A friend recently sent me this quote: “Expectations are premeditated resentments.” That is powerful. Said another way, we can’t tie our self-perception to the perception of others. Here’s the thing – not everyone will understand your journey, and that’s fine, because it isn’t their journey to understand. I stopped explaining myself when I realized people…
Every person who has ever lived (except Jesus) has suffered from the same flaw – cognitive bias. Cognitive bias is defined as “the systematic pattern of deviation from norm or rationality in judgment, whereby inferences about other people and situations may be drawn in an illogical fashion.” Because we all have cognitive bias, James said,…
How can you recognize an addiction? More directly, how can you recognize your addiction? Jesus offered a really simple standard: “You shall know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:6). So let me suggest three fruits of sex addiction. If these characterize your life, well, there’s your answer. Sex dominates your thought life. Your sexual activities…
One of the keys to lasting recovery is to never quit learning. Aristotle said, “The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet.” And Henry Ford said, “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether he is 20 or 80.” A really smart guy named Solomon spoke from experience when he said, “Let the…
A wealthy man called three repairmen to his house to bid on rebuilding a fallen fence. The first man measured the fence, calculated the hours it would take to do the job, then told the homeowner his price – $800. The second repairman measured the fence, did the calculations, and offered his bid – $700.…
Mark Twain said, “October is one of the peculiarly dangerous months to speculate in stocks. The others are July, January, September, April, November, May, March, June, December, August, and February.” The Bible says, “We have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining…
Over the course of his 57 years (1950-2007), a Frenchman named Michel Lotito bit off more than he could chew – many times. In the process, he managed to consume “food items” that most of us would probably pass on. Lotito ate television sets, bicycles, shopping carts, and – get this – an airplane. How…
It starts with a dream. So ask yourself the following questions: Where do I want to be in five years? What would I do if I could? What big, hairy, audacious goals are worthy of my time? What can I do that no one has done before? What can I do that will leave a…
Wife: “There’s a problem with the car. It has water in the carburetor.” Husband: “Water in the carburetor? That’s crazy!” Wife: “I’m telling you, the car has water in the carburetor.” Husband: “You don’t even know what a carburetor is. “I’ll check it out. Where is the car?” Wife: “In the pool.” Sometimes, life takes…
Many addicts have a complicated relationship with their Higher Power. If you have never struggled in your prayer life as (a) an addict, or (b) an addict’s partner, you are the first. Prayer is not always easy. But it is still necessary. Let me offer a few suggestions on what to do when you don’t…