Today is Tuesday, February 10, 2026, and it is 10:07pm. I just got home at about 9:30pm. It was a long day for me. I woke up at 2am to catch the 3:30am bus at Western New York Independent Living (WNYIL.) It left right at 3:30am too. One of our coworkers was late, she missed it, and she had to catch up with us at the Transit stop. Even though I woke up so early, I couldn’t chant as much as I would have liked. I chanted for a few minutes in my car after I arrived at WNYIL. I didn’t feel comfortable chanting on the bus, so I didn’t.
My goal is to be in bed by 10:30pm. Initially I had hoped to be in bed by 10pm, but given how late I got home that didn’t seem realistic. I was glad that I took the bus to Albany. It was definitely worth it. There was a large group of us from Albany, Brooklyn, Buffalo, Long Island, North Country, Manhattan, Rochester, Staten Island and Syracuse. There were hundreds of us united with one purpose to advocate for the rights of people in recovery. It felt great to be united with so many likeminded people and many of us being peers.
Together we literally used our voices to advocate for change. One of our goals is to get the Cost of Living Allowance raised from 1.7% to 2.7%. One of the organizers lead us in a chant. She said, “What do you want!” We responded “2.7!” She said, “when do you want it?” We said, “now!” And then she asked, “and if you don’t get it?” Then we all shouted, “shut it down!”
Today is Wednesday, February 11, 2026, and it is 11:05pm. I am getting a much later start to my writing than I would have liked. My friend Thomas stopped by. I hadn’t seen him in about a week and so it was important that I spend some time with him. We caught up with each other and chanted together. We are going to meet on Sunday and do a little bit of Buddhist study.
I knew, but I had forgotten that we have Monday off. So, this evening, I realized that again and felt quite joyful. I am going to have a long weekend. I am meeting with another member, and we are going to chant and study together. Since we both love coffee, I am going to make some for the two of us. I will be making Cinamon Gingerbread from Blue Mountain Coffee. Of course it will be yummy.
I feel quite happy! Although, I am a little disappointed about something. Last Friday afternoon, I got a text from my mental health provider saying that I have an appointment on Tuesday. It was then that I realized I am leaving for Albany on Tuesday and would not be able to make my appointment. So, I called my provider right away and asked for my counselor’s extension, so that I could leave them a message. I left a message for them. But when the time for my appointment came yesterday, I got a text at 11:15am saying that my meeting was starting in 15 minutes. I think maybe that I didn’t cancel in time to stop from receiving that message.
I hope that my counselor was not waiting for me. I did leave her a message last Monday morning. Hopefully, it will all work out. I am hoping that we can reschedule by the end of the week. I am making more progress in the Four Agreements. I am so thankful for this book. It has really caused me to question and change my own behavior. Because of reading the four agreements, I do look at things differently. Once again they are 1. Be impeccable with your word. 2. Don’t take things personally. 3. Don’t make assumptions. 4. Do your best. And doing our best makes the other three more possible!
Today is Thursday, February 12, 2026, and it is 5:38pm. I just got home about 15 minutes ago. I was supposed to go out with Bill tonight to a local bar and restaurant. I am just feeling too tired. So tonight, I am going to chill out. I work tomorrow and then get to enjoy a longer break. I plan on finishing the Four Agreements this weekend. I will discuss it with my therapist when we meet again. So happy to be finally really working on myself during my therapy sessions. It has been a long time coming. I am so satisfied that now I have made the time to focus on me!