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Consider Letting Go, Letting God take over

Consider Letting Go, Letting God take over

Vanderlei Longo from Pexels

Courage To Change — November 14, 2019

Quoted from Page 319 in “Courage to Change

Growth requires change. Change requires work, sacrifice or surrender. Sacrifice and surrender require humility. Sometimes we have to call in a professional to do the work for us. That’s humbling. When it’s our own self that’s needing a professional to help, then it’s time to call in the Higher Power to do the work for us. That is when it’s time to consider letting go, letting God in to remove the defects of character and self; so that we can become the best version of us at the end of the day.

Quick and Simple Disclaimer: The readings in this post are literally taken wholesale out of the book entitled Courage to Change. You can find it at Amazon, Here. The portion entitled Alleged Insight, well that mess is all me.
If you’re an introvert, go buy the book, if you’re a broke introvert, the text from many good books can be found HERE , if you’re in dire straits however, go find an Al-Anon Meeting, it saved me.

So onward to Today’s Reading

Step Six talks about becoming entirely ready to have God remove all my defects of character. This readiness rarely appears to me in a sudden, blinding flash of enlightenment. Instead, as I struggle to make progress in a positive direction, I become ready a little at a time.

An important part of my sixth Step work is practicing gratitude. The more I give thanks for my life as it is, the more I can accept the healing that allows me to change and grow. By recognizing and cultivating my abilities, I am increasingly willing to let go of my defects.

This Step is a lesson in patience, but as I see my life opening up before my in new directions, I do finally become ready to have God remove all my defects of character.

Today’s reminder

“Progress, not perfection” applies to my readiness to let go of my defects, as well as to other parts of my Al-Anon program. One day at a time, I make progress in readiness.

Quote

“Step Six is my chance to cooperate with God. My goal is to make myself ready to let go of my faults and let God take care of the rest.“

Alateen – A Day At A Time

Alleged Insight:

Where to start? I have a problem letting go of things, I try to control things and micromanage it all to the utmost degree. But at the moment I am struggling with something that feels like a root canal problem. But having seen the dentist just today, he can’t find anything wrong, so it’s up to the doctor I am going to see tomorrow. It’s time to let go and let God. I have no idea where the pain is coming from, and it’s only up to me to fight it or let go and pray.

However, cutting this all short, I am in a great deal of pain, and trying to think through that and the painkiller haze that’s my reality right now it more than I can manage.

You are all in my thoughts, take care and have a peaceful night.

Duke.

Focus on What’s Important!

Focus on What’s Important!

Courage To Change — November 13, 2019

Life is busy. Attention is so very short. People can’t be bothered, they just quickly deal with it and forget it. That’s about how things are working. The insistent and the immediate are so often chosen over the important things. If we can focus on what’s important, the rest will fall into place, but when the immediate get’s done, the insistent is addressed. And the important is forgotten about, then life falls apart.

Quick and Simple Disclaimer: The readings in this post are literally taken wholesale out of the book entitled Courage to Change. You can find it at Amazon, Here. The portion entitled Alleged Insight, well that mess is all me.
If you’re an introvert, go buy the book, if you’re a broke introvert, the text from many good books can be found HERE , if you’re in dire straits however, go find an Al-Anon Meeting, it saved me.

So onward to Today’s Reading

Quoted from Page 318 in “Courage to Change

I read somewhere that the things that are urgent are rarely important, and the things that are important are rarely urgent. I can get so caught up in the nagging, trivial matters of day-to-day life that I forget to make time for more important pursuits. The Al-Anon slogan I find most helpful in getting my priorities in order is “First Things First.”

Today, maintaining my serenity is my first priority. My connection with my Higher Power is the source of serenity, so maintaining that connection is my “First Thing.”

If I imagine I am in a dark room and that my Higher Power is my only source of light, then my best hope for navigating around the furniture will be to bring that source of light with me as I move through the room, but my passage is sure to be slow, confusing and possible painful.

