tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85035367437963927322024-03-13T00:49:21.236-06:00My 12 Step LDS Sharing Journal (12StepLDS.com)This blog contains thoughts that might be helpful for anyone struggling with an addiction.<br>12StepLDShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08018890287347881803noreply@blogger.comBlogger205125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503536743796392732.post-77386539085880910032024-02-12T21:13:00.000-07:002024-02-13T18:02:12.204-07:00The Science of Pornography Addiction<span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;">The </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18.48px;">Word of Wisdom</b><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;"> should be sufficient for members of the Church to refrain from Tea, Coffee, Tobacco, and Alcohol, But it is nice to know that science supports the Lord's law of health.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18.48px;" />
<span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;">The same should be true of the </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18.48px;">Law of Chastity</b><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;">. We should obey this law without any need for scientific validation. But it is also nice to know that there is validation from modern science.</span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18.48px;"><br /></b>
<b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18.48px;">Here are two videos that explain the huge problems in society caused by Internet Pornography. The second video builds on the first. So watch them in order.</b>.<br />
<br style="background-color: white;" />
<a href="https://youtu.be/VpoDszAz0YU" style="background-color: white; color: #1177cc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18.48px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><b>The Demise of Guys EDITED</b></a> (4 minutes)<br />
<span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;">This TED Talk explains that Boys/Men are falling behind Girls/Women in all aspects of our modern life. The cause being pornography. I have edited out parts of the original which made me feel uncomfortable.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18.48px;" />
<a href="https://youtu.be/DeSdi-AUhvI" style="background-color: white; color: #1177cc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18.48px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><b>The Great Porn Experiment EDITED</b></a> (15 minutes)<br />
<span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 18.48px;">This TED Talk explains why pornography is so addictive, especially in boys and younger men. I have edited out parts of the original which made me feel uncomfortable.</span><br />
<span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.48px;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEj8MCexcbCtoZp9uWwwHLzxf5n1I5V6BMdfcu62ZiZBq49oI0uworcv2DI0z4REPpGcilMAuzUC27t3c1CerM2S2bo4T4qenVus5tQ1BRDysp7SYZZVDnL4kUgOLo9kYmGD0JMQlNOLPI/s1600/brain.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEj8MCexcbCtoZp9uWwwHLzxf5n1I5V6BMdfcu62ZiZBq49oI0uworcv2DI0z4REPpGcilMAuzUC27t3c1CerM2S2bo4T4qenVus5tQ1BRDysp7SYZZVDnL4kUgOLo9kYmGD0JMQlNOLPI/s1600/brain.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.48px;" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503536743796392732.post-4217161232332322602024-02-04T08:49:00.007-07:002024-02-04T08:52:10.680-07:00Liken The Scriptures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoln2vkw2iMatxwN4ptTZOMGFgSeHdRlSwM4oXjSETBEnofU_hWGOD7yClWZ4wsGLT3ge9VjhHTecyDNEpOQbFyHEpggk_M1CiKZKIDfAooJUhfX6IgstBudBPuD5musRvfc7c0D3QKbzwDZj06Gzs04oB2G6qHBGJhKLnvMJPlhSoIvAqc9m_w1lkRHxb/s260/liken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="260" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoln2vkw2iMatxwN4ptTZOMGFgSeHdRlSwM4oXjSETBEnofU_hWGOD7yClWZ4wsGLT3ge9VjhHTecyDNEpOQbFyHEpggk_M1CiKZKIDfAooJUhfX6IgstBudBPuD5musRvfc7c0D3QKbzwDZj06Gzs04oB2G6qHBGJhKLnvMJPlhSoIvAqc9m_w1lkRHxb/s1600/liken.jpg" width="260" /></a></div><br /><p>We are asked to liken the scriptures to ourselves in our personal situations <span style="font-size: x-small;">(1 Nephi 19:23)</span>.</p><p>Here is a thought shared by John Bytheway regarding how God might react to our actions towards our wives or girlfriends when they call us to repentance.</p><p>John suggests that we take 1 Nephi 1:24-27 and change the gender from male to female; and here is how it reads:</p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p>"Rebel no more against your wife/girlfriend, whose views have been glorious, and who hath kept the commandments....</p><p>I exceedingly fear and tremble because of you, ... for behold, ye have accused her that she sought power and authority over you; but I know that she hath not sought for power nor authority over you, but she hath sought the glory of God, and your own eternal welfare.</p><p>And ye have murmured because she hath been plain unto you. Ye say that she hath used sharpness; ye say that she hath been angry with you; but behold, her sharpness was the sharpness of the power of the word of God, which was in her; and that which ye call anger was the truth, according to that which is in God, which she could not restrain, manifesting boldly concerning your iniquities.</p><p>And it must needs be that the power of God must be with her, even unto her commanding you that ye must obey. But behold, it was not she, but it was the Spirit of the Lord which was in her, which opened her mouth to utterance that she could not shut it."</p></blockquote><p>Perhaps we might ask ourselves, does that scripture ring true for me in my current situation? </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503536743796392732.post-74722024421758263402024-01-31T17:00:00.001-07:002024-02-01T16:42:18.997-07:00Recovery Is Like A Jigsaw Puzzle<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim5ovKxgy9tiqpQK51lezdOrqva34qZweQ-n9I4gMmDCdQWcOFVBDwDkhH5bxHL62hxZcPAnfjI7yginQNbnNX6Hng6N0z6za9pyJcJ1GZdcVZimmSKG1Nhv-DFFiWraOfeOv2ZtObDCKV/s1600/jigsaw.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim5ovKxgy9tiqpQK51lezdOrqva34qZweQ-n9I4gMmDCdQWcOFVBDwDkhH5bxHL62hxZcPAnfjI7yginQNbnNX6Hng6N0z6za9pyJcJ1GZdcVZimmSKG1Nhv-DFFiWraOfeOv2ZtObDCKV/s1600/jigsaw.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-size: medium;">Coming to our 12 Step Meeting is like working on a giant jigsaw puzzle. As we work individually on each of the 12 steps we gain understanding as to the different pieces of our own recovery puzzle. Then when we come together each week we bring with us those new pieces that we have discovered. <br />
<br />
At the meeting, we share our newly found pieces with each other. I may have a piece that you need and you, likewise, may have a piece that I need. <br />
<br />
The more pieces of the puzzle that are shared with each other, the clearer and more beautiful the image of recovery will become.<br />
<br />
But if we do not attend the meetings regularly, we may miss important pieces of the puzzle being shared by others.<br />
</span><div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503536743796392732.post-58041166869955106982024-01-21T17:55:00.003-07:002024-01-26T07:32:24.382-07:00Step 12 -- The Guy In The Library *<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">THE GUY IN THE LIBRARY<br /><br /></span></b><div>So I did something impulsive today... It was super good! :)<b><br /><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIbcafmqL_-gW2ixzhs7X1tw1f2ylHD_8-2qQuW3OOrJEPyEQh9cUdOrEdEVAb8GvZyvu2hpRGx6Yt44JoeEiHeXY6_Sku7CfYnYnMVNLhyphenhyphen4-ip4_J6YpgM1IttH-hg-M5r2unqNz_Tw-7zClQy5MmsUCyMx-3y6q6lhoosxtLFqpvS4qlJVS12CF27mvt/s200/Library9%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="162" data-original-width="200" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIbcafmqL_-gW2ixzhs7X1tw1f2ylHD_8-2qQuW3OOrJEPyEQh9cUdOrEdEVAb8GvZyvu2hpRGx6Yt44JoeEiHeXY6_Sku7CfYnYnMVNLhyphenhyphen4-ip4_J6YpgM1IttH-hg-M5r2unqNz_Tw-7zClQy5MmsUCyMx-3y6q6lhoosxtLFqpvS4qlJVS12CF27mvt/s1600/Library9%20(1).jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /></span></b>I was sitting on the second floor of the library and sat next to this guy who was browsing the web with unusually small windows. I immediately thought of how I've peeked at inappropriate material on school computers in a public venue using smaller windows.<br />
<br />
Being the nosy person I am, I wanted to see if this guy had similar issues to me. So I looked at what he was looking at. He was looking at NBA stuff. But then he did a google image search on something inappropriate.<br />
<br />
I suddenly got a very <b><i>sad</i></b> feeling. I thought I'd feel better knowing I was right, but I felt worse instead. My heart ached for this guy. So, I was inspired to whip out my yellow legal pad and I addressed a note to him.<br />
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<b><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">MY NOTE</span></b><br />
"Hey Man, ..." I explained that I was an addict and that whether or not he was, was none of my business. But, that I acknowledged that I've been in the same exact situation--ritualizing, and browsing inappropriate media on a public computer, with someone sitting next to me.<br />
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I told him that I hurt for him, and that I was there for him. I left my name and number, and a reference to <a href="http://fightthenewdrug.org/">fightthenewdrug.org</a> in case he didn't feel comfortable reaching out. I told him I'd support him in any way possible.<br />
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I folded it up like a letter, slid it towards him, tapped him on the shoulder (he was using earphones) and said, "Hi, my name is Cody. I hope you're not offended or embarrassed."<br />
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Then I went to class. <br />
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<b><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">HIS RESPONSE</span></b><br />
I checked my phone after class. I received this text message,<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 20px;">
<span style="color: purple;">"Hey Cody.
Thanks. Really thank you. After that I exited the screen and got off
the computer. Thanks for reminding me that is not who I want to be.
