Author: Jason Marcle
Hi, I’m Samuel. My life has been an ugly roller coaster of ups and downs; I don’t even remember how many times I fell on my knees and went completely offshore from life. Multiple times, I got drunk to the point where everyone was like, damn, that’s over. It all began the time my father died. It felt like I was high and dry in this life of uncertainty that only gifts those who know the game, which is already rigged, and those manipulating those rules were winning. Yes, that was it. That was the problem. Because I was being…
I’m Evelyn, and I had it all. Or at least, I thought I did. I married Adam when I was twenty-eight, and for the first time in my life, I knew what it meant to be safe. To be loved the way love is supposed to feel—deep, consuming, real. We were that couple, the one people looked at and said, Damn, I want what they have. And we had it. We really did. Loving Him, Losing Him, Living Without Him Mornings started with his arms wrapped around me, pulling me closer, his lips brushing against my forehead before whispering, Just…
There comes a time in every life when we are forced to confront our darkness, and for me, that moment unfolded during a fleeting summer in my hometown. My name is Dave, and I have lived many lifetimes in just a few short years. This is a story about the profound lessons that emerge from our struggles and how often we misplace our priorities. Exchange of Words with Someone I was twenty-one and newly returned from my service in the Army, a time when everything felt like a blur of routine and regiment. I had survived physical challenges and learned…
The city never stops moving, you know? But there I was, stuck in a tiny apartment that smelled like stale sweat and regret. I’m Ken, just some guy trying to make it through the day without losing what’s left of his mind. I’d quit the substances—cold turkey—a few weeks back, but I couldn’t tell you if that made me stronger or just more miserable. The withdrawal? Hell on earth. Every nerve in my body felt like it was rebelling, and I didn’t have anyone to tell about it. Not like anyone would listen, anyway. Chewed Up, Spit Out, and Left…
I remember the day I lit my first cigarette. It wasn’t out of curiosity or peer pressure. It was boredom—plain, nagging boredom. Life felt dull, repetitive, and painfully slow. A cigarette gave me something to do, a temporary escape from the emptiness. It was just one at first, then another, and before I knew it, nicotine had a chokehold on me. I’d try to quit, but the stillness of life would drive me right back. Finding Peace in Church Relationships and Support When I hit rock bottom, my family stepped in. They weren’t judgmental; they were persistent. They encouraged me…
Broken Strings, Healing Chords: How I Found Strength in My Song My name is Zalena, and I grew up in New York City, a place where dreams often feel just out of reach. My childhood was far from easy. At the age of seven, I witnessed my father’s sudden death—an image that never really left me. My mom, already struggling to make ends meet, had to pick up the pieces. She lost her cleaning job soon after and took on a tougher role in housekeeping, barely keeping the lights on for us. Things got even darker one night when a…
All of my life, I thought of myself as being left behind out of the equation. I consider myself a failure in every aspect of life, whether professional or personal. The core self-esteem condensing issues arise from the comparison and societal expectations. As I saw people posting their highlight reels on social media, I struggled to be where I wanted to be. Everything seemed crumbled until the day I got struck with an eye-opening realization, and that is the point of me writing this all, so someone’s feeling dull and down might get some value in any potential capacity this…
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…