I’ve been watching a new show called, “Shrinking” on a streaming service (Apple TV) that some may find offensive. It has a lot of language, sex, drugs and alcohol abuse. If you are triggered or offended, you shouldn’t watch it. In the past, I will admit that the language, sex, and drugs/alcohol would have kept […]
In 12-step rooms, you will often hear this slogan: “Expectations are just premeditated resentments.” This simple phrase helped me notice that I had unconscious expectations for the way that I thought that my loved ones should recover. I always thought that expectations were a noble thing to have, much like a goal. Instead, this slogan […]
“Ma’am?” I turned, wondering if the voice was speaking to me. I found the speaker, then noticed that he was looking at a woman. “Have you eaten today?” “Have I eaten?” His voice lifted. He seemed unsure and seeking confirmation that she would be talking to him; perhaps offering him food. “Do you like cheeseburgers?” […]
My dad used to get angry if he thought that one of us kids was being lazy. His anger was over the top. Over the last 13 years I started to understand that as the child of an alcoholic, he had conflated laziness with alcoholism. Since his father’s disease kept him from working, my dad […]
As I was leaving my annual physical, the doctor stopped me in the hallway, “Hey, your labs came back from your last appointment. You’re normal on all tests.” “Oh that’s good.” Then, I laughed, “Actually that’s a first. I don’t think anyone has ever called me normal before. “My doctor chuckled and said, “Let […]
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. […]