Recovery. Sobriety. Living Wise.
I recently heard of the passing of Norma Johnston, a tribal elder of the Swinomish Nation and a friend of mine. Norma helped me get beyond my religious bigotry. Here’s that story. In 1988 I bought a cabin on tribal land that I leased from Norma’s family. The cabin wasn’t far from La Conner, beautifully nestled in a quiet cove on Puget Sound a mile … Continue reading When I Lost My Bigotry
No topic has been of more consequence to me over the years than that of becoming a man. Perhaps it’s because I labored over my own difficult journey into maturity, or maybe it’s because I got to be Erin’s stepfather and uncle to some wonderful nephews. Whatever the reason, I’ve given a lot of thought to how boys grow into men. I’ve come to believe … Continue reading On Becoming a Man (Like Frank)
Remember, if you will, a difficult time in your life. Not a bad difficult time, but a hard difficult. Remember, too, those who walked with you and how, in walking together, you all made it through to the other side. Remember those individuals, for they are special. They are sacred friends. If you need a reference point let me share this story that comes by way … Continue reading Sacred Friendships
Stop and think about it for a moment — how many times have you wondered whether your life has proceeded as it should have? Whether you are too flawed? Whether you have been in line with what your purpose may be? I’m thinking of those times when suddenly, or not so suddenly, you feel totally useless and without grounding. Kind of like a leaky … Continue reading The Cracks In Our Lives
A friend of mine shared this story with me on how he found success. His company offered him a promotion to a new job that consolidated two positions into one. The job, among others things, involved managing a difficult product line with a number of moving parts, all in an environment over which had little control. Six months of the year he would be on … Continue reading What Do You Value?