Today’s reminder

As i think about what to do with this day, I will set some time aside for what is really important. I will put “First things first” today.

Quote

“Let us spend one day as deliberately as Nature, and not be thrown off the track by every nutshell and mosquito’s wing that falls on the rails.“

Henry David Thoreau

Alleged Insight:

Well this is a good follow-up to the weekend’s madness. First Thing First.

Yep, Madness, that’s about right.

This weekend’s been challenging, with a new fur baby, family issues and general stress, life is filled with so much noise and busy activity, that it’s almost impossible to see the important for all the noise of the immediate chaos.

It snowed yesterday, and the boy’s came through like champions. Shovels were out and the road was cleared in record time. It was a magnificent sight, and finally after hot-chocolate for all we settled down for a short spell. We’re retraining a 2 yr old dog so calm is a relative term.

But what’s important? Yeah, dinner is kinda up there, as is housework, and school schedules and all the other issues of the day. But what’s truly important is that my children end up in bed, sleeping and calm, feeling secure and loved.

I think I’ll make cookies with them tonight for lunches tomorrow.

Have a well-loved night and take care of yourself.

In Grace,

Duke.

Sharpen Your Saw Before Getting To Work

Sharpen Your Saw Before Getting To Work

Photo by Skitterphoto from Pexels

Courage To Change — November 12, 2019

When I had hit the absolute career bottom in my mid-20’s, I was broke, and pleading with Employment Insurance (government support program we have here in BC) for a path out of this mess. They enrolled me into a study and life skills program, and it was structured around Stephen Covey book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” It’s a good book. Relevant to the reading today is that there is a chapter titled “Sharpen the saw”.

Literal translation, take care of the tools you use to get the work done. In our case, it’s a little more esoteric. We have the tools, but now we need to maintain them in order to keep us working at our best. So yeah, maybe it’s time to sharpen your saw

Quick and Simple Disclaimer: The readings in this post are literally taken wholesale out of the book entitled Courage to Change. You can find it at Amazon, Here. The portion entitled Alleged Insight, well that mess is all me.

If you’re an introvert, go buy the book, if you’re a broke introvert, the text from many good books can be found HERE , if you’re in dire straits however, go find an Al-Anon Meeting, it saved me.

So onward to Today’s Reading

I’m not particularly handy with tools.  Recently a friend demonstrated to me that oiling a saw before using it make sit work more smoothly, whether it’s cutting metal or wood.

Later it occurred to me that learning to oil a saw is a little like learning to apply the Al-Anon program.  Though skeptical, I considered learning a new way because I saw it demonstrated. I knew that the program worked when I saw how serenely Al-Anon members in circumstances similar to mine were coping with difficult situations.  So I tried their approach – I learned to apply the Steps, Al-Anon literature, slogans, meetings and sponsorship.

Using this oil doesn’t change the raw materials of my life, nor does it provide me with new equipment.  It does make what I already have more useful, and that removes many of my frustrations, giving me great satisfaction.

Today’s reminder

Building a  useful and fulfilling life is not an easy task. Al-Anon helps me learn more effective ways of living so that I can avoid needless difficulty. With proper tools, progress is just a matter of practice.

Quote:

“You learn to speak by speaking, to study by studying, to run by running, to work by working; and just so you learn to love God and man by loving.  Begin as a mere apprentice and the very power of love will lead you on to become a master of the art.“

   Francis de Sales

Alleged Insight:

When you get up in the morning, the first few minutes are often on autopilot and it’s challenging to adapt to anything new. That is exactly the time when having the right tools to hand means the difference between responses and reactions.

In short, while the big projects of our recovery are the materials from which we rebuild ourselves into the people we choose to be, our acceptance, self-awareness, placing unmanageable tasks in our Higher Power’s care, there is a whole aspect that’s neglected.

