April2's Profile
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Jan 18, 2012 - 5 comments
Today for some reason I started going through all my journals, notes, pictures, etc. I deleted some things, moved some things around and lingered to read over notes and journal comments. What struck out at me the most was how many wonderful people touched my life for all these years at medhelp. So many showed such kindness, love, concern and prayers as I went through lifes journies with the ups and downs life offers.
This journal is for all of you. I want to say thank you for blessing my life for so many years, for the prayers, advice and just simple kindness. My life has been touched and changed because of so many of you.
I know I haven't been on much this last year but I haven't forgotten. Many of you have moved on from here, many haven't. I'm not writing this journal because I want anything from anyone. I'm writing it to just simply say "Thank you." I pray God blesses each of you and meets each one of you where you need Him the most.
Thank you for being with me during my son's sickness, my pet's deaths, my own struggles, health and otherwise, my daughter's pregnancy and birth and many more moments in my life. May God show each one of you kindness and favor, just as you have shown me and others. This prayer comes from my heart with all sincerity. I am blessed to have journeyed with so many of you here at medhelp.
Peace and blessings to you all.
April
This journal is for all of you. I want to say thank you for blessing my life for so many years, for the prayers, advice and just simple kindness. My life has been touched and changed because of so many of you.
I know I haven't been on much this last year but I haven't forgotten. Many of you have moved on from here, many haven't. I'm not writing this journal because I want anything from anyone. I'm writing it to just simply say "Thank you." I pray God blesses each of you and meets each one of you where you need Him the most.
Thank you for being with me during my son's sickness, my pet's deaths, my own struggles, health and otherwise, my daughter's pregnancy and birth and many more moments in my life. May God show each one of you kindness and favor, just as you have shown me and others. This prayer comes from my heart with all sincerity. I am blessed to have journeyed with so many of you here at medhelp.
Peace and blessings to you all.
April
Jan 18, 2012 - 4 comments
One Dollar's Worth
===================
The United States One Dollar Bill.
Take out a one dollar bill, and look at it.
The one dollar bill you're looking at first came off the presses
in 1957 in its present design.
This so-called paper money is in fact a cotton and linen blend
with red and blue minute silk fibers running through it.
It is actually material.
We've all washed it without it falling apart. A special blend
of ink is used, the contents we will never know.
It is overprinted with symbols and then it is starched to make
it water resistant and pressed to give it that nice crisp look.
If you look on the front of the bill, you will see the United
States Treasury Seal.
On the top, you will see the scales for a balanced budget.
In the center you have a carpenter's square, a tool used for an
even cut. Underneath is the Key to the United States Treasury.
That's all pretty easy to figure out, but what is on the back of
that dollar bill is something we should all know.
If you turn the bill over, you will see two circles.
Both circles, together, comprise the Great Seal of the United
States. The First Continental Congress requested that Benjamin
Franklin and a group of men come up with a Seal. It took them
four years to accomplish this task and another two years to get
it approved.
If you look at the left-hand circle, you will see a Pyramid.
Notice the face is lighted and the western side is dark.
This country was just beginning. We had not begun to explore
the West or decided what we could do for Western Civilization.
The Pyramid is un-capped, again signifying that we were not even
close to being finished. Inside the capstone, you have the all-
seeing eye, an ancient symbol for divinity. It was Franklin's
belief that one man couldn't do it alone, but a group of men,
with the help of God, could do anything. "In God We Trust" is on
this currency, but that phrase was added in the 1950s during the
Red Scare.
Prior to that, none of our paper currency had that phrase.
The Latin above the pyramid, Annuit Coeptis, means, "God has
favored our undertaking."
The Latin below the pyramid, Novus Ordo Seclorum, means, "a new
order has begun."
At the base of the pyramid is the Roman Numeral for 1776.
If you look at the right-hand circle, and check it carefully,
you will learn that it is on every National Cemetery in the
United States.
It is also on the Parade of Flags Walkway at the Bushnell,
Florida National Cemetery and is the centerpiece of most heroes'
monuments. Slightly modified, it is the seal of the President
of the United States, and it is always visible whenever he
speaks, yet very few people know what the symbols mean.
The Bald Eagle was selected as a symbol for victory for two
reasons:
First, he is not afraid of a storm; he is strong, and he is
smart enough to soar above it.
Second, he wears no material crown. We had just broken from the
King of England.
