A Room for Redemption Every other week, I visit the local jail. I walk through a steel door that buzzes, slams, and locks behind me with a sound you don’t forget. It’s not symbolic—it’s real. I pass through security and enter a dorm where men in orange jumpsuits wait...

Spring is nature’s way of reminding us that after every season of stillness, comes a time of growth. Flowers bloom, trees bud, and the world seems to wake up. It’s a perfect metaphor for our own lives.   There will be times when you need to pause. Life might feel...

Rebirth of a Season The weather is warming and spring is finally upon us. As April begins, I’m reminded of the old rhyme: “April showers bring May flowers.” A little rain hardly hurts now with the promise of the beauty to come.   This time of year always reminds...

Five Things I Wish I Knew Before I Got Sober Getting sober initially felt like a 90-yard, game-winning touchdown run called back for offensive holding. I thought I’d walk into recovery, high-five a few sober people, and magically transform into a well-adjusted,...

It’s hard to express what a privilege it is to be an advocate for people in recovery. One of my cherished gifts in recovery has been finding my voice; using it, to fight for others in recovery has become my purpose. Last February was my first time going to Albany to...

The way we frame our experiences can shape how we see ourselves and the world around us. For years, the terms “relapse” and “slip” have been used to describe setbacks in recovery. But these words come with heavy baggage—shame, guilt, and the idea that all progress has...