When you gave me that letter I didn't know what to expect. I was
thinking it was going to say how horrible I was and that I am going to
hell or something. I don't know if you believe in God but I felt like
God reached out to me in the moment that I read your letter. </span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"></span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"></span><span style="color: purple;">When I
read your note I immediately started to cry. Instead of being
condemning it was understanding. I just thought wow someone cares
enough to help me. I thought I was the only crazy person who was crazy
enough to do that. I started off with good intentions to do school
stuff and then I slowly got too complacent."</span><br />
<span style="color: purple;"><br /></span></div>
I was walking away from my class, being filled with the spirit. I knew that I had done what God wanted me to do this afternoon.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><b>MY PRIOR THOUGHTS</b></span><br />
My thoughts leading up to this event went something like...<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>What if he laughs at my thinking that this is in fact a problem?</li>
<li>What if I see him around?</li>
<li>He looks kinda familiar (truly though) and I think I've had a class with him... </li>
<li>What if he knows me?</li>
<li>Is this really my place?</li>
<li>Am I really feeling the spirit move me?</li>
<li>What if this isn't the spirit, just my arrogance telling me to interfere in his life?</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">CONSISTENCY & INTEGRITY</span></b><br />
This leads me to think a lot about consistency which has been my subject of sharing in the 12 step meetings I attend.<br />
<br />
I just filled out an evaluation on a student presentation that we had in our class just an hour ago. The first line of the online form asked for my name. So I put it in. I immediately thought, "Okay, so this means that I need to be careful about what I say because it will have my name associated with it. I can't be completely honest with my comments."<br />
<br />
HOLD UP SON... Why not?<br />
<br />
Why does being frank mean you have to hide behind a mask? If how and who I am is how and who I am <b><i>all </i></b>the time, then it shouldn't matter whether or not my name is associated with something or not.<br />
<br />
This concept comes from Elder Cook's article that I read during my mission. It's entitled. "Don't Wear Masks," <a href="https://www.lds.org/new-era/2013/03/dont-wear-masks?lang=eng">New Era, March 2013</a>. I learned from that article that if I can't own my thoughts, words, and actions. Then--maybe I don't want to participate in those thoughts, words, and actions.<br />
<br />
I often ask myself on Sunday mornings, "What would I look like if President Monson was coming to the sacrament meeting I attend?" Would I polish my shoes? Would I make sure my shirt is pressed? Would I comb my hair? Would I shave? My point is, I should strive to be the <i><b>same me</b></i> that I am all the time.<br />
<br />
Integrity should be thought of the way an engineer uses it to describe a bridge. It is not something to be possessed. If a bridge has integrity, it doesn't possess it like we possess our glasses, phone, keys, or wallet. It possesses integrity by being consistent, dependable, and reliable.<br />
<br />
My goal is to be the same me, all the time. I'm still working towards that point. But eventually I want to get to the point where I'm not worried about whether someone finds out about detail A or tidbit B about me. Because I won't have to spin a web of ambiguity to save face.<br />
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<span style="color: #783f04;"><br /></span><span style="color: #783f04;">* The above post is from an email sent by my good friend, Cody, who constantly inspires me with his approach to life and recovery. I asked his permission to post this because it touched on three important topics:</span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="color: #783f04;">Following the spirit, <b><i>even when it might be uncomfortable</i>.</b></span></li>
<li><span style="color: #783f04;">Actually doing Step 12: "Be prayerful as you consider ways to serve, seeking always to be led by the Holy Ghost."</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #783f04;">Being Consistent and having Integrity.</span></li>
</ol>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503536743796392732.post-78565636323950373232024-01-03T17:23:00.004-07:002024-01-03T17:26:45.173-07:00<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnLc2tIGeFoFY6XnJ3ILoXQXkPE1-sgBVDhyphenhyphenuVq9hJK7_EuPvs0W1ezPZthziCo5de0bSGkqtir1RVSKnZhFQKXmEQvpyG-y0x_oi2vSDqc4l5DmsmkoA58OyoYjzzegx645thc8HVOSeU0KYvtMf3qOjFIrIYXyMsDtqkwED_s1kXE2dSvh5bZzobUAV/s469/Promises.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="469" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFnLc2tIGeFoFY6XnJ3ILoXQXkPE1-sgBVDhyphenhyphenuVq9hJK7_EuPvs0W1ezPZthziCo5de0bSGkqtir1RVSKnZhFQKXmEQvpyG-y0x_oi2vSDqc4l5DmsmkoA58OyoYjzzegx645thc8HVOSeU0KYvtMf3qOjFIrIYXyMsDtqkwED_s1kXE2dSvh5bZzobUAV/s320/Promises.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #783f04;"><b>If we wish to recover from our addictions, <br />we need to pray <i>daily</i> <br /></b></span><b style="color: #783f04;">and study</b><span style="color: #783f04;"> </span><b style="color: #783f04;">and read from the Book of Mormon -- <i>daily</i>!</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 107%;">Prophetic
Promises Concerning the Book of Mormon<br />
<!--[endif]--></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 17pt; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.75in; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“The Book of Mormon is filled with truth. </span><b><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">If you read it <u>daily</u>,
you will have more truth and power in your life</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">…. if
you will feast on the words of Christ found throughout the Book of Mormon</span><b><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">, I promise that you will have greater power to resist temptation,
increased ability to receive revelation</span></b><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, and greater capacity to deal with the
challenges of life”</span><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> (President Russell
M. Nelson, Facebook, August 4, 2019</span><span style="background: white; color: #050505; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 17pt; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.75in; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">“</span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">I promise that as you
prayerfully study the Book of Mormon <u>every day</u></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, </span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">you will make better decisions—every day.</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">I promise</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> that as you ponder what
you study, the windows of heaven will open, and you will receive answers to
your own questions and direction for your own life. </span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">I promise that as you <u>daily immerse</u> yourself
in the Book of Mormon</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, </span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">you can be immunized
against the evils of the day, even the gripping plague of pornography</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> and other mind-numbing addictions” (President
Russell M. Nelson, “The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like Without
It?” Ensign, November 2017).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 17pt; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.75in; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">“<b>When
I think of the Book of Mormon, I think of the word power.</b> The truths of the
Book of Mormon have the power to heal, comfort, restore, succor, strengthen,
console, and cheer souls” (President Russell M. Nelson, “The Book of Mormon:
What Would Your Life Be Like Without It?” Ensign, November 2017).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 17pt; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.75in; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">“<b>I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents
will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves
and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate
our homes and all who dwell therein.</b> The spirit of reverence will increase;
mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of
contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and
wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their
parents. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and charity—the pure love of
Christ—will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy,
and happiness” (President Marion G. Romney, “The Book of Mormon,” Ensign, May
1980, 67).</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 17pt; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.75in; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">President
Gordon B. Hinckley <b>promised </b>that as we read the Book of Mormon, there
are great <b>“daily promises.”</b> He said, “<b>there will come into your lives
and into your homes an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, a strengthened
resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments</b>, and a stronger
testimony of the living reality of the Son of God” (President Gordon B.
