Making Choices And Keeping The Wolves Away

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Where part of my childhood was left behind.

Victoria, Missouri 2016 (Desoto)

Hey Y’all,

Here we are continuing to move forward with the rising inflation in everything that is affecting us as common people. If you are anything like me trying to live on a slim budget, you are constantly making choices on what you can have and not have.

It comes down to what you eat, cleaning, laundry, and of course the extras in any kind of entertainment or technology to stay current. I am grateful for the help I do have, Though, at times I have wanted to wish away the help, not realizing I could be shooting myself in the foot.

I did the monthly shopping yesterday rather; I had a helper do it with my list. I did a guestimate of prices and was close. I went over the guestimate by $15.00. The remaining balance forces choices for what is available for the rest of the month.

On my social media, I have hinted around to the fact that farmers, preppers, truckers, and even the Chief of The United Nations, have warned of global food shortages are coming. Some people might be calling these alarmists or fear-mongering people.

We are amid the beginning of it especially when things are missing off the store shelves. Stores can make their shelves look full. What happens is, that you start being unable to find the same product you usually buy.

As a country, we have not had it this financially probably since The Great Depression. One of my favorite people says that is exactly what we are soon to be in for another, Great Depression. It is past time to take heed to that.

We had close calls in the first part of Covid19, and yet most of us only had a taste of what was like. Many lost jobs, incomes, homes, and their very lives due to Covid19 and the effects of the disease.

I am on disability and yet healing beyond what I was a year ago, thankfully!

I did not get to start my garden or even collect the things I thought I might do to try to learn water-bath canning. It was a hope and believed I could pull it all together.

I am very eager to learn, but not all the things could I get together. In part, I am learning I am more eager than the actual work of it all is in my ability.

What is in my ability is to stock my fridge, freezer, and pantry. I cook all my meals at home. I do not go out to eat unless a friend has come by to get me to go out. In most cases, I prefer my cooking over any fast food, restaurants, take-out, or delivery. However, I am human like anyone else, and a break from the kitchen is most welcomed.

That said, I have gotten, and I hate most people going into my kitchen because they in most cases are not going to prepare my meal or treat my pots and pans right. I am demanding in my kitchen I want things done a certain way.

When I was ill, I could endure a lot of things. Burned cheeseburgers, and messed-up omelets, were all acceptable. I love a burned cheeseburger.

Here is the real issue. It is stocking up the pantry with spam peanut butter, and canned meats, vegetables, and fruits of any kind. Having sugar, flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, vanilla, instant coffee, creamer, tea, water, hygiene stuff toilet paper, and cleaning supplies.

If you think you have enough for one or two months, you do not have enough. Are you going to be able to have all your extras that are must-haves? Nope!

The wolves are coming to the door, and you need to be prepared stocked up, and ready to protect what is yours. Hey, this does not mean stopping helping one another and living in a community.

We just need to be prepared. It is past time, and we are on borrowed time to get it done already! Let us get it done and be prepared.

Thanks for reading!

This has been another blog post entry by Boxcar Mike, over and out!

God Bless Y’all Everybody!

Learning To Be Gentler Towards Myself And Others

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Irondale 2019

Hey, Y’all!

I am doing well on this second day of my reset again. I am in the middle of changing things up and trying to be easy with myself but consistent. I have a determined mind to not allow myself to go backward one day at a time and find the willingness to keep writing.

Monday was Independence Day. I stayed in bed sick all day and all evening.

I do not want to wake up every day ready to scream because things are not going my way or place judgments on people when I have no idea what the full story is for them. In some respects, my writing is to try and deter some people from judging me when it is my judgment against me.

I love what happened to me this morning as I was cooking breakfast and making my coffee. I was praying as well. I usually do a fast prayer and say amen, before I get my sip of coffee and make my daily morning call to a trusted and sweet friend.

My prayer went into thanking God for the things I was grateful for and asking for help throughout the day. I do not want to be that angry person or feel the need for vile language. I do not want to feel like I am refraining all the time either. That is not how I am supposed to be.

