What is the key to success, in recovery or in life? For answers, let’s turn to the ancient Athenian playwriter Sophocles, who was the most accomplished writer and thinker of the fifth century, B.C. Seven of Sophocles’ tragedies have survived to this day, and he is widely considered one of the greatest minds of all…
An interesting study was done with two groups of people. One group was told to memorize seven numbers in succession, walk down a long hall, then recite those numbers to someone on the other end of the hallway. The second group was told to memorize just two numbers, and then recite those numbers to someone…
You are probably familiar with the H.A.L.T. acronym. We tend to act out when we are hungry, angry, lonely, or tired. I have added two more triggers, which I see all the time: boredom and stress. We get into trouble when we are bored/ or stressed. You can remember that by the abbreviations – B.S.…
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established” (Proverbs 16:3). This says two things. First, we must have plans. Second, when we commit our work to God, those plans will be blessed. Let’s start with your plan. I have a simple question for you. What is your plan to stay sober…
Following the resurrection, Jesus showed up at a crowded room of disciples who still did not believe. They were fearful for their very lives, without purpose, direction, or hope. Jesus spoke just four simple words. “Peace be with you” (John 20:19). I’m sure there are several other sets of four-word statements the disciples would have…
There are a lot of people who have a lot to say about getting a lot of rest. Solomon: “There is a time to be silent and a time to speak” (Ecclesiastes 3:7). Blaise Pascal: “All men’s miseries derive from not being able to be in a quiet room alone.” Mother Teresa: “God cannot be…
If you are going to get serious about your addiction, you will have to move from the talking phase to the doing phase. And for that you will need a plan. Jesus said it like this: “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to…
It happened one year ago today – at 2:10 pm Eastern Standard Time. It was one of the most painful, gut-wrenching moments of my life. It was at that moment that I held my beloved 15-year-old Westie in my arms for the final time, as she received the injection that ended her life. Putting Heidi…
Something strange happened during the rowing competition at the 1928 Olympics. Australian rower Bobby Pearce was in the middle of the race, when a duck and her little ducklings swam in front of his boat. Pearce slowed down, in order to let the ducks safely pass. This put him behind the competition, as none of…
A boy went by a farmer’s garden to buy some tomatoes for his mother. Pointing at a ripe, red tomato, he asked the farmer, “How much is this one?” The farmer said, “The ripe ones are $1 each.” “And how much are the green ones that aren’t yet ripe?” asked the boy. “Those are just…