Also, notice the shield is unsupported. This country can now
stand on its own.
At the top of that shield you have a white bar signifying
congress, a unifying factor. We were coming together as one
nation.
In the Eagle's beak you will read, "E Pluribus Unum", meaning,
"one nation from many people."
Above the Eagle, you have thirteen stars, representing the
thirteen original colonies and any clouds of misunderstanding
rolling away. Again, we were coming together as one.
Notice what the Eagle holds in his talons. He holds an olive
branch and arrows. This country wants peace, but we will never
be afraid to fight to preserve peace. The Eagle always wants to
face the olive branch, but in time of war, his gaze turns toward
the arrows.
They say that the number 13 is an unlucky number. This is
almost a worldwide belief. You will usually never see a room
numbered 13, or any hotels or motels with a 13th floor.
But think about this:
13 original colonies,
13 signers of the Declaration of Independence,
13 stripes on our flag,
13 steps on the Pyramid,
13 letters in the Latin above,
13 letters in "E Pluribus Unum",
13 stars above the Eagle,
13 bars on that shield,
13 leaves on the olive branch,
13 fruits,
and if you look closely, 13 arrows.
And, for minorities: the 13th Amendment.
I always ask people, "Why don't you know this?"
Your children don't know this, and their history teachers don't
know this.
Too many veterans have given up too much to ever let the meaning
fade. Many veterans remember coming home to an America that
didn't care. Too many veterans never came home at all.
Share this page with everyone, so they can learn what is on the
back of the UNITED STATES ONE DOLLAR BILL and what it stands
for. Otherwise, they will probably never know...
~Author Unknown~
===================
The United States One Dollar Bill.
Take out a one dollar bill, and look at it.
The one dollar bill you're looking at first came off the presses
in 1957 in its present design.
This so-called paper money is in fact a cotton and linen blend
with red and blue minute silk fibers running through it.
It is actually material.
We've all washed it without it falling apart. A special blend
of ink is used, the contents we will never know.
It is overprinted with symbols and then it is starched to make
it water resistant and pressed to give it that nice crisp look.
If you look on the front of the bill, you will see the United
States Treasury Seal.
On the top, you will see the scales for a balanced budget.
In the center you have a carpenter's square, a tool used for an
even cut. Underneath is the Key to the United States Treasury.
That's all pretty easy to figure out, but what is on the back of
that dollar bill is something we should all know.
If you turn the bill over, you will see two circles.
Both circles, together, comprise the Great Seal of the United
States. The First Continental Congress requested that Benjamin
Franklin and a group of men come up with a Seal. It took them
four years to accomplish this task and another two years to get
it approved.
If you look at the left-hand circle, you will see a Pyramid.
Notice the face is lighted and the western side is dark.
This country was just beginning. We had not begun to explore
the West or decided what we could do for Western Civilization.
The Pyramid is un-capped, again signifying that we were not even
close to being finished. Inside the capstone, you have the all-
seeing eye, an ancient symbol for divinity. It was Franklin's
belief that one man couldn't do it alone, but a group of men,
with the help of God, could do anything. "In God We Trust" is on
this currency, but that phrase was added in the 1950s during the
Red Scare.
Prior to that, none of our paper currency had that phrase.
The Latin above the pyramid, Annuit Coeptis, means, "God has
favored our undertaking."
The Latin below the pyramid, Novus Ordo Seclorum, means, "a new
order has begun."
At the base of the pyramid is the Roman Numeral for 1776.
If you look at the right-hand circle, and check it carefully,
you will learn that it is on every National Cemetery in the
United States.
It is also on the Parade of Flags Walkway at the Bushnell,
Florida National Cemetery and is the centerpiece of most heroes'
monuments. Slightly modified, it is the seal of the President
of the United States, and it is always visible whenever he
speaks, yet very few people know what the symbols mean.
The Bald Eagle was selected as a symbol for victory for two
reasons:
First, he is not afraid of a storm; he is strong, and he is
smart enough to soar above it.
Second, he wears no material crown. We had just broken from the
King of England.
Also, notice the shield is unsupported. This country can now
stand on its own.
At the top of that shield you have a white bar signifying
congress, a unifying factor. We were coming together as one
nation.
In the Eagle's beak you will read, "E Pluribus Unum", meaning,
"one nation from many people."
