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“HELLO ALL, 

I feel like it has been awhile…maybe it has.  I wanted to touch base and speak about “FOLLOW THROUGH” as it relates to our paths of change and sobriety. What I’ve learned is that “FOLLOW THROUGH” is very very important!!  Think about it…how many times did we miss appointments, deadlines, commitments, birthdays, holidays, special occasions, work, interviews, etc.  The list can go on and on. We always had/have an excuse. Which may have seemed justified or rationalized, however, the simple fact is that we lacked “FOLLOW THROUGH”.  Most of it had to do with our disease and being sick.  Now that we are getting healthy and walking a different path, “FOLLOW THROUGH” has to be important enough for us to live out day in day out.  We will accomplish little, if we do not “FOLLOW THROUGH”.  Sometimes, we may put too many things on our plate and simply become overwhelemed…do you ever feel like this?  If this is the case maybe the solution is to take a couple things off our plate and slow down?? Maybe, it’s time to reach out and ask for some suggestions/assistance?  Wherever you are on your path….even if you have temporarily stumbled off the path, you can always reach out for help.  Simply by doing so, you are FOLLOWING THROUGH!!  God bless you all!! Mark  

Hello All, 

I have noticed over the years that around the Holiday time, things get tough for some of us?  Have you ever struggled with the Holidays or a particular Holiday?  There are certain reasons we struggle during these times. A lot of the struggle seems to be emotionally.  How do you handle the Holidays?  Where do you go? Do you spend them alone, with family, friends or maybe you do not celebrate them for one reason or another? I can assure you that there are healthy ways to cope with the feeling of the Holiday season.  Some folks go to meetings, some folks reach out to others, some folks go to church some of us talk with counselors for extra and additional support.  For me, it is good to be around others who need to talk/share about their Holiday experience’s and feelings.  If we keep it bottled up, then typically we won’t use our healthy coping skills to navigate the emotions which pop up for us.  Holidays won’t always be this way, they won’t always be hard, it is just the moment we are dealing with which is difficult, however, with support and our willingness we can overcome these moments and move forward. God helps me with almost everything…my hope for you is, you’ll find what you need in order to move forward through this moment.  Do not be afraid to reach out.  May God bless you and your path forward. Mark

Hello All, 

Have you ever felt like you were confined to a “BOX”?  Almost like you were trapped and could not get out? Felt like you were stuck?  Everywhere was a dead end?  I know a “BOX can seem like there’s no way out. However, just remember a “BOX” is just that, a cardboard “BOX”, and one can break out if needed. Cardboard is reinforced paper and can be cut, torn, punched through or just simply pushed open.  We do not have to stay trapped in the “BOX”.  There is so much more on the outside for us to see and do.  People to connect with, places to visit, family to see and help for us who need it.  If we still feel like we are trapped in that “BOX” then we can reach out to someone, there is always someone who can help us open the “BOX”.  Our lives are meant for so much more.  You are worth it, and you can do this!!! If you need assistance please do not hesitate to contact us @ 253-735-0665.  God Bless you all, Mark.  

HELLO ALL, 

Have you ever felt like you are all ALONE?  Maybe you feel like that right now?  Perhaps, everywhere you turn feels like a dead-end? Maybe those who love and care about you seem far away or unreachable?  Maybe it even feels like those who say they love you, aren’t there for you, and/or they don’t really care any longer?  Well, all of those are valid feelings and emotions.  However, speaking from personal experience, those who loved me even in my darkest times (when I felt all ALONE) really did love me still.  They loved me sooo much that all they wanted was for me to get some help.  See, they tried to help me many times before, but looking back, I was not ready to receive there help.  It truly broke their hearts to watch me go through my struggles ALONE, when all I had to do was allow myself to get some help.  Maybe I should have said, “be ready for help and REALLY want it”!  I needed to be ready to do some real work on myself along with being able to handle the discomfort of change. 

The blessing in all this is, that when I submitted myself to the process, all those people who loved my and cared about me were right there for me again and willing to slowly walk back into my life.  What I found was change and I was NOT ALONE, there are a lot of other people just like me walking the same path. Finally, God has never left my side.  He is ALWAYS with me no matter what!  Remember, you are not alone, help is just a phone call away…253-735-0665. 

