I Was Just Thinking...

Seldom does a day go by that I don’t receive a call or email from someone asking me to put more of my writing on the Serenity web site.

Many suggested that I create a daily email that would greet the reader at the beginning of each day with a concise, yet thought provoking sentence or two.

For an annual subscription of $25, you will receive an email each day sharing a thought or short story. In addition, to help kick off the new service, I’ve included an additional incentive:
-For a limited time, sign up for the email subscription and I’ll send you an autographed copy of my book, A Journey of Reflections, or a CD of your choice from our catalog.

After you order, you will be see a "comments" window where you can tell me if you want an autographed copy of my book, or which CD.

Yes! You can forward the I Was Just Thinking to your friends! In fact, we hope you do!

To order: I Was Just Thinking...!

From the daily I Was Just Thinking

12/31/07
With all the reading I do and with all the 12-Step meetings I attend and with all the personal happenings in my life, I've concluded one thing: Don't be a spectator, be a participant.

12/30
Failure and experience.
Obviously they are spelled differently, but my experience has taught me that they are one and the same.

12/29
I keep "looking" for something that will help me find peace of mind.

Pending on one's spiritual program, that could be the Bible, Big Book of AA, books on grief, books on overeating, spiritual writings by the various authors, etc. All of it can be of great value.

However, none of it will provide any peace of mind unless it is accompanied by a commitment to "living it."

12/28
If I'm treated badly by someone, why do I feel I have to devalue the person who treated me badly?

Maybe it was their cry for help. If so, then I missed a great opportunity to be of help.

12/27
For decades I have either worked professionally, or as a volunteer, working with clients that struggled with all types of issues.

For the most part I thought I was helping each of them. However, the older I get the more I realize that a counseling session is nothing more than helping the client discover who they really are.

If that is the case, I probably have been of little help to them since, also as I get older, I realize that I have no clue who I am!

12/26
Sometimes I think I'm afraid to allow my dreams to come true.
If they did, what would I have to hope for?

12/25
It’s a day or two before Christmas as I write this.

Do you feel the enthusiasm of the approaching day? You don’t? Neither do I.

I’ve thought a lot about that recently. It seems like somewhere along the way I lost the childlike excitement for this special day. In fact, if the calendar didn’t say it was Christmas, I would probably have missed it.

You might say, “How could you miss it? Have you not been in the stores?” Sure I have. However, most of the stores have looked like Christmas since middle October!

What happened? Can you relate to what I am saying?

Did you prepare a Christmas wish list for those that asked for it? Yes, I did also. It was difficult. The more I thought about what I would like, the more I realized there was nothing that I needed.

Then what is it that I am longing for this Christmas season? If it isn’t things from stores, what is it? What from the past made the day so special, and with its absence makes today so empty?

Is it just that I am getting older and growing further from the childhood memories? Could be. Yet, I don’t think so.

What is the gift that would make this the special day that I remember? The only thing I truly hunger for is more time with my family and friends. Not things, just talk. Not wrapping paper, just laughs. Not emails, just hugs.

Does that make sense? Is that what we have lost along the way? Has ego convinced us that “things” can replace special time with those we love?

I’m going to find out! I’ll be spending Christmas with one of my sons, his wife, and my two grandchildren. I’m going to find out if those kids can transport me back to a distant past when being with others was the most important gift one could give/receive.

My wish for you is the same: Lots of time, talk, and laughter with those you love!

I think that would be the greatest gift we could give, and in the process receive as well!

Blessings,
Jim Moeller