Above the Eagle, you have thirteen stars, representing the
thirteen original colonies and any clouds of misunderstanding
rolling away. Again, we were coming together as one.
Notice what the Eagle holds in his talons. He holds an olive
branch and arrows. This country wants peace, but we will never
be afraid to fight to preserve peace. The Eagle always wants to
face the olive branch, but in time of war, his gaze turns toward
the arrows.
They say that the number 13 is an unlucky number. This is
almost a worldwide belief. You will usually never see a room
numbered 13, or any hotels or motels with a 13th floor.
But think about this:
13 original colonies,
13 signers of the Declaration of Independence,
13 stripes on our flag,
13 steps on the Pyramid,
13 letters in the Latin above,
13 letters in "E Pluribus Unum",
13 stars above the Eagle,
13 bars on that shield,
13 leaves on the olive branch,
13 fruits,
and if you look closely, 13 arrows.
And, for minorities: the 13th Amendment.
I always ask people, "Why don't you know this?"
Your children don't know this, and their history teachers don't
know this.
Too many veterans have given up too much to ever let the meaning
fade. Many veterans remember coming home to an America that
didn't care. Too many veterans never came home at all.
Share this page with everyone, so they can learn what is on the
back of the UNITED STATES ONE DOLLAR BILL and what it stands
for. Otherwise, they will probably never know...
~Author Unknown~
Jan 18, 2012 - 2 comments
Read The Label First!
=====================
Some actual product warning labels:
On the bottle-top of a (UK) flavoured milk drink -
AFTER OPENING, KEEP UPRIGHT. (duh!)
On a New Zealand insect spray -
THIS PRODUCT NOT TESTED ON ANIMALS.
In a US guide to setting up a new computer -
TO AVOID CONDENSATION FORMING, ALLOW THE BOXES TO WARM
UP TO ROOM TEMPERATURE BEFORE OPENING.
(Make sense...except these instructions we're IN THE BOX!)
In some countries, on the bottom of Coke bottles -
OPEN OTHER END.
On a Sears hairdryer -
DO NOT USE WHILE SLEEPING.
( Now THAT I'd like to see! )
On a bag of Fritos -
YOU COULD BE A WINNER! NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. DETAILS INSIDE.
(The shoplifter special!)
On a bar of Dial soap -
DIRECTIONS - USE LIKE REGULAR SOAP.
(And that would be how?)
On Tesco's Tiramisu dessert (printed on BOTTOM of the box)
* DO NOT TURN UPSIDE DOWN.
(oops...Too late! You lose!)
On Marks & Spencer Bread Pudding -
PRODUCT WILL BE HOT AFTER HEATING.
(Are you sure? Let's experiment.)
On a Korean kitchen knife -
WARNING KEEP OUT OF CHILDREN.
On a string of Chinese-made Christmas lights -
FOR INDOOR OR OUTDOOR USE ONLY.
(As opposed to what...use in outer space?)
On an American Airlines packet of nuts -
INSTRUCTIONS - OPEN PACKET, EAT NUTS.
(I'm sure glad they cleared that up.)
On a Swedish chainsaw -
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO STOP CHAIN WITH YOUR HANDS OR GENITALS.
(What kind of consumer phone-call led to this warning?)
On a child's superman costume -
WEARING OF THIS GARMENT DOES NOT ENABLE YOU TO FLY.
That's right, destroy a universal childhood fantasy!)
=====================
Some actual product warning labels:
On the bottle-top of a (UK) flavoured milk drink -
AFTER OPENING, KEEP UPRIGHT. (duh!)
On a New Zealand insect spray -
THIS PRODUCT NOT TESTED ON ANIMALS.
In a US guide to setting up a new computer -
TO AVOID CONDENSATION FORMING, ALLOW THE BOXES TO WARM
UP TO ROOM TEMPERATURE BEFORE OPENING.
(Make sense...except these instructions we're IN THE BOX!)
In some countries, on the bottom of Coke bottles -
OPEN OTHER END.
On a Sears hairdryer -
DO NOT USE WHILE SLEEPING.
( Now THAT I'd like to see! )
On a bag of Fritos -
YOU COULD BE A WINNER! NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. DETAILS INSIDE.
(The shoplifter special!)
On a bar of Dial soap -
DIRECTIONS - USE LIKE REGULAR SOAP.
(And that would be how?)
On Tesco's Tiramisu dessert (printed on BOTTOM of the box)
* DO NOT TURN UPSIDE DOWN.