Our toolbox is what helps us get from here to there; sponsors, slogans, prayer, meditation, self-care; all lead to the end results of becoming the better version of yourself. Taking care to maintain these tools in their best shape only makes senses when you think about it. Oil the steel and sharpen your saw before you get to work.

May God bless you, and DFTBA.

Sincerely, Duke.

When In Doubt, Ask.

When In Doubt, Ask.

Courage To Change — October 21, 2019

OCD, trying to control everything, assuming we know everything, its a character flaw that I will own up to. Hell, I can make an entire identity out o fit on a bad jaunt. But the truth is that I don’t know everything, or every path, or the solution to any given issue. Often I find myself simply asking my higher power for the strength to carry on and the wisdom to understand my role in it. When you’re up against the wall, and when in doubt, ask.
Quick and Simple Disclaimer: The readings in this post are literally taken wholesale out of the book entitled Courage to Change. You can find it at Amazon, Here. The portion entitled Alleged Insight, well that mess is all me.
If you’re an introvert, go buy the book, if you’re a broke introvert, the text from many good books can be found HERE , if you’re in dire straits however, go find an Al-Anon Meeting, it saved me.
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

 

Today’s Reading

Many times I have said, “I wish I had faith.” And what I’ve heard from so many wise Al-Anon members is, “Surrender your lack of faith to your Higher Power, and ask for faith.”

I have said, “I know I am powerless, but I feel so helpless, frightened, hopeless,” and I have been told I had the option to surrender those feelings as ask for what I need. Powerless does not mean helpless. In fact, it can lead us to a source of enormous power – the power to carry out God’ swill.

I have always said, “I can’t figure out what God wants me to do, though I’ve prayed for guidance.” My loving sponsor always says, “God doesn’t speak in code. Ask for clarity, and then trust that you will get it when the time is right.”

When in doubt, I am learning that the answer is to ask.

Today’s reminder

After years of asking only for a particular solution to a problem, such as “Please make the alcoholic stop drinking!” – I need to learn a better way to ask for help. Today I will meditate fora few minutes on what I need, and then I will ask a Power greater than myself to help me with it.

“Even if we have struggled with the idea of a Higher Power, we have learned that asking for help works…”

….In All Our Affairs

Alleged Insight:

How to talk about the lack of something? I am seriously struggling with this one today. The first image that comes to mind when faced with the reading is something like this one:

Photo by N. on Unsplash

Photo by N. on Unsplash

Of itself, that’s not a troublesome map, but it does have some unknown quantities, and I’ll bet that the edge has an inscription on it somewhere which roughly reads “Here be monsters” for the unknown areas. Now this isn’t what the reading is referencing, but I’m in an odd mental place today. It’s been a day when I’ve had to “Let Go and Let God” more times that I can count on two hands.

I’ve often heard that if only we [humans] would get out of our own way, things would run so much smoother. I have to wonder if there is more to this statement than it would first appear. In fact, when approaching life with the faith that it will all work out, (Faith in whatever you believe in, Karma, God, Balance, whatever) and then proceeding forward with that faith held securely in front of you as both shield and guide, life does have a way of managing to work out.

I mean, I’m not dead yet, and I probably should be based on my history. So have faith that things will come around.

Closing thoughts:

Trust that when you need the skills, knowledge, and abilities, you will have them. Once that’s done, keep moving forward, eyes open, ready to receive whatever it is you need to receive, and do what’s asked of you. Let go of controlling the situation, and instead just focus on doing your best in your role in the events to come.

Duke.

Pause to find the beauty of life in the smallest of moments

Pause to find the beauty of life in the smallest of moments

Courage To Change – October 20, 2019

Life is busy, insanely so most of the time. With technology driving us at an even faster and more connected pace, I find the need to pause becoming even more compelling. When life has been reduced to a blur of images and impressions, taking a moment to find the beauty in life allows a reset at my deepest levels. A bird in flight, a child’s smile, a fully formed flower, life will impress you and leave you speechless, if only you pause for a moment to see it.

