The nearness and awareness of death awakens me to life, and love.

our application for permanent residence in Canada was approved. In record time. (8 mos.)
After all these years and hard work... finally... we're moving to Toronto!
WooHoo!

My relationship with the world and people about me — how I relate with and treat them — is a direct reflection of my relationship with my higher power.

In my attempts at authoring a step guide I am having such a wonderful experience.
Always seem to gain new insight.

I was considering Step two in which we attempt to identify and lay aside prejudice against spiritual matters.

Part of my own bias was simply the word "spirit" or "spiritual".
many years later I can look back and see my life ruled by preconcieved notions. I truly must remain openminded. That takes effort for me. Many times I just think or know I am right, cling to the idea with blue knuckles, only later to be humbled into discovering that once again, either I am wrong or I missed seeing a different perspective.

So right off the bat I thought it was important to provide a working definition. Knowledge is important. hence:

Spirit: the vital principle or animating force within living things; a fundamental emotional and activating principle determining one's character; intent, inclination or emotional state.

Spiritual: That which is concerned with spirit; lacks material body, form or substance. That which is distinguished from the material.

Nothing scary or weird there. It actually makes sense...
And the questions one needs to ask, having completed step one at this point woul be:

Have “material things” been able to prevent you from drinking or enabled you to control your drinking?_____
Have you found that when you honestly wanted to, that you cannot quit entirely?______
Or if when drinking, do you have little control over the amount you take?______
Are you alcoholic?______
Do you believe that you may be suffering from an illness which only a spiritual experience will  conquer?______
Do you have any choices other than be doomed to an alcoholic death or seek out spiritual help?_____

If you answer yes, by all means, put this down and go use that other alternative.
If you answered no, then read pages 44-57.

and it continues....

Today is a most unusual day, because we have never lived it before; we will never live it again; it is the only day we have. Today can be a healthy unusual day for you -- and for others -- if you take time to give someone a smile . . . to express a word of kindness . . . to lend a helping hand to someone in need . . . to write a note of gratitude . . . to give a word of encouragement to someone who is temporarily overcome with problems . . . to share a portion of your material possessions with others.

Henry Ward Beecher

The wonderful thing for me is I never went as far as some. Or is it so wonderful?
Never got a DUI.
Never got arrested (except for that little thing at 15yo...
My paranoid dealer never shot me with his 357...nor did I kill anyone.
Never lost a job.

The problem was NEVER alcohol,( The problem was NEVER alcohol )

What is greater than God, More evil than the devil, The poor have it, The rich need it, And if you eat it, you'll die?
( the answer is )

what do you get when you have a 46 year old man jump head-first on a sled going down a snowy hill for the first time in 30 years?

Red snow.

I have come to the conclusion that macadamia nuts are the worst, eye-burning, ozone-destroying, gagging, stinky, nostril-searing, underwear-melting, blue-jean-burning fart-producers ever ingested by mankind.

I would suggest not procuring as snacks for long car rides.

(for a commission)