GaryOsberg.com

The old Pontiac on-board display showed minus 22 degrees this morning. No time to be out and about. I took the attached photo with my iPhone 6 last summer. My niece has a place on Lake Amelia near Glenwood and we were able to spend a week there in July. I had a 34 x 22 enlargement made at Thomas Repro in St. Cloud and it is on the wall above my desk here in Wimmer Hall. Something to look forward to while I struggle to stay warm.

Part 2 of “How I stayed sober for 40 years” involves repeating the following affirmations based on the book, “The Four Agreements” written by don Miguel Ruiz. Twice a day works best for me.

I will be impeccable with my word. I will speak with integrity. I will say only what I mean and avoid using the word to speak against myself or to gossip about others. I will use the power of my word in the direction of truth and love.
I will not take anything personally. Nothing others do is because of me. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When I am immune to the negative opinions and actions of others, I won’t be the victim of needless suffering.
I will not make assumptions. I will find the courage to ask questions and to express what I really want. I will communicate with others as clearly as I can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With this one agreement, I can completely transform my life.
I will always do my best. My best is going to change from moment to moment. It will be different when I am healthy as opposed to when I am sick. Under any circumstance, I will simply do my best and as a result, I will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.

This week the APHC show will hit the road and return to live broadcasts with a visit to the Paramount Theatre in Seattle, Washington with special guests The Shins, Regina Spektor, and comedian Hari Kondabolu. Plus: Chris Thile will perform his first Song of the Week of 2017 with a little help from the band (music director and pianist Rich Dworsky, Sarah Jarosz on vocals and octave mandolin, guitarist Chris Eldridge, Brittany Haas on fiddle, bassist Paul Kowert, and Ted Poor on drums). The Royal Academy of Radio Actors, Serena Brook, Tim Russell, and Fred Newman will assist with a fresh crop of musical birthdays. Tune in on the public radio end of the dial and join them Saturday evening at 5pm CST!

“The years teach much which the days never know.” Ralph Waldo Emerson