”   she says indignantly…”But you’re going to have to show me some ID  because you sure don’t look 55.”

What the hell is going on here, I’m thinking….55!!! A senior discount!!! I don’t believe it…This was one of the most confusing feelings I’ve ever had and I’ve had a very confusing life so far….

And there it was!  55+ Senior Specialties…I was shocked!!! I always thought 65 was more a senior age…I felt so weird that I refused to order off the senior menu…I would show them!!!

Alas, I’ve now had a full 24 hours to let this disturbing fact settle in…I see myself as a frisky young guy, but the world now sees me otherwise…”C’est la vie”…Why fight it?…If the world wants to give me a break because I’m 55 now, just take it and be grateful…

My wife and kids saw my dilemma…They spent the rest of the day making me feel very special…In fact, 55 was the best  birthday I’ve ever had!! -wink 😉 wink-…LOL 🙂

It’s now the morning after and I feel great!!! I have a loving wife (she would swear that I’m 25), 2 beautiful loving daughters, and 4 neurotic loving dogs…I’m full of gratitude today…

By the way, Do any of you know what other discounts or bargains are available out there??!!  Can anyone recommend any Early Bird Specials??  I can hardly wait to go to the movies!!!  LOL!!!

LINDSAY LOHAN : A CANDLE IN THE WIND?!

NBC has just announced that Lindsay Lohan will be Hosting Saturday Night Live on Saturday March 3rd….Lindsay, who is often called Li-Lo in the press, will be Guest Hosting for the Fourth time in her career, the first time since 2006…

I got “Chills” up & down my body when I first heard this news. On the eve of Whitney Houston”s funeral,  Lindsay Lohan is coming out once again….

Lindsay is an American born actress raised on Long Island, NY (just like me)…She is the eldest daughter of Michael & Dina Lohan who have had a very public disaster of a marriage which ended in a very ugly divorce…Michael Lohan was a Wall Street Trader who has been in & out of jail for years…He is an admitted Alcoholic & Drug Addict who has been in & out of sobriety many times…Dina was an actress & a model and managed Lindsay’s career up until recently…

Lindsay was a very sought after  “Child Model” , listed with the prestigious  ‘Ford’ agency…She modeled for  ‘Calvin Klein’  &  for  ‘Ambercrombie Kids’.   She appeared in over 100 TV commercials including ‘Pizza Hut’ & ‘Wendy’s’…

At the age of 11 in 1998, Lindsay starred in the Disney remake of ‘The Parent Trap’ , her first Big Screen Breakthrough….She also appeared in ‘Freaky Friday’,  ‘Mean Girls’,  and  ‘Herbie: Fully Loaded’…all BIG Hits which surged her career.

In 2007 whilst at the Height of her stardom, Lindsay started to melt down…She was arrested for 2 DUI’s (Driving Under Influence of Drugs or Alcohol), and she had 3 very public stints at Drug Rehabs…Lindsay was falling apart on a very public stage…She was unable to ‘keep it together’ , get sober, and act responsibly…. Lindsay stayed in the public eye even at her worst…She lost very important film roles because she was so unreliable and one famous producer claimed that a film with Lindsay Lohan was “uninsurable”!!!

Lindsay was accused of stealing, lying, and she was even unable to make court appearances on time….Ordered to do community service by a very reasonable Judge,  she was unable to show up on time and  comply…It seemed every time I turned on the news or opened a newspaper there were  “LI-Lo” headlines and footage of another Lohan nightmare!!!

Years ago, Robert Downey Jr was on the same path…Finally  ‘hitting bottom’  in prison he surrendered to his  ‘disease’ and got sober...He has become a true American Icon…Married, children, & major Film roles, “Iron Man” & ” Sherlock Holmes” he has become a  ‘Power of Example’ of what could be for Lindsay Lohan….

BEFORE SOBRIETY

AFTER SOBRIETY

                                                                                                             

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the other hand,  Anna Nichole Smith, Michael Jackson, & Whitney Houston are examples of what this  ‘Disease’ CAN & WILL do if  left ‘untreated’  or  ‘ignored’….

