Grieving

***Trigger Warning: This post is about my responses to people dying. If death is a trigger for you, please skip this post; however, if it's just an uncomfortable topic for you, read on: 

Today I learned that the caretaker of the place where a lot of recovery meetings are held completed suicide. This past Monday, I learned that a friend and co-worker, who was in recovery, overdosed on opiates and passed away. About a month ago, another co-worker passed away due to Covid. Each of these deaths affects me differently. It is important for me, and I think for us, to accept that death is a part of life, and, like every part of life, it is good to have a healthy, non-harmful response.

I don't judge people for dying, nor for their cause of death. You see, there could be some judgment around the deaths of the 3 individuals mentioned above. My co-worker who died from Covid was maybe my age or better. I remember the conversation we had in which he shared that he thought the whole pandemic thing was a hoax. At that time he was not vaccinated, and I don't know if he ever did get vaccinated. That isn't my business - I'm not pro-sticking myself with vaccines either, but I have gotten flu and virus shots when given enough incentive. My co-worker who died from an opiate overdose - this was very sad to me, as he was a young guy and I considered him my friend. One could, and a lot of people do, judge his death as him getting what he deserved for using illicit drugs in the first place. Maybe. But I knew this person was trying to stay clean and sober. I also know that he was somebody's son, somebody's sibling, and somebody's boyfriend, and somebody's friend, somebody's employee. I knew that he was a good worker and a nice guy. I did not know him when he was in the depths of his addiction. The third person, who I believe completed suicide either Thursday or yesterday, was the caretaker of a building that housed recovery meetings. I knew him, but not very well. I knew he lived with a mental health disorder, but I did not know his diagnosis. Some people judge those who live with mental health disorders as weak-minded. I was judgmental toward people with mental health disorders for a long time until I fully accepted that I am living with a mental health disorder myself, which goes to show that just because one judges someone else on their mental health does not mean the one judging is mentally healthy. Just sayin...

I went to my first funeral, that of my paternal grandfather, when I was 2 years old. I knew at a very early age that people and animals die. I think it's healthy to acknowledge this aspect of life, so that one isn't too incredibly overwhelmed when somebody they know passes. However, I began thinking about my own death around 8 years old, and that's not normal nor healthy. I remember one of my siblings telling me in the backseat of our family car, when I was lying in such a way that my nose was buried in the crack between the seats, that I could get carbon monoxide poisoning from that. I thought that sounded like a good idea. (This was back when cars were huge, and we probably had room for three more kids in the back seat). I think of death every day, probably, but not as much as I do when I'm symptomatic. I ride my bike every day, and I understand that just doing this increases the chances that I'll die today; however, I take precautions - I ride safely, wear a safety vest, and am well-lighted (not well lit, which wouldn't be good). 

So yes, death does enter my mind often, probably more than it does the average person, whoever that is. Each of the 3 aforementioned deaths reminded me how fortunate I am - that I haven't gotten Covid (yet), and that I am sober and fairly sane today. I do not believe that God or the Universe has our appointment with the grim reaper already set, although that might be a possibility. I choose not to think that way because if I did, I would begin living in a very self-destructive and dangerous way. I've noticed that as I get older, I respect my health and my life much more (when I'm sane and sober). Also, I live in a field where people are more likely to die unexpectedly (mental health and addiction). I've experienced much more death than the average person (whoever that is) has experienced. I cannot count on my fingers and toes the number of people who have died from disorders that I share. On most days, that makes me grateful to be alive; on some days, I want to give up. 

The problem with death is that everybody reacts so differently to it. When we die, we affect the lives of our survivors. The recovery center caretaker's death is affecting hundreds of people, as is the death of my co-worker living with addiction. Some will use these deaths as an excuse to give up. Others will use these deaths as a reminder about how fortunate we are to still be living. Some will feel guilty - did I do enough for this person? Did I do anything wrong? When I came back from my relapse, I learned that a friend of mine had relapsed while I was 'out there.' Fortunately, they survived. I immediately thought, "I would kill myself if they had died," because I wasn't available to them to help prevent their relapse. This is, of course, a cognitive distortion; I am not responsible for anyone's behavior but my own; I did not pull the trigger. But the guilt feeling was there. I think that's learned, but I sure couldn't prove it.