When I am out of control of my emotions and words, it is not just slipping. It is an all-out war and here is the thing, in the end, it is a war with self. It is not about people just being stupid. Although, I often say it is and that you cannot cure stupidity.

It is taking those moments that can be stressful remembering to practice patience. People are often patient with me even when I am not showing any sign of grace towards anything or any situation. Again, I am looking at the war with myself.

I have zero tolerance and grace when I consider my actions stupid or thoughtless. I scream and curse at myself. Therefore, in the past, that has been my cop-out if people understood how hard I was on myself they would I was going light on them in comparison. That is still not good for others or me. It is not okay to treat others or myself like garbage.

In Boxcar Mike’s Motivational Board -The very first card says, my friends and I do not hurt each other or ourselves. I try to live by that motivational board but, I fail too. What I learned today in being quieter within and listening to the small voice is that I do not have to rage.

I did a bit of initiative-taking things that require patience, like getting medications set up, making an eye doctor appointment, updating the pharmacy with my insurance, and calling my doctor for refills on the medications I take.

I got through it all without being impatient or raising my voice. It has been a good day. We just need to manage things at a slower pace and steady. Taking the time to realize we can be patient and handle others with genuine care when we do the same for ourselves.

Thanks for reading!

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This has been another blog post entry by Boxcar Mike, over and out!

God Bless Y’all Everybody!

It Has All Been Said And Done Before

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Desoto, Missouri 2016

Hey Y’all,

I have gotten so far behind after losing any routine I had built up. I am just always happy to reconnect. Once I start doing the things that help me do the things I need to, I start becoming more content. The bottom line is if you want the prizes, you must do the work necessary for those prizes.

What are the prizes?

The prizes are in my own life more weight loss, self-betterment, more consistency in life, more energy, a spiritual life that is positive, and a longer fuse. Happiness is the goal! Just even mere contentment with life and in life. It is not hard to do. The key is to stay current and connected.

My priceless moment at the end of a workday is pushing people out my door, at least in my mind!

Some of you might say. “You’re on disability you do not work!” Let me beg to differ. I am on call 8 am-4 pm daily Mon- Friday, and on some weekends! I have professionals in my home Monday through Friday and on some weekends! If I get people out early, it is all the better. However, some days, I am not done until 5:30 pm.

If I could truly do anything I want in these hours, it would not be having people in my home or doing things to fit into others’ plans. So please do not tell me how easy I have it! I admit it is not all manual labor and my work allows me to take shower on the clock.

Heck, there is a benefit for me! I do enjoy my coffee. But it is not watching movies all day. Now in most cases, no one can write me up for having a difficult day. However, some have tried to write me up! It is my pleasant disposition that helps keep some people at bay.

If only they would stay, there. I am half kidding. Naps would be a wonderful thing! I wish I could encourage and even insist on some people taking them. It would stop so much useless information from going inside my head! I could go on about this! No, I really could!

Now my work is about getting me better and in a place of healing physically, emotionally, and spiritually. It is taking back the responsibility of caring for myself with some help and a watchful eye.

I have so much more progress to make but I have come a long way in the last year.

Yet, I have back-slid enough to pick up certain pieces and make them work for me. Now, it is back to being engaged and participating in my own life and the recovery of my emotional and physical well-being. Here I am resetting the routine. Once more, doing it again in hopes of it taking this time.

Honesty with God, myself, and others.

Open-mindedness to hear other experiences and what works for them.

Willingness to follow through and not give up.

This is the answer, but it is the action that takes you through a process of twists and turns and constantly changing.

I have complained that my fuse has gotten shorter and that I just will not put up with nonsense. Here is how this goes. No one is going to fix that for me. No one can change me or you, we only have ourselves and God to do that in my belief system.

So, we take the stuff we learn, and we go to work. Just like scrolling on social media, we must ignore the stupid stuff that people try to inflict on our brains and find something positive to say or think about.

