29. November 2008 by Patrick Budowski.

My memory is so far gone, that I have trouble dealing with what really happened and what people tell me that happened. Now I know as we get older some folks lose more of their memory then others, however those of us who have drank or drugged heavy in the past tend to have less recall. I tend to try not to remember things, because when I do, I am usually wrong or off base. Plus if it has to do with something I did with or too another person, it’s best not to even go there. Since I could not tell you who I slept with or who I had a fight with. Yet I have found relying on others to tell the truth may not be a great thing either. (I do have a few friends who I know will not steer me wrong)The more I think about this the more I am convinced to just start all over, seems it would be easier for me to do then to try and figure out what it is I did or did not do.

Prime example is I heard two different versions of something I did way back when, and both versions were different, and yet my version was off as well.

Here is the big question, does it really matter what happened in the past as long as I am still breathing? Or as some people say, the past is what defines us. If the past defines us then I am in real trouble since I was drunk more then I was sober. Please don’t get me wrong I am sure I had a lot of fun (so I am told) when I first started drinking. Granted I don’t remember it, but the info that I have gotten from those I hung out with back then tends to let me believe that I did have fun at the start of my addiction.

Will give this more thought

Technorati Tags: memory, drinking, drugs,

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23. November 2008 by Patrick Budowski.

Help addicts overcome addiction through empowerment. This is the key to success in recovery and working with others; you tap into their own potential and open them up to a life that was only hidden to them. This can be done through probing questions and careful evaluation.

For example, examine the strengths of a recovering addict. What are they good at? Say they are excellent speakers and can connect emotionally with others through their speeches. In this case, guiding the addict to chair 12 step meetings and take them into institutions to carry the message is optimal. On the other hand, say you have a recovering addict who is not so great at speaking in groups but can really connect well with people in a one-on-one setting. In this case, you might encourage the recovering addict to sponsor newcomers and talk with folks after meetings who are in need of extra help. In other words, you take their natural strengths and capitalize on them in order to reach out and help others in recovery. This is a technique of empowerment because it takes the existing strengths and talents of someone and simply amplifies them. Much growth and development can come from this technique.

Looking at our various strengths starts to reveal opportunities for us in recovery. When we capitalize on our strengths we can start to grow in a healthy and proactive manner. This is crucial for long term success in recovery. You’re either working on your recovery or you are working on a relapse. It is not enough to slag our way through recovery without pushing ourselves to grow and to change. We have to get proactive and take real action if we are to make in in the long run. Looking at our strengths and then capitalizing on them is the first step in answer to the question of “how should we grow in recovery?” The answer is that we should grow where we are already excelling; to take our good points and make them even better. To really shine in recovery we emphasize what we are good at and use it to help others.

Another way to help addicts is to examine their weaknesses. In most cases, these are the things that will most likely trip them up and cause them relapse eventually if it is not addressed. For example, say someone has a tendency to get into dangerous relationships in early recovery that distract them from staying clean and sober. This is a huge weakness and needs to be dealt with in order to maintain long term sobriety from drugs and alcohol. Most people do not realize how something like this or other weaknesses could sabotage their recovery but it is actually one of the biggest causes of relapse. Exploring different weaknesses such as this one can reveal a number of potential threats to a person’s recovery. These must be dealt with actively instead of just being pushed off to the side as being an “outside issue.” They are actually critical issues and not dealing with them will eventually cause relapse in the future.

Looking at both strengths and weaknesses gives us a glimpse into the holistic approach that is crucial for real growth in recovery. It is not enough to grow in one area, but we must look at our whole life and attempt to grow in all areas. This is the holistic approach. This is what makes for a powerful experience in recovery. Looking at our strengths and weaknesses and then getting creative in how to handle them is a key point in accelerating our growth.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

By: Patrick Meninga

While I do agree with the Author on most, they most important thing is dealing with our fear. Fear can be pointed out in just about everything that leads up to drinking. Most of our fears are simple to deal with, since they are based on lack of knowledge or irrational feelings.