GOD BLESS YOU ALL! Mark 

Hello All, 

The subject today is FITNESS…how is your FITNESS level?  Do you feel fit!!?  Well, you probably wonder what I mean by FITNESS?  I believe there are different areas of FITNESS.  Although “Physical FITNESS” is probably one of the first forms which come to mind.  However, I am referring to Spiritual FITNESS.  I believe our Spiritual FITNESS is just as important if not more than any other form of FITNESS.  Does it not say in the Big Book…”It’s a spiritual condition”?  I don’t know about you, but if my spirit isn’t right, then I’m not right. I have to do things regularly to keep my Spiritual FITNESS up just as one would for their Physical FITNESS. As I work on my spiritual condition among other things, I find my mind improves, thoughts improve, responses improve, more grace, and forgiveness seems to go along with my spiritual FITNESS.  Worry and anxiety fade and are replaced by assurance and faith.  Our fight is against this dark force of Spiritual War Fare…this thing called ADDICITION. Keep up the fight!! This is what works for me.  God bless you all, Mark. 

Hello All, 

Have you ever thought that your way was the best way?  Have you ever received some feedback or pushback and decided to do things your way instead of really considering the advice being given?  I can remember several times in my life certain people saying “just listen to me”, “I’m trying to help you”.  I remember one distinct conversation I was having with my Grandpa many years ago, when he had given me some advice long before and I didn’t listen.  I still remember my exact words in reply, “some times you have to learn from your experiences Grandpa”(in all my infinite wisdom lol).  I have never forgotten his reply to my philosophical stance…he said, “well, if you’d listen to me I can save you from some of those bad experience’s you are having due to not listening”.  His name was Al (like the wise old Owl…aka AL).  This is how I see him today.  Along with how naive and immature I really was back then.  I have learned to run my big decisions (and some little ones too) by others and God.  I wait and look forward to the pushback and feedback so that I may make more informed decision today.  Some times my thinking isn’t always the best….how’s yours?  If you need assistance please feel free to call us @ 253-735-0665.  God bless you all! Mark

Hello All, 

Have you ever had a hard time managing your emotions?  Have you ever said something you wish you could take back?  How about reacting in a way which you wish you could go back and change?  Well, I am here to tell you managing emotions are one of the hardest things which I had to learn to do.  Guess what!!?? I am still learning.  I had a very good friend tell me not so long ago, “it’s sure is hard being a Christian”.  Shortly after that, he went on to say, something about Grace.  Well it is always easier to see things more clearly when we are on the outside looking in.  However, when we are caught up in the emotion, we are literally in the bubble-on the wave, if you will.  If we think of our emotions like waves in the ocean, some really big (tsunami size) and some just a little choppy, we can learn to “ride the wave” so to speak.  If we allow those emotions to just roll through us and sit still until that huge wave breaks….then you will have calm.  I have learned personally, this works best for me.  

However, as I mentioned earlier, I am still learning how to surf!  If you need help or assistance, please feel free to contact us @ 253-735-0665.  God bless you ALL!! Mark

Hello All, 

Have you ever felt like all you need is a chance?  Just a break?  Just an opportunity?  If someone would just believe in me or my idea?  I think we all bump into those obstacles from time to time. I think we all may have those moments within our own lives when we just need someone to believe in what we are about, what we are trying to do or our vision.  I believe if we are persistent enough and knock on enough doors then one will open.  There is someone out there that will find our/your vision/idea attractive enough to support you through it.  The break you need is out there, do not give up, do not quit, and do not loose HOPE!! Push through the adversity and lean on a little FAITH.  It only takes a “mustard seed”.  God bless you all and if you need support please feel free to call us @ 253-735-0665.  Mark

HELLO ALL, 

It has been awhile and I wanted to check in with you all!  Things have been moving right along here.  As a matter of fact, I’ve been out a couple of weeks, and my staff have “ROCKED” in my absence.  You know there are times in our lives when we cannot be in all places at once and have to let go and allow others to step up! I am not really in control…God is!! When I allow Him to take control then all seems to go well and I have less to worry about.  When I try to take control, worry, fear and some other things sets in…which keeps my mind going. Does this every happen to you?  Prayer and faith help me here! God bless you all and if you need any support please feel free to reach out 253-735-0665. Mark

HELLO ALL, 

As I was sitting here with sweat literally dripping down my face and head, I received a friendly reminder that I have not blogged anything for “24 days to be exact”.  Reason…just put it at the bottom of the list.  Or may be it wasn’t even on the list recently?  Has that ever happened to you when things you should do, you place them on the bottom of the list only to forget about the importance in doing them?  I was sitting in our lobby, air-conditioning broken, sweating and then I found myself thanking the Lord because this is exactly what men and women are currently experiencing with the exception of no shelter to seek.  They are out there stuck in their addiction and circumstances.  I bet a some point, some of them may have even thought about seeking some sort of assistance and decided to pursue it later.  Therefore, they are stuck on this path of suffering and exposure to elements (HEAT).  It is important we seek the assistance when we feel we need it…we STAY THE COURSE to help and safety. Do not let others distract you from the assistance which awaits.  Restoration is just a phone call away!! STAY THE COURSE and get some help.  God bless you all, Mark