We make our world safe sometimes by removing ourselves from the situation and moving on to something else. It is best to function as if we have not heard it at all and ignore it. It is easier said than done. As it is with most simple ways, this is the case

In a conversation, I was having a week or so ago with my mama, she is one of the smartest people I know. We agreed we must pick our battles. Some battles are just not worth it. You must move on.

It was a few days later, that I was practicing the mantra I can do anything for twenty-four hours. I got my test within a couple of hours realizing I cannot reason with a person who lacks reasoning. Again, moved on.

It is refusing to be sucked in by the nonsense.

I get to share this with you as part of my journey.

Thanks for reading!

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This has been another blog post entry by Boxcar Mike, over and out!

God Bless Y’all, Everybody!

What Is My Definition Of Staying Busy

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Photo by Felix Mittermeier on Pexels.com

Hey Y’all

As I have brought up before we all need to keep in mind the fact of rising food costs and gas prices. We need to be mindful. We do not need to become afraid or practice hoarding.

Staying busy in this way is about keeping in mind when others do errands for me, In other words, no wasted trips. Make every trip count. Always plan and make time limits with others. Make sure your plan fits in their plans to not take advantage of others’ generosity or kindness.

I thought I would be able to do even a small garden this year I miscalculated and need to plan for it now, for next year. Had I acted sooner on some things, I would be gardening this year. This just could not happen this year and makes me sad in some ways.

The importance of stocking up on canned goods and non-perishables is paramount to the upcoming months. Throwing in a couple of extra bags of flour and plan to cook to be as healthy as I can afford given each month and sometimes on the day.

I need to keep exercising and walking. I do like my privacy. However, this year is very different in that way, because I am more independent than last year. Last year, I was much more afraid of falling. My health since has improved tremendously.

It is important to consider all things and that does include your physical health, financial budget, and the emotional roller coaster, that can crop up and you take a ride you did not intend to do.

I have taken a few rides in fact in the past few months that have reminded me, that I can be tested. Again, this is still daily life and no dress rehearsals. Thank goodness if I am going down the wrong road I can turn around. I do not have to keep heading to run off the edge of a cliff.

Keeping your areas decluttered is important because so much gets lost in the clutter and can cost you dearly.

It is staying in a routine that can help keep me grounded. It creates a safe place for me to remain productive. However, sticking to a routine has been challenging for me. I get agitated and have a short fuse when not grounded.

Visuals work for me. Keeping a hard copy calendar on the wall and a phone calendar with reminders help me stay on track. It is having the practice of marking off the days of the calendar, in which main events I can see are accomplished that does not keep me wondering if I have forgotten something.

My coffee, meditation, and prayer however short are vital before I speak to anyone.

I take time to shut down the phone daily and put it on the charger. It helps along with screening calls. By shutting off the phone there has been a decrease in my anxiousness. Seriously, unless you are at risk the phone does not need to accompany you to the bathroom.

I am a work in progress and will be until my last breath.

Thanks for reading

This has been another blog post entry by Boxcar Mike, over and out!

God Bless Y’all Everybody!

.

Keep Cooking With Pam Davidson Cookbook Facebook

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Pic of My purchased Cookbook Cooking With Pam Davidson

Hey Y’all,

I have wanted to feature the cooks and their cookbooks I have personally viewed and have cookbooks I purchased. I can tell you I have also used their videos for cooking as well. I have often joined in for their chats as well and love especially the ones just cooking at home and sharing what they know.

I will never recommend something I have not done. I usually add my twists to recipes to make them my own.

Today I am featuring Pam Davidson in my blog post entry as I promised her several weeks ago I would do so.

I do have what I think will be my favorite recipe of hers in the cookbook “Cowboy Beans.”

What I want to share about Pam is she is the real deal cooking from home and sharing her journey along the way.

She has shared about her and her husband’s health issues and how she has learned to cook low carb and the challenge of sticking with it. Now do not let me lead you astray her cookbook is not filled with low-carb recipes. Pam’s videos are low-carb for a good part sometime after Christmas 2021.

You can tell the proof in seeing her and her husband Tony in the videos.