If we as addict’s   are to have a successful recovery we must address are fears, and what it is that cause’s the fears. While there is a ton of information available on the internet, I would strongly urge a new comer to AA, NA or CDA to visit a meeting, you can call the local number for these groups and find out when they next meeting is. They tend to have them daily, and when you do go, overcome that fear and answer yes this is my first time at a meeting. Even if you are not sure about wanting recovery, you will have a few people coming up to you after the meeting to talk with you. Don’t be afraid to ask them questions. They have been in the same spot as you are in, or worse, and they will not judge you!

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21. November 2008 by Patrick Budowski.

Is religion an addiction? What is the definition of addiction and if religion is an addiction; how does it work? What causes sane, intelligent people to succumb to the power of religion? What aspect of religion keeps people in the faith when their intellect is telling them to get out?

Definition: Psychological and bodily dependence on a substance or practice which is beyond voluntary control.

As I begin to write this I am forcing myself to type every letter. Something is compelling me to go one even in my reluctance; and I have never turned away from that inner voice. I still have the option of not publishing the article when it’s finished. I am always curious about the journey some of these articles take me. My step son operates a successful addiction treatment program, so this will give me an opportunity to do some bonding.

There is nothing that man does which is inherently right or wrong, these are religious concepts. However, given what man says he wants for himself and the world, there are some things that he does, which does not work for him. They take him the long way around. War, religion, and drugs are all addictions which effect humanities evolution and well being. There is nothing wrong with these things - they are physical manifestations of humanities thoughts about whom and what it is. However, his participation in them could be considered insanity if in the process of engaging in any of them, they do not take him to the experience of his own desires. In other words, if taking a pain killer does not relieve the pain, then it is insanity to continue using it unless you have become addicted.

I don’t really want to write about addiction, especially religious addiction. All of us have some kind of addiction. Television is the world’s number one addiction, followed by coffee and alcohol.

Much of the time my articles are written for just one person; this is one of those articles. I do not want to change the world, and drugs and religion are part of the physical experience. My only personal gain is to change my perspective of the world. The world is the way it is because it is how most people want it; otherwise it would be different. The world is also the way it is because religion is practiced by 84% of the world community, therefore people’s root thoughts will be influenced by it. What I know and what I must pass on here needs to be addressed to this person that I do not know. Others will also benefit from the awareness. My article is not about drugs, religion or addiction. It is really about empowerment. I want to empower people to take responsibility for the awesome power that they have to create the world they wish to experience. This article and all the other articles I write are about giving you an option to move away from the current mind set that you have that disempowers you.

For the record I am not against religion; I am against anything which inhibits man’s natural evolution; addictions do that. They disempower and create dependency. Dependency leads to exploitation and abuse. But even addiction can lead to something better, in fact once the addiction has been identified and treated; it most often leads to a better life experience.

There is a saying; “I cannot tell you my story, while you are busy telling me yours.” There is another one that I have made up. “I can not create my story while I am busy telling yours.”

While under the influence of an addiction, religion or drugs; you are not telling your story, you are telling the story of addiction. Your road and purpose will be cyclical, going around and around in circles until you have ended it one way or the other. While under the influence of a belief system, you are telling its story. A story which was told thousands of years ago, told and retold until it doesn’t even resemble the original story. A story which is so far out of date, it sucks you in, and keeps you locked in a time that goes nowhere. It is not possible to move to the next step while you are chained to the one you have just taken. Religion and drugs are regressive, each wanting to hold you in its control and to bring others under its power; addiction has a life of its own. Both religion and drugs are manifested or maintained by mind control - your mind out of control.

In my own story, I was raised in the Christian belief. As children we attended many different denominations. I was confirmed in the Anglican Church; I sang in the United Church choir, and had a girlfriend who happened to be a Pentecostal preacher’s daughter. Every one of them wanted to own me, they seduced, enticed and threatened; I was lucky to escape. The positive results of the experience were an increased awareness which brought me to this moment. It was one step leading to another with few scars. I consider myself very fortunate for having the experience. Religion has had its moment for me, some very positive. There is another expression; “Everything in moderation.” For most of us, a drink of alcohol will not kill us, but once you let it take control; you are lost. Attending any religious ceremony and learning about the faith will not lead you to dependency as long as you value your freedom and individuality more.