We don't know what happens when we die. We have our beliefs, which primarily serve to help us feel better about death, but our beliefs surrounding death are not provable. So I don't control what happens after I leave this earthly plane. However, I do have control over what I do while I'm here, and I'm learning to gain more control over my thoughts and actions. On a daily basis, I endeavor to do no harm, to others or myself. This means that when I pass from something that is not alcoholism or depression, those close to me will not feel as bad as if I had. In other words, addiction and mental illness affect not only the person living with them, but the people surrounding that person as well. There is something about self-destruction that really hurts those around us doing the destroying. In the midst of my disease, I did not know this. Today I do - that's one of the reasons I do what I need to do in order to stay sober and sane, even when I don't particularly feel like doing it. In fact, I've been increasing my connection with others in order to back up my mental health (which I will write about in an upcoming post).

I thought perhaps I lacked compassion or empathy, because I don't get as disturbed as some do when somebody dies. This isn't true; it's just that I was unsure of how to deal with the survivor's feelings. I've gotten some opportunities for experience in this area, and now I can be of support to a survivor. When grief hits us, we feel a multitude of feelings, and this is difficult to deal with, especially the guilt and anger. So when I listen to someone experience grief, I really listen, and I listen without judgment. Everybody experiences grief differently, according to their culture, their age, their experience with death, and their beliefs. There is no wrong way to experience grief. Grief is a natural process, and everybody will experience it. Everybody has experienced or will experience loss in this lifetime. We're not immune to it, even if we're best friends with God. Loss can really rock our foundation. So again, when I encounter someone who is grieving, I allow them to express what they are feeling and thinking - no holds barred! And my support consists of letting the survivor know they don't have to feel guilty, they're not bad or abnormal, and that a time will come where it doesn't hurt so much. I work with the survivor, not the party who has passed. As far as I know, the deceased might now be experiencing the time of their life (or death), but that doesn't matter. What does matter is that the bereaved doesn't suffer alone, and I will do what I can to accommodate that. 

In my upcoming piece on connecting with others, I'll write a little about the messiness that can occur when I deepen my connection with another soul. I recently set the intention to improve my conscious and emotional connection with others, and the shit really started hitting the fan. I realized that by insulating myself from true connection, I was trying to insulate myself from the pain and suffering that can happen from living in this physical plane; however, by doing so, I was also insulating myself from experiencing the joy that can happen from living in this physical plane. It will be a good piece of writing. At any rate, thank you for reading this, and allowing me to express some of my thoughts and feelings surrounding death and grief. I do hope for you that if you are experiencing grief you are able to share your experience with someone else. Each of us deserve some comfort and peace of mind, and sharing our lives with the right person or people can help facilitate this.

Namasté,

Ken

Nothing's Wrong

 It has been awhile since I've posted. It's not that I don't have anything to 'write home' about - I have an abundance to write about - it's that I've been putting other things ahead of sitting down and writing. 

Since my last post, I've been staying sober and (mostly) sane, working, and going to recovery meetings and outpatient treatment. My focus right now is developing self-compassion, as well as developing connections with others in recovery, something that I've shied away from. I think the two go hand-in-hand - the better I treat myself, the less fear and mistrust I harbor, and the more I want to try healthy things. It's healthy for a human to have a few people with whom they're close. And, as I'm finding out, it's essential in recovery from addiction and mental illness. I have found that I must have someone with whom I can share the craziness in my head. Low level craziness I can tolerate and work with, but when the shit hits the fan, I get too overwhelmed to clean up the mess myself.