Hinckley, “A Testimony Vibrant and True,” Ensign, August 2005).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: 17pt; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; margin: 0in 0in 6pt 0.75in; mso-line-height-rule: exactly; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;">“<b>There
is a power in the [Book of Mormon] which</b><b> will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious
study of the book. You will find greater
power to resist temptation. You will
find the power to avoid deception</b>. You will find the power to stay on the strait
and narrow path...When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you
will find life in greater and greater abundance.” (Ezra Taft Benson, The
Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1989], 54).<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p></div><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503536743796392732.post-32652789870694120482023-11-23T07:13:00.013-07:002023-12-15T11:53:43.100-07:00How to Avoid a Relapse<h1 style="text-align: center;"><br /> <span style="font-family: arial;">How to Avoid a Relapse</span></h1><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPtJFRAj1UL2gDyfIxWB4zOfUGl9c7y8XbKLLhdbdSPbBwwteu37T-H7V-VZtwTS4gFwbt5ZYFcPzQnVEJrwa0x6YBBVyorMdqa6oh_mxhGwcz8SsD3eRyaDX2pQUu17uABT73AZcKJoh-1fb26ZgTATgIbDZlmeJth5zQ1IisXYNWYj7XFjFqDzAORa5/s746/Cant.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="516" data-original-width="746" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPtJFRAj1UL2gDyfIxWB4zOfUGl9c7y8XbKLLhdbdSPbBwwteu37T-H7V-VZtwTS4gFwbt5ZYFcPzQnVEJrwa0x6YBBVyorMdqa6oh_mxhGwcz8SsD3eRyaDX2pQUu17uABT73AZcKJoh-1fb26ZgTATgIbDZlmeJth5zQ1IisXYNWYj7XFjFqDzAORa5/w263-h182/Cant.png" width="263" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">When I began my recovery the only thing I knew to do, when tempted, was white-knuckle it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Later I discovered that there were better ways to deal with a trigger or temptation.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The following is something you might consider.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><h3 style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When being tempted or triggered:</span></h3><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Make a plan</b>: It needs to be specific.<br /><br /></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Write down your plan</b>: If you just keep it in your head, it will just be wishful thinking.<br /><br /></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Share your plan </b>with a trusted friend--either your sponsor or someone in your group.<br /><br /></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Review your plan </b>during the week.<br /><br /></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Follow your plan</b> each time you are tempted.<br /><br /></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Report back</b> how it's going to the person you shared your plan with.<br /><br /></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Reevaluate your plan</b>: If the plan didn't work right, revise it.<br /><br /></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b>Go back to #2.</b></span></li></ol><div><br /></div><div>Let me know if this works for you.</div><div><br /></div><div>P.S. You may need to produce two plans: one for pornography and one for masturbation.</div><div><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503536743796392732.post-50279970734979480152023-11-12T17:43:00.005-07:002023-11-14T21:13:06.153-07:00UCAP 2023<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggoxVaELGExm6OFeo6mT_gEfucaW85berCKxdC6hDRmrtKMPQ0DrYoPmJeCH9M7e3AbzXjugtf7Yjym_ZpUHECiYYwjtkZmvhncnICSszJtpX5jy0tNAcFo_IM1V7Xu5XoRA1lzQ9Z0F3vnJfEA2liDWBfnawC9wDCoKamc3tv7ewfIzJdNhk_hCC048XF/s682/UCAP.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="618" data-original-width="682" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggoxVaELGExm6OFeo6mT_gEfucaW85berCKxdC6hDRmrtKMPQ0DrYoPmJeCH9M7e3AbzXjugtf7Yjym_ZpUHECiYYwjtkZmvhncnICSszJtpX5jy0tNAcFo_IM1V7Xu5XoRA1lzQ9Z0F3vnJfEA2liDWBfnawC9wDCoKamc3tv7ewfIzJdNhk_hCC048XF/w186-h167/UCAP.png" width="186" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvoPrbqXwuMy7hvFAKgd4tMs8ZgKKX3CrXaH9n3vmg2INVrD98sO8L955Q7kiwq8pG7_GobP_kGVYMqreiXFth5pnYM9DFoz20-htvMdb9D1jIqSBaaowC6mvU8jPhuDIc3QoIHHqZ9dJdQOnArXChVJtND57wZemWYQqrPTVEwJiQtXQjxQZJEOCg34Zf/s1683/Brad%20W.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1480" data-original-width="1683" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvoPrbqXwuMy7hvFAKgd4tMs8ZgKKX3CrXaH9n3vmg2INVrD98sO8L955Q7kiwq8pG7_GobP_kGVYMqreiXFth5pnYM9DFoz20-htvMdb9D1jIqSBaaowC6mvU8jPhuDIc3QoIHHqZ9dJdQOnArXChVJtND57wZemWYQqrPTVEwJiQtXQjxQZJEOCg34Zf/w188-h165/Brad%20W.png" width="188" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><h2><span style="font-family: arial;">UCAP 2023</span></h2><h2><span style="font-family: arial;">Utah Coalition Against Pornography</span></h2><div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>A Great Talk!</i></span></b></div></div><div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Brad Wilcox -- <a href="https://youtu.be/MNFIRDtiCV4" target="_blank">"Stay on the Bus"</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /></div><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503536743796392732.post-62941006434555234212023-11-01T18:38:00.000-06:002023-11-02T18:38:25.231-06:00What Works and What Doesn't<p><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">In overcoming an addiction, some things work well and some things just don't.</b></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><b style="font-size: 12.8px;">Let me cover both topics, but I'll cover the negative ones first.</b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFB7Bzp4bbr-9UIEJUnevq2C7yuoXo5IZRpVbVYnnHl5U-xF6g9js8hrYhTFHQ_NUigkBDVTtFIwdoN8CINCeB4TUKkoCT81AR0rcl1GVnw2YWhi_O4PdBhfRQuLIuQdKE1NIyRwFMCmGs_Aj1qpKbb4Y2GuoEnKa6rUgGldlR0yxFE-UqTT5FnOT1Pg=s720" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="720" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhFB7Bzp4bbr-9UIEJUnevq2C7yuoXo5IZRpVbVYnnHl5U-xF6g9js8hrYhTFHQ_NUigkBDVTtFIwdoN8CINCeB4TUKkoCT81AR0rcl1GVnw2YWhi_O4PdBhfRQuLIuQdKE1NIyRwFMCmGs_Aj1qpKbb4Y2GuoEnKa6rUgGldlR0yxFE-UqTT5FnOT1Pg=w640-h398" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">What Doesn't Work</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">I have been attending 12 Step Meetings for over eight years. Over that period I have tried lots of things and observed lots of things that <b><i>just don't work!</i></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">However, some of the things that don't work happen to be very popular -- but they still don't work. Here are a few:</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><b>Tapering Off Doesn't Work</b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Trying to taper off from an addiction provides a false sense of hope, but it never works. Does this sound familiar?</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">I was sober for 7 days last week, so this week I'll shoot for 8 days. And then if he hits day 8 what happens -- he celebrates his accomplishment and relapses.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">So after his relapse, he shoots for 9 days and then relapses and so on and so on. </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">When I relapsed last, I had been sober for 11 months. Should I now just shoot for 12 months and then relapse???</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">It never ends -- it really doesn't work!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><b>Setting a Sobriety Goal Doesn't Work</b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">This approach is also very popular. But it too doesn't work.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Here are some examples:</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><ol style="font-size: 12.8px;"><li style="margin-left: 15px;">I had a friend who wanted to stay sober so he could attend the sealing of his sister. He made it. But he relapsed the night after the sealing. You see he met his goal. So he let down his guard and rewarded himself.<br /> </li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">I have a friend who wanted to attend the temple with his younger brother when he received his endowments. Well, he made it to his goal. But you already know what happened afterward.<br /> </li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">I know more than one guy who wanted to stay sober so he could get married in the temple. That <b><i>was </i></b>his goal. Well, each of those guys met their goal. But each relapsed within weeks of getting married.</li></ol><div style="font-size: 12.8px;">Setting a sobriety goal only works up until you hit your goal. It's not permanent.<br /><br />Plus when we set a sobriety goal, our <a href="http://www.12steplds.com/2016/06/kill-something-eat-it.html">reptilian brain</a>, remembers that goal and says: "I can probably wait till that date, and then I'll get my reward."</div><div style="font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></div><div><b>Stop Saying to Myself, "The next time I relapse, I'm going to....."</b></div><div style="font-size: 12.8px;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-size: 12.8px;">The moment I say "the next time" I'm giving myself permission to have a <b><u><i>next time</i>.</u></b><span style="font-size: 12.8px;"> I need to stop doing that!</span></div></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><b>Counting Days Is Neither Good Nor Bad</b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The only thing I have against counting days is that it emphasizes something negative (the emphasis is on the last time you screwed up). </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">I would prefer to count how many times I avoided a temptation or a trigger and then reward myself accordingly. </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">One writer suggests keeping a 3 by 5 card in your pocket and making a checkmark every time you avoid a temptation so you can see how well you are<b><i> really</i></b> doing with recovery!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">What Works</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Here are a few things that I've found that work:<b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><b>Decide That "This Time" Is The Last Time</b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Believe it or not, some time has to be the <i style="font-weight: bold;">"last time!" </i>So when will that "last time" be??? If I keep pushing that decision into the future, I will never have a "last time." So I must decide right now that the last time I relapsed will actually be the "last time!" Go ahead -- do it!!</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">The Lord wants me to make that decision. Satan wants me to postpone that decision. </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">My spirit wants you to make that decision, My natural man wants me to postpone that decision.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Now I know what you're thinking. Your thinking, "But I don't trust myself. I've promised myself that countless times in the past. How can I make that decision this time?" </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">One big difference is that <i>this time </i>I will involve the Lord in that decision. I won't be doing it by myself. That's the whole purpose of the 12 steps. </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Now I admit I might make that decision and fall on my face. But at least that decision has already been made -- it is still in force. The Lord will support me in my honest efforts.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhX3fcHHgWaUIrNeYjsdW8fd_WqVfTlZcV_hCA4gof4SJLrFwHnxnwxFlHJajlj527r0eui70dLgL5KuZwolxoHZHfQDSgcf14tCZBrRolPF22vgikyA-eFzO9coLc91DTncHwxBDTnbEfLi7xJCcBp2c4NPSjyGHRojIESptwE12pmnQc0E_6jyMwp3w=s560" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhX3fcHHgWaUIrNeYjsdW8fd_WqVfTlZcV_hCA4gof4SJLrFwHnxnwxFlHJajlj527r0eui70dLgL5KuZwolxoHZHfQDSgcf14tCZBrRolPF22vgikyA-eFzO9coLc91DTncHwxBDTnbEfLi7xJCcBp2c4NPSjyGHRojIESptwE12pmnQc0E_6jyMwp3w=s16000" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Other Things That Work</span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">Here is a list of other things that have worked for me in recovery:</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;"><ol><li style="color: #222222; margin-left: 15px;">Attend at least one ARP meeting a week and be <i><b>consistent</b></i>.