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Blog for October 26^th, 2026    

     As I wrote last week, I had received notice from my job that I had to do an “re-application”, plus proving upper division credits and how they relate to the courses I’m teaching.  Then there was a mandatory training, and the main point was about “communication”.  They are requiring a page inserted into our syllabus about how we- the instructor will be “communicating” with our students. 

    I thought, “well isn’t this rich! They won’t communicate with me about why they are digging through my file, (which is about thirty years old) yet they want me to show how I will communicate with students.  I even emailed my boss and asked for clarity on why they are doing this, none came. Just a little statement about “I’m sorry you are going through this, and we appreciate your hard work”.  Wow! Really?  So, you all want me to communicate with my students by being available twenty-four seven, reach out continually and watch them like a hawk, even though they are all grown adults, but you can’t answer a simple, straight forward question that involves my life!

    This is where opportunity comes in, I could either accept this situation and do what needed to be done in order to possibly keep my job. Or I could sing that old song, “take this job and shove it”! Because after twenty-six years I am offended that they are putting me through this.  And I don’t know why they are doing this to me is really the worst part. It took me a few days of prayer and stalling before I finally picked up my “file” and did as they asked. Meanwhile, I am on some kind of suspension from work.  Which they did not inform me nor explain to me that it would happen, and I don’t know why, for an organization that is all about “communication” this seems pretty negligent. Just plain wrong actually. Even my doctor- who teaches at a medical college- said so.

     The opportunity for me is not about the job exactly, it’s about my Eleventh step and my relationship with my God. I have been on a deep dive with my eleventh step this year and learning to trust Him more and more and His will for me.  If it is not to have this job anymore- and never know why- then so be it. But… I have to do my footwork and adhere to the spiritual principles of the program in order to live comfortably in my own skin. So, I can say, to myself, that I have done all I could and I did what was required, (for reasons I do not know), to the best of my ability.

     I remember Forty-one years, six months and twenty-six days ago since I took the more rewarding and important opportunity of my life, 15,182 days.  What an awesome gift was given to me when I accepted the opportunity to get clean. When I accepted that opportunity I opened the door for many more wonderful opportunities. Living a life clean and in recovery, having healthy, loving relationships with my husband and kids. Then my grandkids started coming along. 😊 These are the best blessings of my life.

    Going back to school and having awesome jobs, sponsoring, traveling, being with my beautiful family.  I can’t tell you how much I miss my sisters, they were cornerstones of my life and I’m grateful for all the opportunities I’ve had to be with them, share life, love and laughter, even tears with them. These are the things that can’t be taken from me.  I made a decision a long time ago in my recovery to take every opportunity that is presented to me to be with family, friends, sponsees, my sponsor and fellowship with like-minded people. That includes the program and church.

     When the opportunity to teach at the college came along, I jumped on it.  I have enjoyed it very much, even with the challenging trainings and constant work on my classes, it is rewarding and fulfilling. I get an opportunity to help people understand addiction and recovery. My favorite thing to do! I enjoy most all of my students. I’d like to say “all”, but that wouldn’t be true, some are very difficult to deal with, but all in all I enjoy my job.

     I don’t mind a challenge when the opportunity presents itself, like it has these last couple of weeks with my job and with other projects we have going, not to mention an ongoing sciatica issue. That is indeed very challenging.  I saw my doctor the other day and he said all my labs and MRI’s came back and looked good, yay! He said I’m at Normal levels and have a beautiful brain!  Lol, I’ve never heard the word “normal” to describe me in any kind of way before much less having a beautiful brain.  That’s great! Thank you, Lord.

      I believe communication is key in any relationship, whether it be with my husband, kids, jobs, sponsees, friends, neighbors and students. I believe that “active listening” is extremely important. We used to teach the kids how to do active listening when I taught first grade. We taught them to look at the speaker, fold their hands, and save questions and comments until the speaker was done. We taught them to wait their turn, which has always been a bit difficult for me too. Ha.

     But I say even if you are not the best communicator there is, you should try. Express your needs, wants, desires and ask questions that concern you directly.  Like, “do I still work here”?  and then, on the flip side, when you are dealing with poor communicators learn to trust your Higher Power and wait on His direction and communication. He will let you know what you need to know and when you need to know it. His answers can be pretty simple, “yes, no and wait”. I’m afraid I’m in the waiting part, learning to trust Him, some more, again.

Question of the Week: Are you a good communicator? Have you had any opportunities lately to show your trust in your HP?