She and tony love to joke with each other and the viewers and that makes it fun.

She also has a fireside chat night frequently. She and Tony are Christians and a fireside chat night can be anything from the current events in their lives to singing and worshipping. Tony often Preaches at church and has given the Word at Chat night.

There is almost always a prayer for each other before the closing of a night.

Pam and her viewers have given to causes and missionaries to go around the world to dig wells for water in countries where there is no safe drinking water for miles. They have also donated flip-flops and hygiene products as well as school supplies.

They have also donated to causes locally and the effort Pam has gone to herself is above and beyond.

Pam and her viewers also donated to the missionary’s plane tickets and luggage costs.

I believe anyone anywhere doing their best to create good and showing giving deserves recognition. However, that is not her reason for giving and sharing.

She has hosted pampered Chef parties and promotes other’s parties.

She has been known to form close bonds with viewers and even meet up with some in public places in her travels. While cooking may be at home it is not the only place she cooks. She often takes viewers with her via video on her travels and even when going out to eat or on a night out with the gals.

Pam often refers to Tony as Big Boy or Frank.

Tony is often in the garage working on cars trucks and motorcycles. Tony has a passion for racing motorcycles and one of his sons is usually out there with him.

I just wanted to share a person’s journey of real life as it is displayed in many of Pam’s Videos and the love she shares in her cooking.

Please Visit Pam’s Page on Facebook and watch her videos or join in on her live streams. https://www.facebook.com/keepcookingwithpamdavidson

Check out her page and see about ordering her cookbook.

Thanks for reading!

This has been another blog post entry by Boxcar Mike, over and out!

God Bless Y’all Everybody

The Ultimate Price Men Paid For Freedom

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https://www.thedarksecrets.com/quotes/self-motivation-quotes

Hey All!

Today is Memorial Day, a time to remember the fallen. Those who paid the ultimate price. They didn’t get a choice to go backward. They powered through doing as trained. I give thanks to God for those men.

The past few weeks have been a difficult time for me in relearning some things and getting the timing down. I am back working on a project that is challenging for me. I must make peace with the fact it may just be the slow but steady progress. I cannot allow it to control me or my emotions.

As of Friday, I would have boarded up my windows if I could have. That is how much I wanted to get away from people, places, and things.

The thing of it is, I have had to take stock of going backward closing myself off.

The con is I stay wrapped up inside my head and the growth stops when I close myself off. The reality is some days will suck, while flying high on other days. The key is again the pauses they are important in stopping negativity from entering situations and communication.

You may be asking, how I can compare any of this to those men who fought for freedom? The answer simply is they went through challenges knowing their very life could be taken. Yet, they powered through and gave all until they had nothing left.

To give thanks to those men and show gratitude for what they have given, I must not allow myself to stop just because something is difficult. I have wanted to make changes and I have made changes.

My belief system comes into this journey as well. I mean, after all, I must have a conscience. I cannot leave that part out. In my beliefs is where I do find grace and courage. Now it may not be the courage of the men took, who have fallen. That is more reason to keep going and get through to the other side.

I must not give up on myself. No one else is coming. I have to pick myself up. Did I not get the memo?

Do the next right thing. It begins when I pick myself up off the ground and get back in the saddle. Have my coffee with my morning prayer and meditation. After my shower remember to acknowledge, high-five, and affirm myself. It is all part of self-care, loving myself, and knowing I love what I do as well.

This is all in nurturing the seeds planted in myself and others. I share what I have and what I struggle with. It is all communicating there are no shortcuts. It is in doing and following through is the only way to any kind of success no matter what it is you or I do.

Together we can! We all got dues to pay. It is a fact.

Psalm 31:24 ESV Be strong, and let your heart take courage,

all you who wait for the LORD!

Thanks for reading!

This has been another blog post entry by Boxcar Mike, over and out!

God Bless Y’all Everybody!

The Struggle Is Real When Advocating For Yourself Or Others

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Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

Hey, Y’all!

I am going off on a tangent here. I am on a roll about how important it is to advocate for yourself and others.