<br /> </li><li style="color: #222222; margin-left: 15px;">If I attend more than one meeting a week, at least I should make one of them my "home group." Get to know the guys -- get their phone numbers, etc.<br /> </li><li style="color: #222222; margin-left: 15px;">Reach out to other guys and ask for help or reach out and offer help.<br /> </li><li style="color: #222222; margin-left: 15px;">When I reach out, I bless TWO lives. (This ought to be scripture) :-)<br /> </li><li style="color: #222222; margin-left: 15px;">The opposite of addiction is connection. Reach out to someone at least once a day.<br /> </li><li style="margin-left: 15px;"><span style="color: #222222;">When tempted, use </span><a href="http://www.12steplds.com/2015/04/when-tempted-apply-pms.html"><b><span style="color: #2b00fe;">PMS</span></b></a><span style="color: #222222;">: </span><b><span style="color: red;">P</span></b><span style="color: #222222;">ray, </span><b><span style="color: red;">M</span></b><span style="color: #222222;">ove (go for a walk, etc), and get </span><b><span style="color: red;">S</span></b><span style="color: #222222;">upport (call or text someone)</span><br /><span style="color: #222222;"> </span></li><li style="color: #222222; margin-left: 15px;">Do my dailies DAILY! Include as a <i><b>minimum</b></i>, sincere prayer and reading the Book of Mormon.<br /> </li><li style="color: #222222; margin-left: 15px;">Meet with my bishop on a regular basis.<br /> </li><li style="color: #222222; margin-left: 15px;">Ask for a blessing on a regular basis. Every time I meet with my bishop I ask for a blessing.<br /> </li><li style="color: #222222; margin-left: 15px;">Be accountable to at least one other person, daily if possible.<br /> </li><li style="color: #222222; margin-left: 15px;">Read my patriarchal blessing often (every Fast Sunday).<br /> </li><li style="color: #222222; margin-left: 15px;">Fast with a purpose and do it more than just on Fast Sunday.<br /> </li><li style="color: #222222; margin-left: 15px;">Give service to others and forget myself.<br /> </li><li style="color: #222222; margin-left: 15px;">Do NOT isolate!</li></ol><div style="color: #222222;">This looks like a long list. But nothing on the list takes a long time.</div><div style="color: #222222;"><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503536743796392732.post-67850300463298029332023-10-23T10:46:00.009-06:002023-10-24T09:45:19.918-06:00Beware of Open Gates<span style="font-size: large;">Many of us have set up boundaries between us and a possible relapse. And those boundaries are like gates along a path. </span><span style="font-size: large;">As long as we keep those gates locked and do not go down that path we will remain safe.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTtVO5gdvSl_BKRBiZRCQInOqbihVMD5YvevOdS_Yj0FSm46dlZyoQC-_axDmJ2auzUEsnXHBVD6liG3CMxFJp8xaEWRMFztGSNiGrqxj2NrOtDNLzfTjdFcfYWdjJXQZ5Y5Rwz0oZfdF/s1600/Locked2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="132" data-original-width="700" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgTtVO5gdvSl_BKRBiZRCQInOqbihVMD5YvevOdS_Yj0FSm46dlZyoQC-_axDmJ2auzUEsnXHBVD6liG3CMxFJp8xaEWRMFztGSNiGrqxj2NrOtDNLzfTjdFcfYWdjJXQZ5Y5Rwz0oZfdF/s1600/Locked2.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At times we are tempted to go down the path. And if we give in what happens? </span><span style="font-size: large;">As we start down the path we begin breaking our boundaries and we unlock each gate one by one. We lie to ourselves saying, "I'm only going to go a little way down the path."</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0o8QV-BQpZZQKm3Qe-CVpdqfOYXVclWF37e4YOUDVXKQuU42rVRp7EGAZNM6iZdHCjHf53CQ4KKO0OoGX5E58itYMDTxKRTZRHihC39KkWIsUrmkYC2714-5fIiJ5Grjo9C1nBovbE1c/s1600/Open+Gates2.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="127" data-original-width="700" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0o8QV-BQpZZQKm3Qe-CVpdqfOYXVclWF37e4YOUDVXKQuU42rVRp7EGAZNM6iZdHCjHf53CQ4KKO0OoGX5E58itYMDTxKRTZRHihC39KkWIsUrmkYC2714-5fIiJ5Grjo9C1nBovbE1c/s1600/Open+Gates2.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hopefully, at some point, we come to our senses and ask ourselves. Wow!!! What am I doing??? And we immediately stop and get off the path. We do <a href="https://www.12steplds.com/2015/04/when-tempted-apply-pms.html">PMS</a> -- We </span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>P</b></span><span style="font-size: large;">ray to Heavenly Father, </span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>M</b></span><span style="font-size: large;">ove away from the path, and reach out to others for </span><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>S</b></span><span style="font-size: large;">upport. We admit to God, to ourselves, and to others what we are doing and ask for help.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikt_OE42OMfDPZcy9vQYLY3ZDLUZogqhYg_x8pXmvuO3jmxJXoj8wq7anzeQK13uVWLnObuP67RXLpZCE5f9P9euy4HvrqaLsDlGkm4iIOQCmFpGsT5akISjBTy2XJMVlmfi4614bkUUx8/s1600/Stop+Gates.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="119" data-original-width="700" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikt_OE42OMfDPZcy9vQYLY3ZDLUZogqhYg_x8pXmvuO3jmxJXoj8wq7anzeQK13uVWLnObuP67RXLpZCE5f9P9euy4HvrqaLsDlGkm4iIOQCmFpGsT5akISjBTy2XJMVlmfi4614bkUUx8/s1600/Stop+Gates.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now here is where the unexpected happens. Hours or even days later we may come back to that path. And instead of running into closed gates, we find that the gates we previously opened are still open!!! And at that point, we find that we are already close to relapsing.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjltOMMdWihWsq5qBoZNdKl6QFlFneJMDUShW_ypCXbYwQJFxoiuoDKoJojIDLWgzDYaNsis9cYEWU0eG1pHgNHAmGA0BSG7wYC5eHxoBRHxKnhPXSXr4rEPBz06mHzkIASRovQQb19QRJ9/s1600/Back+Again.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="119" data-original-width="700" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjltOMMdWihWsq5qBoZNdKl6QFlFneJMDUShW_ypCXbYwQJFxoiuoDKoJojIDLWgzDYaNsis9cYEWU0eG1pHgNHAmGA0BSG7wYC5eHxoBRHxKnhPXSXr4rEPBz06mHzkIASRovQQb19QRJ9/s1600/Back+Again.jpg" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">If we are not extremely careful in hours or even days after the first experience we will find ourselves in a relapse. And we might not even remember how we got there. That's how relapses and binges happen. And Satan is more than happy to whisper to us, "Hey you've already messed up, it doesn't matter anymore, so just keep going."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>So what is the solution?</b> The solution, as requested by President Nelson, is <span style="color: red;"><i><span style="background-color: white;"><b>daily</b></span></i> <b><i>repentance</i></b></span>. </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span>Many of us have the mistaken idea that we don't need to repent until we actually relapse. WRONG! We need to repent each time we open one of those gates! </span><span>Those gates don't just close by themselves. If we consciously repent </span><i><b>the same day</b></i><span> we open that first gate, we won't need to worry about subsequent gates. </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Once we repent for an open gate we can close it. In that process, we should</span><span style="font-size: large;"> pray more intently, be more honest, and ask Heavenly Father for His help. At the same time, we can reach out to trusted friends for support.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503536743796392732.post-30576339186625912192023-10-18T08:17:00.007-06:002023-10-18T08:19:15.929-06:00<h2 style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"> <span>Learn Who You Really Are</span></span></b></h2><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLgwojZJ3C4xwhB1pLLM0581ta-tQ4O5-jA5yDyF_gsM4DooxJ0gRTBRhYv9o35gya5Wisl0Xxib4Bbu0iFgwSlHRWwsyK6EOZue4D4-apZ9FxQ0qrbi2PgmIimBhWqY3Zelge4S0OvhXnDHx0oiHvgaQkbre0_Tq9J_x4os9qrVR_34gnI2d23zT-PfNT/s480/True.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="267" data-original-width="480" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLgwojZJ3C4xwhB1pLLM0581ta-tQ4O5-jA5yDyF_gsM4DooxJ0gRTBRhYv9o35gya5Wisl0Xxib4Bbu0iFgwSlHRWwsyK6EOZue4D4-apZ9FxQ0qrbi2PgmIimBhWqY3Zelge4S0OvhXnDHx0oiHvgaQkbre0_Tq9J_x4os9qrVR_34gnI2d23zT-PfNT/s320/True.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></b></div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b><p></p><p><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana;"><b>I read this quote this morning during my dailies, and I felt I needed to share it with you!</b></span></p><p><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b>Learn <i>for yourselves</i> who you really are.</b> Ask your Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, how He feels about you and your mission here on earth. If you ask with real intent, over time the Spirit will whisper the life-changing truth to you. Record those impressions and review them often, and follow through with exactness.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><b><i>I promise you</i></b> that when you begin to catch even a glimpse of how your Heavenly Father sees you and what He is counting on you to do for Him, your life will never be the same!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: georgia; font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #38761d;"><b><span style="font-family: verdana;">The above quote is from a talk President Nelson gave to the young adults of the Church at a </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/prophets-and-apostles/unto-all-the-world/a-true-millennial-will-do-impossible-things?lang=eng" target="_blank">Worldwide Devotional</a> • January 10, 2016</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana;"> </span></b></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503536743796392732.post-3885219192239974592023-09-30T17:27:00.004-06:002024-02-01T16:48:10.231-07:00Feeling the Holy Spirit<h2 style="text-align: center;"> Feeling the Holy Spirit</h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Q74ovw9ywL5B6blI85CIh0EHI07Lk8uW6BDKI5px9DDr5E9ngFJFMUlqJXADGWW1flCqmKvlOj4rOmUCSCnf2RFrqy6z6DCW97dR3AimzI9mGc8geBHQEv438ot9Va7y4HDuHBr4G4JBPbs4YcpHiP_xqyIv7U88eG65_X29IaKdy1DofZl62DphgNH6/s384/Gary%20E.%20Stevenson.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="384" data-original-width="320" height="246" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Q74ovw9ywL5B6blI85CIh0EHI07Lk8uW6BDKI5px9DDr5E9ngFJFMUlqJXADGWW1flCqmKvlOj4rOmUCSCnf2RFrqy6z6DCW97dR3AimzI9mGc8geBHQEv438ot9Va7y4HDuHBr4G4JBPbs4YcpHiP_xqyIv7U88eG65_X29IaKdy1DofZl62DphgNH6/w205-h246/Gary%20E.%20Stevenson.jpg" width="205" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">In our recent 2023 October General Conference, Elder Gary E. Stevenson spoke about how to feel the Holy Spirit.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">His suggestions brought tears of recognition </span><span style="font-size: large;">to my eyes.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">His first suggestion was: "Stand in holy places;" and on his list, he included seminary buildings and institutes. You see, each week I attend ARP meetings, one night in a seminary classroom and another night in an institute classroom.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">His second suggestion was: "Stand with holy people."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">That suggestion also brought tears to my eyes because of the holy men—my brothers—who faithfully attend those meetings. The spirit I feel in each of those meetings is similar to the spirit I feel in the temple.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I feel that Christ could walk into any of those meetings and feel comfortable because the subject is all about Him and His atonement.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">I am so very thankful for those holy places and those holy men who bring the Spirit into my life each week!