There is always the danger that in an unguarded moment you will move past the point of no return and surrender to the powerful seduction that is presented to you.

Whether it is the first drink or the first meeting, you must be clear in your mind what it is that you want to get from the experience. You must never let go of that thought. You are dealing with powerful forces and after a period of time, if you are not experiencing what you want, you must get out quickly. You must also keep in mind that your experience is now in this life. Everything that you experience must relate to this lifetime. Promises of an afterlife do you little good here and now. There is no way that you can ever prepare for something that you know nothing of. If you are taking the word of another or have faith in a religion to clarify this for you; you are making a huge sacrifice. Religions were made up (4-5 thousand of them exist today) by man. They are institutions which have their own agenda.

Religion and faith are chosen emotionally, not intellectually. People are motivated and kept in religion or faith by fear. If at anytime you consider changing your beliefs or deviate from its doctrine and you feel any sense of fear; you are addicted. Every addicted person believes they have control over their habit. They all say the same thing; that they can walk away from it at any time. In religion you are always damned if you do and damned if you don’t. You are always in fear of being damned. And because religion is all about emotion, not intellect, you will always be a prisoner of your emotions.

Using information that I have gathered from the internet, the latest data says that 84% of the world’s population is religious. This is the path most have chosen. So it is no wonder the world is the way it is today. Most of the population is influenced by religion; not yet ready to take the next evolutionary step. This current step in the influence of religion has lasted for thousands of years. Perhaps it is appropriate considering humanity moves very slowly in relationship to human lifecycles.

For the 16% of the population who are free; trying to change the minds of the majority is futile and a waste of time. The world does not have to be changed. It is your own personal perspective that needs changing. Each of us creates our own world and our personal circumstances. We are all free to do that, even while under the influence. The only thing the 16% can do for the rest is to demonstrate an alternative that works.

In my view, if you can demonstrate that what you believe in brings you all that you desire in your current physical life, then you have chosen well. Under the influence of addiction, many forget what they truly want and reverberate the perceived benefits of their addiction or the futility and despair that they now feel. The motivating feeling behind drug or religious addiction is the same; it’s fear.

It is sometimes frustrating for me to agree to help someone with an issue when I find that they are not willing to let go of the thought process that got them into the situation in the first place. What many people look for is immediate relief from a current situation, but for the most part it is a waste of time; theirs and mine. What good does it do to fix a wound caused by a dull, rusty knife, if you are not willing to get it sharpened before you use it again? To think that you can do the same thing over and over again using the same thoughts, and expect a different result, is the effect of an addiction to a defective mind set.

I recently received an email from someone I have been helping for several months. He has been chasing his tail trying to figure out why his circumstances won’t change for the better. I have given him all the information that he needs to begin to heal himself; but he continues with his search. He was aware enough to know that what he currently believed in was not helping him. So he started searching outside of his comfort zone to find the answers. Finally after all these months his email revealed why he is failing in his quest.

He wrote that he was not willing to let go of his current beliefs because they gave him structure and purpose. What a revelation; it is easier and more desirable (comfortable) to live within the limitations of one’s own thinking than to let go of it with uncertain results. It is all about fear; it is fear that is the crippling element of our own evolution to higher awareness and the power and responsibility that it brings with it.

“You cannot solve any problem in the same state of consciousness in which it was created.” ~Albert Einstein

By: Roy E. Klienwachter

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

About the Author:
Roy is a resident of British Columbia, Canada. An international published spiritual author, a student of NLP, spiritual philosopher, New Age Teacher and Phenomenologist. Think outside the box - discover who you really are. Find out why the “Law of Attraction” won’t work for you, and how you can turn it around. Download this Fre>e ebook by Roy E. Klienwachter http://www.klienwachter.com/downloads/Secret/DarkSideofLOA.pdf

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19. November 2008 by Patrick Budowski.

