Fawlty Showers 2

It’s About Time

I got a text from an AA newcomer complaining that he was sixty days sober and his wife still hadn’t forgiven him.

He had gotten drunk at her niece’s wedding.  Among other things, he’d started a fight with the photographer, grabbed a bridesmaid’s butt, and loudly predicted the marriage wouldn’t last six months.

Before I could remind him of these facts he texted that while he’d ‘gotten a little carried away,’ he’d been drunk. Now he was sober. She needed to get over it or he didn’t see his marriage lasting much longer.

He wasn’t a bad guy sober. I thought in time his wife might forgive him.

I thought about all the times in my life I’d seen people give up on something too soon, no waiting for time to do its magic.

‘Time takes time,’ I texted, ‘give yourself and her time.’

 

Today I’ll remember time takes time.

 

Fawlty Showers 2 is a work of fiction. Any similarity between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental.

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at:

•                     www.greenbriartraining.com  

•                     https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001K8MG0S

 

#addictionawareness #dailymessage #inspiration #odaat #recoveryposse #recoveryispossible

 

Fawlty Showers 2

Rotten Kids and Earthworms

That evening I was pulling weeds from our flowerbeds when I heard a tiny giggle from behind me.  I pretended not to notice.

A twig snapped. I lifted my head, but didn’t turn around.

Leaves rained down on my head and shoulders. I stood and yelled “Hey you rotten kids, get out of my yard!”

Three little neighbor kids ran away laughing hysterically.

I pretended to go back to pulling weeds.  They snuck up on me again and again.

Finally, they crouched down to ‘help’ by gathering up the worms unearthed when I pulled clumps of grass.

“Don’t take those inside,” I said, even though I was pretty sure they would.

I’d had a lot to do, but when they left I was glad I’d taken the time to put a little fun into my day.

Life has painful moments, out of our control and unavoidable. On the other hand, fun and joy can and should be sought, if for no other reason than to add balance.

 

Today I’ll put a little fun into my day.

 

Fawlty Showers 2 is a work of fiction. Any similarity between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental.

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at:

•                     www.greenbriartraining.com  

•                     https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001K8MG0S

 

#addictionawareness #dailymessage #inspiration #odaat #recoveryposse #recoveryispossible
 

FAWLTY SHOWERS 2

FAWLTY SHOWERS 2

The First Time

The next morning, I ran group.  A woman nicknamed NarCanadian for her Toronto roots and tendency to overdose, said, “You know that saying, what doesn’t kill me makes me stronger? I wish those things had made me wiser instead.”

“You’re here now,” I said. “Maybe you didn’t learn the first time, but you wised up eventually.”

Rather than dwell on what they were slow to learn, I asked them list things they learned the first time.

“The drill instructor doesn’t think you’re funny.”

“Don’t tell the state trooper he can’t look in your trunk if all he’s said so far is ‘hello’.”

“You shouldn’t fill out your tax return when you’re high. And weed is not an allowable business expense, even if you list your occupation as ‘dealer’.”

“Don’t pee on an electric fence, no matter how much someone bets you that you won’t.”

“And you all wised up after the first time,” I said. “Let’s hope we all do the same with each new lesson Life teaches us.”

 

Today I hope to learn my lesson the first time.

 

Fawlty Showers 2 is a work of fiction. Any similarity between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental.

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at:

•                     www.greenbriartraining.com  

•                     https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001K8MG0S

 

#addictionawareness #dailymessage #inspiration #odaat #recoveryposse #recoveryispossible
 

Fawlty Showers 2

 Stop

One of Life’s most important lessons is learning when to stop:

‘You look good’, without adding, ‘for your age.’

‘What a handsome boy,’ not asking, ‘are you sure you’re his father?’

‘A small popcorn, please,’ not piling on with, ‘oh, and Twizzlers, a refillable bucket of Pepsi, and Sour Patch Kids. Do you have loan applications?’

‘I’ll take the shoes,’ not running up your credit card with, ‘and the belt, the purse, and the earrings. Does the purse come with a small dog?’