</span></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503536743796392732.post-18734898607478574602023-09-23T08:37:00.006-06:002023-09-23T08:44:04.491-06:00<h1 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>The Thorn in My Flesh</b></span></h1><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaeH7AeqFT-S9xAonus2qcra1deCO5dBN6RjJuHTtKEWVH1SnccMSiqLaxG2dcJZs6svdwb_iytDOLf0fouY3fm4NFQASp2PIwxgekHmBv2SqJ17eQhBApuXh6vWpxPrtaYE8FxKzUHg289729WjKGHjZfLGvX4ZXToYg2HJ8ID5wzQYGiruYShI_pbHnt/s960/Thorn.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaeH7AeqFT-S9xAonus2qcra1deCO5dBN6RjJuHTtKEWVH1SnccMSiqLaxG2dcJZs6svdwb_iytDOLf0fouY3fm4NFQASp2PIwxgekHmBv2SqJ17eQhBApuXh6vWpxPrtaYE8FxKzUHg289729WjKGHjZfLGvX4ZXToYg2HJ8ID5wzQYGiruYShI_pbHnt/s320/Thorn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Why is overcoming temptation so difficult?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njrJ0EdSP4A" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Watch this short video:</span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Paul made the statement: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">"To keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh."</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Then three times he asked the Savior to take it away -- but He didn't.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">You perhaps like me, have asked the Lord many, many times </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">to take away the weakness -- but He hasn't.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Why?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBxnnyqv144" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Watch this additional video:</span></a></div></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503536743796392732.post-68843536985159282022023-08-13T08:59:00.003-06:002023-08-13T09:06:11.558-06:00<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">His Grace Is Sufficient</span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;">by Brad Wilcox--BYU Devotional--July 2011</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiigYMmY93AO3Vc-1ldZuwP1ECGtW-MiOeZf5rccKYKbHYsRAUCh3mShRP9oAGH2vwCEVVL5X8sLhaWmjBhItaRWDQx-5fgoLKUT09yHfAfl5tnY1kSBocYClS7ppk5PzzrsGugp0jyIGechj53O-1fOIHUJivPlUTlatTyvCwoQn19lm7DdV5u3oZ7lJq/s500/Wilcox-Brad.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiigYMmY93AO3Vc-1ldZuwP1ECGtW-MiOeZf5rccKYKbHYsRAUCh3mShRP9oAGH2vwCEVVL5X8sLhaWmjBhItaRWDQx-5fgoLKUT09yHfAfl5tnY1kSBocYClS7ppk5PzzrsGugp0jyIGechj53O-1fOIHUJivPlUTlatTyvCwoQn19lm7DdV5u3oZ7lJq/w244-h244/Wilcox-Brad.jpg" width="244" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">I love this talk! </p><p style="text-align: left;">As you watch and/or read Brad's talk, think of it in terms of our recovery from addiction.</p><p style="text-align: left;">As he explains, just as practice, practice, and more practice is needed to learn to play the piano.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Practice is also needed in our learning how to recover from addiction.</p><p style="text-align: left;">If we hit a wrong note, we don't go back to day one, we just continue to practice—one day at a time.</p><p style="text-align: left;">I will give two links to this talk.</p><p style="text-align: left;">The first is the full talk—31 minutes. I recommend the full talk.<br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://youtu.be/yLXr9it_pbY?t=17">https://youtu.be/yLXr9it_pbY?t=17</a></p><p style="text-align: left;">The second link is for a condensed version of the talk—11 minutes.</p><p style="text-align: left;">If you don't have time for the full talk, watch this version:</p><p style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://youtu.be/-6bLT-d0Npw">https://youtu.be/-6bLT-d0Npw</a></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #783f04;">After watching or reading this talk, I'd appreciate hearing from you in the comments.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503536743796392732.post-19235372941172428652023-08-12T20:08:00.000-06:002023-08-20T18:37:45.580-06:00Choosing a Marriage Partner<b><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">A Classic Talk by Dr. Brent A. Barlow for LDS Young Single Adults</span></b><br />
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<b>I am including this video on my blog because I care for the single guys in my 12 Step Group. When choosing a mate, or being worthy to be a mate, they are no different than anyone else.</b></div>
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<b>Dr. Brent A. Barlow</b> was a professor of marriage, family and human development at <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigham_Young_University" style="background: none; color: #0b0080; text-decoration: none;" title="Brigham Young University" wotsearchprocessed="true">Brigham Young University</a> (BYU). He is now retired. He has written several books on topics related to marriage.</div>
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Books by Brent include: <i>Just for Newlyweds</i>, <i>Twelve Traps in Today's marriages and how to Avoid Them</i>, <i>What Husbands Expect of Wives</i>, <i>Worth Waiting For: Sexual Abstinence Before Marriage</i> and <i>What Wives Expect of Husbands</i>. He has also written articles on such topics on inter-faith marriage by Mormons.</div>
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<b><span style="color: #b45f06;">If you are single, check out this other post:</span></b><span style="color: #252525;"> <a href="http://www.12steplds.com/2016/01/the-importance-of-having-talk.html">The Importance of Having "The Talk."</a></span></div>
12StepLDShttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08018890287347881803noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503536743796392732.post-68114019776172258172023-07-09T05:38:00.003-06:002023-07-09T05:43:03.639-06:00<h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Don't Be Discouraged</b></span></span></h2><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: x-large;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6br_T1Ows1pD3AJNTjvWaIBcS4LaIe744u_8xbUVXHqpluy-KjmGmg5iEaNfSzokq-JilJzF1te8J1YWKxJq337tag4Hwvh6Gl8w4JTdUZuEzSbUHJqwyKo-MS0UHeXl95rcKU1YLQBaGsSNIVf2iOedyZcttycpoFb6twGFIuVKTMJL4dyu5UUFu0SPe/s1200/National-Rubber-Eraser-Day-1200x834.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="834" data-original-width="1200" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6br_T1Ows1pD3AJNTjvWaIBcS4LaIe744u_8xbUVXHqpluy-KjmGmg5iEaNfSzokq-JilJzF1te8J1YWKxJq337tag4Hwvh6Gl8w4JTdUZuEzSbUHJqwyKo-MS0UHeXl95rcKU1YLQBaGsSNIVf2iOedyZcttycpoFb6twGFIuVKTMJL4dyu5UUFu0SPe/s320/National-Rubber-Eraser-Day-1200x834.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Behold, he who has repented of his sins, <br />he same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.</i><br />D&C 58:42</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1419; font-family: georgia; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Don't be depressed or discouraged because you aren't errorless. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1419; white-space-collapse: preserve;">You do make mistakes, and if they are serious mistakes, you repent. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1419; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Well, even if they are little mistakes, you repent. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: #0f1419; white-space-collapse: preserve;">That is why you have an eraser; that is why you have a delete key on your keyboard. </span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0f1419; font-family: georgia; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Those things are part of life. </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #0f1419; font-family: georgia; white-space-collapse: preserve;">You make judgments, and you make corrections as you go.</span></p></blockquote><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px; text-align: left;"><i style="color: #0f1419; font-family: georgia; text-align: center; white-space-collapse: preserve;">--President Russell M. Nelson</i></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503536743796392732.post-15225201705817044842023-06-22T13:04:00.000-06:002023-06-22T13:04:47.959-06:00<div class="separator"><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; clear: right; float: right; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">REAL
Triggers & REAL Boundaries *<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><div class="separator"><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #806000; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 128;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 12pt;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4cvtOKyqTg63wHuE_vFqvtDnRz3WQf0Z3A_CloCkXQREFMdyFoH2DofKnNVFmkPytoAjGbsojQZ0ra65wiASPBx3jbOJu6_RYELGTmLIT-ihYvEAfJxiOHhu4mIItw2V-ZAuyqUjsxwFtGvTR-mIY0qfbMjI7vflbXzWzXsC2F2kzf25dxibDGS55SA/s638/boundaries.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="426" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4cvtOKyqTg63wHuE_vFqvtDnRz3WQf0Z3A_CloCkXQREFMdyFoH2DofKnNVFmkPytoAjGbsojQZ0ra65wiASPBx3jbOJu6_RYELGTmLIT-ihYvEAfJxiOHhu4mIItw2V-ZAuyqUjsxwFtGvTR-mIY0qfbMjI7vflbXzWzXsC2F2kzf25dxibDGS55SA/w158-h237/boundaries.jpg" width="158" /></a></span></div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 12pt;">I want to define healthy boundaries for myself by pondering upon triggers, determining safe boundaries to avoid the triggers (instead of trying to resist them), and sharing them with a sponsor. </span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 12pt;">Then communicate with my sponsor within 4-8 hours if I cross one of those boundaries. I feel this will enable me to have a healthier relationship with accountability and thus assist me in confessing before</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #222222; font-size: 12pt;"> relapsing.</span><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 16pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt;">With
that said, here are some of the triggers and correlating boundaries that I have
created to this point.<br /><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Triggers:
Browsing Online</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Reading material/articles online that are either suggestive
outright or I know will lead to seeing that kind of material suggested.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Watching movie trailers in succession with the ulterior
motive to "accidentally" happen upon triggering material. Or even
seeking that suggestive/triggering material outright.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Looking up details about actors/actresses.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Being alone watching something on a computer.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">5.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Using messaging GIFs to "stumble upon"
triggering material.<br /><br /></span></p><h3 style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: left;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Boundaries:
Defining and committing to internet/phone usage </span></b></h3><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">1.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">I commit to limiting my internet usage to work use, study,
and pre-defined entertainment.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">2.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">I commit that free-range entertainment (movies, videos,
etc.) will only be done alongside my wife. Entertainment on the BYUtv app is acceptable
alone.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">3.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">I commit to forgo usage/searching GIFs on any online
platform.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-left: 47.25pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">4.<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">I commit to never bring my phone with me into a bathroom
stall (I expect there to be instances where I am out in public and cannot place
the phone elsewhere, in this case, I commit to reaching out to my sponsor prior
to entering the bathroom, letting him know and then reporting back afterward
