A month or so ago, my co-facilitator of the virtual Samson Society meeting, "Brain Changers", asked that I exclusively take the reins. It was during early '23 that I began attending that virtual meeting regularly. Within six months or so, I'd been dubbed a "co-facilitator", much to my humbled delight. For I found the contrast / volleying between myself and my (now former) co-facilitator to truly set "Brain Changers" apart.
Some veteran Jackson Mississippi Samson guys' musings, recommended resources, and Samson Society news / updates (all written by 100% Grade A - Human Intelligence)
Weekly meetings available to you are as follows:
Tuesday at 6:30 PM, Truitt Baptist Church - Pearl. Call Matt Flint at (601) 260-8518 or email him at matthewflint.makes@gmail.com.
Wednesday at 6:00 PM, First Baptist Church Jackson - Summit Counseling Suite - 431 North State St. Jackson. Call Don Waller at 601-946-1290 or email him at don@wallerbros.com.
Monday at 6:30 PM , Vertical Church - 521 Gluckstadt Road Madison, MS 39110. Mr. Roane Hunter, facilitator, LifeWorks Counseling.
Wednesday at 7:00 PM, Crossgates Baptist Church. Brandon Reach out to Matthew Lehman at (601)-214-4077 for further info.
Sunday night at 6:00 PM, Grace Crossing Baptist Church - 598 Yandell Rd. Canton. Call Joe McCalman at 601-201-5608 or email him at cookandnoonie@gmail.com.
Thursday, June 13, 2024
Facilitating A Weekly Virtual Meeting Versus An In-Person Meeting
Saturday, April 13, 2024
What Is A Silas?
Here is what our experience tells us: You can get sober from anything going to meetings, but you can’t stay sober just going to meetings. That’s why, in the end, it isn’t even about the meetings. The meetings are a portal into the brotherhood. Samson really lives BETWEEN the meetings in relationships, conversations, friendships. Christianity, properly understood, is a team sport, not an individual event. We’ve been failing because we’ve been playing the wrong game! If we play 1-on-1 against a superior opponent, we will fail.
The lead person on your team we call a Silas. He is the one you are in regular communication with. There is an element of accountability, but it is not focused on sin management. If I just focus on the behavior, I run the risk of mastering that specific behavior and becoming a self-righteous Pharisee. Instead, I give another person (my Silas) real-time access to my whole life. What I’m feeling, thinking, doing, and thinking of doing.My Silas is not an expert. He is a guy on the same road walking the same direction. But when it comes to my life, he has an advantage over me – he’s not in it! That gives him a perspective on my life that I don’t have. There are whole parts of my life that I can’t see because I’m inside it. Like trying to read the label from inside the bottle.
Here are some of the things my Silas does:
- He gets to know my story.
- He remembers the things I tend to forget.
- He asks the questions I tend to avoid.
- He notices patterns I don’t see.
- He reminds me who I really am.
You are not imposing on him. He gets as much out of the relationship as you do. He needs you to call him. Everyone needs a few moments each day to get out of their own head and focus on another person.
Friday, April 5, 2024
Resources For Couples In Recovery
Here're two resources ("check-in" / communication protocols) for couples who're in recovery together. The SAFER Check-In is a better starting point for couples who are just starting out in recovery. From there, FANOSS can be matured into.
Wednesday, April 3, 2024
“Recovery is a marathon, not a sprint.” - Sunday, April 21, 7:00AM CDT to 7:00PM CDT
Announcing the Samson Society Recovery Marathon! The traditional 12 Steps in 12 Hours - with 12 outstanding presenters. This will be a healthy way to connect to the old recovery saying, “Recovery is a marathon, not a sprint.” The event is virtual and the exercise component can be anything from an actual marathon to walking around the block.
Sunday, April 21, 7:00AM CDT to 7:00PM CDT.Check out the speakers and register at https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.recoverymarathon.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7C%7C91859a1d1a504495544408dc5440d585%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638477884639566407%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=bXbdsycjvZGw7FGv7IM55j2HuwTl2%2F25MCOeFudsYGQ%3D&reserved=0
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
The Samson Society Multiverse
When I first stepped into a Samson Society meeting in August 2014, there was only one meeting (in-person) for me to attend, and that was the Wednesday at 6 PM CST meeting at First Baptist Church Jackson (Summit Counseling suite). That in-person meeting is still going strong. It introduced me to a men's ministry that's changed my life for the better.
But I didn't stay within that group. Eventually, I migrated to the Grace Crossing Samson Society group (Gluckstadt), attending there for +/-1 year.
Friday, December 8, 2023
BREAKTHROUGH!