‘I got a DUI, ‘I’m done drinking,’ stop before adding ‘whiskey, just beer from now on.’

‘I’m done with my prescription,’ never deciding, ‘so I’ll have to find a new supply.’

 

Today I’ll know when to stop.

 

Fawlty Showers 2  is a work of fiction. Any similarity between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental.

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at:

•                     www.greenbriartraining.com  

•                     https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001K8MG0S

 

#addictionawareness #dailymessage #inspiration #odaat #recoveryposse #recoveryispossible

Fawlty Showers 2

Spotter

I went to the gym late in the day after I got back from Philly.  The weight room was empty except for me, a few high school kids, and a massive guy who looked like he could bench press my car.

“Spot me?” the man big enough for his own area code asked me.

“It would be hard to miss you,” I joked. He didn’t laugh. I tried not to wet myself.

“I want to get two more reps,” he said, sliding onto the bench, grabbing a bar laden with 45 lb. plates. “I think I can do it, but spot me just in case.”

I stood behind the bench, ready to help him lift the bar if he faltered. 

He was able to push the bar off his chest twice without my help. He reminded me the strongest among us are wise to have a spotter, someone looking out for us, just in case.

 

Today I’ll remember the strongest among us needs a spotter.

 

Fawlty Showers 2 is a work of fiction. Any similarity between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental.

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at:

•                     www.greenbriartraining.com  

•                     https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001K8MG0S

 

#addictionawareness #dailymessage #inspiration #odaat #recoveryposse #recoveryispossible
 

FAWLTY SHOWERS 2

 Fawlty Showers 2 will return on Monday.

Have a great day!

 

Is There A Reward?

That afternoon I had to drive to Philadelphia to present on trauma and addiction.  I’d downloaded an audiobook that was supposed to be a bestselling murder mystery.

The ad for the book had described it as ‘thrilling’ and ‘suspenseful.’  I would have said ‘plodding’ and ‘predictable.’  Much of the book read like an extended cooking show with long descriptions of wine selection and meal preparation.

Part of me thought I should suffer through the rest of the book. ‘You bought it, you listen to it’, the voice in my head said.

The drive was part of my job, but not something I looked forward to. An interesting audiobook would make the five hours pass more quickly.

‘Buy another book for the trip,’ another voice answered. ‘Everyone should reward themselves every now and again, even if it’s just for living up to their responsibilities.’

I bought the book and enjoyed it all the way to Philly.

 

Today I’ll reward myself, even if it’s just for living up to my responsibilities.

 

Fawlty Showers 2 is a work of fiction. Any similarity between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental.

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at:

•                     www.greenbriartraining.com  

•                     https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001K8MG0S

 

#addictionawareness #dailymessage #inspiration #odaat #recoveryposse #recoveryispossible

Fawlty Showers 2

 

Past the Past

Abigail said nothing more as she sipped her tea.

“So,” I said, hesitating, “how’s the new relationship?”

“I can’t believe my good fortune,” Abigail said with a heavy sigh.

“You sound like you should be happy, not like you are happy.”

“I know it’s irrational, even when I’m enjoying her company, part of me remembers my aunt telling me I’m unlovable. It makes me want to end it.”

“Sometimes my joints hurt when I first start working out, the pain from wear and tear from the past…”

Abigail finished my thought, “But you keep moving, knowing you’ll get past the pain and enjoy your workout.”

“Exactly.”

“My pain is the wear and tear of past years living with my aunt. I can accept that pain, and keep going.” work through it.”

“Get past the past,” I said, “ought to be an AA slogan.”  

  

Today I’ll get past my past pain and enjoy the present.

 

Fawlty Showers 2 is a work of fiction. Any similarity between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental.

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at:

•                     www.greenbriartraining.com  

•                     https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001K8MG0S

 

#addictionawareness #dailymessage #inspiration #odaat #recoveryposse #recoveryispossible

Fawlty Showers 2

There’s A Reward

“Are you missing the bunny?” Abigail asked as I sat down in the kitchen.

