INTRODUCTION by Joseph Shanklin I spend a lot of time [daily] working my own self inventory processes. I choose to make the conscious decision to identify my personal shortcomings. Furthermore, I make the choice to make improvements towards those shortcomings. Please allow me to demonstrate my priorities... 1] Sobriety 2] Self-improvement I see it like … Continue reading When Did Fat Become An Insult [Ashley Austrew]
Category: Life’s Lessons
Life experiences vs signs.
Analogy... A hydroelectric dam is going to break within the next 24 hours. Ten miles down stream; a small town is evacuating, everyone is packing their shit and leaving. Immediately below the spillway; a small town isn't evacuating, everyone is carrying on business as usual. These people cannot mentally process the inevitable, and nobody is … Continue reading The Dam Is Breaking
Nuovo incrocio ... nuovo buco da 20 'nel terreno. L'ho avvertito di non avvicinarsi troppo. 😦 Apparentemente ... sto scivolando oggi. Joseph Shanklin 22 gennaio 2020
New intersection...new 20' hole in the ground. I warned him not to get too close. RIP 😦 Apparently...I'm slippin today. Joseph Shanklin January 22, 2020
I was inspired to write this piece after reading something another writer posted this morning. She is very talented and inspiring. I've been married and divorced twice. Lasting nearly 12 years, the ending of my second marriage broke my heart... completely. I'd planned on growing old with my second wife. Unfortunately...her long term plans didn't … Continue reading Growing Old Together
DAMAGES Avoiding pain is natural. In fact, that's why it's there. Pain is a signal to the brain letting us know that something is wrong. Through our efforts to avoid the uncomfortable we protect ourselves, our hearts, and sometimes our lives. It's in this way that most people understand and cope with pain. Whether healthy … Continue reading Damages [Spring 2019]
Until I publish my first book I'll have to continue to work setting up cone zones, shutting down sidewalks, and working to keep pedestrians safe. One of my many tasks, watching the hole. Yes, holes over 18" deep can't be left unattended. Some of the holes that I have to guard have been as deep … Continue reading Hole Watching
Several months ago during a meeting with my probation officer, I made a prediction: If I fail the program and end up incarcerated, it will not be from relapse, but something much more difficult to prepare for, an event occurring on the city streets. For anyone living and working in the City Of Denver Colorado, … Continue reading Keeping Your Power! [Universe University]
Originally posted here yesterday. Then expanded and posted on my column within The Adams County Drug Court Newsletter. Now copied and posted here on my blog. It's nearly...just nearly...confusing. Please keep in mind: The majority of The Readers were sitting in The Court Room while they were reading The Newsletter. Written for the new people … Continue reading Life & Death [Drug Court Newsletter Version]
Recently, as part of a required exercise for an Outpatient Substance Abuse Group that I attend, a made an interesting discovery. The instructions were as follows: If I had been told that I was going to die in 1 year, what would my goals be? I had to do the same for 5 years, and … Continue reading Life vs Death