So the whole self-compassion thing is that I could learn to treat myself with kindness, empathy, and respect - just like I treat others. But I don't. I've been told for a really long time that I need to not be so hard on myself, and, believe it or not, I'm not as hard on myself as I used to be. But I still treat myself harshly. I haven't yet fully absorbed the concept that I can make mistakes and still be worthy and lovable. There are a lot of times when doing my best is still not good enough, and the very odd thing is that I have nobody outside of myself telling me that - it's all inner criticism. So that's some of the insanity I need to share with others whom I respect and trust. 

I had an interesting experience this past weekend - our treatment program in which I'm currently enrolled began using a peer support specialist. That's what I am. Or was. Still am, I guess. Earlier this year I had wondered if I would ever let a peer support work with me, and I figured I wouldn't. Unfortunately, much of the time I think I'm smarter than everybody else in recovery and have more on the ball. So there's irony in the fact that I can get down on myself yet still think I'm better than others. I don't behave this way, fortunately, but I still think it, and it bothers me. Anyway, I was able to sit down with this peer support, and we talked openly for an hour. I was very open to his support. So I am able to accept support and friendship from someone. I think the arrogance and judgment of others I sometimes possess is a defense mechanism to keep people away. Cognitively, I do know that I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed, and that I do make mistakes. But there are parts of me that don't want to accept my humanity. It's odd that when I think of stuff, it sounds right, but when I share what I'm really thinking with another, or write it down, I can see the errors in my logic.

I have a recovery mentor whom I've had since this summer. We've never met in person, but we've talked over the phone quite a bit as well as texted. He was suggested to me by another person who lives where my mentor lives, and the first time I talked with him I felt a real connection. I feel that connection each time I talk with him. It's been a really long time since I've experienced a connection like this, so I know it's special. As we talk, I get to know more about him, and he gets to know more about me. 

I've practiced my recovery for the past several years under the theory that if I can just keep feeling good enough about myself, I won't feel the desire to change the way I feel with chemicals. So far, this theory has not held up, as is evidenced by the number of relapses I've experienced in recent years. What I'm trying to express is that I was hoping to avoid tanking mentally/emotionally like I do before I relapse, because when I get that low, it's been impossible for me to ask for help. I thought that I could avoid tanking, but know I don't think I can, no matter what I do. So that is why I'm developing connections and better self-compassion - so that when I tank mentally/emotionally, I can and hopefully will ask for help before I take self-destructive actions.

The title of this piece is Nothing's Wrong for a couple of reasons: first, since I hadn't posted in a while, I wanted to let my readers know I'm ok; and second, I wanted to talk about some of the emotional stress I'm experiencing lately from the perspective of "it's ok, so long as I don't give up." The piece took a bit of a different direction, but I'll keep the title. I appreciate your reading this far, and my intention is to keep sharing my experiences on the path.

Namasté,

Ken

Anatomy of a Relapse

Trigger warning - suicide and death

Thank you all for your good thoughts and prayers during this time - I appreciate it, and it really does help. As far as this relapse goes, it wasn't nearly as major as some I've experienced, and I'm very grateful. I did, of course, create a big mess, but I'm not homeless (yet) and I'm still alive. I was suicidal (that's what starts every one) and began drinking. I was in the ICU twice - the second time for an overdose of my anti-depressant medication. Our local hospital doesn't like me much, I think - after the 2nd ICU, they sent me via ambulance to Oro Valley Hospital Behavioral Health Unit, which is near Tuscon. It's a 5 hour ride in an ambulance, strapped to a stretcher, no stops. It's a very undignified way to travel, but, believe it or not, it's not the worst ride I ever had! I think my local hospital was hoping I'd stay down there. Nope! I'm back home, ready to continue recovery and do what I can to make amends and continue serving others.

I am not defined by my relapses, but by my decision to stay in recovery despite them. 

This relapse began right around the time I started my job as a peer support specialist in mid-July. What really happened was this - I began to focus most of my attention on my new job rather than my Higher Power and my practice. My mindfulness practice, which I had been doing consistently for several months, went to hell. I felt like I couldn't practice. I stopped focusing on recovery, and focused on trying to make things right (whatever right is) with my job.