“I am,” I said. “But, you should have seen that little boy’s face light up when he came to get DD.”

Abigail finished her half sandwich, nodding but silent.  Finally, she said, “We are not always rewarded for our sacrifices, but it’s wonderful when we are.”

“It truly is.” I wondered what sacrifices Abigail had made to keep her evil aunt happy. I guessed they had gone unnoticed and unrewarded.

 

Today I’ll be grateful for times sacrifices I made were rewarded.

 

Fawlty Showers 2 is a work of fiction. Any similarity between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental.

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at:

•                     www.greenbriartraining.com  

•                     https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001K8MG0S

 

#addictionawareness #dailymessage #inspiration #odaat #recoveryposse #recoveryispossible

 

Fawlty Showers 2

 

Second Opinion

For the second time in a week I caught a glaring error in something I’d written.  The first time I’d listed two different dates on a training announcement.  I’d sent the email to about 2,000 people.

Both times I’d read and reread what I’d written before sending it. I’d still missed the obvious. The problem was my eye tended to see what I expected to see, what I wanted to see.

“Sometimes,” I said to my laptop, “It’s good to have someone look at what you’re doing, maybe give you a second opinion.”

I took a sip of coffee and added, “That applies to most things in life where we see what we want and expect.”

Today I’ll seek a second opinion.

 

 

Fawlty Showers 2 is a work of fiction. Any similarity between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental.

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at:

•                     www.greenbriartraining.com  

•                     https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001K8MG0S

 

#addictionawareness #dailymessage #inspiration #odaat #recoveryposse #recoveryispossible

Fawlty Showers 2

I’m Happy For You, And You, And You

Dana stopped in my office the next day.

“Guess why I’m so happy,” she said.

I looked her up and down. “You kept the receipt for those shoes?”

She snorted. “The Dope Without Hope stopped by our house to ask for another chance.  The Princess seemed like she was gonna take him back, but then she turned him down cold. Shut the door. Pulled the lever. Hit the delete key.”

I smiled. The Dope Without Hope was a charming weasel who’d been a drain on Dana’s daughter for the entire two years of their relationship.

“She made the right decision,” I said. “You gotta be happy for her.”

I thought of all the people in my life who’d made the right decision, gathering up a little second happiness from each of them.

Today I’ll be happy for people who’ve made the right decision.

  

Fawlty Showers 2 is a work of fiction. Any similarity between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental.

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at:

•                     www.greenbriartraining.com  

•                     https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001K8MG0S

 

#addictionawareness #dailymessage #inspiration #odaat #recoveryposse #recoveryispossible

 

Fawlty Showers 2

 

Old Dogs, Old Men, Good Examples

Talmadge smiled as he scratched under Mojo’s chin.

“You’ve given me a great idea,” he said to Epiphany, “I’m too old for a puppy, but I’d love to adopt an older dog like Mojo here.”

I smiled, thinking how one good deed, one good example, could set things in motion.

I knew a family of heavy, heavy drinkers. The youngest sister got sober. Her older sister saw how her life improved and quit drinking too. A few years later their mother followed suit.

A year into her sobriety, the mom left her verbally abusive husband.  After being told time and again she was stupid and unlikeable, she discovered she was really good at business. People loved her.

Epiphany Chaser and Talmadge looked at me.

“Can’t adopt a dog,” I said. “I already have a dog and a cat.” But maybe I could set a good example and hope it caught on.

Today I’ll set a good example and hope it catches on.

 

Fawlty Showers 2 is a work of fiction. Any similarity between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental.

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at:

•                     www.greenbriartraining.com  

•                     https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001K8MG0S

 

#addictionawareness #dailymessage #inspiration #odaat #recoveryposse #recoveryispossible

FAWLTY SHOWERS 2

 

Keeping the Swagger in my Wagger

I scratched Mojo behind the ear. His tail began to wag.

I scratched between his bony shoulder blades. Mojo’s tail picked up speed.

