Emotional Sobriety: Having EQ......... 4/30/21

       Reflections dur-ing the end of this month of openings.  The month of April is named as such because this is the month when flowers start blooming or opening up. In Span-ish, the name for this month is Abril.  It is easy seeing this con-nection to the Span-ish word abrir, to

My Buddy, Part I 4/29/21

       I am reintroducing an old post.  

       It has been seven plus years since I've dusted off this story and shared it here.  It is about a friend-ship that reaches a tender part my heart and nurtures it beyond mea-sure. 

      I found it in the dusty bins in the library of this inn of gratitude.  It is among my favorites, awakening emo-tions each time I revisit the series posted above as "Buddy of Mine."  

      I cry good tears.   Every time.   

Innkeeper Ruminations 4/16/21

        Today, I'm airing out thoughts, staying in touch with you as we have not visi-ted lately. 

        With each day, my life is becoming more re-laxed, com-fortable. 

What Is Easter? ... 4/4/21

       Here it is, Ea-ster.  

       This holiday is not about bun-ny rabbits, chocolate candy, pastel Easter eggs, or baskets.  Nor is it wearing fancy clothes to church. The original mean-ing of today is about Christ overcoming death, spiritual and physical.  

       A few years back, I saw a commercial touting Buzz Lightyear bal-loons for Easter.  I like Buzz Lightyear.  But Easter has nothing to do with celebrating the icon of a computer-generated movie.

       When attending a Humanism and Mysticism class in college, there were students not familiar with Adam and Eve.  So, for those not sure about the meaning of Easter, it is about Christ's resurrection from death.  With what I write, please take what you like, leaving the rest.

     Christ made many claims.  One was that he was the Son of God.  He staked what he taught on one test.  

      He said, that after his death, he would arise three days later.  Christ was cruci-fied on a Friday after a trumped-up trial done secretly the night before.

    Roman soldiers were posted at Christ's tomb.  They guarded it---under the penalty of death---if they failed. They were to prevent anyone from stealing his body.  The Jewish rulers asked the Roman governor Pontius Pilate to assign this guard, aware of Christ's claim.  

     To prevent any rumor of Christ's resur-rection, was their intent.  They wanted no basis for validating his teaching.

      On Sunday, three days after Christ's death, his tomb was empty.  Shortly afterward, Jesus appeared to more than 500 witnes-ses.  He over-came death.

   Christians believe he was God's offering, the sacrificial Lamb of God.

       On his shoulders, while hanging in agony on the cross, the sins of mankind were placed.  He died for me, for you.  Sins----past, present and future were paid for, through His sacrifice.  

      Christ was human.  It enabled him to empathize with our frailties and needs.  As God in human form, he was a worthy substitution for the multiple millions who experience forgiveness from God when placing their faith in Him.

My Gratitudes:

1. I'm humbled Christ died for my sins. I'm grateful for the gift of His sacrifice.  I rebelled against him, as a kid. That did not stop Him from wooing me.  I'm in awe of his patience with me, overlooking my arrogance, when I thought I could live by my power a-lone. There is no humility in self-will, not living by faith in God.  

2. I'm thankful for the spiritual power available when relying in His strength. In mine, I am can't live the life I want, nor overcome my struggles. I have known the power of his resurrection for more than thirty years. It helps me overcome calamities and gives a peace that transcends the darkest of my circumstances.

3. For Christ ri-sing from the dead, more than two thou-sand years ago. He overcame not only physical death but spiritual death as well: depression, sadness, anxiety, guilt and shame.

4. I'm glad that all who call upon him, can share the same experience as the multitudes who believe in Christ.  Anyone who does, will discov-er an amazing relationship with him.  We move from knowing about  him to knowing him in a loving, gentle, personal way.

     Wishing you a special Easter, one that celebrates           its meaning, 

The Beginning of Greater Happiness and Personal Strength ................ 4/3/21

       I walked into the meeting room.  

       I did not know what to expect. Surrounded by strang-ers, my feelings were as uncom-fortable as a cat finding itself within a pack of dogs. 

      It feels like yesterday, but seventeen years ago, on this day, April 3rd, I began my journey with recovery.  I attended my