Recovery. Sobriety. Living Wise.
When I traveled to India last November I flew a polar route through Dubai. I was lucky enough to have sitting next to me a 29-year-old economist from the UK named Chris. He was going to Abu Dabi for a conference on famine relief and since we had a 16-hour flight, we struck up a conversation that was for me both fascinating and a bit disturbing. … Continue reading Letting Go
I recently met a long-time buddy for a belated birthday chat. We go way back, to my drinking days, when the nights were long and the days were blurry. We both have been sober a good while, so we can now share a good laugh at the bad old days and just be thankful we made it through alive. As we were readying to leave, … Continue reading Learning to Listen
Marsha and I live near a bluff overlooking the Everett Naval Station. Each morning we are faithfully reminded the Navy is our neighbor when we hear the playing of the national anthem, and then again each evening at nine p.m. when taps is played. These are our daily cues that we as Americans share the same flag and some set of common values with the … Continue reading Semper Fidelis
[Originally published June 10, 2017] Some time ago Marsha and I watched Henry Fonda in the movie Young Mr. Lincoln. Afterward, I wondered whether we would ever again see anyone with the character of Old Abe. Then I wondered, would I even recognize such a person if he or she crossed my path? What struck me about Lincoln’s story was how little of his background … Continue reading Seeing Humanity in the Strangers Among Us
A new year has arrived and I’ve been waiting for a spark of inspiration to launch me into 2019. Quite frankly, its been hard. Inspirational moments have been hard to come by. I’ve felt like a nomad in a parched desert in search of a watering hole, only able to find bitter wells. I find my spirit has soured, turned in on itself, and tricked … Continue reading Getting Out of Your Head