One of the major things people have tried to get across to me is asking for help. Now when it comes to the medical field and health care, the important part is knowing how to ask and what it is, that you are asking for help with.

As I have gotten older and okay maybe I have been bolder, but at times too shrinking away acting like I should not bother someone. They are two extremes that will ensure you do not get the right help.

You cannot scream for help unless you have fallen and okay using profanity is like throwing gasoline on a fire. It will not serve any purpose but exacerbate the situation instead of helping it.

I must admit I have not always followed this advice and have felt horrible and still angry afterward even in recent times. It did not help me, and it did not help the staff.

You must prepare ahead of time for appointments and rides.

1. Confirmation of appointments

2. Confirmation of rides plan to leave at least an hour before appointments.

3. Plan to not be home until an hour after the last appointment of the day.

4. Hygiene goes a long way when riding with others and with the staff. (Yes, it must be said!).

5. Make sure you have water and a snack (I have failed on this, it cost me greatly)!

NOTE* Please be ready for your driver -Communication goes a long way in most cases the ride is free he/she is providing you with a ride when they are usually way overbooked.

6. Having a list of medications and carrying your I.D. and insurance cards are good ideas to make sure your appointment goes through when you arrive.

7. Make sure your concerns are heard and that you have a clear understanding of orders for going home.

8. If driving yourself or someone you know is driving you, make sure you allow 10-15 minutes ahead of time for check-in. In a lot of cases, these days being more than 15 minutes late means you lost your appointment, and rescheduling is required. You may even be charged a fee for a lost appointment.

9. If you know ahead of time you are going to need to reschedule an appointment, please do so at least 24-48 hours ahead of time.

10. Try to find something to be grateful for in the appointment it can help you and your provider.

Dealing with home care agencies with house cleaning and errands.

  1. No helper is forever or legally bound to stay as your helper forever.
  2. Make sure personalities mix and that they are not afraid of work.
  3. If you have tried to work out differences and they are not doing assigned chores agreed upon when signing up with the agency it is time to call and ask for another helper.
  4. If the agency cannot help you get another helper it is time to move on to a different agency.
  5. Always document things. In every case with doctors, helpers, and nurses alike.
  6. Always have a hard copy of times and appointments, times when people enter your residence, and when they leave.
  7. Always have emergency numbers listed on a piece of paper in a convenient place as well as a list of medications you are currently taking.

Home Health Nurses

Remember they are an extension of your doctors and nurses being present and following the orders they have been given. If there is a situation call your doctor immediately and ask for clarification.

If there is a problem with personalities again, giving a chance can help.

However, if something is a risk health-wise and the nurse is not doing her job then call the home health nursing office and ask for a transfer.

They are only human too. So, respect and courtesy go a long way with them, and being at your residence and being ready for them will make your visit go way better.

Having your meds out and your list also helps them so things can move along, and no one is losing time. Following their directions is advised as well.

Thanks for reading!

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P.s.  Please vote here for this young man to get a chance for a custom-built chopper.

Thank you so much!

This has been another blog post entry by Boxcar Mike, over and out!

God Bless Y’all Everybody!

Taking Responsibility In Being Prepared For H.A.L.T

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Shepherding OutDOORS by Walt Merrell Hoffman Press

Hey, Y’all!

Here it is lunchtime and barely finishing my coffee. I wanted to take the time to write today about H.A.L.T. I briefly went over it in a couple of writings. I have things popping up in my journey and I must be prepared for exactly those halt times.

I have failed even recently in taking the responsibility for my side of the street. I am doing my best to start thinking about turning that around by being prepared. I mean the reset came in time for me to try and do damage control over my whole life.

Now doing damage control does not mean I take on anyone’s judgment.

It is just taking responsibility and here we will go over again the acronym of H.A. L.T.

Hungry

Angry

Lonely

Tired

I am going to be taking snacks and water and water when I go out anymore because that is my responsibility. I cannot just blame things on blood sugar or being off schedule of my routine. That is not anyone else’s responsibility but mine.