Quick and Simple Disclaimer: The readings in this post are literally taken wholesale out of the book entitled Courage to Change. You can find it at Amazon, Here. The portion entitled Alleged Insight, well that mess is all me.
If you’re an introvert, go buy the book, if you’re a broke introvert, the text from many good books can be found HERE , if you’re in dire straits however, go find an Al-Anon Meeting, it saved me.

Photo by David Clode on Unsplash

Photo by David Clode on Unsplash

Today’s Reading

As a child I would get down on my hand sand knees for the longest time, just to watch a caterpillar crawl around. It never seemed to go very far, yet I patiently waited just in case it should do something spectacular. It never did, but I didn’t mind, because simply watching this peculiar looking creature gave me pleasure.

Remembering this makes me question how many such precious moments are passing me by unnoticed because I am so focused on other things. Before Al-Anon, I spent years ignoring life’s beauty because I was too busy trying to get all the alcoholics’ to stop drinking, and in recovery I’ve lost many, many hours waiting to solve a problem or be freed of a character defect. Today I am learning to make room in my life for the wonder life has to offer.

Today’s reminder

I am learning to choose where to focus my attention. Appreciating life’s simple gifts may take some practice, but as I become more aware of the beauty that is all around me, it gets easier to appreciate the beauty within.

“Just for today I will be unafraid. Especially, I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful…”

Just for Today

Alleged Insight:

Where to start? Yeah, guilty of this big time. The reading isn’t 100% accurate for an ACOA or y’know, not the actively chasing and battling an alcoholics’ behavior. But the mindset still applies. Getting lost in waiting, busyness of life, and general chaos.

Have you ever just stopped and watched the honeybee flitting across the dandelions that come up in spring? Does the baby’s (or toddler’s) laugh get overlooked in the noise of life? How many moments do you catch in a day, how many do you miss? It takes a good intentional focus to pick up on them, otherwise they get lost in the chaos.

To be constantly hemmed in by other’s perceptions, external pressures and society’s demands, it’s exhausting; but more importantly, it’s draining on a physical and psychic level. To recovery our physical energy we need good food, and proper sleep (two things that are in increasingly short supply, inversely proportional to the number of children you have).

How do you recover your mental energy, that driving fuel of the spirit, the desire to get up and be okay, to feel good and content/happy/complete? Well, the world will provide, but you need to take the time to find it. You need to pause for a moment in the middle of the busy noise and find the beautiful moments that spark joy and replenish your soul in life.

Closing thoughts:

Children are a joy, life is a blessing, and chaos in the normal state. Sometimes you need to take a moment for yourself to see the beauty. You should not feel guilty for taking that moment. Without the depth of character and identity created when you take that time to round out yourself, you will end up feeling like a transparent version of yourself, washed out and maybe only half a person. We all need those moments of joy and blessing that God bestows on us when we least expect it.

Duke.

External Links:

A song that comes to mind from this reading is here:

George Strait – I Saw God Today

https://youtu.be/Sp1N9l5-qtk

 

Forgiveness is the Key to Your Serenity

Forgiveness is the Key to Your Serenity

Courage To Change — October 15, 2019

Our lives are often tangled messes. Webs of resentment, regret, shame and discontent are so tangled and extensive that finding a string to start unraveling the whole often means getting strangled by the rest of the strings that still hold us fast. Forgiveness is the key to understanding the big picture; which threads to pull to loosen the whole knot. Forgiveness is not about proving anything, or about actual redemption, but about letting go. It’s for you, the forgiver, not for the forgiven. Forgiveness is the key to freedom, your freedom, of spirit, mind and body.

Quick and Simple Disclaimer: The readings in this post are literally taken wholesale out of the book entitled Courage to Change. You can find it at Amazon, Here. The portion entitled Alleged Insight, well that mess is all me.

If you’re an introvert, go buy the book, if you’re a broke introvert, the text from many good books can be found HERE , if you’re in dire straits however, go find an Al-Anon Meeting, it saved me.