(oops...Too late! You lose!)
On Marks & Spencer Bread Pudding -
PRODUCT WILL BE HOT AFTER HEATING.
(Are you sure? Let's experiment.)
On a Korean kitchen knife -
WARNING KEEP OUT OF CHILDREN.
On a string of Chinese-made Christmas lights -
FOR INDOOR OR OUTDOOR USE ONLY.
(As opposed to what...use in outer space?)
On an American Airlines packet of nuts -
INSTRUCTIONS - OPEN PACKET, EAT NUTS.
(I'm sure glad they cleared that up.)
On a Swedish chainsaw -
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO STOP CHAIN WITH YOUR HANDS OR GENITALS.
(What kind of consumer phone-call led to this warning?)
On a child's superman costume -
WEARING OF THIS GARMENT DOES NOT ENABLE YOU TO FLY.
That's right, destroy a universal childhood fantasy!)
Aug 29, 2011 - 0 comments
I got this in an email from an inspirational company I subscribe to. I thought it was too good not to share. I hope this helps not only those who have fallen into relapse but also the families of addicts who struggle to understand.
A Look at Relapse
==================
Although this is about a relapse into alcoholism, it applies to
many other areas of life, from overeating to relationship and
money problems. Read it carefully.
1. EXHAUSTION - Allowing yourself to become overly tired or in
poor health. Some Alcoholics are also prone to work addictions
- perhaps in a hurry to make up for lost time.
Good health and enough rest are important. If you feel well you
are more apt to think well. Feel poorly and your thinking is
apt to deteriorate. Feel bad enough and you might begin
thinking a drink couldn't make it any worse.
2. DISHONESTY - This begins with a pattern of unnecessary
little lies and deceits with fellow workers, friends, and
family. Then come important lies to yourself. This is called
"rationalizing" - making excuses for not doing what you don't
want to do, or for doing what you know you should not do.
3. IMPATIENCE - Things are not happening fast enough. Others
are not doing what they should or what you want them to do.
4. ARGUMENTATIVENESS - Arguing small and ridiculous points of
view indicates a need to always be right. "Why don't you be
reasonable and agree with me?" Looking for an excuse to drink?
5. DEPRESSION - Unreasonable and unaccountable despair may
occur in cycles and should be dealt with - talked about.
6. FRUSTRATION - At people and also because things may not be
going your way. Remember -- everything is not going to be just
the way you want it to be.
7. SELF-PITY - "Why do these things happen to me?"
"Why must I be an alcoholic?"
"Nobody appreciates all I am doing - for them?"
8. COCKINESS - Got it made - no longer fear alcoholism -
going into drinking situations to prove to others you have no
problem. Do this often enough and it will wear down your
defenses.
9. COMPLACENCY - "Drinking was the furthest thing from my
mind." Not drinking was no longer a conscious thought, either.
It is dangerous to let up on disciplines just because everything
is going well. Always to have a little fear is a good thing.
More relapses occur when things are going well than otherwise.
10. EXPECTING TOO MUCH FROM OTHERS - "I've changed, why hasn't
everyone else?" It's a plus if they do, but it is still your
problem if they do not. They may not trust you yet, may still
be looking for further proof. You cannot expect others to
change their style of life just because you have.
11. LETTING UP ON DISCIPLINES - Prayer, meditation, daily
inventory, AA attendance. This can stem either from complacency
or boredom. You cannot afford to be bored with your program.
The cost of relapse is always too great.
12. USE OF MOOD-ALTERING CHEMICALS - You may feel the need to
ease things with a pill and your doctor may go along with you.
You may never have had a problem with chemicals other than
alcohol, but you can easily lose sobriety starting this way -
about the most subtle way of having a relapse.
Remember you will be cheating! The reverse of this is true for
drug-dependent persons who start to drink.
13. WANTING TOO MUCH - Do not set goals you cannot reach with
normal effort. Do not expect too much. It's always great when
good things you were not expecting happen. You will get what
you are entitled to as long as you do your best, but maybe not
as soon as you think you should.
"Happiness is not having what you want,
but wanting what you have."
14. FORGETTING GRATITUDE - You may be looking negatively on
your life, concentrating on problems that still are not totally
corrected. Nobody wants to be a Pollyanna - but it is good to
remember where you started from, and how much better life is
now.
