Recovery. Sobriety. Living Wise.
I’m delighted to reprise a thought from Joe Nagy, one of my favorite writers. Joe, a former literature and writing professor, contributed this thought on zombies. Like me, I’m sure you’ll find it “strangely” interesting. Enjoy. At the start of this semester, I asked my literature students to attend one academic presentation by mid-term, and write a two-paragraph response, reflecting on what they learned. They … Continue reading Zombies
A while back I decided I couldn’t rightfully make sense of my life in any meaningful way other than as miraculous. Sure, on occasion, I’ve tried to convince myself I’m the primary author of my miracles, but when pressed to explain how, I can’t. There are just too many random happenings outside my control that can be only explained as miraculous. The common thread in … Continue reading The of Miracle of Showing Up
There are times when getting from here to there is no easy matter; when the route is unclear and obstacles seem insurmountable. There’s an old saying: “The only difference between a stepping stone and a stumbling block is how we use them.” Will you walk in between the stones with a mind to missing them, or walk on top of the stones with a … Continue reading Stepping Stones or Stumbling Blocks?
I once thought wisdom was the exclusive domain of old folks but I’ve discovered some of my most important lessons have been taught by the very young. One such lesson came from my nephew Jack when he was all of six years old. I was newly sober and still stinging from a number of painful losses. At the time I kept pretty much to myself as I felt … Continue reading The Practice of Listening
“When you’ve spent two years trying to wiggle just one toe everything else is brought into proportion.” ~ Franklin Roosevelt I have a suggestion when you’re at the end of your rope and feeling: Down and out Paralyzed in fear Questioning the future Imagine yourself taking a short walk down the driveway of Franklin Roosevelt’s Hyde Park home to the Albany Post Road. It’s just … Continue reading The Walk to Albany Post Road