Author: Jason Marcle
While working on one of my projects, I stumbled upon a stickman comic that truly made me reflect. This comic resonated with me, reminding me of a crucial lesson I’ve learned in recovery. To complete the twelve steps, we must turn to our Higher Power (in my case, God) for various things. We ask God to eliminate our defects of character and our shortcomings. Through prayer and meditation, we strive to enhance our conscious connection with God as we understand Him. My prayers focus on understanding His will for me and finding the strength to carry it out. Without following…
In two months, I will celebrate 6 years of sobriety. I will have to say that it has not been the easiest road since, in the last six years, I have lost both my parents and a best friend. I have also lost three pets that were extremely near to my heart. I survived a nervous breakdown on New Year’s Day in 2022. I still struggle daily, trying to be the person I want to be. I am a work in progress. My mind often loves to play tricks on me. Let me explain. Finding Strength in Community: …
Most of the time, when I am writing a blog, I write to myself. There is something about putting my thoughts down on paper that helps me. I touched on this in the blog about journaling. I am titling this “Spiritually Sick” because that is what I am. I am not sure how to explain it, but I am going to try. Finding Redemption in the Shadows I’ve always found solace in the embrace of the Church. It’s not merely a routine for me; it’s the essence of my upbringing. My parents instilled in me the significance of Sunday school…
In the eerie shadows of June 2009, our annual vacation to the Great Smoky Mountains turned into a nightmarish odyssey. Traveling on Interstate I-40, the mundane highway transformed into a stage for a chilling encounter that continues to haunt me. Nestled in the darkness while navigating through Nashville at night, an unforeseen force gripped me. Profound discomfort enveloped my senses – a crescendo of sweating, dizziness, and an oppressive weight on my chest. Breaths eluded me, and an indescribable pain seared through the front of my left leg. The Desperate Halt Fearing an imminent collapse, I hastily pulled over on…
I have not been the same since I experienced a nervous breakdown in 2022. That was one of the scariest experiences I have ever had. I simply am not the same person anymore. As bad as I fight to regain my old self, I just have not succeeded. The struggle to reclaim my former self has been an uphill battle, marked by setbacks and a persistent sense of loss. Today, I am filled with restlessness. I am filled with anxiety from the perturbation. I am constantly nervous. I will say that my racing thoughts have calmed down a lot since…
Has anybody ever done you or somebody you love wrong? Now, let us flip that question around. Have you ever done somebody wrong in your lifetime? When somebody does you wrong, how do you respond? Do you get angry or resentful, or are you forgiving and understanding? If you have done somebody wrong, how did you expect them to react? These are all questions we should be asking ourselves if we do not want anyone living rent-free in our minds. It’s all about reflecting deeply – numerous instances come to mind where I felt wronged or witnessed harm befall a…
I got the idea for this blog from an old AT&T slogan, “Reach out and touch someone,” that was originally used to promote long-distance telephone service, emphasizing the ability to connect with loved ones who were far away. We can also apply this phrase to those dealing with depression/anxiety, those in recovery, or those who simply need help of some sort. According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the definition of the word reach is to communicate with someone in a different place. The Oxford Languages Dictionary says to stretch out an arm in a specified direction in order to touch or grasp…
As I have mentioned in previous blog posts, I do not have much self-confidence in myself. I honestly never have. This plays a small role in my anxiety and depression issues. Sometimes, when I am feeling down, I think that I am not worth very much. I am not a man who has many friends; people never invite me to outings or weekend get-togethers. I have always wanted to be invited to a cool Halloween party that I hear many speak about. I never was invited to the “cool” parties in high school. I always felt left out. I can…
I have not been the same since I experienced a nervous breakdown in 2022. That was one of the scariest experiences I have ever had. I simply am not the same person anymore. As bad as I fight to regain my old self, I just have not succeeded. The struggle to reclaim my former self has been an uphill battle, marked by setbacks and a persistent sense of loss. Today, I am filled with restlessness. I am filled with anxiety from the perturbation. I am constantly nervous. I will say that my racing thoughts have calmed down a lot since…
I have a lot of mixed feelings about court-ordered recovery programs. Sometimes, there are good outcomes, and sometimes, not-so-good outcomes. It all starts with the mindset of the individual. In the past, I have sat through many recovery meetings where several of those in attendance were not there of their own free will. This can create a huge distraction because some are the ones who walk in late and interrupt the meetings, some like to talk during the meetings, and some never share the issues they are facing in life. They finish their program and immediately go back to their…