I DON'T TRUST WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. I DON'T TRUST YOU. I'M ONLY HEARING YOU.
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I DON'T TRUST WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. I DON'T TRUST YOU. I'M ONLY HEARING YOU.
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I DON'T TRUST WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. I DON'T TRUST YOU. I'M ONLY HEARING YOU.
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I DON'T TRUST WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. I DON'T TRUST YOU. I'M ONLY HEARING YOU.
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I DON'T TRUST WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. I DON'T TRUST YOU. I'M ONLY HEARING YOU.
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I DON'T TRUST WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. I DON'T TRUST YOU. I'M ONLY HEARING YOU.
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I DON'T TRUST WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. I DON'T TRUST YOU. I'M ONLY HEARING YOU.
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I DON'T TRUST WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. I DON'T TRUST YOU. I'M ONLY HEARING YOU.
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I DON'T TRUST WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. I DON'T TRUST YOU. I'M ONLY HEARING YOU.
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I DON'T TRUST WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. I DON'T TRUST YOU. I'M ONLY HEARING YOU.
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I DON'T TRUST WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. I DON'T TRUST YOU. I'M ONLY HEARING YOU.
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I DON'T TRUST WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. I DON'T TRUST YOU. I'M ONLY HEARING YOU.
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I DON'T TRUST WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. I DON'T TRUST YOU. I'M ONLY HEARING YOU.
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I DON'T TRUST WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. I DON'T TRUST YOU. I'M ONLY HEARING YOU.
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I DON'T TRUST WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. I DON'T TRUST YOU. I'M ONLY HEARING YOU.
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I DON'T TRUST WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. I DON'T TRUST YOU. I'M ONLY HEARING YOU.
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I DON'T TRUST WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. I DON'T TRUST YOU. I'M ONLY HEARING YOU.
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I DON'T TRUST WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. I DON'T TRUST YOU. I'M ONLY HEARING YOU.
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I DON'T TRUST WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. I DON'T TRUST YOU. I'M ONLY HEARING YOU.
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I DON'T TRUST WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. I DON'T TRUST YOU. I'M ONLY HEARING YOU.
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I DON'T TRUST WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. I DON'T TRUST YOU. I'M ONLY HEARING YOU.
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I DON'T TRUST WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. I DON'T TRUST YOU. I'M ONLY HEARING YOU.
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I DON'T TRUST WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. I DON'T TRUST YOU. I'M ONLY HEARING YOU.
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I DON'T TRUST WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. I DON'T TRUST YOU. I'M ONLY HEARING YOU.
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I DON'T TRUST WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. I DON'T TRUST YOU. I'M ONLY HEARING YOU.
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I DON'T TRUST WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. I DON'T TRUST YOU. I'M ONLY HEARING YOU.
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I DON'T TRUST WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. I DON'T TRUST YOU. I'M ONLY HEARING YOU.
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I DON'T TRUST WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. I DON'T TRUST YOU. I'M ONLY HEARING YOU.
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I DON'T TRUST WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. I DON'T TRUST YOU. I'M ONLY HEARING YOU.
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I DON'T TRUST WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. I DON'T TRUST YOU. I'M ONLY HEARING YOU.
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I choose to trust you. I'm not only hearing you but I'm allowing myself to feel your love for me as well.
Friday, November 17, 2023
"Rob, I'm Concerned About Our Mutual Friend. It's Obvious That He's Setting Himself Up For Failure."
I've received two telephone calls regarding this. And YES, my old friend's recent statements / position (via hearsay) do sound concerning, but I'm not going to spend any energy researching it for myself.
Why?
Monday, November 13, 2023
Let's Not Forget To Consider The Unlevel Playing Field
Adam Young was our keynote speaker during the 2023 National Samson Society Retreat. I did not attend either of his sessions (I continued to man the registration table during Friday evening's session), but I did slip in at the tail end of the second one (Saturday morning). During those few minutes, a Q & A session was underway within the packed auditorium, and Adam was navigating those queries with answers that landed beautifully each and every time. Also, he was really humorous with many of his answers as he sveltely circled back to accentuate previous bullet points that were no doubt key to his talk.
Monday, October 16, 2023
Embrace The Idea Of Pivoting. Don't Limit Your Recovery To Only Samson Society.
Tuesday, August 8, 2023
Why Aren't There More Mormons Involved Within Samson Society?
I think it has to do with stigma more than anything else.
What is stigma?