Credit: Pixabay

 

Today’s Reading

The most loving form of detachment I have found has been forgiveness. Instead of thinking of it as an eraser to wipe another’s slate clean or a gavel that I pound to pronounce someone “Not Guilty,” I think of forgiveness as scissors. I use it to cut the strings of resentment that bind me to a problem or a past hurt. By releasing resentment, I set myself free.

When I am consumed with negativity over another person’s behavior, I have lost my focus. I needn’t tolerate what I consider unacceptable, but wallowing in negativity will not alter the situation. If there is action to take, I am free to take it. Where I am powerless to change the situation, I will turn it over to my Higher Power. By truly letting go, I detach and forgive.

When my thoughts are full of bitterness, fear, self-pity, and dreams of revenge, there is little room for love or for the quiet voice of guidance within me. I am willing to love myself enough to admit that resentments hold me back, and then I can let them go.

Today’s reminder

Every time I try to tighten the noose of resentment around someone’s neck, I am really only choking myself. Today I will practice forgiveness instead.

“A part of me wants to cling to old resentments, but I know that the more I forgive, the better my life works.

. . . In All Our Affairs

Alleged Insight:

I am so very guilty of this. Focusing on other’s behavior and actions rather than on my own self and soul. The poor me, pity train is a hard one to derail. When you wake up in the morning, you’ve a full day ahead of you, a gift from God, which is why it’s often referred to as the Present. Live life to the fullest, enjoying your Present. Holding on to the past is like trying to pull on the water that’s gone beneath the bridge. The past has passed, and it’s gone. The only things left from the past are those things that we learn, remember and cling to.

While there’s no harm in memories, focusing on them, obsessing over them is literally pointless. You’re sacrificing today’s joy for yesterday’s pain. To be truly free to live your life and be the best possible version of yourself, focus on the good from the past and make notes of your own shortcomings so you can maybe learn and grow.

Others may change because of your feelings on things; it’s possible, if they are so inclined; but the reality is that most people are who they are. Without a major external influence, most people are just going to go on being themselves, regardless of how you feel about things. Thus holding onto your feelings about other peoples actions is kinda like drinking the poison so the other guy will die.

Closing thoughts:

The point of life is to do good, to serve others and our sense of well being (true happiness) is not found in acquiring or possessing, but in serving and supporting. True freedom comes from letting the past lay where it fell, learning the lessons it imparts, and growing from the experience. Once you’re past something, it’s power over you is solely determined by your choice to let it affect you.

Remember:

At the end of the day

In every way,

You can choose to be

For all to see,

Gracious and Awesome

 

In My Words, Serenity Prayer Redux

In My Words, Serenity Prayer Redux

Alright, we never really recovery from the influences of our childhoods. In fact, one could say that we have to re-write our own programming, using the Al-Anon (or some other) programming. The serenity prayer became one of my go-to mantra’s for so long that I can’t remember not using it to step out of the moment and back into my mindfulness. In saying the words, Serenity Prayer recital became my own mantra.

Serenity Prayer as I learned it in Al-Anon

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,

God grant me the courage to change the things I can change,

God grant me the wisdom to know the difference.

 

The full version is a little more wordy. You can find the original source link here, written by Reinhold Niebuhr.

God, give me grace to accept with serenity

the things that cannot be changed,

Courage to change the things

which should be changed,

and the Wisdom to distinguish

the one from the other.

Living one day at a time,

Enjoying one moment at a time,

Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,

Taking, as Jesus did,

This sinful world as it is,

Not as I would have it,

Trusting that You will make all things right,

If I surrender to Your will,

So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,

And supremely happy with You forever in the next.

Amen.