 I have added a new post-it to my desk as a reminder. In changing my behavior visuals are important tools for me. Early on when first stabbing at getting sober I needed phone numbers. A gentleman handed me his phone number and on the back of it read this, “my friends and I do not hurt each other or ourselves.”

While I no longer have the card or know where that man is today; that card has stuck out in my mind all these years later. I wish I had followed that advice all these years. I want to practice those principles in my life today, to save a lot of heartache and headaches. I get the chance to pack more in the stream of life when I stop making excuses for my behavior.

I will say today has certainly not been a perfect day. I overslept once more and had to do a drive-by-text check-in. The rest of this week I Will be concentrating on waking up on time because again being late because I am tired is a behavior, I do not wish to continue.

Allowing the irresponsibility of not doing self-care can mean missed opportunities. Let me say, not being prepared for the halt moments is exactly, not practicing self-care.

While I say all of this I also say, you cannot beat yourself up as I must not do to myself. All we can do is, move forward and do better.

I know I want more for myself in the fact that; I cannot allow something done wrong by me or others to stand in the way of me getting more and giving more.

Again, this is where the accumulation of all the small things (that we think are trivial or insignificant), we or I do matters. They can make or break us from reaching our full potential for getting and being in all the good stuff.

My determination must say to myself, I can do this! Together we can!

Thanks for reading!

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Please Check out Shepherding Outdoors A Southern Alabama Man who shares his insights. He is a man of many hats. His book is here. You can check him out on Facebook. Thank y’all.

This has been another blog post entry by Boxcar Mike, over and out!

God Bless Y’all Everybody!

Just To Be With You Me And God

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Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Hey, Y’all!

I am back here again there is so much always to share and be grateful for. I am learning and relearning new things and old things every day.

First and foremost, Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mamas!

I celebrate my own Mama today! I shared how much I love her the other night on the phone. I told her how much I appreciate her and the wonderful ways she helped me get through life when I was younger and especially in the past year.

Her reply was something along the lines of all I have done been able to do is pray, help, and love you from a distance.  It is not exactly it but close to what she said. I said is that not what moms are supposed to do love from a distance with their grown children? Again, something close was my reply and it was like a lightbulb a went on for both of us. She agreed it is.

Friends there were days in the past year of many tears and fears. Not knowing what to do or how to do this life. My mama knows a thing or two, and that was prayer and encouragement.

Right now, there are logistics to work out and we must work through them for me to meet up with her. I cannot wait for the day we get to meet up. All I can say is that it is complicated, but love and love are not complicated at all between her and me anyway. Otherwise, I would be celebrating her in person!

I encourage everyone everywhere is a way to be with your mama, you go be with her celebrate her, and show her your thankful heart. You let it be all about her today! Take those pillows for her weary head and feet. She has carried you a long way if she is biological or not!

This leads me to also say This mama I told you about is my bonus Mama, and she has bled, sweated, cried, prayed, worried, and laughed all through my growing up and adulthood. She has breathed life into me. But I also celebrate my biological Mama who gave me life and allowed me to fully develop and be born! One of my biological sisters and I lovingly refer to her as Mommy Joyce.

How does all this fit into the new things I am learning?

I am learning to stop the self-hate talk that goes on in my head. Letting go is a decisive process that starts with a five-second rule with the negative thought stopping the thought as it enters in 5-4-3-2-1.

It is taking that time to look at me in the bathroom mirror and look myself in the eye and say, “Hey Mike, you are going to do great things today!” and then high five myself. I am still at a difficult point with this finding it somewhat silly and fruitless.

However, I have made a promise to keep high fiving myself until I want to do it and it does not feel forced. That is not to say I do not have to force myself. Some days are easier, and some are harder.

My whole inner core of myself is to want to know me, be with me, be who I am and be with My God the Father, The Creator, and be all I was made to be. My soul cries out for that and has my whole life

There have been times of my doing the best to drown it out through self-hate self-sabotage and doing everything I can to die.

