Damages [Spring 2019]

This was one of my first pieces of writing. At the time, I was still in my first year of sobriety. I've had a couple of people ask me about the meaning of 'Damages.' They feel I'm placing addicts on a pedestal. I surely don't set the average drug addict or anyone else on a … Continue reading Damages [Spring 2019]

The More You Know, The Less You Know: Explained

Quite a few years ago, I arrived at a theory. I realized that no matter how much I learned over the course of one year, I felt as though I hadn't made any progress. Still, I would always look back and think, "wow, I didn't know much last year!" I believe the more we know, … Continue reading The More You Know, The Less You Know: Explained

False Advertising & Off-Roading

Just because the car has been washed and waxed doesn't mean the inside is clean. The inside may resemble an ashtray. Just because the lawn is manicured and the curtains are costly doesn't mean they don't have cockroaches. And, even when they come with a smile, he or she may still be concealing an evil, … Continue reading False Advertising & Off-Roading

Preparing To Turn The Page

The countdown continues. In two days, I'll board an airplane to Texas once more. Unlike the previous 16 trips I've taken in the past 14 months, this ticket is not a roundtrip flight. Why would I return to Colorado if everything I want and need in Texas. Except for a few members of our family, … Continue reading Preparing To Turn The Page

God Is Watching [Re-post]

Regardless of your spiritual beliefs. Regardless of your position on God. How many of us live their life as if God is watching? How many of us make good decisions when there are no witnesses? For myself, I must never stop. Self-inventory is essential if I'm to stay on my path. Joseph Shanklin February 7, … Continue reading God Is Watching [Re-post]

Reflection of Self

Recently, I posted something about my Crash Report. [Crash Report] is the name I have given to my Dream Journals. Back in January, I began recording my dreams. The key, of course, is documenting every available detail as soon as I open my eyes. Otherwise, as you undoubtedly know, the dream tends to fade away. … Continue reading Reflection of Self

Careful What You Wish For [Addiction & Recovery]

Unfortunately for the addict, the enemy is addiction, and addiction has unlimited resources. Yes, our enemy has been planning for battle, going to war, and killing addicts since coping skills first came into existence. Like combat, the battle of maintaining sobriety is a fluid situation, and the enemy [addiction] is watching every move we make, … Continue reading Careful What You Wish For [Addiction & Recovery]

The Journals [Finding Treasure]

Throughout my life, I've been finding things of value. For those who have spent time with me during the past five years, quite a few of my friends have watched me score where there should not be a score. It was happening so often a few years ago, that a few people thought I had … Continue reading The Journals [Finding Treasure]

The Journals [How I Came to Denver Colorado & My First Career]

I moved to Denver, Colorado, in 1988, at the age of 19. Coming from a small town of fewer than 3,000 people, I was not prepared for life in the big city. None of my family lives here in Denver, Colorado. Thirty years ago, I only knew a handful of people; my half-sister's ex-husband and … Continue reading The Journals [How I Came to Denver Colorado & My First Career]

My Thoughts This Morning [Honesty Times]

Honesty Times Yesterday, somebody told me they [appreciate my honesty]. Hearing others refer to my ability to speak the truth, write the truth, and think the truth, has been the standard for some time. Once again, I'm not patting myself in the back, I'm simply prepping the reader for the [wammy]. I used to be … Continue reading My Thoughts This Morning [Honesty Times]