without using it)<br /><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #222222;">* </span></span><span style="color: #806000; font-size: 12pt;">A good friend sent me this content and gave me permission to share it. <br /></span><span style="color: #806000; font-size: 12pt;">It’s a great example of using boundaries instead of just barriers to avoid acting out! <br /><br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #806000; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 128;">Check out my post on </span><a href="http://www.12steplds.com/2017/04/barriers-vs-boundaries.html"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #1177cc;">Barriers vs Boundaries</span></a></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503536743796392732.post-84515702572112541642023-06-12T13:29:00.006-06:002023-06-12T13:57:51.872-06:00<p></p><h2 style="text-align: center;"> Two Great ARP Fireside Talks<br /><br /></h2><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHygaj_Yf0vSmydhoXXyI6_FW8lIFIUWMOftRwscfe53L-_Qj_BARYyhhRx-E5lV25bWg7-DhizrQ3ehn4_vFO8YUFMRU9kVILovw-sWDWxCkl4pKTIWcm4mgaLoTlStmTPu5aRRLtTwemKAdBkW9drtQsGuskpQ1aNEp7LvwUpN8LHHpu_OSY-JsNiw/s474/Fireside%202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="474" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHygaj_Yf0vSmydhoXXyI6_FW8lIFIUWMOftRwscfe53L-_Qj_BARYyhhRx-E5lV25bWg7-DhizrQ3ehn4_vFO8YUFMRU9kVILovw-sWDWxCkl4pKTIWcm4mgaLoTlStmTPu5aRRLtTwemKAdBkW9drtQsGuskpQ1aNEp7LvwUpN8LHHpu_OSY-JsNiw/w196-h164/Fireside%202.jpg" width="196" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We periodically have ARP Firesides where participants, their families, guests, missionaries, and facilitators are all invited. Often the audio from those firesides is recorded and can be found at <a href="http://ARPfiresides.com" target="_blank">ARPfiresides.com</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our two most recent firesides featured facilitators willing to tell their stories. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I highly recommend those talks for your listening. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>February 2023 Fireside — Speaker:</b> <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Lzc5yUEPxJN379rRrm5lh4ohyzTrPJyJ/view" target="_blank">Riley and ARP Facilitator</a></div></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>June 2023 Fireside — Speaker:</b> <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yUHtHJRmNMipygHkQnYXywYBE4BHarTn/view" target="_blank">Devin an ARP Facilitator</a></div></blockquote><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503536743796392732.post-8323656958263858802023-05-03T07:00:00.000-06:002023-05-04T09:01:49.005-06:00Let Me Share A Secret<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Sometimes I think secrets are even better if you can share them with close friends.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">This is one of those times.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I have a secret regarding a tool I use to strengthen my recovery. </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Now let me see if I can explain it.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>The Problem</b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Satan has lots of tools in his toolkit that he can use against me. Some of them are:</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><ul><li style="margin-left: 15px;">Feeling lonely</li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">Feeling sad</li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">Feeling hurt</li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">Feeling weak</li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">Feeling ugly</li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">Feeling unloved</li><li style="margin-left: 15px;">Feeling helpless</li></ul></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I’m sure you can add to this list.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Whenever I’m hit with any of these feelings, my natural-man tendency is to go <b><i>inward</i></b>, to shut down, to isolate myself And then to seek comfort or instant gratification to make the pain go away—in other words, to act out.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">That’s not a good solution.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><b>The Solution</b></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Instead of going<b><i> inward</i></b>—which is my natural-man inclination—the solution it to look <b><i>outward</i></b>—to reach out to others. I do this with text messages and emails—to those I care about. It not only gets my mind off of myself, but sometimes it may even bless the life of another person.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I try to make these texts and emails either uplifting, faith-promoting, or humorous. But I also try to be very sincere in any compliments I might give. My goal is not to flatter anyone but to express sincere appreciation for them and their talents.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">What does this do for me? It gets my mind off of myself. It causes me to be grateful for the friends I have and appreciate them for what they give to me. One other benefit, even though it’s not necessary, is that sometimes they even respond.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Either way, it blesses my life, and sometimes it might even bless their lives.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><strong>Conclusion</strong></span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I hope my telling you my secret, might be of some benefit. It really works for me. </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Thank you for allowing me to be a friend!</div><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">I appreciate you for reading my blog!<br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMMTlOvXLrhfdwiwGBAa68Pz3QkdxX1AKikwzg8EWk4B8SnmnwIFo4ZB2_OVy4ZeeGgAQ1O8E6bNp7pqr1F7hYItgriZTkUV1YsFzGUysH7zSUIYTiJGNhjJ-POkHa3VVIhuihf2rKQGYG/s360/Reach+Out.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="203" data-original-width="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMMTlOvXLrhfdwiwGBAa68Pz3QkdxX1AKikwzg8EWk4B8SnmnwIFo4ZB2_OVy4ZeeGgAQ1O8E6bNp7pqr1F7hYItgriZTkUV1YsFzGUysH7zSUIYTiJGNhjJ-POkHa3VVIhuihf2rKQGYG/s320/Reach+Out.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"> </div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503536743796392732.post-57979753481521526192023-05-02T07:31:00.011-06:002023-05-02T07:49:03.441-06:00Fasting to Overcome Addiction<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7vnIUcpVILSAKY9McNHul2BoQW1urQBWSYzPBwZikSRidKM1S4yda5gMQAj4wjVy7S5mXrCmJnUJXTF99j7nsT2y4AmLkZqZE5ezBHDwadV0_rW-BXzUrUQNx3ITwN7HORazwR7ecNHq_opsLWmsuoHiZBZ4f82TSk8npkoxTzA_uN-ZAivAuNZ1WA/s440/Fasting.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="257" data-original-width="440" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU7vnIUcpVILSAKY9McNHul2BoQW1urQBWSYzPBwZikSRidKM1S4yda5gMQAj4wjVy7S5mXrCmJnUJXTF99j7nsT2y4AmLkZqZE5ezBHDwadV0_rW-BXzUrUQNx3ITwN7HORazwR7ecNHq_opsLWmsuoHiZBZ4f82TSk8npkoxTzA_uN-ZAivAuNZ1WA/w400-h234/Fasting.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">When was the last time you fasted—<i>other than Fast Sunday</i>? </span><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Here are some thoughts to consider:</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">There is great spiritual power in prayer and fasting. Addiction is a spiritual bondage that must be fought with spiritual weapons. Fasting and prayer will enable you to be empowered by the Holy Ghost and allow His anointing to break the yoke that binds you. —</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">justprayno.org</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And he said unto them, </span><i style="font-family: georgia;"><b><span style="color: #666666;">This kind</span></b> </i><span style="font-family: georgia;">can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. —</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Mark 9:29</span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">The next time you fast, take time to prepare. Prayerfully choose a purpose for your fast. You may want to write your purpose in your journal. —</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Fast with a Purpose, churchofjesuschrist.org</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Fasting without a purpose is just starving. —</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Anonymous</span></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: left;">Alma testified that when he prayed and fasted, his ability to receive revelation increased. Abstinence from your addiction can be considered a form of fasting. —Step 11, LDS Addiction Recovery Program</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: georgia; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">Fasting intensifies prayer. In the scriptures, I have found at least 49 references to fasting, 25 of those link fasting to prayer. Proper fasting magnifies our ability to pray. —</span><span style="font-family: georgia;">Fasting with Power, Ensign, April 2009</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A step toward self-mastery comes when you observe the law of the fast. Fasting fortifies discipline over appetite and helps to protect against later uncontrolled cravings and gnawing habits. —Russell M. Nelson</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I am going to fast, during the month, for myself and for others who suffer.</i></div></span></div></div><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503536743796392732.post-86286225447951381252023-03-13T06:37:00.001-06:002023-03-13T06:37:31.531-06:00A Way Back<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNbmQHgSqnPEjes2Yy355xwoqRqsJ6mWnaluWe7WsRxJ3h2CLDKIxlkNrVXuyfFg8BE1plNaT4OGqatAgDaaDHULMTCkwwaM8dW06ic7tbKkKDorpNOL0gu4mprBMsygjIAZa_6Hp5NxUHfDrJL7AOOZEZH0YqWP-vKjMiPp2lAntkd_JLdgf_fgUfaQ/s788/Nelson.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="788" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNbmQHgSqnPEjes2Yy355xwoqRqsJ6mWnaluWe7WsRxJ3h2CLDKIxlkNrVXuyfFg8BE1plNaT4OGqatAgDaaDHULMTCkwwaM8dW06ic7tbKkKDorpNOL0gu4mprBMsygjIAZa_6Hp5NxUHfDrJL7AOOZEZH0YqWP-vKjMiPp2lAntkd_JLdgf_fgUfaQ/w400-h305/Nelson.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;">The quote below gives me great hope! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">"There is <i>always</i> a way back. Jesus Christ (and His gospel) is the way. You have not committed any sin so serious that you are beyond the reach of the Savior’s love and atoning grace. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">As you take steps to repent and follow God’s laws, you will begin to feel just how much Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son want you back home with Them! </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">They want you to be happy. They will do anything within Their power that does not violate <i>your</i> agency or <i>Their</i> laws to help you come back. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;">How I cherish the privilege of feeling Their love for you!"</span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;">This statement was made at a </span><a href="https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/russell-m-nelson/love-laws-god/" style="font-size: large;" target="_blank">BYU Devotional</a><span style="font-size: large;"> delivered on September 17, 2019.</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503536743796392732.post-36580973569399201412023-02-28T07:23:00.005-07:002023-02-28T07:29:14.993-07:00Riley's Story<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><h1 style="text-align: center;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: x-large; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Riley's
Story</span></b></h1><div><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: x-large; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><br /></span></b></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: large; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi802k8Y2yChNdO3qZbnU-lkp6-5bxbG4ia-hWtm5J5iDw51fdl0Vrvbv-nNyN5sC-0rmCwXXMlG-8TLdO6OeDOssz2-FOw9rVKb2JF4KMH7vr_zZTxU3U9pBPjTpzUnx2dg3F60r3NM_6fajTSW9vSKrOz1LHZLZKVSdMphR7PtmSHBwVfDJNjGctN9Q/s293/guy.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="244" data-original-width="293" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi802k8Y2yChNdO3qZbnU-lkp6-5bxbG4ia-hWtm5J5iDw51fdl0Vrvbv-nNyN5sC-0rmCwXXMlG-8TLdO6OeDOssz2-FOw9rVKb2JF4KMH7vr_zZTxU3U9pBPjTpzUnx2dg3F60r3NM_6fajTSW9vSKrOz1LHZLZKVSdMphR7PtmSHBwVfDJNjGctN9Q/s1600/guy.jpg" width="293" /></a></p><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">I was blessed to attend an Addiction Recovery Fireside recently. One of the speakers was Riley. He is a