I am still in a process of fighting behaviors that no longer serve me. I will probably be in a fight with some of those until my last breath! The good news is this it gets better! I have gotten better, but there is always more work to be done.

I want to live today. I want to Celebrate being with you, me, and God.

Just for today!

Thanks for reading!

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This has been another blog post entry by Boxcar Mike, over and out!

God Bless Y’all Everybody!

My Gratitude Is A Plan Of Action

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Jeremiah 29:11 ESV

11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Hey, Y’all!

It’s good to be back writing once more. I have been big on gratitude for some time. Perhaps even before I knew just how useful this tool can be and can save me from a day being ruined.

Monday was such a day I had the opportunity to use this valuable tool to turn my day around.

I was feeling, just not with it, and thought maybe I would coast through the day feeling armed with a new form of knowing more about myself during this process of resetting my life.

Somewhere between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm, I was feeling that Monday day coming on feeling and being a little bit hangry. Hungry, angry, and a man of little patience. The self-pity even started to slip in.

The next thing I started contemplating was the fact of me doing this reset. While it may have started as a reset with Mel Robbins, I realized this was my reset. I could start my day over and I started making a gratitude list.

I next realized, “Hey this is the first time I ever thought on my own to do a gratitude list in response to my feelings. Something is working here!”

I have decided to do a daily gratitude list of 10 things each day. In this entry, I am using yesterday’s list as the guide in which I share the changes in why I am grateful for each item.

To me, it is just amazing how you may know useful tools and how one day the light bulb goes on where those tools become more effective.

My list starts in the following way:

  • I am grateful for the fact that I am alive.

This means I have a chance to grow and break the cycles I have remained in and that no longer serve me.

  • I am grateful I can change my attitude.

I do not have to be miserable and make others miserable. I get the opportunity to change my responses to negative things and the thoughts running through my brain.

  • I am grateful I can change my actions.

For a long time, I did not know I have a choice to choose not to respond. I always have that option. In a lot of cases, it is the best choice I can make.

  • I am grateful for a program that helps me get it together,

I do not have to stay stuck. I can make up my mind to follow suggestions that have worked for others. There is strength in numbers and a lot of times just listening to others’ experiences helps me way more than trying some little trick. Though doing something I have never done before works as well, in most cases.

  • I am grateful for my spirituality.

Today I believe God is real and has my best interest in mind. I believe God has fought hard for me in the insane life I have led. He loves me unconditionally. I believe God has a plan for me and gave His Son for me. I am not here to shove it down your throat. It is a fact in my life and what I believe.  

I believe God has used and continues to place people, places, and circumstances in my life for different reasons. All of it is shaping who I am today.

  • I am grateful I do not have to ask family and friends to bail me out of every jam today.

There have been so many times in my life of being irresponsible and keeping on making the same poor choices that left me in the jams of insanity. The many times of having to lose everything start over. I hope to never have to repeat those lessons and pray I stay on the journey I am traveling.

  • I am grateful my life has turned around.

Almost a year ago now I realized I had turned a corner in my life where I reached the physical age of poor decisions and living just plain wrong had a cause and effect upon my life. My body’s check engine light came on and it was no fun. I have made changes and hope to make even more.

  • I am grateful that the simple small actions can make my day a success.

The simple small steps are making a gratitude list. It is getting up as soon as possible and choosing to move forward with my day. Taking the time for self-care. Filling my medicine box, being my advocate, Praying first thing, and getting that cup of coffee before I talk to anyone. Taking a pause, I do not always remember this and usually regret it later.  

  •  I am grateful for the choice to stop the insanity.

Whether it comes through the phone or trying to come in through my front door. I have the choice to refuse it today. To be honest, mostly insanity tries to come into my thoughts and that is where the rubber meets the road. Stopping the first thought can be winning the battle.

  • I am grateful for a place to call home.

I have food in the cabinets and fridge, I have a place to sleep and it is safe to be here. I get to be here today.

I hope this has been uplifting and has helped you on your journey.

Thanks for reading!

This has been another blog post entry by Boxcarmike, over and out!

God Bless Y’all, Everybody!