So if you've been following my posts, you are aware of the troubles I've had with the State of Arizona Department of Public Safety and obtaining my 'fingerprint card' approval, which was necessary for me to keep my job. I couldn't do it. I gave up. I up and left my job. Abandoned it (and my clients). (I can still attempt to appeal my rejection, but right now I'm not up to it. Perhaps another time.)

But that's not all! In a misguided attempt to look good, I was falsifying my timecard. At work, we're supposed to spend 60% of our time (24 of 40 hours) in direct support of clients. I wasn't doing that - I always had overtime, used for entering progress notes. So what I was doing was adjusting my timecard to get the 'production' up to 60% while shaving the hours I worked each day. In other words, I was giving up pay to make it appear that I was doing 60% production in 40 hours a week. This behavior is a throwback - I've done it before in other situations in order to make it look like I was doing better than I really was. I would like to note here that I did not commit medicaid fraud - all my clients were billed for exactly the amount of time I spent with them. I just shaved my off hours.

This might not seem like that big of a deal - it didn't seem like it at the time. But it's dishonest. Honesty is part of the foundation of recovery, and dishonesty just tears it down. Also, my behavior was unfair to my fellow employees, as it subverted the process. The process is there for a reason - follow the process so that if there are problems, we can examine it and see what needs adjusting. My behavior was very unethical, and I knew it. Falsifying records, any records, is unethical. It gives a false image of what's really going on. 

Again, if you've been reading my posts, you know that I was very pleased with how I conducted myself at work at the grocery store. I was honest and ethical. I never falsified anything, and I didn't steal, and I didn't 'adjust' hours. I worked with integrity, and I was proud of my behavior. Still am, for that instance. I did not realize that going back to old behavior was like stabbing my own self in the back. I didn't get caught by anybody - I didn't need to. I was punishing my own self. And the really insane thing is that I did not need to make myself look better - I was still in a probationary period, and not expected to hit the 60% production rate yet. 

In another situation, I was working with a client who was driving me crazy. I spent a lot of time with this client, and it was very difficult for me because I knew I was often not working in the scope of practice of a peer support specialist. I talked a bit about it with my supervisor, but I never really opened up about how my work with this client was bothering me. The problem, in my opinion, was that this client had what is called learned helplessness, and the staff who worked with this client (not just me) were enabling it. I never talked about that - I didn't want to offend anybody. I didn't want to seem 'uppity' (I hope that's not a bad word. If it is, let me know, and I'll find another). I went along with it. Another ethical violation.

So the upshot of all of this is that I don't yet have the guts to practice my profession well. That's really sad, and I hated myself for it. I became very suicidal.

My experience at Oro Valley Behavioral Health Unit was incredibly helpful and enlightening. Besides the fact of the undignified ambulance ride and being 5 hours away from home (you have to go through Phoenix to get there and Phoenix is Arizona's Chicago. Yuck), I got hope again. After a few days of contemplating how I was going to kill myself, I decided that all the help I was getting at Oro Valley was a sign that I needed to get back into recovery. So I re-committed myself to the practice. I began pondering my relapse, and, as my sanity returned, I saw how my behavior, my reaction to the things going on, was way out of proportion to the situation. I was focusing entirely on the mess at work, and forgetting that I need to look at the big picture. And the big picture is simply this - it's not the work itself that's important - I need to discover the areas in which this job can help me become more skillful in finding ways to develop my own coping skills and good habits and ways to help others. I stopped doing that and went back to old behavior, and I stabbed my soul. The problem, if you could call it that, with spiritual development is that the karma from going back to old behavior is way worse than when I was using only maladaptive coping mechanisms to get by in life. "For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of [Source and a better way] they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them." (2 Peter 2:20, 21 NKJV) The language seems a little harsh to me, but, in my experience, it's the Truth! My challenge is that I know at least two ways of doing anything, and I'm not very skillful yet at making the best choice. So I'm still here because I still have a lot of room to grow. 

