From the outside, it looked like love. A mother who answered every call. A husband who covered every lie. A friend who always showed up with money, rides, excuses—whatever was needed in the moment. But underneath those kind gestures lived a tr…
When I first entered recovery, I carried a heavy burden of resentment. It felt like a suit of armor I wore to protect myself from the pain I didn’t want to face. In reality, it wasn’t protecting me at all—it was weighing me down, k…
The holiday season is often portrayed as the happiest time of the year, filled with festive celebrations, joyful reunions, and gift-giving. But for many, it can be a challenging period that brings feelings of sadness, anxiety, or loneliness—o…
Triggers have always been a part of my life, especially as I’ve worked through personal challenges and recovery. Whether I’m tackling past trauma, maintaining my sobriety, or navigating daily stressors, understanding what triggers me and…
Recovery is a journey of transformation—a path that requires us to face our past and build a new future. In recovery communities, it's common to share our struggles, but it's just as important to share our progress. This isn’t just about…
When I first entered recovery, I didn’t know who I truly was. I had spent so many years running from myself, numbing the pain, and hiding behind the false identities that addiction had helped me create. I feared facing the truth because I beli…
For much of my life, I carried a heavy burden I didn't fully understand—a deep, unspoken pain rooted in growing up without knowing my father. The absence of that relationship left a void, but for many years, I lived in denial about the impact …
For much of my life, I didn't realize how much living I had given up. It wasn't until I fully accepted my powerlessness over other people that I began to understand the depth of what I had sacrificed. The journey to this realization was neither swif…
In the journey of recovery, the choices we make often define who we are far more than our abilities or past accomplishments. This realization has been a profound part of my own experience in recovery, where each decision becomes a stepping stone tow…
During my journey through addiction and recovery, I had an experience with my mother that remains etched in my memory. It was an unexpected revelation that underscored the depth of her understanding and subtle yet profound ways in which addiction af…
In the darkest depths of addiction, I found myself lost, hopeless, and broken. Each day seemed to blur into the next, consumed by the relentless pursuit of numbing my pain. It was in this desperate state that I stumbled upon Matthew 20:28, a verse …
The storm has passed, at least for the moment. We've halted the self-destruction through drugs and alcohol. However, it doesn't mean we've ceased self-harm entirely. It's less apparent because we're still in a state of slumber. Newcomers often g…
In our fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of thoughts, worries, and plans about the future or regrets about the past. However, there's immense value in staying in the present moment, and this practice can bring a host of …
Confidence is a key ingredient for success and every aspect of life. Whether it's pursuing your dreams, excelling in your career, or maintaining healthy relationships, having confidence can make a significant difference. Fortunately, confide…
In a world that often glorifies self-promotion, ambition, and individual success, the virtue of humility often goes unnoticed and undervalued. However, humility is a quality that possesses immense transformative power. It is the key to personal gr…
I was tired. I was tired of lying, stealing, and being broke. I had used so many drugs I was no longer getting high, I was just using. A lost cause, I convinced myself that I was okay. I was a legend in my mind. Addiction does…
I laughed when I first heard the term Life Coach. Football coach, yes. But a Life Coach, no way. What will they do, develop game plans, and try their best to execute? Has life gotten so complicated for some people that they may…
I'm leaving you now. I have awakened to your ways. You never had my best interest, but I badly wanted to believe you did. We have been together for so long. Since I was a child, you told me things that were not true. …
When was the last time you had a vacation? Has it crossed your mind lately, or have you been too busy to think of such a thing? I once asked a brother how he was feeling, and his response was, 'busy.' Busy? Since when did busy become a feeling? …