Alcohol is one of the most commonly abused drug in the United States. For most people who drink, alcohol is a pleasant accompaniment to social activities. Moderate alcohol use-up to two drinks per day for men and one drink per day for women and older people-is not harmful for most adults. (A standard drink is one 12-ounce bottle or can of either beer or wine cooler, one 5-ounce glass of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof distilled spirits.)

Nonetheless, a large number of people get into serious trouble because of their drinking. Currently, nearly 14 million Americans-1 in every 13 adults-abuse alcohol or are alcoholic. Several million more adults engage in risky drinking that could lead to alcohol problems. These patterns include binge drinking and heavy drinking on a regular basis. In addition, 53 percent of men and women in the United States report that one or more of their close relatives have a drinking problem.

The consequences of alcohol misuse are serious-in many cases, life threatening. Heavy drinking can increase the risk for certain cancers, especially those of the liver, esophagus, throat, and larynx (voice box). Heavy drinking can also cause liver cirrhosis, immune system problems, brain damage, and harm to the fetus during pregnancy. In addition, drinking increases the risk of death from automobile crashes as well as recreational and on-the-job injuries. Furthermore, both homicides and suicides are more likely to be committed by persons who have been drinking. In purely economic terms, alcohol-related problems cost society approximately $185 billion per year. In human terms, the costs cannot be calculated.

Alcoholism, also known as “alcohol dependence,” is a disease that includes four symptoms. They are craving meaning a strong need, or compulsion, to drink. Second is the loss of control meaning the inability to limit one’s drinking on any given occasion.Thirdly, it is the physical dependence meaning withdrawal symptoms, such as nausea, sweating, shakiness, and anxiety, occur when alcohol use is stopped after a period of heavy drinking. Finally, it is tolerance meaning the need to drink greater amounts of alcohol in order to “get high.”

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

By: Jonas Smith

About the Author:
Read about relationship addiction and addiction statistics at the Addiction Facts website.

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19. November 2008 by Patrick Budowski.

You’d be alarmed to know how many people have actually been through alcohol treatment centers all around the country. It sort of makes you wonder how many Americans have issues to deal with and turn to liquor. Well, it doesn’t have to be that way.

Living in an alcohol treatment facility takes some patience and understanding yourself. You must realize that you are here for help; you cannot have everything you need. The attendants will likely dote on you, but that is as far as they will go. You are there for help, and that is just what you will get from them.

A lot of guys in rehab have physical dependence on alcohol. This occurs when they are so uncomfortable without the substance that they could get physical with you when you get in their way. Sometimes they hurt those who are around them; they never mean it that way, but still they do it, and they should not be encouraged.

Most alcohol treatment centers insist that you sever all ties with the outside world while you are in. they argue that any distraction might hamper your healing process. Makes you sort of wonder if you would not have been better of in prison; at least those guys get to move around and watch TV. Well, you’re dead wrong.

The treatment of alcoholism is a legitimate part of medical practice. Several medical practitioners include it in their retinue of professional services. Some even seek out rehabilitation centers to do their thing more freely, and with more patients to wit.

Once you have been through alcohol treatment, you are strongly forbidden from ever again touching the stuff. The simple argument is that you’d never be able to control it. Some people debunk this theory by actually doing it, but many others fail and catapult back to alcohol treatment.

