This morning my prayers were very abbreviated due to the presence of our guests.  I wanted to make sure and get up early enough to cook breakfast which I was able to do.  I was able to have some early quiet time and listen to the prayers, gospel, and reflection om the daily mass on TV while cooking.

I got to go to an AA meeting at noon today.  The transition from the 3rd to the 4th step was read.  This made me think of how I thought AA was superstitious and impractical for years.  But after countless attempts at sobriety including therapists, rehabs, and other programs, when I finally took the steps I found that the program was actually the most pragmatic and practical program I had tried.  In step 3 it addressed the problem of the will, by giving me a universal standard to abide by and the evidence of "miraculous" recovery in the members of the group.  In step 4 it was practical in its examination of my behavior, thinking, and decision making (much like the other programs I tried)  but coupled with a source of power to make it effective.

This afternoon my wife phoned me with a proposition for which she was very enthusiastic.  She wanted to take a trip with the kids to a town a few hundred miles away and stay at her friend's home.  As she asked me she tried to go into details to sell me on the idea.  I had to interrupt her and let her know that I did not want her taking the kids on a long trip in our unreliable vehicles in this 105+ weather.  I didn't have any flexibility on this and I realized that I actually forbid her to take my children.  I had to make a conscious effort to avoid falling into an antagonistic attitude about this.  I had to keep my objectivity, listen to her point of view, and have a rational discussion.

Today I was able to draft the outline for my final philosophy essay.