I Love Lindsay Lohan and I’m raising 2 little girls that have been ‘Growing Up’ with her….If  left to her own devices her story will end tragically…I pray for her ‘Sobriety’ and I “Beg her Handlers” to be mindful of her substance behavior…It will be very interesting to see Lindsay coming out again on Saturday Night Live…Which Lohan will we see??!!  Sober & Together, or will this appearance be marked by still more  ‘Public Humiliations’ or worse….

In the January/February edition of Playboy magazine,  Lindsay Lohan graced the cover…She did a complete Pictorial inspired by her idol Marilyn Monroe.

In the beautiful words of Elton John,  “Her Candle Burned Out Long Before, Her Legend Ever Did…” ….I am praying that these beautiful words remain with Marilyn Monroe and that Lindsay has a rich & full life in front of her….More Shall Be Revealed…

LINSANITY & TEBOWMANIA

Unless you’ve been living  “Under a Rock”  for the past year, you have Witnessed the Phenomenon of Tim Tebow & Jeremy Lin.  Tebow, an NFL Quarterback , playing for the Denver Broncos, and Lin, an NBA  point guard, playing for the N.Y. Knicks, have burst on the National Scene to transcend the sports world from whence they came. They have both become International Stars and for very good reason….

Tim Tebow was born to American parents living in the Phillipines. His parents were serving as Baptist Missionaries there. While pregnant his mother became very ill  with a life threatening disease, and was treated with very powerful drugs to treat her coma & dysentery. The fetus suffered severely and the diagnosis was a stillbirth.  She was ordered to have an abortion.  She refused…

In her prayers she begged GOD for a healthy baby.  If a son, she would name him Timothy,  he would become a pastor,  & he would spread the word of GOD, throughout the world…

The Tebows moved to Jacksonville, Florida…. Tim Tebow would go on to greatness in High School Football and played Quarterback at the University of Florida. He would win 2 National Championships, and the Heisman Trophy, the first sophomore to ever win the Nation’s Best Player Award…

The word amongst the NFL experts was that Tebow could never play Pro Football, especially not Quarterback. They said that he would never be drafted. In fact, only one team would agree to draft him, The Denver Broncos, and even they seemed to feel he might not make it…

This season Tebow got his chance. His play for most of each game  was mediocre at best. However, when the game was on the line in the 4th Quarter, there seemed to be  Divine Intervention!!!  Miracle after Miracle,  Big Play after Big Play!!! The Miracle happened…Tebow took this Denver Broncos team to a Division Title and to Win a Major Playoff Game!!! Their first in years!!!

Prior to every game he plays Tebow reads the Bible and prays. After every successful play during the game he gets down on one knee and acknowledges GOD!!!  “Tebowing”,   has caught on like Wildfire…This  Public Display of his Religious Devotion has gotten Unprecedented Praise and Public Criticism from the Media and the Fans…

 

Jeremy Lin has just now Burst onto the Scene. Lin is an Asian American who was born into a Christian family in  Los Angeles and raised in Paolo Alto. His parents emigrated to America from Taiwan and their families come from Mainland China.  Both Lin’s parents are 5′ 6″ tall…Jeremy Lin stands at 6′ 3″….He is the first Chinese American to play in the NBA….

Lin received no athletic scholarships out of high school and was undrafted by the NBA out of college…He played his way onto the team at Harvard University and became a 4 year starter. Lin had a brilliant career at Harvard but was largely unheralded by the experts…

Lin signed with the Golden State Warriors and the Houston Rockets  but was let go quickly…He joined the Knicks early this season but was about to be waived….Due to an unusual amount of injuries Lin was thrown into a game two weeks ago….The Results were Amazing!!! He became a starter in his next game and the Knicks would win 7 games in a row!!! Jeremy Lin has scored more points and had more assists in his first 7 starts than any other player in history!!! He has made the Knicks the hottest ticket in town!!!

 

Prior to every game Lin reads the Bible….The athlete he admires most is Tim Tebow….Jeremy Lin aspires to become a Pastor!!! In a recent interview, Lin says;  “I want to wake up every day knowing that I’m doing something that will have an Eternal impact and Eternal consequence.”  He thanks GOD at every post game interview…

Jeremy Lin & Tim Tebow….Two Most Unlikely Heroes….They have burst onto the International scene, have entertained us with their abilities in sport, and have humbly adorned the role as leaders and role models for us all….They are both “Men of GOD”,  they both  “Talk the Talk,  and they both  “Walk the Walk”….

