Recently, as I sat in. a group, a participant shared that they somehow found strength as they listened to others in the group share about their struggles. Even if the event being shared took place years ago, comfort was experienced by the one hearing as they identified their current struggles in this story from theContinue reading “Suffering Well Together”
Tag Archives: addiction
Sometimes Deliverance Looks Like…
In my experience, real life change has almost always been costly and painful. Why is that? Usually, the areas in my life that need real change are areas where habits and behaviors have been established over time. If it took time for me to dig the hole I find myself in it’s probably going toContinue reading “Sometimes Deliverance Looks Like…”
We Are More Than Our Mistakes
I enjoy sitting and listening to people share their stories. With almost any story I’m able to grow as I take away bits of wisdom and knowledge as I process someone else’s experience. Often, It’s a good experience for the person sharing their story as they relive relationships or periods of growth or excitement. EvenContinue reading “We Are More Than Our Mistakes”
Pornography
I was introduced to pornography through a magazine I found under the seat of my dad’s pickup truck at about the age of nine. The internet didn’t exist at that time and I am thankful. As a teenager I sometimes drove to the next county to a store where I was confident no one wouldContinue reading “Pornography”
Masks
As I am writing, today is Halloween. I loved Halloween as a kid. It meant costumes and candy. This morning one of my grandsons was running through the house in a Batman costume. It’s normal for kids to enjoy wearing masks and pretending to be someone else like a superhero or a cartoon character. OverContinue reading “Masks”
Clean and Sober
Has the thought ever crossed your mind, “Why am I the only one that has to live like this?” Have you set boundaries on yourself based on struggles in your life? Maybe you’ve committed yourself to attending AA, NA, SA or a multitude of other recovery meetings each week. Maybe at this point you’ve setContinue reading “Clean and Sober”
Behavior, Feelings and Needs
At the core of every behavior is a need. Some of those needs are perceived but as I’ve looked at my own heart and listened to the hearts of other men, I’ve come to believe that many, if not most of those needs are not just perceived but they are real. Each of those needsContinue reading “Behavior, Feelings and Needs”
When You Think You have Everyone Fooled
I saw this picture recently and I couldn’t help but laugh. It caused me to think back to my time in active addiction. I wonder how many times I thought I had the world fooled. I thought I had everything together and there wasn’t any way people could see how screwed up and confused IContinue reading “When You Think You have Everyone Fooled”
ANGER VS. RAGE
I used to believe that anger was my go-to emotion. If I didn’t know how to respond, if I felt out of control, I would respond with anger. What I’ve learned in my recovery is that my go-to emotion was rage, and yes, there is a difference. Anger is about the “Here and Now.” ItContinue reading “ANGER VS. RAGE”
Anything worth doing is worth doing badly… G.K. Chesterton
This is a quote from G.K. Chesterton that I have put a lot of thought into and I have come to believe it has a lot to say to anyone considering or walking in recovery. I think back to some of the excuses I used to avoid beginning or continuing in the recovery journey. AContinue reading “Anything worth doing is worth doing badly… G.K. Chesterton”