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GIVING UP, BUT NOT A QUITTER?

Giving up is different than quitting. Really. Quitting means done, all over, finished. The Day I Quit. Giving up is a longer process. One is a reaction, the other a journey. Who’s got the map?

PLACING BLAME IN THE RIGHT PLACE

What’s the best way of placing blame? Pointing a finger? Yelling? Or checking to make sure there’s anyone or anything to blame? What about the blameless among us who’ve never done anything wrong?

REWRITING HISTORY: HOW HARD CAN IT BE

People are rewriting history all of the time and don’t know it. If you repeat what you’ve heard to one person, and it turns out to be not accurate, what’s the big deal? Not so big for one person, but what if you repeat what you know to be false to millions of people? Do […]

WIDOW MAKER: A LOGGER’S NIGHTMARE

My Grandpa on my mom’s side was her step-dad, though as kids we never knew it. Why? Because it didn’t matter. He was married to Grandma and she was a boss. Besides, he was the best choice between the three. One was a yeller, the other was far away, and Grandpa was just right. He […]

CHEMO STORY FROM THE MEMOIR WIP

One chemo story is not much different than another: Cancer diagnosis, testing, further testing, test some more, then sign up for the juice. Not much different until it’s you, and it’s your story. So why not write it? Here’s what it looks like:

STORY MEDICINE AND THE CURE

Story medicine is what you see and hear. Think of it like going out for music: Is it, “Let’s get tickets and go see Taylor Swift?” Or, “Let’s get tickets to hear Taylor Swift?” It’s both. Around here we call that, “The Deuce.”

LAST CALL? NOT FOR YOU

Last call for alcohol? Nope, not that one. If you don’t hear from yourself on a regular basis, check in. If it’s busy, make a recall.

ARNOLD RULES FROM TWITTER: YOU SHOULD . . .

The Arnold Rules are an encouraging list of what to do for a better life. If a better life sounds like something you’d like to try, something you’d like to model by example, Arnold is here to help. Could Arnold be a better man, a better person? He’s trying. Maybe you could try, too? In […]

HEALING TIME FOR BUSY PEOPLE

Healing time isn’t something we clock. Things get messed up, then they get better. Then you have a cool scar to show. Do you ask friends to see their new scar; do you show yours? For me, that’s yes and yes.

RECOVERY ROAD POT HOLES AND HUMPS

Recovery road is paved with promise and hope. Most of all, it’s paved with compasses to stay on track. Whether recovery involves substance or emotions, staying on track is vital. How does that work?