Perhaps their Success is  just Coincidence, or Perhaps there is a Spark of  “Divine Intervention”….I find myself Smiling as I write this…  What do You Think??!!

THE POWER OF PRAYER

“I Consider Myself A Hindu,  Christian,  Moslem,  Jew,  Buddhist, And Confucian.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi….

There are many that think this is a pretty wild statement. Gandhi was Assassinated for this Belief in 1948 by a Religious Fanatic who could not forgive him  for maintaining that we are all the same under GOD.

Whether you Agree or Disagree, whether you understand or you do not, is not my point.  Religion is a Very Tough Subject, but my Belief in GOD is quite Simple.    I believe in GOD,  a Higher Power of my Understanding, and I talk to him All Day!!!

No matter what has happened in my life, the Highs and the Lows, the Good and the Bad,  I know that I’ve never been Alone. There are many times I have been Gripped in Terror,  Paralyzed by Fear,  so Afraid that I believed I could not go on another day.  That’s when I started Praying…

I remember Praying as a little boy.  I would pray for Things mostly, either things I wanted or hoped for.  When I was sick and felt awful I would beg GOD for his help, to feel better.

As I look back on my life,  I can honestly say,  that I turned to GOD mostly when I had no where else to go. From time to time  I would say;  “Thank You GOD!”  when something went my way or I achieved something that I had hoped for. But, truth be told, going to GOD was never a first option. It was a fall back strategy. When all else had failed, and the shit hit the proverbial fan,  I would seek out my unseen GOD and beg for help.

You see, I was taught Self-Reliance. I grew up believing that to accomplish something you had to make it happen.  Disclipine,  Self Sacrifice, & Willpower were my Religious Practices. My fate was in My hands. I was the “Be All”  and the “End All”….

“Man Makes Plans And GOD Laughs.”  My favorite expression from the Talmud, a Book of Jewish wisdom.  You see,  if it’s One thing I’ve learned, One thing I can Share with others;  I am in the Effort Business, not the Results Business…Try as I might, the only thing in this World in my Power is my Effort. The Outcomes in our Life are determined by Powers much Greater than Ourselves.

Prayer is “Talking to GOD” ….Meditation is  “Listening for his Answers.”  I can tell you that Prayer works. It’s an interesting fact….There are so many different religions observed in this world. Many more than Gandhi mentions in my opening quote. There is One Common Thread that runs through All Religions….PRAYER!!!  Praising, Talking to, and Asking a  “GOD of Our Understanding” on a Regular Basis.  Either in Worship or from Pain, whether from Gratitude, or from Need:  Prayer is the Centerpiece of All Religion….

As I am living through the most Difficult and Painful Experience in the History of my Life, I am Immersed in Prayer Constantly.  It Works!!!  The Benefits are Real and Tangible.

People from all  “Walks of Life”  have been reaching out to me as they see my Painful Journey.  They seem to feel Comfortable Sharing their Pain and Tragic Circumstances with me,  perhaps because I have so Publicly shared my own.

“What can I do?” they ask….”How can this happen to me?” …. “I can’t take the pain anymore.” …. “How can you handle all this?”  ….

I Pray….I Pray Alot!!!  If you have tried praying and it doesn’t seem to work for you, then Pray Harder!!!….Anyone that thinks that Prayer doesn’t work just Never Prayed Hard Enough!!!