There were a lot of blessings and God moments at Oro Valley. I spoke with one of the chaplains one day, and as I listened, I realized he was from my area in Wisconsin. I asked him, and he said he grew up on the South Side of Milwaukee. Most everybody in Arizona are from somewhere else, and there are many from the north, so I often meet people from Wisconsin. Those are always God moments for me, for some reason.

I also met a couple of wonderful people who were patients too, and made some new friends. We really connected, and it's not often that I connect so well with someone and make a new friend. I am so, so grateful for this. It's like Source planted these people in my life to make me a richer person, or Source planted me in these folks' lives. I feel very blessed. 

I am going to go back to my job at the grocery store for a while. I am grateful that it is available to me. Another miracle that will enrich me if I treat the experience skillfully, and I know I can.

Out of my window at Oro Valley I was able to view the Catalina Mountains. I love mountains. They represent strength, security, and stability for me. They go through their changes (fires and such), but they're still always there. This morning I got to view the sunrise over the mountains. It was really cool. It started looking just like a flashlight or head light, and it grew to it's full size and kept moving. It's an incredible experience for me to be able to see the sun move (actually the Earth rotating). For some reason, it puts things in perspective for me.

I was also able to re-start my mindfulness practice, which is a huge part of my recovery foundation. At Oro Valley, I became open and receptive again, and I was able to shift my focus back to my purpose - to become of maximum service to my Creator and the people with whom I come in contact. 

I got home tonight and went to my recovery meeting. My Sangha welcomed me back, of course, with open arms. I have a group of people who love me and support me on my spiritual path. One beautiful person at the meeting had also relapsed - overdosed on opiates. I felt very guilty for not being available, as I was busy in my own relapse and unable to be of service to anybody. I felt like if I came back and found they had died, I would have killed myself, for not being available. I know that's not right thinking, but I also know that not being available to support others directly opposes my purpose and my practice, and can hurt me and others. I have to be there, in whatever way I can. 

So I'm back home, and I may have to find a new place to live. I'm ok with that right now. I have a lot of amends to make - mostly to my roommate and my co-workers at my peer specialist job. And myself. My psychiatrist at Oro Valley is from Sri Lanka, so we connected well, too - he knows what I'm talking about. He told me that I have to learn the practice of self-compassion, that it needs to become a part of my recovery foundation. So I am learning that. 12 step programs often use the prayer of St. Francis of Assissi in the 11th step. It's a prayer for gaining compassion for others, and I re-wrote it to make it a prayer for gaining self compassion. I may have to write a whole post on the 11th step, St Francis, and his prayer. It really is quite powerful.

Hey, did I mention that I did not commit any crimes during this relapse? That's a big thing for which to be grateful. I am concerned, though - I came close to dying during this relapse, and I really want to avoid having to come so close to death in order to learn something. There are safer paths to enlightenment. My path really boggles my mind sometimes - I run with people who could be dead tomorrow. That seems harsh, but it's the truth. Knowing that does keep me on my toes. I really, really, really, want to ease the suffering of others. Mine too. When I hurt myself, others hurt too. Seems like kind of a dangerous life to me.

So there ya have it. I don't spend a lot of time in guilt, because guilt is useless unless it prevents one from doing something hurtful. I just jump in and continue with my recovery, knowing that there's a lesson in everything, even cleaning up my messes. It all has purpose. I do really want to learn how to avoid the whole death thing - I know there must be a way to learn and grow without backsliding. I have faith that I'll be able to do that, because I have a strong desire today to stay alive. 

I love you all and wish for you the best of everything.

Namasté,

Ken

Rants and Blessings

I just finished watching Aviator directed by Martin Scorcese (my God, how many films does that guy have in him?) starring Leonardo DiCaprio about Howard Hughes. Now this is the 2nd move I've watched about Howard Hughes, who, to put it briefly, was an iconic figure in the last century - he had it all - entrepreneur, aviator, film producer, bon vivant  (a nice way of saying playboy), billionaire, and he suffered from several severe mental illnesses. But this post isn't about him. It's just an awesome movie about an awesome, but flawed man (like me!).

This post is, of course, about me! And boy, am I hacked! As very often is the case, it takes me a minute to figure out when I am upset or disturbed.