Talmadge turned around, and scratched Mojo under his chin.  The dog shut his eyes, a look of utter contentment on his face. I thought his tail might fly off.

Mojo must have suffered a grave loss when his owner died. I wondered how long he sat forlorn in the shelter. Clearly, he was on his last legs, but his tail hadn’t gotten the message.  

 “I want to be a smart as Mojo,” I said to Talmadge. “No matter what life throws at me, I want to enjoy what I can, keep the swagger in my wagger.”

“I think I’m going to be sick,” Talmadge said. “I just had an image of you twerking.”  

 

Today, no matter what life throws at me, I’ll keep the swagger in my wagger.

 

Fawlty Showers 2 is a work of fiction. Any similarity between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental.

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at:

•                     www.greenbriartraining.com  

•                     https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001K8MG0S

 

#addictionawareness #dailymessage #inspiration #odaat #recoveryposse #recoveryispossible

Fawlty Showers 2

Good Dog

Epiphany Chaser had told me she missed both her boyfriends, but planned to replace them with a dog. She brought Mojo to an AA meeting a few days later.

I had expected her to get a tiny puppy, dress it up in some ridiculous outfit, and carry it around in an oversized purse.

Instead, she walked in with what looked like a pit bull-retriever mix. The dog moved slowly, as if every step was being put to a vote.

“I got him from the shelter,” Epiphany said.  “His owner died, and I wanted to make his last years as comfortable as possible.”

When I’m ready to give up on people, I’ll remind myself I don’t know what good lurks in their hearts.

 

Today I won’t underestimate the good in people.

 

Fawlty Showers 2 is a work of fiction. Any similarity between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental.

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at:

•                     www.greenbriartraining.com  

•                     https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001K8MG0S

 

#addictionawareness #dailymessage #inspiration #odaat #recoveryposse #recoveryispossible
 

Fawlty Showers 2

Capable

Dana stopped by later with a box of donuts from the bakery. I told her I’d given up sweets for Lent.

Her jaw dropped. “You put your six donuts a day habit on hold?”

“I did,” I said. “I’m as shocked as you are I’ve stuck to it.”

Dana told me she’d given up pizza. My jaw dropped. Dana loved pizza almost as much as she loved her kids, maybe a little more than her daughter The Princess on some days.

We stared at each other in disbelief.

“Just goes to show you never know what you’re capable of until you try,” Dana said.  “Next year we should make a pact to give up coffee.”

We both laughed.

“Maybe we should give up breathing while we’re at it!” I joked.

After she left I remembered how in the beginning I truly doubted I was capable of staying sober. I thought of all the people I’d met who didn’t know how capable they were until they tried.

 

Today I won’t know what I’m capable of until I try.

 

 

Fawlty Showers 2 is a work of fiction. Any similarity between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental.

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at:

•                     www.greenbriartraining.com  

•                     https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001K8MG0S

 

#addictionawareness #dailymessage #inspiration #odaat #recoveryposse #recoveryispossible

 

Fawlty Showers 2

 

 Something Else

“So,” I said to the caller, “what are you going to do today?”

“I don’t want to go to rehab, so I’m not gonna drink.”

“What else?”

“I don’t know. Today’s my day off. Thought I’d just hang around.”

“If you just hang around you’ll think about how much you’d like a drink,” I said. “Try doing something else.”

“You mean like coke instead of alcohol?” She cackled.

“Like walking.”

She cackled again. I cringed, thinking her laugh could drive someone to drink.

“Like shopping,” I said.

“Like hooking up with someone I met online instead of drinking.”

I laughed, “Like gardening, or some other hobby.”

“OK, maybe I’ll take my mom to lunch,” she said finally letting the joke go. 

“That would be something else.”

 

Today I’ll do something else.

 

Fawlty Showers 2 is a work of fiction. Any similarity between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental.

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at:

•                     www.greenbriartraining.com  

•                     https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001K8MG0S

 

#addictionawareness #dailymessage #inspiration #odaat #recoveryposse #recoveryispossible

Fawlty Showers 2

Before Not After

I answered a call at work that morning.