“Though I Walk Through The Valley Of The Shadow Of Death,  I Will Fear No Evil: For Thou Art With Me.” – Psalm 23

WHITNEY HOUSTON: FALLEN ANGEL

The Voice of an Angel…I have no Doubt.  From Time to Time during the course of one’s life we hear a Voice that has an unmistakable quality to it…A Beautiful voice…A sound that Resonates,  that reaches deep inside of us…Whitney Houston had that; The Voice of an Angel…

Whitney Houston passed away on February 11, 2012….She was found in a Beverly Hills hotel room…Ironically, she died in the very hotel where this year’s Grammy Award parties  are being held,  the day before the Award show that both Honors  & Celebrates the finest in music each & every year…

Her death and the circumstances around this tragedy have not been confirmed as of yet. However,  there seems to be little doubt that her problems with drugs & alcohol either contributed directly or indirectly to her tragic death at the age of 48…

I am writing this today because I have been reading so much Nonsense about Whitney Houston, her Addiction, and the Judgements of Uneducated people…You see, I am an Addict & an Alcoholic….I smoked  ‘Crack’…I know only too well the Insanity that accompanies this disease…Yes,  Addiction & Alcoholism are a Disease….Just like Diabetes or Cancer, Whitney Houston Suffered from a Disease…The Disease of Addiction….

This Disease is not about ‘Willpower’ or the lack of  ‘Self Control’ ….Addiction is a Disease that is Centered in the Brain, coupled with a ‘Physical Allergy’,  leading to a  ‘Mental Obsession’  referred to medically as  ‘the Phenomenon of Craving’….Once drugs or alcohol is introduced into the system, the afflicted literally becomes ‘Powerless’ over the drink or drug…Abstinence  and a program of recovery are the only known treatments that have been successful over time….

“Crack is Whack” is a famous remark made by Whitney during a National TV    interview with Diane Sawyer aired on ABC in 2002…At that time she and her husband Bobby Brown openly flaunted their drug and alcohol abuse for the whole world to see…In the meantime Whitney disappeared from the music scene.  A stage that she had dominated with hit after hit , year after year , for years….

I loved Whitney Houston!!! I thought that she was a beautiful girl, a beautiful woman, and a beautiful person…Even when she was visibly melting down under the weight of her drug use, I saw a wife, a mother, and a very vulnerable person….The pain and fear of active addiction is beyond imagination…The isolation is horrible…The disease of addiction is progressive, it gets worse & worse, and you could see the disease taking it’s toll on her…

I’m one of the lucky few…I spent 28 days in a rehab in 1990 and have stayed sober (see my blog “Stone Cold Sober”)….Whitney Houston went to rehab several times that we know about publicly,  but was unable to stay clean “One Day at a Time.”

In 1998 when I was married to my wife,  Stephanie, we chose a Whitney Houston song, as our Wedding song:  “I Believe In You And Me” …..She will always be part of our lives and memories…

Whitney Houston will always be remembered for her music…So many of her songs will always be ranked in the “Greatest Songs of All Time.”  She came and  left this world a better place…Like many of us we saw her ‘Highs’ and her  ‘Lows’ ,  her triumphs and her tragedies…Unlike most of us, she will live forever through the miracle of her music…

Our ‘Fallen Angel’ has returned to Heaven….

THE IN-LAWS…

It was 6am….There he was!!! I looked up from my desk and there was a Madman standing in front of me!!! He had a Bottle of All Purpose Cleaner hanging from the belt of his Combat Green Shorts, and he was ripping up a White Tee Shirt with his hands….”Where can I find some more rags?” he barks….”I know it’s only 6am but how about by 8?”….”We got a lot of cleaning to do around this house!” …..He Screamed at me!!!

The In-Laws!!! I picked them up at the airport last night….Carmine & Rosalie from the Bronx, New York….Their annual winter visit was upon us….Three weeks every February….My father in-law is determined to make a new man out of me every year, maybe this year more than ever before.

The  “Big C”  as I sometimes call him jumped in the car this morning as I was driving my kids to school….”Start getting over” he tells me….”There’s a merge coming” ….”You know what a merge is?” ….”Slow down, there’s a turn coming, you don’t wanna go too wide when you turn.” ….

I swear I’m not kidding!!! He brings an endless monologue of orders, directions, & criticisms….Mind you, he’s not just picking on me…. This goes on non stop with his daughter(my wife),  his wife,  my kids,  and even my dogs!!!

In stark contrast,  my mother in-law, is quite the opposite. She’s the quiet, polite, & patient type…. It’s no wonder!!! Married for over 50 years to the “Big C” she has an endless array of directions, instructions, & marching orders to process….I would compare him to a “Drill Sergeant” but he’s more aggressive than any military man that I’ve ever seen….