Being drunk is worse than being crazy. Even though it lasts for much less time, the destruction you wrought when under the influence often lasts a lifetime. And when it becomes a habit, you will certainly have trouble curing it on you own. The solution is in three words: alcohol treatment center

Many people view rehab as a nasty place to be, considering the stigma of lives spiraling out of control that are constantly in there. This view however, couldn’t be more wrong. More focus instead should be placed on the condition of the patients when the come out of the facility, not when they go in. Then they would see that rehab really is a blessing.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

About the Author:
It doesn’t matter how much you feel you know regarding Alcohol Treatment Centers information like information about Addwords Alcohol Treatment Center , or Alcohol Treatment Center For Uninsured In Texas , read this wonderful site and be amazed at truly insightful information –> http://www.alcoholtreatmentcentersnews.com

While I do agree Treatment Centers are great, they are not the end all or fix all. A person who has an addiction to drugs or alcohol needs more work once they are sent home. Since your stay is limited in the Treatment Centers, and since the goal there is to get detoxed and to learn about the addiction, your not taught how to live. Which is important part of staying sober. Most drunks I know are bullshit artists, thieves and selfish, you can’t kick those habbits through a treatment center. AA, NA, CDA, etc..  is the  way that most Centers recommend,since by doing the 12 step, you will be freeing yourself of the 7 deadly sins.

Patrick Budowski

5 years sober by the Grace of God!

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18. November 2008 by Patrick Budowski.

Printer ink cartridges generally contain one or more partitions to reserve ink, besides a chip that communicates with the printer. The quality of printing by an inkjet printer largely depends on the smooth and continuous flow of ink. So, once the flow of ink slows down, it is essential to change the printer inkjet cartridges. Various types of inkjet printer ink cartridges are available in market. These include high priced printer inkjet cartridges manufactured by original equipment manufacturers such as Dell, Epson, etc., as well as non-branded compatible or re manufactured printer inkjet cartridges.

Workings of printer ink cartridges

Most printers, including Canon and HP, use thermal inkjet while printers manufactured by Epson use Piezoelectric Inkjets. The purpose of both types of inkjet is to ensure the smooth supply of ink for continued functioning of the printers.

In thermal inkjet printer cartridges, each ink reservior partition contains a heating element that responds to the signals provided by the printer by warming up. This heating leads to the vaporization of ink surrounding the heating element into a tiny air bubble that moves to the nozzle. This is followed by the ink droplet coming out of the nozzle onto the paper being used for printing. However, if the ink in the printer ink cartridges is less, the quality of printing will neither be of good quality nor smooth. The ink in the priner inkjet cartridges also acts as a coolant for the heating elements and its drying up can result in damage to the printer head.

In the case of Piezoelectric Inkjet printers, each nozzle contains a piezoelectric crystal that changes shape on receiving heat and throws out ink for printing.

Types and pricing of printer ink cartridges

Although most printer manufacturers recommend the usage of inkjet printer cartridges manufactured by them, several cheaper options are available on the market. Inkjet printer ink cartridges manufactured by OEMs are generally quite costly, so printer users prefer to use cheaper versions that are not only compatible with their printers but also provide good quality printing.

The cheaper inkjet printer cartridges are brand new products, with new components, and claim to provide the same quality as do OEM products. Another option available for printer users is the professionally re manufactured inkjet printer cartridges that have been used once, emptied, cleaned and refilled to match OEM standards.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

About the Author:

Author: Lucy Gateris is an expert on the printing industry and recommends using www.cartridgeshop.co.uk for all your printer ink cartridges requirements.

Re posted by Patrick Budowski with permission from Author

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18. November 2008 by Patrick Budowski.

When you have a job surrounded by co-workers, an answer is always just the next cubicle away. When you work from home with a home based business online, you don’t always know where to turn to for answers.

If you work from home with a home based business online it can mean countless hours staring at a computer screen by yourself.

Have you spent all day trying to figure out how to get your website looking right? Have you taken hours trying to put the right code in your index page only to discover you don’t even know what an index page is? Having a hard time trying to figure out how to get traffic to your site? Sound familiar?

So who do your turn to when it is just you and your computer? Your computer?

Well, actually, yes!

Just go to your web browser and search for online forums. You’ll find that the internet is full of online forums. Forums are communities of people who have something in common online with various degrees of knowledge and expertise. Members post “threads” which are comments or questions, and other members are able to post responses. It’s like a running conversation that can stretch over hours, days, weeks, even years.