facilitator in the program.<br />
<br />
Riley has been addicted to pornography most of his life. He was first exposed
to images when he was only 5 years old.<br />
<br />
He gave an amazing talk about his struggles: how he tried to overcome them on his
own, with little or no success. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">And then what finally worked and what is
working for him now.<br />
<br /><a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Lzc5yUEPxJN379rRrm5lh4ohyzTrPJyJ/view" target="_blank">Click here</a> to listen to his 15-minute talk!</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><br />
<br /><br /></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503536743796392732.post-6903805211415778112023-02-18T06:17:00.004-07:002023-02-19T13:25:21.713-07:00Amazing | Inspiring | Informative<p><br /></p><h1 style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Amazing | Inspiring | Informative</span></h1><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoIhcd9jbG7j2FH9-eeMgEqTUY7LyL2bgeSGAKS2e2s2gAX-U-bSU0KJJ2tqkaLhPxPc4avIMXCkcgPU8dHX0HMhoL9gJHrfX9t8mjgELkZ0xWm5GBhMMIOISNcypd6TPpRfEL2_LTR3eos_uVHERxU5Tj0ittEhkmGS--V3qC2XtD0EBeRAiiLoJpQ/s736/Bednar.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="736" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidoIhcd9jbG7j2FH9-eeMgEqTUY7LyL2bgeSGAKS2e2s2gAX-U-bSU0KJJ2tqkaLhPxPc4avIMXCkcgPU8dHX0HMhoL9gJHrfX9t8mjgELkZ0xWm5GBhMMIOISNcypd6TPpRfEL2_LTR3eos_uVHERxU5Tj0ittEhkmGS--V3qC2XtD0EBeRAiiLoJpQ/w382-h252/Bednar.jpg" width="382" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p style="background-color: white; color: #3b3f44; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Speaking at a weekly devotional at Ensign College, Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles answered questions about change, personal revelation, covenants, and balance.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #3b3f44; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #3b3f44; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong>Here are a couple of questions that he answered:</strong></span></p><ul style="background-color: white; color: #3b3f44; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><li><span style="font-size: 16px;">How do I know if a thought is just my own or revelation from the Holy Ghost?</span></li><li><span style="font-size: 16px;">How can I find balance in my life?</span></li></ul><p style="background-color: white; color: #3b3f44; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #3b3f44; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 18px;"><strong>Here is a sample of what he said about prayer:</strong></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #3b3f44; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #3b3f44; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Most of your answers won't be what you want or when you want.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #3b3f44; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #3b3f44; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">People pray and it's like they're shopping at a store. Heavenly Father I need this and this and this and this and deliver it by this time. And if you don't get this and this and this and this by the time – Well God wasn't listening to my prayers!</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #3b3f44; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #3b3f44; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;">Yes, he was! -- You're not listening to the answers, so don't expect him just to provide a delivery service.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #3b3f44; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"> </p><p style="background-color: white; color: #3b3f44; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong>You don't pray to tell God what you want or what you need. You pray to find out what God wants for you. A big difference – that will change the way you pray forever.</strong></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #3b3f44; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong><br /></strong></span></p><p style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: 16px;">Based on his recommendation, I am trying to make changes in my own prayers. It isn't easy to give up my own vain repetitions -- but I'm trying to find out what God wants for me.</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #3b3f44; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 16px;"><strong><br /></strong></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #3b3f44; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; text-align: center;"><strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcp4oOT-Bto" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">Click here to view the video</span></a></strong></p><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503536743796392732.post-24373885869648874282022-11-30T10:20:00.000-07:002022-11-30T13:44:31.634-07:00Avoiding Temptation vs Resisting Temptation<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-2808432211908265136" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 620px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kf3rZoooe84wpLQmD3WyetLFRQZ4p__l-hbgvj5nIesZolS3CI7WejTxEAVV6c78uJuDrcadSRNuRgUd5u1ZuR9EOwfA9r1-mCZwBWdmj-C7X0s0CIBVbh_fBWHTfA2R2yP1P-UFE7X-/s1600/shark.jpg" style="clear: right; color: #1177cc; float: right; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" data-original-height="265" data-original-width="474" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8kf3rZoooe84wpLQmD3WyetLFRQZ4p__l-hbgvj5nIesZolS3CI7WejTxEAVV6c78uJuDrcadSRNuRgUd5u1ZuR9EOwfA9r1-mCZwBWdmj-C7X0s0CIBVbh_fBWHTfA2R2yP1P-UFE7X-/s320/shark.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" width="320" /></a><span face=""arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">I’d like to compare my addiction to a waterslide. The waterslide is the addiction and my natural man is anxious to experience the thrill of the slide.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">However, my spirit wants something better. My spirit knows that the thrill of the slide is only temporary and artificial and will not satisfy </span></span>my desire<span face=""arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"> for true long-lasting joy.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">With that in mind let's imagine a young man sitting at the top of the slide. The water is already rushing past him and he is grasping tightly the sides of the slide -- he is just waiting for the signal to go.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">So at this point, what are the chances of him resisting the temptation to start down the slide? And once he starts down the slide, what are the chances of him stopping? His chances of resisting at this point are slim to none.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">The same is true of us and our addiction. Once we get to a certain point, the chance of us backing away or stopping is almost impossible. Let's admit it -- we have all been there!</span></span><br />
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Even if the young man at the top of a slide changes his mind, he still has to push his way past all the others waiting in line and walk down all those stairs to get to safety. That’s not very likely, especially if his natural man still wants to experience the thrill of the slide.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">So one solution, rather than “</span></span><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">resist temptation</b><span face=""arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">, is to “</span></span><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;">avoid temptation</b><span face=""arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">.”</span></span><br />
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Getting back to the waterslide analogy: wouldn’t it be much easier to make a decision, at the foot of the waterslide, to not climb all those stairs, and thus avoid the temptation </span></span>altogether<span face=""arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">In </span></span>fact<span face=""arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">, if you knew that waterslides were bad, perhaps when you saw a waterslide 100 yards away, you could decide to go off in another direction and avoid the slide </span></span>altogether<span face=""arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">If we have a temptation right in front of us, close enough that we can reach out and touch it, our chance of resisting it is very small. However, if the temptation is far off, and we choose to avoid it, our chance of success is great.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: small;"><b>"Avoiding" temptation is more effective than "resisting" temptation!</b></span><br />
<br />
Along<span face=""arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"> this same line of thinking, it's my understanding that we all have our own </span></span><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><i>rituals</i></b><span face=""arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"> when we start getting close to temptation – we follow the same paths over and over again.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">If we are honest with ourselves, we can identify early on when we are starting down that path and avoid going any further. We have been down that path before and we already know where it leads.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">Think of the last time you acted out or relapsed. What led up to your acting out? Like the stairs up to the water slide, what path did you take? </span></span><br />
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">I challenge you to mentally walk </span></span>back<span face=""arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"> down that path, down the stairs of the water slide, to it’s beginning. Now, in your mind, pinpoint the start of that path!!! At that point what could you have done to avoid going any further?</span></span><br />
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">So next time you find </span></span>yourself<span face=""arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"> starting down that path, or up those stairs, </span></span><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><i>stop yourself and <u>avoid</u> going any</i></b></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-2808432211908265136" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 620px;"><b style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px;"><i>further </i></b><span face=""arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif" style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">-- you already know where it leads!!!</span></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-2808432211908265136" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 620px;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-2808432211908265136" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 620px;"><span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-size: 13.2px;">So let me ask you, when would be the best time to reach out -- when you see the waterslide in the distance -- or when you are at the top of the slide and just about to slide down???<br /></span></span>
<br />
<span face=""arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif" style="color: #f1c232; font-size: 13.2px;"><br /></span><span face=""arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif" style="color: #7f6000; font-size: 13.2px;">P.S. I chose a water slide for my analogy because it really is a "<i>slippery slope</i>". And once you start down that path, you know where you're going to end up.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503536743796392732.post-38241998970734392552022-11-17T08:00:00.000-07:002022-11-17T08:33:46.701-07:00Instead of a Silver Bullet<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Many of us have been unsuccessful in finding</span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> a Silver Bullet to </span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>cure</b></i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> our addiction.</span><br />