I’m reminded of the famous movie  “The In-Laws” (one of my All time favorites), the original from 1979 starring Peter Falk & Alan Arkin….It was remade in 2003 starring Michael Douglas & Albert Brooks (not nearly as funny)….”Serpentine Shel,  Serpentine” one of the many hysterical commands from  “Vince'”  the Peter Falk character in the original….

It’s not all bad though!!! The “Big C” is a Cleaning Machine!!!  He doesn’t stop!!! All day and into the night…Floors, Cars, the Garage, he’s git it all covered & “Under Control”, he says….He wonders how we survive without him the 342 days a year that he’s not here!!!  Of course, at the end of each night, he complains that he’s getting old, his hands hurt, and his feet are killing him….Dishwashing, dusting, fixing things that don’t need to be fixed, painting, & organizing , are his thing….Whether you want it cleaned, fixed, or rearranged doesn’t matter….There’s no stopping the “Big C” ….His other nickname….”Mr Clean” ….Of Course!!!

He hasn’t been here for 12 hours yet….He just took my car to get an oil change after cleaning, washing dishes, & polishing furniture for the past 3 hours!!!

On the other side, my Beloved Rosalie asked if I could drop her off at Publix …She wants to pick up some Groceries so she can make my favorite meal later on.. Roasted Peppers w/Anchovies…Baked Manicotti…Zucchini,  Home Made Sauce  w/Sausage,  Meatballs,  & Bresaola….Not so bad now, is it??!!

I’ve learned over the last 15 or so years that I have  ‘No Shot’ on Changing or Influencing my In-Laws….They are Both dead set in their ways….I have to Love them As they are, and  Enjoy them for Who they are….In other words,  I have to Sit Back, Take Instruction, Carry Ladders, and Eat my Favorite Foods….

SUPER SUNDAY

The Super Bowl!!!  That’s what I’m talking about…Once a year, every year like clockwork…Super Bowl Sunday is one of my favorite days of the year!!!

A few tidbits I bet you didn’t know: The Super Bowl was created in 1966 as the result of a Merger Agreement between the National Football League & the upstart American Football League…This was to be the “Annual Championship Game” in the National Football League…The merger actually took place in 1970…The Green Bay Packers led by Coach Vince Lombardi won the first 2 Super Bowls….”Winning Isn’t Everything, It’s The Only Thing.” -Vince Lombardi

Super Bowl Sunday is the Second Largest day for Food Consumption in the United States behind Thanksgiving….It’s funny that My Two favorite days of the year just happen to be the 2 largest food consumption days ….Hmmmm, I wonder!!!

The Super Bowl is by far the most Watched Broadcast of the year in this Country, with over 100 Million viewers….Worldwide up to a Billion viewers have been reported….The Halftime shows are Amazing!!!  (Madonna performing this year!!!)  The television Commercials have become an Event unto  themselves with costs ranging in the Millions of dollars for Seconds & Minutes…Carefully take note of the Advertisers  because that has become a “tell”  for business in the upcoming year…

Super Bowl XLVI….that’s 46 in Roman Numerals for those of you afraid to ask, takes place in Indianapolis this year…Each year a city that hosts an NFL team gets awarded the privilege to host the “Super Bowl.”  This is a ‘Huge” deal for the city selected, a financial windfall….Millions of dollars of revenue and benefit come to the host city every year….A beautiful thing!!!!

I was a 10 year old boy when I watched Super Bowl I….I loved it!!!  I can still remember the whole experience (so crazy since I cannot remember what I did last week)….As an adult I have had the privilege of attending several Super Bowls….What a great event!!!!  Nonstop Parties!!!  A continuous Good Time….

An interesting personal fact…I have Never missed a Superbowl!!!  I have seen Every one of them…In fact,  I can recall them quite clearly….All,  or any of them….Shocking fact to me as I write this…If there has been 1 Constant in my Entire Life watching The Super Bowl is it!!!