“I want a drink,” the caller said. “I’m hopeless.”

“You called before you did something you’d regret,” I said. “Most people who call here have already done it.”

Her laugh was more of a cackle.

“I used to be one of those people.  Now I know you work it out with the electric company before they shut off your power.”

“Talk to your significant other before you find all your stuff on the lawn,” I said.

“Make your landlord fix the leak before your ceiling caves in.”

“Take your car to the shop when the light comes on, before the whole engine bursts into flame.”

“See the doc about your diabetes before they amputate your toes.”

“You lost your toes?” I asked.

“My dad,” she said with a sigh. “He believed the docs were just after his money.  Even as he was going blind he insisted he didn’t have diabetes.”

 

Today I’ll do something before not after.

 

Fawlty Showers 2 is a work of fiction. Any similarity between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental.

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at:

•                     www.greenbriartraining.com  

•                     https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001K8MG0S

 

#addictionawareness #dailymessage #inspiration #odaat #recoveryposse #recoveryispossible
 

Fawlty Showers 2

Strange Bank Account

The next day I saw a notice another high school classmate had passed away.

It reminded me how life was like inherited money in a strange bank account. 

Every day you had to make a make a withdrawal, never knowing how much you had left.  Unhealthy habits were like fees that ate away at your balance.

The thought depressed me until I remembered the flip side. Not knowing my balance motivated me to get ‘my money’s worth’ from every withdrawal. Each day could be used to make that day and the next day better.

Today I’ll get my money’s worth.

  

Fawlty Showers 2 is a work of fiction. Any similarity between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental.

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at:

•                     www.greenbriartraining.com  

•                     https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001K8MG0S

 

#addictionawareness #dailymessage #inspiration #odaat #recoveryposse #recoveryispossible

 

Fawlty Showers 2

 

Understand?

The Preacher was a great example of the difference between knowledge and understanding.

The Preacher knew what he knew.  The speaker hadn’t had anything to fear.

He saw no reason to try to understand why she had been afraid, let alone had panic attacks.

The speaker sought help for her panic.  She went beyond basic knowledge to understand why she reacted as she did. That understanding helped her conquer her fears.

I knew, as a rational human being, I should have been able to judge when I’d had enough to drink. Time and again I missed the mark.

Now I understand because of genetics and other factors, I’m not in control of my drinking.  Because of that understanding I don’t drink.

 

Today I’ll look beyond knowledge for understanding.

 

Fawlty Showers 2 is a work of fiction. Any similarity between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental.

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at:

•                     www.greenbriartraining.com  

•                     https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001K8MG0S

 

#addictionawareness #dailymessage #inspiration #odaat #recoveryposse #recoveryispossible

Fawlty Showers 2

 

Knowledge and Understanding

The speaker at the AA meeting that night talked about self-medicating panic attacks with alcohol.

Afterward, The Preacher said, “All she had to do was look around and see there was nothing to be afraid of.”

 “That’s the point,” I said. “At first, she knew she wasn’t in danger, but her heart was still racing. She still felt the terror.”

 “Well, she shouldn’t have,” The Preacher said with a smug smile.

 “But she did, which sent her brain scrambling for an explanation. She wondered if she was losing her mind. With each panic attack she became more convinced her she was.”

“That shows she’s not very bright,” he said shaking her head. “Nothing personal, but if people in your line of work would just point out the obvious, people could get on with their lives.”

I wondered if I could convince a judge I had accidentally kneed The Preacher in the groin.

I started to say something, but decided arguing would just give me more to be angry about.

 

Today I’ll avoid useless arguments.

 

Fawlty Showers 2 is a work of fiction. Any similarity between the characters and anyone you might know is purely coincidental.

Other works by Ken Montrose are available at:

•                     www.greenbriartraining.com  

•                     https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001K8MG0S

 

#addictionawareness #dailymessage #inspiration #odaat #recoveryposse #recoveryispossible