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span>
<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Well I don't have a silver bullet -- b</span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">ut I do have something better:</span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-size: x-large;">A Prophetic Promise! </b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="color: #7f6000;">"I promise</span></b><br />
<b><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="color: #7f6000;"> that as you </span></b><br />
<b><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="color: #7f6000;"> daily immerse* yourself</span></b><br />
<b><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="color: #7f6000;"> in the Book of Mormon,</span></b><br />
<b><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="color: #7f6000;"> you can be immunized** </span></b><br />
<b><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="color: #7f6000;"> against the evils of the day, </span></b><br />
<b><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="color: #7f6000;"> even the gripping plague of pornography!"</span></b></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;"><b>-- President Russell M. Nelson --</b></span><br />
<span face=""ensign:serif" , "mckay" , "mckay ldslat" , "palatino" , "palatino linotype" , , serif">October 2017 </span>General Conference<br />
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #7f6000;"><b>The requirement for each of us </b></span></span><span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="color: #7f6000;"><b>is </b></span></div>
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<span face=""verdana" , sans-serif" style="color: #7f6000;"><b>to </b></span><b style="color: #7f6000; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><u>daily immerse ourselves</u></i> in the Book of Mormon.</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELHRlJBa3VWK6E6zcFlutlso35HOQVgssWprYffbxwAc4Aig0pLAKJrpAazaceSFzfzXVyKz1VaxrkhyRsHm8uoNYWfc93SV-Z8Xx-NLgh2pAovCM8pnNhDt69VPlze0zE_QXffrT1uK0/s1600/Book+of+Mormon.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="245" data-original-width="170" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiELHRlJBa3VWK6E6zcFlutlso35HOQVgssWprYffbxwAc4Aig0pLAKJrpAazaceSFzfzXVyKz1VaxrkhyRsHm8uoNYWfc93SV-Z8Xx-NLgh2pAovCM8pnNhDt69VPlze0zE_QXffrT1uK0/s200/Book+of+Mormon.jpg" width="138" /></a></div>
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<b><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">So how can we make reading the Book of Mormon a higher priority in our lives?<br /> </span></b><br />
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>What would happen if we treated our Book of Mormon like we treat our cell phone?</i></b></div>
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<li><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">What if we carried it around in
our pocket?</span></li>
<li><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">What if we turned back to get it
if we forgot it?</span></li>
<li><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">What if we flipped it open several
times a day?</span></li>
<li><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">What if we spent an hour or more
using it every day?</span></li>
<li><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">What if we used it consistently
to receive messages from the text?</span></li>
<li><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">What if we treated it like we
couldn’t live without it?</span></li>
<li><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">What if we searched for new
applications?</span></li>
<li><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">What if we used it as we
traveled?</span></li>
<li><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">What if we used it in case of an
emergency?</span></li>
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<b><i><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">What WOULD happen if we
treated our Book of Mormon like we treat our cell phone?<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"><span style="color: #0d0f10;"> * To immerse </span><span style="color: #0d0f10;">is to plunge into something that surrounds or covers.</span></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #0d0f10;">** Immunization is the process whereby a person is made immune or resistant to an infectious </span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #0d0f10;">disease.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8503536743796392732.post-7988523303826284452022-11-03T17:06:00.001-06:002022-11-03T17:14:26.635-06:00Preparing for Steps 4 & 5<p> </p><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8562076972436717801" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.2px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 620px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlvz5qhdFk6qNN7dSl8A9Dpygrcv503pycMY_xv4ccE8hwrb5HlK0YX9dlgk_fVv01XoJ3g5Qrhhn5_3uACtg2XpiwW-uWgtAJIxajbx9Qn3mIXUWdF2AC9__EiWu22xGsMzOH_e1FXIy/s1600/4%25265-3.jpg" style="clear: right; color: #1177cc; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJlvz5qhdFk6qNN7dSl8A9Dpygrcv503pycMY_xv4ccE8hwrb5HlK0YX9dlgk_fVv01XoJ3g5Qrhhn5_3uACtg2XpiwW-uWgtAJIxajbx9Qn3mIXUWdF2AC9__EiWu22xGsMzOH_e1FXIy/s1600/4%25265-3.jpg" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 1px solid rgb(238, 238, 238); box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.1) 1px 1px 5px; padding: 5px; position: relative;" /></a>In the seven years I've been attending 12 Step meetings I estimate I have listened to shares regarding Steps 4 and 5 at least 35 times.<br /><br />And in listening to those shares I have written down several notes which may be helpful for anyone who has not completed these steps.<br /><br />First, there is no right or wrong way to do the Step 4 Inventory. I think the ARP Guide is purposely vague so that we each can rely on<br />the Spirit to guide us.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Suggestions Regarding Writing Your Inventory in Step 4</span><br /><br />These are suggestions I have heard over the last five years. Hopefully, as you read through these the spirit will prompt you as to which suggestions, if any, are right for your situation. They are in no particular order.<br /><ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Pick the person you are going to read your Step 4 Inventory to upfront, and make an appointment so that you then have a mental deadline to work towards. That way you will not be one of those who takes months or years working on your inventory. The future date can be anytime, even months away, but just pick a date!</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Pray before you begin each writing session</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">If a thought enters your mind, write it down</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">If you feel like skipping something, write it down</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">If you feel too embarrassed to share something, write it down</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">If you feel this incident it too minor to write down, write it down</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">There is a reason these things are entering your mind, so include them</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Once you begin, try to write down at least one incident a day</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Not everything you write down has to be connected to your addiction<br />Some things may only pertain to character weaknesses</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Also include your strengths. If you're not sure what they are, ask a good friend.</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Some guys have used a spreadsheet format; others have just written free form </li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">One friend shared that since he already had asked someone to listen in Step 5, he shared what he was writing while he was writing it. That way the person who was going to listen to his Inventory could give him suggestions along the way. He still felt he had to read the entire inventory to his friend, even though the friend had already read most of it. He said the reading was necessary so he could hear his own voice confessing what he had done.</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">One friend admitted that he took over a year to write his inventory, it was about 80 pages in length and took him 8 hours to read it out loud to a friend. (I don’t recommend this, but it was necessary for him to feel thorough)</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Keep in mind that the things you are writing down are things Christ is going to take from you! So if you consider not writing down something -- think again -- <span style="background-color: #ffd966;">stuff you don't write down is stuff you are going to keep! And you don't want to keep anything!</span><br /> </li></ul><div><span style="font-size: large;">Thoughts Regarding Reading Your Inventory in Step 5</span></div><ul style="line-height: 1.4; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;"><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Pick someone you feel comfortable sharing with and someone who will keep what you read to them confidential. The ARP Guide states: "We tried to select Someone who had gone through steps 4 and 5 and who was well-grounded in the gospel." That person is NOT your bishop.</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">You are not expected to read your Step 4 Inventory to your Bishop. He doesn’t need to know all the details of your life, like what happened when you were 11 years old, etc. He only needs to know enough to be your judge, like in giving a temple recommend interview.</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">You should ask someone who has already been through Steps 4 and 5 to be the one to listen to your inventory. For that person, you <i><b>should</b></i> share what happened when you were 11 years old if it had an impact on your future life. He will have empathy for you and will not judge you because he already knows what it’s like to be addicted. </li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">It’s probably not a good idea to read your inventory to your wife or girlfriend (unless you both feel good about it). The "Support in Recovery" document or "Step 13" states: "Participants may decide not to share their personal inventories with immediate family members or people who might be hurt by hearing those inventories." I did <b>not</b> read my inventory to my wife or my bishop. </li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">A friend recently gave this advice: "Do not read your inventory to anyone who is mentioned in your inventory." -- Good advice.</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">If your inventory is long, you can read it over more than one session.</li><li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Choose a quiet safe place to read your inventory so you won’t be interrupted.</li></ul><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">My Experience</span><br /><br />I have been privileged to listen to multiple Step 4 Inventories. Each one was totally different because of the method used by the person who was writing, and his own background. But the one thing they had in common is that it was a spiritual experience, both for me and the other person.<br /><br />We began with prayer and they read at their own speed. I just listened and gave encouragement. I did not judge!!! My respect and love for each of those guys was greater <b><i>after</i></b> they finished than it had been when they began.<br /><br />Please don’t be afraid of either of these steps. I promise you that they will bless your life!<br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0