As far as I’m concerned Super Bowl Sunday Is one of the Greatest Events in Modern American Culture…It’s ALL Good!!!…There is only upside…A Great American contribution to the world….Sport,  World Class Competition,  Financial Benefit,  and Most Important:  Family & Friend Time…

Sunday night my Family & I are going to a Friend’s home to Celebrate  &  Watch the Super Bowl….There will be Families,  Kids,  Friends,  Food,  Drink  &  Several Big Screen TV’s  so we can Kick back,  Chit chat,  and Enjoy the game…

This year’s Matchup features a Repeat of the 2008 Super Bowl:  New York Giants vs New England Patriots….Eli Manning & the Giants will try to beat Tom Brady & his Patriots as they did in Remarkable Fashion in 2008…

It just so happens that I’ve been a Giants fan for the past 30 years!!!  So, YES, I’M PSYCHED!!!  WOW!!!  What a Great Matchup! What a great game this is going to be!!!

At the End of the Day I already Won!!!  You already Won!!! The Game is just Dessert…A Great Party with my Wife & Kids,  Great People,  Great Food,  &  Good Friends all around me…. No Work, no School, & a Damn Good Reason to Sit Around and Watch a Football Game…I’m already a SUPER BOWL CHAMPION!!!

STONE COLD SOBER

“One Day At A Time” …That’s What They Said. A day is only 24 hours & you can do anything for just 24 hours…

It was October 1990 and I had just admitted myself to rehab for drugs & alcohol. Actually, to be entirely truthful, I just needed a break. My life was out of control. I wasn’t able to cope with anything. Anxiety, fear, depression, & an overwhelming feeling that came over me that was just paralyzing.

I needed to get away. To rest. Get checked out. I had sworn off the drugs & drinking time & time again, but like a “Hamster On A Wheel” I found myself back in the bar drinking & using…

You know you have a “Serious”  problem when the Bartender & the Dealer suggest you get help…Just simply having a Bartender & a Dealer should be an adequate tipoff…

Manhattan in the Mid Eighties was Wild!!! The “Bull” market consumed the entire country and it all came from Wall Street. For the first time in history “Wall Street came to Main Street” via telemarketing(cold calling) & the result was Historical…

My entire life rose and fell with the stock market…Every “Uptick”  led to riches & every  “Downtick”  was Crippling…Financially & Emotionally!!! …The “Crash Of 1987″  Knocked me down, & the Correction in 1990 took me out. Time to get some help…

When I got to rehab I went straight to ‘Detox’ ….As your system cleans out you’re moved to a Sober House, with a group,  & enter  a world of personal therapies with others much like you…

I was introduced to the 12 Step Programs of recovery…AA, NA, & CA…”Easy Does It” ,  “Stay In The Day”,  “Restraint of Pen & Tongue”,  are just a few of my favorite slogans…

The concepts of   “Abstinence”  &  “Spirituality”  are introduced…No longer just seeking a  “Break”  from my life and my troubles, I am convinced to review my entire life and make changes that I deem necessary!!!

My life had become a rollercoaster just like the stockmarket….I wanted to become more  “Grounded”, to become more “Emotionally Level”  &  “Spiritually Fit”….

The concept of   “Lifetime Abstinence”  is too overwhelming for anyone in my shoes…However  “One Day At A Time”  was more doable…I just won’t drink or drug Today! You can do anything for 1 day…

In time you must learn to  “Love Yourself”  & build   “Self Esteem” , often times in a world that tears you down & drags on you…

After spending 28 days away I reentered my world with a different set of ideas, values,  &  goals…I started to attend Meetings,  got a Sponsor, and began working the  “12 Steps” ….

I celebrated 21 years of Sobriety in October 2011….I’ve learned that  “Life Happens” …. It’s entirely Unpredictable!!!  People get sick,  people die….We get married, we get divorced….Success happens, so do troubles…. “No Matter What!!!”  I don’t Drink, I don’t Drug  and I make it through the day….”After All, Tomorrow is Another Day” said  Scarlett O’Hara , in Gone With The Wind….

 

You cannot control what happens to you in this life…You are Powerless. However, you can control how you React!!!  ….This is “SOBRIETY” …I’ve never seen any problem get better by Drinking or Drugging over it!!! ….It sums up well in this “Serenity Prayer” ….

“GOD Grant Me The Serenity To Accept The Things I Cannot Change, The Courage To Change The Things I Can, And The Wisdom To Know The Difference.”