I recently went through a crisis. Without going through the whole crisis, because it really isn't important, I'm going to talk about what has really, really gotten my goat. And I will preface things by saying that I really don't get too mad too often, and, much more than the next fellow, I think, I can generally take life pretty much on life's terms. But this morning I discovered what was really grinding my gears.

I am pissed off in a most royal way that somebody, a State agency, thinks that they have the right or whatever, to try to recall stuff that I did over 30 years ago that I have worked diligently to put behind me. (By the way, unlike 2 or 3 people I know, in general, whatever the gov't (gubment, for those of you south of the M-D line) has exactly 0 to do with my breathing). So this is a little extraordinary for me. In fact, it's making me cry right now. And, more to the fact, I'm not going to buy into it. There is no way that I can do the task I am asked to do correctly - to recall 5 felonies from 1989 to 1998 (2 states), and several misdemeanors that I really can't recall right now, plus probably 3 dui's. (Which is interesting, because my 1st dui was in Lincoln Parish, LA, and when I got my last dui in Waukesha, WI, they called up Lincoln Parish, and Lincoln Parish no longer had a record of it (this was back in 1982, and I remember it vividly, but if I remember it better than than the governing body, I'd have to say WTF?) Lincoln Parish even had no recollection of my existence (I lived there two years), which causes my alcoholic mind to ponder the question, "Maybe it's time for a vacay in Lincoln Parish?" Nah

I haven't even finished the book I'm supposed to be writing - WTF, should I write a fucking narrative on shit that most people have forgotten, only to have that narrative, and it's veracity, judged by people in a state in which I have never, never, ever, committed a crime?

In 2002, I determined to live my life forward, not backward. And this doesn't mean that I don't forget what I've done, or why I did it - it simply means that I live my life today in today.

2 things that aren't my MO today - 1) to commit new offenses and 2) to do shit that doesn't make a difference in my life or anyone else's. I really, really, am too old for that kind of shit. (Actually been too old for that shit for about 30 years now).

And if you are reading this, you know by my language that I'm not a Pearly Saint, but if you've read my previous posts, you'll know that I am an upstanding citizen trying to do the right thing and doing kind of ok nowadays. So fuck you Arizona Department of Public Safety, and fuck the horse you rode in on.

By the way, I love living in Arizona - it means I don't have to be a Packer fan, and I can live my life the way I darn well please. I think a person lives this way in Texas and several other states. See, my only political way of being is very old - Live Free or Die. Lot's of folks here live just that way. Even if they still follow the Green Bay Packers!

Now, I could see doing the footwork of  Appealing my Arizona Fingerprint Card - if I were applying for the Arizona State Bar (or California or Nevada, perhaps), but I'm not! I'm applying for a job that is a little more important than Burger King. The problem is, now that I've been denied my fingerprint card application, I have to put down that I've been denied in any other state in which I want to apply, including Wisconsin, in which I've already been approved (3 times. With (almost) the same fucking record for which I'm already being denied).

All for shit that I've ostensibly avoided doing for over 20 years. And, by the way, avoided doing it for the past 2 months while I have had access to every.single.fucking.vehicle that my employer owned.

By the way, I have a sibling that has had DOD clearance (probably Top Secret) since 1984. That's big shit! But he worked on Big Shit, and you can bet that it wasn't minimum wage! Whole different game, and I'm going to bet that when one starts with responsibility, they have a tendency to keep it. Like now when I feel I have a sense of responsibility, I want to keep it. For instance, I have an AZ drivers licence (not even in the same class as a DOD clearance), but today I have no desire to do anything to give it up (no matter what fuctard state agency issued it).

Ok, all done with the rant, and on with the blessings:

I can still work at Safeway, and it's not just that I can have my job back, they want me back. And my friend Joyce (who has had a lot of experience with addicts) came to my rescue when I had my crisis. And she lives in Chino Valley now, not Prescott! That she came and helped me out brings tears to my eyes right now! She is truly a Godly woman, and I am more blessed than any rant I can manufacture to have her and others in my life today! And I've done nothing to deserve it other than to show up.

