page contents Google

RECOVERY ROAD POT HOLES AND HUMPS

Recovery road is paved with promise and hope. Most of all, it’s paved with compasses to stay on track. Whether recovery involves substance or emotions, staying on track is vital. How does that work?

CUSTOMER SERVICE BLOGGER: WHAT’S YOUR PROBLEM?

“Customer service calls may be recorded for training and accuracy.” That’s fine, I’m recording too. But I’m not, I just say that to myself when I hear the recorded message before getting help. You can say it to yourself while you read this:

MEMORIAL SERVICE AT SEA FOR SUSAN

Speaking at a memorial service needs to hit home. Or don’t do it at all. I’m doing a short speech on a long boat three miles off shore. It’ll go like this:

HONOR LIFE WHEREVER IT’S FOUND

How do you honor life when you don’t understand how anyone could live the way some people live? First, try to understand instead of judging. Besides, if you don’t understand their way of life, chances are they don’t understand your’s either. Remember, it’s not a contest, but if it was, the winner is the one […]

PERMISSION SLIPS YOU DIDN’T KNOW YOU NEEDED

Permission slips help clear the way forward. When you need one, it’s good to have, whether you’re asked to show it or not. In school it was a Hall Pass, the golden ticket out of the classroom. Do adults need a permission slip? And if so, for what?

PAIN WRITERS: GUIDELINES FOR A PAINFUL STORY

Pain writers draw inspiration from two sources: Their own pain. Someone else’s pain. The source of pain is a standard feature. Pain writers want you to feel it. For example:

KILLING CANCER STEP BY STEP: #1

Killing cancer starts the same for everyone. It’s a new mole, a lump, a bump, a new ache and pain. You wonder what’s up, get checked out, and forget about it. After that it’s an appointment, or a phone call, and your life, your future, your plans, hits the fan and splatters all over. At […]

MEDICAL MARIJUANA: 420 FROM THE OTHER SIDE

Medical marijuana sounded like a clever joke the first time I’d heard of it. Medical? Like legal? Did a smart hippie find a loophole to get high without getting arrested? What’s next, I figured, the return of cocaine to Coca-cola? Extra morphine in cough syrup? The benefits of medical marijuana dawned on me after a […]

WHY WRITERS BELIEVE IN READERS? IT TAKES BOTH

Writers believe the time they spend on their work is worthwhile. Opinions from others vary. Of course writers believe, but is their opinion the one that matters? After days and years of focus on a project, they’d better believe in their work. One sage said to choose a writing topic you love, because you’ll eventually […]

CANCER CALL: A HEALTH CHALLENGE REMINDER

A cancer call is never the wrong number. It’s a confirmation of all the testing you’ve already gone through. The doctors who make cancer calls don’t ask for your name and DOB on the phone. They know it’s you. If someone else answers the phone, they know it’s for you, and you’ve got to take […]