Today's thought from Hazelden is:

There were many ways of breaking a heart. Stories were full of hearts broken by love, but what really broke a heart was taking away its dream - whatever that dream might be.
--Pearl S. Buck

No new door is opened without the inner urge for growth. Dreams guide us, encourage us, stretch us to new heights - and leave us momentarily empty when they are dashed.

Recovery has given us resilience and a multitude of reasons for living. We have come to understand that when one dream serves us no longer, it is making way for an even better one. Our dreams are our teachers. When the student is ready, a new one comes into focus.

Dreams in our earlier years often came to naught. They couldn't compete for our attention as effectively as the self-pity. The direction they offered was lost. Each day that we look forward with positive anticipation, we put the wreckage of the past farther from our minds.

Our dreams are like the rest areas on a cross-country trip. They refresh us, help us to gauge the distance we've come, and give us a chance to consider our destination.

Today's dreams and experiences are points on the road map of my life. I won't let them pass unnoticed.
From: Each Day a New Beginning by Karen Casey

My dream a few years back (I've had so many) was to become an archivist in a museum or to write a book. Well, my first year in recovery I completed part of my family tree book on the Hugheys and I had it published. I have 6 others in the making. No luck on becoming an archivist. I don't have the money to go back to school for the certification. I am, however, pursuing the dream of writing for the historical society. Next year is the bicentennial. I've already submitted one article on tornados and I'm working on an article now about John Crowe Ransom and Donald Davidson. I've got ideas on other people I'd like to write about.

Some of my other dreams have been put on hold due to health and finances. Today I made a step in the right direction as far as my health is concerned. After school I called and scheduled doctor appointments including one for the gastrobypas. It's time to do something about all of my health problems. I've got an appointment for glaucoma tests and new glasses (most likely bifocals), a wellness check up with the gynecologist, an appointment with the podiatrist for diabetic shoes and I'll be getting an appointment with my lung doctor lined up as soon as I can find his phone number.

I really do need an exercise partner but I don't foresee that happening. I'm doing well to have friends to call. I have no day to day friends to do things with right now. I walked away from some pretty unhealthy friendships that used to fill my days with drama. I kind of miss it sometimes. But maybe I have a friendship forming with Darcy. She and I attend church together. She subbed in my room today for Jennifer. Why is it that I get along with the subs but I can't get along with the assistants? Is it me or is it them? I can't decide.

Waiting for the new landlord to make good on his word. I was supposed to get a new refrigerator and my air conditioner fixed. Nothing happened over the weekend or today.

Also waiting of the school psychologist to make good on her promise to do her part in the IEPs so that I could finalize them and print them out. I'm stuck in limbo and one has been red flagged. I've tried all I know to do to fix it. I was going to visit with Dawn Lugart after school today to see what she could tell me but I got sidetracked.