15. "IT CAN'T HAPPEN TO ME" - This is dangerous thinking.
Almost anything can happen to you if you get careless.
Remember you have a progressive disease, and you will be in
worse shape if you relapse.
16. OMNIPOTENCE - This is a feeling that results from a
combination of many of the above. You now have all the answers
for yourself and others. No one can tell you anything.
You ignore suggestions or advice from others. Relapse is
probably imminent unless drastic change takes place.
The above is a checklist of symptoms leading to relapse
(taken from a Hazelden Foundation pamphlet called,
"A Look at Relapse"
http://www.hazelden.org
A Look at Relapse
==================
Although this is about a relapse into alcoholism, it applies to
many other areas of life, from overeating to relationship and
money problems. Read it carefully.
1. EXHAUSTION - Allowing yourself to become overly tired or in
poor health. Some Alcoholics are also prone to work addictions
- perhaps in a hurry to make up for lost time.
Good health and enough rest are important. If you feel well you
are more apt to think well. Feel poorly and your thinking is
apt to deteriorate. Feel bad enough and you might begin
thinking a drink couldn't make it any worse.
2. DISHONESTY - This begins with a pattern of unnecessary
little lies and deceits with fellow workers, friends, and
family. Then come important lies to yourself. This is called
"rationalizing" - making excuses for not doing what you don't
want to do, or for doing what you know you should not do.
3. IMPATIENCE - Things are not happening fast enough. Others
are not doing what they should or what you want them to do.
4. ARGUMENTATIVENESS - Arguing small and ridiculous points of
view indicates a need to always be right. "Why don't you be
reasonable and agree with me?" Looking for an excuse to drink?
5. DEPRESSION - Unreasonable and unaccountable despair may
occur in cycles and should be dealt with - talked about.
6. FRUSTRATION - At people and also because things may not be
going your way. Remember -- everything is not going to be just
the way you want it to be.
7. SELF-PITY - "Why do these things happen to me?"
"Why must I be an alcoholic?"
"Nobody appreciates all I am doing - for them?"
8. COCKINESS - Got it made - no longer fear alcoholism -
going into drinking situations to prove to others you have no
problem. Do this often enough and it will wear down your
defenses.
9. COMPLACENCY - "Drinking was the furthest thing from my
mind." Not drinking was no longer a conscious thought, either.
It is dangerous to let up on disciplines just because everything
is going well. Always to have a little fear is a good thing.
More relapses occur when things are going well than otherwise.
10. EXPECTING TOO MUCH FROM OTHERS - "I've changed, why hasn't
everyone else?" It's a plus if they do, but it is still your
problem if they do not. They may not trust you yet, may still
be looking for further proof. You cannot expect others to
change their style of life just because you have.
11. LETTING UP ON DISCIPLINES - Prayer, meditation, daily
inventory, AA attendance. This can stem either from complacency
or boredom. You cannot afford to be bored with your program.
The cost of relapse is always too great.
12. USE OF MOOD-ALTERING CHEMICALS - You may feel the need to
ease things with a pill and your doctor may go along with you.
You may never have had a problem with chemicals other than
alcohol, but you can easily lose sobriety starting this way -
about the most subtle way of having a relapse.
Remember you will be cheating! The reverse of this is true for
drug-dependent persons who start to drink.
13. WANTING TOO MUCH - Do not set goals you cannot reach with
normal effort. Do not expect too much. It's always great when
good things you were not expecting happen. You will get what
you are entitled to as long as you do your best, but maybe not
as soon as you think you should.
"Happiness is not having what you want,
but wanting what you have."
14. FORGETTING GRATITUDE - You may be looking negatively on
your life, concentrating on problems that still are not totally
corrected. Nobody wants to be a Pollyanna - but it is good to
remember where you started from, and how much better life is
now.
15. "IT CAN'T HAPPEN TO ME" - This is dangerous thinking.
Almost anything can happen to you if you get careless.
Remember you have a progressive disease, and you will be in
worse shape if you relapse.
16. OMNIPOTENCE - This is a feeling that results from a
combination of many of the above. You now have all the answers
for yourself and others. No one can tell you anything.
You ignore suggestions or advice from others. Relapse is
probably imminent unless drastic change takes place.
The above is a checklist of symptoms leading to relapse
(taken from a Hazelden Foundation pamphlet called,
"A Look at Relapse"
http://www.hazelden.org
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