In the moment as opposed to in control of the moment

I mentioned that recital of the words of the serenity prayer allowed me to step out of the moment, but why would I not want to be in the moment? Isn’t living in the moment because time is fleeting and life is uncertain all the focus lately? But is it really the best option? To be in the moment at all points is exhausting, and for some of us, it’s toxic as hell. See, when you’re running a bad program (automatic reactive behaviours, things you’ve learned as coping mechanisms in growing up), living in the moment is tricky. You’re constantly operating on three or four levels, not just the -now- but also constantly monitoring the filters and patterns to try to keep it from all going off the rails.

Sometimes, needing to step back, mentally, and take a second to process before replying, before responding to the situation, is required for some of us who aren’t fully versed in how good people are supposed to react or behave.

Sometimes the best option, not for everyone, but for those of us who question our every feeling some days, is to step back out of the moment, and be more mindful. Being in control of one’s own self allows us to control our moment, to fully appreciate what’s happening, and not destroy what’s going on around us.

Being serene, seeking serenity is a self-preservation tactic. When you’re not buffeted and blasted around winds in the moment, but are able to disengage from those forces for a moment to properly understand and respond to the moment, then that is Serenity.

Serenity is so many things, here’s a list*pixabay via Wealthy Affiliate Search

Serenity

Serenity – in the ability to tolerate an injustice without wanting to get even

Serenity – is patience, it is the willingness to postpone immediate gratification in favour of the long-term gain.

Serenity – is perseverance, sweating out a project in the face of heavy opposition and discouraging setbacks.

Serenity – in the capacity to face unpleasantness and frustration, discomfort and defeat without complaint, collapse or attempting to find someone to blame.

Serenity – is humility, it is being big enough to say “I was wrong” and when right the serene person is able to forego the satisfaction of saying “I told you so”.

Serenity- is the ability to evaluate a situation, make a decision and stick with it. The immature spend their lives exploring possibilities, changing their minds and in the end they do nothing.

Serenity – means dependability, keeping one’s word, coming through in a crisis. The less serene are masters of the alibi. They are confused and disorganized. Their lives are a maze of broken promises, former friends, unfinished business and good intentions that never materialized.

Serenity – is the art of living in peace with that which we cannot change, the courage to change the that which can be changed, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Author's Image, this was from my Dad's files.*photo credit – Author- from my father’s old files in recovery…

 

 

In essence, Serenity, is being in the moment, while not of the moment and ultimately choosing how we wish to respond to a moment, rather than being driven to react.

Have a Blessed Day. I pray your higher power gives you all you can handle today.

DFTBA.

Duke.

In This Moment – Mindfulness

In This Moment – Mindfulness

Courage To Change — April 4, 2019

Dropped the ball here, hey? Or maybe not? It’s the morning after at this point, and I was so very much in the moment yesterday, maybe not as mindful of what all was happening but still, totally in the moment, so much so I forgot I hadn’t posted yet. Sorry.

Quick and Simple Disclaimer: The readings in this post are literally taken wholesale out of the book entitled Courage to Change. You can find it at Amazon, Here. The portion entitled Alleged Insight, well that mess is all me.
If you’re an introvert, go buy the book, if you’re a broke introvert, the text from many good books can be found HERE , if you’re in dire straits however, go find an Al-Anon Meeting, it saved me.

So onward to Today’s Reading

I used to love the stillness of early morning, but over the years of living with an alcoholic, I stopped noticing it. Instead, I woke up the same way I went to sleep – frantic. Before I was out of bed I already had a long list of crises that needed my attention. So no matter how early I got up, I was already late. Sometimes I was so overwhelmed, I couldn’t get up at all.

My life has changed. I heard someone in Al-Anon say that when they open their eyes in the morning, they also open their ears. Now as I awaken, I listen for the birds. I choose not to review my plans for the day until I’ve had my breakfast. I prefer to take time to appreciate my favorite part of the day.

Al-Anon is helping me to clear my mind of my burdens so that I am able to enjoy the wonder of the moment. I am beginning to enjoy a childlike awe about the splendor of nature, to see the beauty all around me, to let my face break into a smile spontaneously, to laugh, to love, to live again. TodayI can say, “Good Morning God,” instead of “good God, it’s morning.”

