Psycho-Babble Substance Use Thread 577744

Shown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Progress Report

Posted by verne on November 11, 2005, at 13:18:47

15th day and a 12-block walk this morning. I called a friend in an effort to step out of my comfort zone. I'm even thinking about attending a bible study (Matthew) or an AA/12 step meeting.

I need to break this cycle where I get up in the early morning, play some computer games while getting jazzed on coffee, overeat, go back to bed only to repeat the cycle in the afternoon. I did cancel my pogo.com (game site) subscription.

I wish I could find a part-time job but it ain't easy in a small town. Even volunteer jobs have waiting lists. I wish I could dream up something that would help others (get my mind off myself) and I could still do at home.

Eventually, I dream about living in a village on a lake with easy access for swimming and boating where everything is an easy walk. I'm so tired of the typical American town set-up where it's very driving intensive with all the stores at one end of town on a kind of strip.

I'm getting ahead of myself but thinking about subscribing to all those travel, retirement, and vacation magazines just to find a place to live. Oops, I need to get back in the moment or, at least, the day.

If I hadn't made a pact with my daughter I'd be drinking right now. (Of course, I don't tell her that) I need to find thicker ice or lose weight.

Verne

 

Re: Progress Report » verne

Posted by gardenergirl on November 11, 2005, at 16:10:56

In reply to Progress Report, posted by verne on November 11, 2005, at 13:18:47

verne,
It sounds like you are committed and that you have a good plan. Great job! Keep up your efforts.

Go verne! Go verne! Go verne!

gg

 

Re: Progress Report

Posted by AuntieMel on November 11, 2005, at 16:13:08

In reply to Progress Report, posted by verne on November 11, 2005, at 13:18:47

Well, good for you!

Something to do is important. You could do some volunteering that has nothing to do with any agency, so you wouldn't have to get on a list.

Stop by the local elementary school and ask them if they have any kids that need extra help? I bet you could email them first, too. Weed their flower beds? I don't know where you are and how cold it gets, but if there is an older person nearby you could offer to rake for them or shovel a sidewalk.

Random acts of kindness. Help someone with a passle of kids load the groceries into her car. Little things like that get you interacting with people, but on a limited no need for conversation basis.

Have fun with it.

 

Progress Report

Posted by antigua on November 11, 2005, at 17:11:37

In reply to Progress Report, posted by verne on November 11, 2005, at 13:18:47

How about Lake George? it reminds me of what you're looking for in a place to live. It's a big lake with a lot of walkin' to do ! I've only been there a couple of times, but I loved it.
Hang in there,
antigua

 

Re: Progress Report » antigua

Posted by verne on November 11, 2005, at 17:33:01

In reply to Progress Report, posted by antigua on November 11, 2005, at 17:11:37

Where's Lake George? I suppose there's more than one but I seem to remember being at a Lake George as a kid.

 

Volunteering » AuntieMel

Posted by verne on November 11, 2005, at 17:44:02

In reply to Re: Progress Report, posted by AuntieMel on November 11, 2005, at 16:13:08

Thanks for all the innovative volunteering ideas. I used to split wood and shovel snow for a couple elderly neighbors.

Verne

 

Re: Progress Report » gardenergirl

Posted by verne on November 11, 2005, at 17:45:16

In reply to Re: Progress Report » verne, posted by gardenergirl on November 11, 2005, at 16:10:56

Thanks for cheering me on.

Verne

 

Re: Volunteering » verne

Posted by AuntieMel on November 11, 2005, at 17:55:06

In reply to Volunteering » AuntieMel, posted by verne on November 11, 2005, at 17:44:02

The reason I thought of little things like that it that they take no commitment.

Although sometimes it takes having a commitment to motivate a person. At least it does me. If left to my own devices I'd just watch the tv all day.

I'll put my thinking cap on for things to suggest.....

Meanwhile, have a wonderful dry weekend.

Go Verne!

 

Re: Progress Report

Posted by Reggie BoStar on November 11, 2005, at 20:53:14

In reply to Progress Report, posted by verne on November 11, 2005, at 13:18:47

Hi Verne,
It's always good to hear stories of survival from someone else. I thought I was on top of the heap with my daily 1-mile walks, but it sounds like those 12-block marathons have put you in a significant lead. How big are those blocks, anyway. I live in the boonies, and out here the closest thing to a block is the distance between piles of horse exhaust.

Re volunteering: if you find that you're comfortable in an AA meeting somewhere nearby, there's always volunteer work to be done supporting the meeting - usually in the form of making coffee, taking custody of the keys for the hall and opening it before meetings, setting up tables and chairs, folding and storing said furniture after the meetings, etc.

Meetings also employ volunteers such as treasurers and "bookies". The latter folks keep track of guest speakers and solicit volunteers to speak at other meetings.

In short, there's a lot of volunteer work to be done right in the context of AA meetings - once, of course, you're comfortable with the folks in the meeting and the whole idea of working with them.

On the other hand, the daily walk can be just as fulfilling and personally rewarding. Each to his/her own, as long as it works!

Reggie BoStar

 

Re: Progress Report » Reggie BoStar

Posted by verne on November 11, 2005, at 21:09:04

In reply to Re: Progress Report, posted by Reggie BoStar on November 11, 2005, at 20:53:14

Hi Reggie,

I'm guessing it would take 16-20 of our blocks to make a mile. A few days ago I managed over 40 blocks on my first walk in months. No kidding, I don't think I set foot outside all summer unless it was to mow the lawn, feed the birds, or go shopping (a ride from a friend).

I figured out that morning is my best opportunity to walk. I'm still fresh and not burned out. Gravity just doesn't seem to be as strong then. By afternoon I take a power nap and wake up feeling strangely anxious. Walks are out then.

I made it over to the county park "trailhead" this morning and it looks like something I could do on a regular basis. Next time I'll venture into the park. I'm in a small town in rural Iowa so what goes for a park here is just a bunch of weeds and brush anywhere else. I miss the Northwest with real trees, lakes, and mountains.

Verne

 

Re: Progress Report

Posted by mama141 on November 12, 2005, at 16:45:54

In reply to Re: Progress Report, posted by Reggie BoStar on November 11, 2005, at 20:53:14

Way to go Verne!!
Lake George is in upper New York State. Beautiful there but cold winters.
Eastern Tennessee is absolutly georgeous Smokey Mountains and it doesn't cost an arm and a leg to live there,
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK! Mama

 

Re: Progress Report » verne

Posted by antigua on November 13, 2005, at 17:17:02

In reply to Re: Progress Report » antigua, posted by verne on November 11, 2005, at 17:33:01

Northern New York!


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