Practice the PAUSE...Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you are about to react harshly and you will avoid doing and saying things you will later regret. ~~~~ Lori Deschene

John · ~*Service Worker*~

Asking for prayers and help...

LinSC · Senior Member

John you are a survivor, and I have no doubt you will recover from this, hang in there. Prayers for you..... linsc

hotrod · ~*Service Worker*~

Done on pay pal Positive thoughts and prayers on the way John

Jen61 · ~*Service Worker*~

I will send something right now. Lots of positive thoughts and prayers for you John. I also sorry you lost your two dogs.

Freetime · ~*Service Worker*~

Done, and thank you, John, for your service in providing this wonderful resource for us. Thoughts and prayers are with you.

Mikeanon-mobile · Newbie

John, you are in my thoughts and prayers. Mikeanon

Rinn · Senior Member

I sent you an email. Hope you get it. i appreciate all of your hard work making this amazing site! I know you have benefited so many as have all of the long time posters. I hope things get better for you. I will send you a helping hand.
-Corine

Jen · ~*Service Worker*~

My prayers are with you, John. Sent some help, though I wish it were more. I know HP will pull you through this one, too.

Love in recovery,
Jen

lookingup · ~*Service Worker*~

Prayers going out ,your in my thoughts and prayers also.....hugs lu

sarahGee · Senior Member

I sent you an email. Thank you for everything you have done here, this board is a lifeline to so many.

a4l · ~*Service Worker*~

I know how hard it is to ask for help and would like to assure you that this part of universe will do her best to assist. I am also going to pray that you get the most awesome helpful efficient caring disability advocate soon. Believe in your angels ok? Take care.

Enigmatic · ~*Service Worker*~

So sorry to hear, John; I can't imagine the crush of physical and mental pain that you are shouldering. Your service has helped so many, I am so greatly saddened to hear you in such distress. Thoughts and prayers are with you brother...

a4l · ~*Service Worker*~

Geems no one is forcing you to say yes. The op of this thread started the mip board years and years ago. I don't generally give anyone a red cent especially over the internet but ive read posts back from when this started including some of the group conscience ones, attended online meetings here and am personally grateful for the existence of this board as it is. some can spare a few pennies others can't. I would imagine sending a group email to all subscribers is a five second process whilst searching for the individual settings of each member runs into hours. There are probably long dormant members who've received the email as well. Honestly, i thought as a community this one might be a little quicker to give something back even if its just a kind word. there wouldn't be an mip without this dude.

hotrod · ~*Service Worker*~

Thanks A41 That was a lovely tribute to John and to what he has done. If we can afford to help at this difficult time, I consider it a privilege to do so.

Iamhere · ~*Service Worker*~

John - I too sent some assistance via Paypal. I am grateful beyond words for this site, Miracles in Progress, and for all you do. I am sending prayers and positive thoughts you way.

For all - as in meetings, donations are voluntary. It does cost $$ to keep this site up/running. There is a donate button on each page, every page. Again, voluntary contributions are always welcome. MIP for me is a big part of my recovery program. I donate here when I can, and I contribute at meetings too when I can.

We learn in Al-Anon to reach out for help. Most of us tried to be super-human before recovery and it brought us down even further than living with the disease. We felt shame that we needed others, but we learn that it's not only OK to ask for help - it's necessary for healing. At the same time, we are told that when anyone, anywhere reaches out for help, let the hands of Al-Anon or AlAteen always be there, and LET IT BEGIN WITH ME.

Geems - sorry that the request for help upset you. Email services send all kinds of things to trash/phishing - based on a variety of reasons, including user input. I know systems well enough that when the site 'owner' sends out a notice to all members, an 'opt-out' won't preclude you - as his authority supersedes your desire. This is a built-in standard in case the site owner needs to share about a hack or an outage or another 'emergency' situation. So - no need to take it personally, and I am sure you would not expect someone who's having health issues to manually peruse through thousands of users to bypass this standard system design.

For all - many are new so I'l share my experience. John never asks for anything, yet blesses us with much in return. He has built this site, maintains it, pays for it, and provides us a safe place to share world-wide our recovery, issues, aches, pains and successes. In my time here, there have been but a few 'campaigns' trying to get donations to keep the site running. I do consider it a worthy investment for my own recovery program. There's no pressure ever, but nothing good in life is truly free.

So - if you would just consider any donation, it's appreciated. There are no gold stars for doing so and no black marks for not. It just is what it is - people in recovery doing what they can to help others and find serenity.

(((Hugs))) John - may your road to improved health come sooner rather than later.

wp · ~*Service Worker*~

Iamhere, Thank you for your wonderful explanation; I'm glad you could put into words what I was thinking. :)
wp

wp · ~*Service Worker*~

John, I responded to your email mailing and hope you got it. I sent both prayers and a bit of help immediately and especially wish you will soon get assistance with your application. Thanks for this site btw. :) wp

geems · Senior Member

I spoke out FOR myself. My experience of the event. My response to a situation where MY boundary was crossed."In AL-ANON we learn not to allow ourselves to be used or abused by others in the interest of anothers recovery." Who decided my truth was less valid than the guy phishing?

