What Step 2 means to me
“Came to believe a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.” I was humiliated and my ego was tattered in shreds. I believed I am powerless over alcohol and my life is unmanageable. I believed I was hopeless, destined to die in the throes of my addiction. I tried to kill myself in […]
Confronting Life’s Adversities: Growing from the Pain
“Adversity Introduces a Man to Himself” -Anonymous When I made the decision to seek treatment and fully acknowledged my identity as an addict and alcoholic, I understood that this challenge would be a lifelong journey, not just a short-term endeavor. Embracing this reality meant that nothing would remain the same if I wanted to overcome […]
A Warrior Called
Last Sunday night, a warrior called and asked for help. We came into the Warriors Heart sober living around the same time last year and formed a positive bond of friendship. He left several months before me with another warrior friend to move into a house his friend purchased. His friend had relapsed, and he […]
What Step 1 Means to Me
We admitted we were powerless over alcohol, that our lives had become unmanageable.” Wait, what? Me, powerless? How could my life be unmanageable when I still had a career as an Army officer? Big house, required divorce, kids on the weekend. Those were my thoughts when I first entered AA. Fast forward five years, several […]
No Mystery to Recovery – Do the Work
A woman in continual relapse shared today at my home group. I was in continual relapse for 12 years after 14 years of continuous sobriety. I identify with her. I like her. It made me cry, right on the spot. She shared how unique her program was, and how unique everyone else in the room’s […]
Memorial Day Murph
Memorial Day Murph in honor of Navy Lieutenant Michael Murphy killed in Afghanistan, June 28, 2005. 22 Warriors rocked up to Warriors Heart Lakeside gym to do the ‘Murph’ -1 mile run, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 air squats, and another 1 mile run. A year and a half ago I could not walk up […]
Cunning, Baffling, Powerful…My Patient Jailer
“Remember that we deal with alcohol-cunning, baffling, powerful! Without help it is too much for us.” – Alcoholics Anonymous pg. 58-59 Cunning: I must remain vigilant, acknowledging that my addiction remains dormant yet ever-present in the shadows. I must internalize the truth that I cannot indulge in drinking or substance use again, under any circumstances. […]
Benefits of being alone
A friend posted recently about the benefit of spending time alone, and how it’s not a “bad” thing. I offered this reply to her and thought others may find it interesting and hopefully beneficial: There is a big difference between the unhealthy loneliness of isolation and the healthy peace, reflection, time with God, and preparation […]
Reflections, 26 May
“Simple Truths come in complicated ways when I was ego driven” -Last sentence from the Daily Reflections, 26 May, 2024. My ego has been the most significant driving factor in my life. I have to admit that in the beginning and in my military career it served me well on most occasions. The belief that […]
My Service Work
It is a great honor and a privilege to have the opportunity to be of service to my fellow warriors at Warriors Heart Lodge in Bandera, Texas. I understand that I cannot keep the promises of sober recovery without freely giving it away by acts of service; namely sponsorship. A warrior that I respect and […]