Tuesday, June 27, 2023
It's Always A Good Time To Add A Covenant Eyes Ally
Monday, June 26, 2023
My Very Personal, Explicit Spring 2023 Creative Writing Sabbatical - Rob's Dysregulation Remedy
A Samson brother introduced me to (in early 2022) the concept of brain dysregulation whilst regularly attending (well over one year) a very well-attended virtual Samson meeting with him alongside. This brain dysregulation idea centers around the brain becoming asymmetrical (imbalanced). As such, the side that's out of sync needs some serious attention. Having little use for this idea then, I paid it little attention, until...
For Rob, my eventual dysregulation occurred on the right side of my grey matter earlier this year. Hence, I felt a deep-seated need to dream / fantasize / escape reality. My easy access go-to therein to satiate these needs for such a lopsided brain would normally have been porn / salacious imagery.
Around mid-March, another Samson brother asked to share a dictated (voice memo app) "fantasy story" he'd written which centered around he and his spouse (who at the time was emotionally distant due to his recent difficult confessions) and her responsiveness to his sexual needs.
This explicit creative writing exercise fleshed out his then desires for her and his marriage in spite of its / their current desecrated state. As a result of reading this, I became incredibly inspired, and not only via the captivating story itself but the ongoing healing result (right brain flexure).
Hence, I began my own creative writing spree (in lieu of writing posts here). This explains my absence.
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Three stories were generated as a result. The first's plot focused on a private, paranormal relationship between my uncle and I when I was between the ages of 12-15; it centered heavily on this 20+ year older man and his positive masculine influence as a result of said relationship. And though the story involved sexual overtones, it was by no means written to titillate. Instead, from the perspective of a young teen boy (based on my recollected childhood), it put words / thoughts on the page addressing then private shame related to very typical adolescent / pubescent angst. This tale was written in five distinct chapters.
The second story was simple and fast. It fleshed out a fictional friendship between myself and a young man who I've only known at a distance over the past few years.
The third story ended up being my opus. This one had thirteen distinct chapters with a heady epilogue. I'm still coming off of the high that resulted from this distinct, very personal tale being generated.
In essence, it involved me being befriended by a Christian college student (graduate school) during my senior year in high school. This older man I barely knew from my teenage years (working at Chick-A-Fil). No doubt, I had deep admiration for / attraction towards him from a distance. In order to properly flesh out his character, I grafted a recent Samson friend's persona over this guy, and as a result, the character and subsequently narrative gained tremendous legs.
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I share this with you to hopefully inspire. There's so much you can do creatively - that doesn't involve lustful thoughts / porn use - to rectify your dysregulation. For me, creative writing was the tremendous fix I was looking for. Try it today!
Friday, April 7, 2023
The Ultimate Parasocial (Imaginary Friend) Relationship(s) - An Explicit One OR 5K Unassuming (Fully Clothed) Ones?
Recommended reading: Parasocial Relationships Are Just Imaginary Friends for Adults - The Atlantic
Tuesday, March 14, 2023
What Is One of The Necessary Roles Of Journalism? To Promote Decency (Whilst HOPEFULLY Making You Think)
Illinois woman discovers dead husband in closet months after disappearance | Fox News
Hoarding is an extreme form of obsessing over oneself / one's inner thoughts. It's a deep-seated bondage relative to one's psyche that manifests itself via chronic, compulsive consumption (purchase & stockpiling) of goods. Oftentimes, for a hoarder, the cable television channel QVC or the URL, Craigslist / eBay, is on par with Internet porn for a Samson guy.
Hoarding is exploiting one's individual rights (related to consuming) within epidemic proportions. It is being the ultimate PERSONAL advocate to such a degree that no one else's "well-being" is of concern except your own.
Nonetheless...
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
You Are An Independent Contractor Within Samson Society
When I worked from '06 - '12 within a State of Mississippi position (staff architect), there was an independent contractor who'd been assigned to our division to provide procurement assistance (consultancy) relative to a comprehensive project management software package. The purpose of this software was to digitize the procurement procedure we were mandated to follow (that had been for decades / was being executed solely on paper). That procedure was mind-numbingly fastidious, as it should have been. We were, after all, spending millions upon millions of dollars of State of Mississippi bond monies (planning / constructing / renovating state-owned buildings). Hence, each and every step had to be signed off on by multiple departments, as the paperwork moved from person to person to person (until finally reaching the Director's inbox).
Sunday, January 22, 2023
Find A Way To Exploit Hope(fulness) As A Means To Strengthen Your Resolve To Choose Something Other Than Porn
My favorite attribute of my oldest daughter is her choosing to be hopeful. She's wired opportunistically / positively, and it's infectious, and this certainly points her in the direction of her forecasting to be as such. When you first meet her, her positive wiring might come across as trite, but it doesn't take long to realize that she's working her grey matter towards being a genuinely hopeful young lady.