Nobody did address the main issue which is PHISHING. Instead of just deleating me for speaking up, why don't you share what your experience with phishing has been? I'm willing to listen and not delete your comments.

Phishing is a form of fraud in which the attacker tries to learn information such as login credentials or account information by masquerading as a reputable entity or person in email, IM or other communication Typically a victim receives a message that appears to have been sent by a known contact or organization. An attachment or links in the message may install malware on the users device or direct them to a malicious website set up to trick them into divulging personal and financial information, such as passwords, account IDs or credit card details. Phishing is a homophone of fishing, which involves using lures to catch fish.

Phishing is popular with cybercriminals, as it is far easier to trick someone into clicking a malicious link in a seemingly legitimate email than trying to break through a computers defenses. Although some phishing emails are poorly written and clearly fake, sophisticated cybercriminals employ the techniques of professional marketers to identify the most effective types of messages -- the phishing "hooks" that get the highest "open" or click through rate and the Facebook posts that generate the most likes. Phishing campaigns are often built around the year's major events, holidays and anniversaries, or take advantage of breaking news stories, both true and fictitious.

To make phishing messages look like they are genuinely from a well-known company, they include logos and other identifying information taken directly from that companys website. The malicious links within the body of the message are designed to make it appear that they go to the spoofed organization. The use of subdomains and misspelled URLs (typosquatting) are common tricks, as is homograph spoofing -- URLs created using different logical characters to read exactly like a trusted domain. Some phishing scams use JavaScript to place a picture of a legitimate URL over a browsers address bar. The URL revealed by hovering over an embedded link can also be changed by using JavaScript.

hotrod · ~*Service Worker*~

Good morning Geems, I do believe nobody addressed the topic of" phishing" because we have no opinion on outside issues as our 10th tradition states. People did address the topic of the posting and validated its authenticity.

geems · Senior Member

You have my utmost respect Betty. I know you take this seriously, as do I. If you've ever been a victim of identity theft through phishing??? Having no opinion on something that is quite clearly a criminal activity is one I'll have to ponder.... No, I am far too old nor will I ever be altruistic enough to forgive another round of identity theft. I report phishing as soon as I receive it now.

But, I'm sure it won't happen to you. I'm the "other" guy that it happens to.

hotrod · ~*Service Worker*~

Dear Geems , I am sorry for the confusion over the email. I am very aware of the criminal activity of which you speak and have a few suspect emails in my day.
As far as this message Board is concerned, we do attempt to keep it safe from inappropriate postings

Iamhere · ~*Service Worker*~

Geems - most of us are aware that deviants phish to commit fraud and criminal activity. This was no phishing though and you have every right to report fishing messages to your ISP. They then decide and take action. In this case, it was not fishing as I tried to explain.

I also went on to explain that in spite of our personal choices for contact via email, phone, text, etc. a site/site owner has the ultimate authority on reach of members. Opting out and requesting no messages is for marketing purposes not for member reach. The only way to not receive any at all is to delete/remove yourself and all details from the site.

You make mention of deleted messages - I am sorry your message was removed. I am not a fan of removing any messages at any time, as each member has the right/ability to edit if/they see fit. I do support moderators editing messages if foul/offensive language is used.

To try and line your concern back up with our program, the only way to implement the boundary of receiving no mail from the site is to remove yourself from the site. I hope you do not, but that is the only factual way to ensure you will never be reached.

As far as your discussion of phishing, I also did not address that as I thought it was unfounded and already did my own research to ensure the request from John for help was legitimate.

I too am sorry that you are upset by the request in email form. I have not ever been a victim of theft through phishing, but my parents were. It was a nightmare and took a while to correct. Your best line of defense starts at your personal computer with available tools designed for it. I've never been a victim as I have my systems and my network tightened down and well protected. And, as Betty suggests, we do our best to address suspicious users/posts/issues.

My recap - take what you like and leave the rest - this post is a formal and official request for help from the site owner who built MIP for us and funds MIP for us. Any help or support would be appreciated - even if all you got are some prayers and positive thoughts!

Junenine · Senior Member

i'm sorry to hear of your troubles, John. i sent the small amount i can manage right now. i'm currently waiting on a date for my disability hearing. i was denied when i applied on my own and then i lawyered up. the lawyers won't take you if they don't believe they can make a good case for you as their pay is a percentage of your back pay. that's for SSDI in NY and i think it's different state-to-state but i humbly recommend looking for an attorney with experience in the field to take on your case. wishing you well, J.

geems · Senior Member

Anything that is sent to me by phishing has this header to it.. I amhere you are calling me a liar and you need to apologize. I kept the stpid thing and sent it to the head office in canada. Here's my copy of one of the emails.

