Mr. SponsorPants

just because

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5 Quotes by Dr. Maya Angelou

 

 

 

Self-pity in its early stage is as snug as a feather mattress. Only when it hardens does it become uncomfortable.

 

 

I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.

 

 

If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain.

 

 

I've learned that making a living is not the same thing as making a life.

 

 

My life has been one great big joke,

a dance that's walked a song that's spoke,

I laugh so hard I almost choke

when I think about myself.

 

 

Special Bonus Quote:

Listen to yourself and in that quietude you might hear the voice of God.

 

 

 

 

"Or like... a gallon?"

 

 

 

 

 

I've been helping a sober friend plan his 65th natal birthday party. The guest list will be an eclectic bunch, befitting his colorful personality; comprised predominantly of sober friends but with some non-program people -- some drinkers in the mix.

He wants to be a good host, and it's not an AA party, so he will have alcohol there for those who imbibe. The layout of the house is such that it can be easily served (he's hiring a bartender) but will not be physically in the middle of the festivities. Subtle, but available, a nice way to make sure all his guests are both comfortable and able to celebrate with him.

We were chatting about food and how to serve it, refreshments, etc., when suddenly he stopped cold, struck by a thought.

"How much booze should I actually buy?"

I made a "dunno" face and shrugged. "How many people do you expect at the party total?" I asked.

He looked into space for a moment, scanning a mental list. "About a hundred, probably."

"Okay," I said, "and how many of them will be drinkers?"

"Oh..." again he consulted his mental list, "maybe 20 in all. They're not alcoholics, just, you know, drinkers."

"I get it. I get it." I waved my hand.

"And I want to be a good host," he continued, "but I don't know... I mean, how much booze should I get for roughly 20 drinkers? I mean, it's a party. It's Saturday night... I want everyone to have fun and all..."

I nodded. "Right. Right. But the success of your party is not about getting 20 people hammered."

"Right!" he nodded. "So how much do you think each person will drink? I mean, it's going to be high energy. I've got a DJ and it's Saturday night and while I don't want people wasted I don't want to run out, either. I don't want to look chintzy."

"Oh, yeah, no. I totally get it." I nodded again.

"So what do you think? How much will each person drink?"

Now it was my turn to stare off into space for a minute. "Each? Well, Saturday night, party... I don't know. Couple litres maybe? Or like... a gallon?"

He nodded in agreement, and then we must have simultaneously replayed the last ten seconds of the conversation in our heads, because together we burst out laughing -- long and hard -- at the fact that to both of us, without thinking too much about it, a gallon per person seemed like a perfectly reasonable guess.

The chuckles kept burbling up as he said, "I better Google it. You and I have no frame of reference..."

I myself hadn't completely stopped laughing, and through my giggles, agreed. "Can't argue with that."

 

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 There are more essays like this in "Mr. SponsorPants: Adventures in Sobriety and The 12 Steps for AA's and Others."  Available as an eBook on Kindle via Amazon.  Download the Kindle reader app for free on any device or platform, from PC to Smartphone.

 

 

 

hell yeah!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some mornings ya gotta come out swingin'.

 

a work in progress

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a friday kind of prayer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heading out of town to an AA Roundup this weekend. Poking around the internet, looking for inspiration for a Mr. SponsorPants post, I found this and it fit me just right.

Cheers!

5 Quotes by Byron Katie

 

 

 

 

I am a lover of what is, not because I'm a spiritual person, but because it hurts when I argue with reality.

 

 

Placing the blame or judgment on someone else leaves you powerless to change your experience; taking responsibility for your beliefs and judgments gives you the power to change them.

 

 

All I have is all I need and all I need is all I have in this moment.

 

 

A thought is harmless unless we believe it. It's not our thoughts, but our attachment to our thoughts, that causes suffering. Attaching to a thought means believing that it's true, without inquiring. A belief is a thought we've been attaching to, often for years. 

 

 

As long as you think the cause of your problem is "out there" -- as long as you think that anyone or anything is responsible for your suffering -- the situation is hopeless. It means that you are forever in the role of victim, that you're suffering in paradise.

 

 

Special Bonus Quote:

It's not your job to like me -- it's mine.

 

 

 

 

when it's quiet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

re-examine all you have been told

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That's great, and wise, Walt. Thanks for that. I'm a big fan.

Trouble is, sometimes my ego pretends to be my soul.

And my ego is pretty sneaky at what it chooses to be insulted by.

I should absolutely re-examine all I have been told... and keep re-examining it.

But I need to remember that sometimes what my ego wants to dismiss my soul needs to embrace.

And I often need help in telling the two apart.

 

 

like carrying a burden