I climbed into my bed, between fresh flannel sheets and turned on the television. I was seeking refuge from the biting cold and the busyness of the Christmas season. I looked through the guide hoping for anything but a Christmas movie. For the last 6 years, I’ve worked a seasonal job at the mall. I […]
The most powerful lessons that I’ve been taught occurred when I stopped trying. Out of frustration, I throw my hands in the air and say, “Okay Lord, I don’t know what to do. I give up.” Then whatever situation or thing that I was trying to change stopped ruling my life. Getting to the place […]
A few years ago, I attended a retreat at Ignatius House in Atlanta, GA and Father Greg Boyle, SJ directed the retreat. He told many stories but the one story that seems to have embedded itself into my heart is the one that he tells above. Father Greg is a hero to me. I believe […]
Praying a novena with 12-step guidance. […]
I’ve been married to an equine veterinarian (horse doctor) for 36 years. In that span of time, I’ve come to understand one of the most humble creatures in the equine family: the donkey. Seasoned horse owners sometimes take a weanling horse and tie him to a donkey and turn them out to pasture for a […]
I’ve been trying to consider the best tips that have helped me in my recovery journey. This nugget was the one that changed me the most. That is why I’m offering it right before your family gathers in for the Thanksgiving holiday. At my first 12-step meeting, I was surprised to learn that I was […]
I dream of walking the Camino de Santiago de Compostela one day. The Camino de Santiago (the Way of St. James) is a large network of ancient pilgrim routes stretching across Europe and coming together at the tomb of St. James (Santiago in Spanish) in Santiago de Compostela in north-west Spain. Movies like Wild and The Way […]
If you show up at a 12-step meeting for friends and family members, it won’t take long before someone tells you to mind your own business. “You need to get out of God’s way” is usually the next piece of advice. Out in the world when we tell someone to mind their own business it […]
In the first pages of every book is a dedication page. Authors use this page to offer up the work that they have created to someone they hope to honor. During the final stages of edits, I was asked to begin thinking about who I wanted to dedicate my work to. My answer came quickly: […]
I went to the doctor last week for my semi-annual appointment. He asked me how I was feeling to which I said, “fine.” I thought it was casual conversation. Again, he asked, “Are you feeling okay?” At this point, I was starting to wonder myself. “I think so.” I said, meaning it. “Well your blood […]