This message may not have been sent by: johnfreifeld@gmail.com Learn more Report phishing

Asking for prayer and help!
I have not been interacting on the boards for a good while because of internal and external hardships I am so overwhelmed with and that has reduced my ability to shoot positive energy, inspiration, and hope into the Universe for the benefit of others, when I am so stuck in the negativity created by severe depression, anxiety attacks and ongoing very labored breathing due to my having End Stage COPD. I have lost 35 lbs, but when the most I have ever weighed was 142, that 35 lbs is a big chuck of me Im now down to 112 lbs. The weight lose is attributed to my anxiety attacks. One of the symptoms I experience is what happens when someone dies. My body releases all the bodily fluids in me, immediately. With having 3-5 of these a day, the food I eat is not in me long enough to solidify, nor in me long enough to pull the nutrients from. So, all though I am eating as much as I can, these anxiety attacks are so severe that I cannot hold or gain my weight at all, it has me pretty much weathering away an oz. at a time.
I have lost the ability to work my own painting and pressure washing business as I did for over 15 years now. My son, 37 yr. old, who is my main qualifier for Al-Anon, has tried to step up and help with keeping the business going. But its probably not hard for you to imagine what its like for me to concede that the business is in the hands of an active A. I know he and my crew of guys are doing the best they can, but regardless, I am here on the sidelines by no choice of my own, watching the business go down the drain, literally. Thats a story for another time I guess.
I have been trying to reapply for my disability, but am so overwhelmed and intimidated by the process, I am going to have to find a disability advocate to help me though that process.
In the interim as I write this I have no idea where the money will come from to pay two utility bills on Monday, to avoid termination of the utilities. (My internet which gives me access to you and the MIP site and my business sites), my cell phone, (from which all estimates are scheduled and arranged with potential customers) and water bill is all on the line this next week. I need some help. Not looking for any handouts, but hands to help me up from here. From there, I will resolve the issues that got me in this mess to start with. So, we dont see a repeat any time soon or in the near future. Just check your own heart and do according to your ability and desire. Thank you.
To help me, just use a debit or credit card on paypal, and send it to
johnfreifeld@gmail.com
or click the donation link on the message board.
John
Founder/Webmaster of MIP
PS. BTW, as all this is unfolding, I am crushed by the deaths of both my lil 12 yr. old white Malteses. Max had Addison Disease and was on treatment for it for over 2 years, but his age and general health couldnt fight it any longer and it finally took him down. Baby Girl, had Congestive Heart Failure. This all happened in the past 6 weeks, with losing Baby only a week ago. I still have my lil mini Poddle, Lilly Girl, and two cats, Bounce and Jessie. They are all 12-14 yrs. old. They have all been my furry little kiddos for many years and when two are lost so close together, grieving starts for another, before the other has been resolved within. I have shed quite a few tears lately.

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Iamhere · ~*Service Worker*~

geems - we all got the exact same email message. It is YOUR system or YOUR settings or YOUR Internet Provider that marked it as potential phishing...Mine did not - we get it....you got an email you did not want. You are angry - we get it.

But - you will be waiting a long, long, long time for any apology from me. I have tried to explain the situation to you using more time and grace than I have and you refuse to see what is written and choose to read between the lines. I did not ever call you a liar - not the way I operate. I use facts and reason as best as possible.

I will say again THE ONLY WAY TO NOT EVER GET A MESSAGE FROM MIP IS TO DELETE YOUR ACCOUNT. How the message is marked has nothing to do with the sender - it's at your end...

Since this request for help has been posted as a sticky, I now ask that we return to the topic it intends to cover. I will delete any messages that are not for John, or about his request/need.

Geems - if you have issues with me or other posters, you are welcome to use Private Messaging to address. If you have issues about Phishing scams, I am sure you can find a forum for that.

oceanpine · Senior Member

hi John,

I am so glad that you reached out, asked for help, and shared with us what is going on in your life. I am sorry you are having to shoulder so much at once, including the loss of your animal friends.

I sent you a bit of $$ - and am so happy to help in a small way. Your creation and support of MIP has been a real life line for me these past several years. It has helped me to feel connected to a larger community at a scary, vulnerable time, and I have learned so much from those who generously share their ESH.

Take good care!
Oceanpine

John · ~*Service Worker*~

Geems, all I can say is I hope you recover from your insecurities in life. Whoever, phished you in the past only did it once, but in fear, anger and resentment you relive it on an ongoing basis. its just sad, that you would let a person who phished you take far more from you than anything material they got. Your sense of safety, freedom, and security. There are far more good, honest, giving people in the world then there are phisher's thats for sure. Stick around, you might, just maybe find that to be true in your life one day, and smile at this as a learning curve along the way.

John

Cathyinaz · ~*Service Worker*~

HE'S GONE..........

Now to get back to Miracles in Progress

MissM · Senior Member

I'll miss you Geems. Gotta admit I don't exactly understand what you were trying to say in this instance but I love your spirit and enjoyed your presence here. I really, really wish you well.

Love to you John. You've facilitated such a wonderful place here and made it possible for so many people to connect and help each other. You're a true blessing. I hope things improve for you, and soon.

(((peeps)))

The material presented here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method to exchange information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal level.

Practice the PAUSE...Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you are about to react harshly and you will avoid doing and saying things you will later regret. ~~~~ Lori Deschene

Practice the PAUSE...Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you are about to react harshly and you will avoid doing and saying things you will later regret. ~~~~ Lori Deschene

Practice the PAUSE...Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you are about to react harshly and you will avoid doing and saying things you will later regret. ~~~~ Lori Deschene