Today’s reminder

Today I’ll be keenly aware of mys senses. I will think about what I am experiencing at this moment. I won’t let the beauty of this day slip by unnoticed.

“Real generosity toward the future consists in giving all to what is present.”

Quote: Albert Camus

Alleged Insight:

Mindfulness, being in the moment. Appreciating the beauty of what’s around us. Can any of us, in this crazy mixed up life of parenting, children, chaos, failing grandparents, and always connected to EVERYTHING, can any of us manage to be serene in the moment? I know it’s hard to be able to think straight, or even to think at all sometimes. I am under a great deal of a time crunch, it’s six thirty in the morning and I have children to wake and chivy out the door to catch their school bus.

Closing thoughts:

This morning you get my apologies for not having a moment to get this right. Enjoy the reading perhaps, and I’ll be back later with today’s readings. Duke.

Who is the Duke Of Chaos?

Who is the Duke Of Chaos?

Hello? Heelllloooooo?

Huh? What? Oh, hi. Didn’t see you there.

Who am I?  I am the Duke of Chaos!

 

Who is the Duke of Chaos? Why it’s me! I’m the Duke of Chaos. Egocentric? Yes.  Accurate?  Absolutely!

So the question is who is this guy that calls himself a Duke?

Life is like a box of chocolates? Well, not so much.

Life, at least my life and most of the people I know, Wis more like a cup of granola and yoghut…   

mixed in a blender…   

with the top left off…

One of the more useless comments I’ve had more times than I count, by people close enough to me to be able to know the truth of life, is that even television sitcom’s and dramas are more believable than the events that happens daily in my life.

See, I married the farmer’s daughter and we weren’t supposed to be able to have kids.  Doctors said so.  That was five children ago.  Then the fairytale went sideways and Murphy took a run at us.  We’re still dancing with the trickster Murphy, but I know the dance now and we’re going to win this.

To recap, amazing unique challenging children, ongoing major home renovations, heartless and shocking job losses, unforseen and uncontrolable union lockouts, medical challeges and disasters, the usual vehicle catastrophies, but through it all, life goes on.  Chaos is the norm here in Castle Chaos, and over it all, the Duke and Duchess of Chaos.  We’ve made it through everything, and the ride’s not over yet.  If you can relate then you might want to stick around

YOU GET OUT OF THIS LIFE WHAT YOU PUT IN

Have you ever rolled your eyes to the heavens, asking a non-responsive power just how much longer this madness will last?  Well, you’re not alone.  There are many of us out here, all just playing the game for all it’s worth.  If other’s can learn or even gain some inspiration or hope from our struggles, then our task is complete.

There are many sources of help, and just as many avenues to seek that help.  From out of control kids that don’t fit the box, to finances which are always stretched too thin, to even just how to communicate better with your partner in this game called life, I have faced it all. With the youngest child (so far) being only a few months old at the time I’m witing this, the odds are good that I’ll face it again.  So maybe if I can work some of my experience into a semblance of cohesion, then you won’t have to suffer through the painful lessons that I still carry the scars from.

 

MY HOPES FOR YOU WHO ARE READING THIS

(Or, what do I hope to accomplish while I have your attention here?)

I grew up without much of a father (working), then we moved when I was supposed to be finding myself as a young adult (17 yrs old), and then my father died.  Ask any therapist, this is a rough cycle to endure adn come out unscathed, or even grounded.  I have fought hard to gain the footing I have, and if even one person can find what I have written, learn from my experiences, or even just gain enough hope to seek out help, then it will have been worth it.

Therefore, having said all that, if you ever need a hand or have ay questions, feel free to leave them below and I will be more than happy to help you out, I promise to read every comment and will help as I can.

All the best,

Duke Of Chaos

chaoticfoundations.siterubix.com