A great benefit is that forum posts have lasting power….meaning that once posted, they remain for all to see for years to come.

Probably the best known forum for internet marketing is the Warrior Forum. Another good place to start is IM4Newbies.

If you have a question and need help in your quest to work from home with a home based business online, turn to a forum. More than likely you can find your answer there.

So why would anyone want to help you, potential competition? There are actually people in this world who have a genuine interest in helping and sharing their knowledge.

There are other benefits for posting in forums as well. While forums don’t allow you to self-promote in the actual post itself, they do allow you to have a signature line where you can link to your website or other product you are promoting. By making several valuable posts you gain credibility within the community and people may just decide to click your link and see what you are all about.

Since posts can stay on the site for several years, it is like having a permanent billboard. Your site also gains valuable links back to it with each post. Search engines love “backlinks”, so it can help your rankings as well. Just don’t post two word answers like “I agree” 1000 times. That will get you blacklisted pretty quick.

Read what others have to say, gain insight, participate and make some useful contributions of your own. Just because you work from home with a homebased business online doesn’t mean you have to go it alone.

Success breeds success, hang out with the successful people!

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

About the Author:
Jeff Roh has an online business and writes for those who work from home with a homebased business online, or are thinking about it. Visit: http://www.Secrets-Success.com for more helpful resources and tips.

Re posted  by Patrick Budowski with permission, from Author

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10. November 2008 by Patrick Budowski.

I have no written about booze in a while, the other day I went to downtown Annapolis and took a few pictures of the bar doors or names of the bars that I had closed down during my drinking days. While I can’t really remember much of it, I did remember stopping at the Chick and Ruth’s deli on our way out of downtown. Not sure if the food was good, I would like to think it is, since it’s been around for a long time.

For the second time I was thrilled at all there is too see in Annapolis, Since most of my time spent down there was drinking. The State Capitol building is nice and being remodeled. When that’s done it will look great. Then we have the Naval Academy, which is a great big chunk of Annapolis. Anyone who grew up in Anne Arundel County new all about the MID’s. From what I remember there were some friends of mine that had the MID’s stay with them. Not sure what it was called, but when they had a free weekend they could go to their sponsors house. (I use sponsor because I don’t know the accurate name) We would see them on Crofton Parkway as we drove around, or catch a glimpse of them entering or leaving someones house. Annapolis also has it’s on Navy Base which some people in Annapolis don’t have a clue about. While I have only been their once, and it was small for a Navy Base. It’s neat that we have that here.

My reason for writing this, is back when I was drinking I never would have taken the time out to see these places, nor would I just sit and watch people as they walked around downtown. Back then for me I would have been in a bar drinking by noon, at the latest. Since some of the Bars opened at 11 am, you would find me there.

Now this has not given me much in the way of memory’s from my past it does make me feel good that I can sit at a bar and not drink. Some days it feels like I really missed 20 years or so of memory’s other days I am sure that I don’t remember much because it’s better that way.

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5. November 2008 by Patrick Budowski.

I was reading this by Donald Devine and I am very impressed on what he has written. I figured I would post it, so I would not forget about it.

Who Plays Herbert Hoover?
by Donald Devine
Issue 119 - November 5, 2008

It’s over and at least it was not quite as bad as the
devastating Republican defeat in 1932 when the GOP lost the presidency
by 57 to 40 percent and gave up 12 Senate and 101 House seats. But it
was a terrible defeat. Of course, it was not John McCain’s fault but
was a rejection of the economic and foreign policies of George W. Bush.
What happens now?

When President
Herbert Hoover lost by these margins in the midst of another economic
crisis, the fate of the Republican Party was sealed for decades. Ever
since, a majority of Americans have accepted the narrative that the
Republicans caused the Great Depression and only the Democrats had the
right solutions. Even when Republicans won elections thereafter, they
felt constrained to run and govern mostly under New Deal principles of
government control. Establishing the story line in one’s favor is
enormously important for future political success.

Full story

http://www.acuf.org/issues/issue119/081102news.asp

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