My other friends in recovery continue to support me no matter what my vocation. It doesn't matter to them.

I might live through this.

I think I might have another vocation besides the one I was thinking of.

I can still sit knee-to-knee with a person who is desiring recovery from substance use disorder or mental health disorder and share my experience, strength, and hope to support them in their recovery.

When I practice it, I recognize that God's blessings always flow (not always in the direction or way I'd like),

There is always a fucking lesson to be learned.

I am a Free Spirit, and in the end, my citizenship is with Spirit (Gal 5:18).

I always have something to write about. 

So there ya have it (that's a Youper saying).

Basically, I always have blessings to share, and there's not a fuctard state agency in the world (or at least these United States) that's going to keep me from sharing what I've been given. 

Namasté

Ken

Living by Faith - Another Example

This post was begun July 13th, 2021. I will finish and publish it when the deal is done.

NB: The deal isn't done yet, but I wanted to write and publish what happened today, 8/19/21. Read on...

For my current job, I went through a background check. My job is in human services, and I work with a vulnerable population, so my employer and the Arizona Department of Public Safety want to ensure that nobody who has a history of preying on vulnerable people in their care or similar crimes and activities gets hired in positions of trust. Wisconsin has a similar background check, and I passed it - 3 times (twice for jobs and once for a volunteer position at a hospital). My HR person called me last week and said everything was fine except one item that was flagged, and that I might not pass Arizona's fingerprint check.

The Arizona Dept. of Public Safety has all people in positions like mine submit their fingerprints for a background check. This is the main reason I got that mess in Las Vegas cleaned up - so an open warrant wouldn't show up when Arizona did their fingerprint check.

My HR person told me the crime that was flagged was my very first felony from back in 1992 - a bad check charge. I had written a couple checks that I got from my credit card companies at the time to get damage to my car repaired - damage from a single car accident that happened while I was drinking (I lost control and went in a ditch on a snowy evening). The credit card companies did not honor the checks, so the business that did the repairs turned me in for writing bad checks. They totaled about $1500, if I remember correctly. If I had paid the $1500 within 90 days of  my first court appearance, it would not be a felony - it would turn into a misdemeanor. I emphasize that part because, looking back, that was a really dumb thing I did - not taking responsibility for my actions. Of course, hindsight is 20/20, and I am looking at it from my perspective today - today it wouldn't be that big of a deal; however, if you've read other posts in this blog, you'll know that learning to be a responsible adult is something that I didn't take up until much later in life.

So my HR rep preemptively sent me an appeal form in case my fingerprint card was denied, and told me I'd have 60 days to appeal and get approved - if I couldn't, or didn't, then my employment would be terminated. The appeal is basically digging up everything I've ever done criminally, explaining what happened, what the punishment was, why I did it, what's different now, plus getting two letters of reference. I was going to take my HR rep's suggestion and get started on my appeal right away, and then I said (only to myself), "No. I'm going to do this a different way and wait until I need to file an appeal to do so." There is a process I can begin implementing right now that will insure a right outcome (whatever that is) while allowing me to keep my sanity, and that process is faith.

Very often, a person newly in recovery (like I am - I'm always newly in recovery!) will encounter a glitch or an obstacle, and it will throw them for a loop. It might only be a molehill, but to that person it can seem like a mountain. I've still got that person inside of me, but he's mostly dormant nowadays. It's the person that automatically says, "Screw this, I'm out!" and gives up. Usually when this unwanted person within begins to stir, I whack him over the head with the mallet of reason, and he goes back to sleep until next time.

This is going to take more than reason, but reason is where I'm starting. First off, my supervisor, who hired me, really wants me to work for my company. Second, my HR rep has given no indication that the company itself doesn't want me - they do want me, but they have to follow the rules. Third, I remind myself that having to go through the appeal process, at this point, is only a possibility (meaning it's not wise to act on something that hasn't happened yet). Those are my reasons for not blowing a gasket and giving up before the game has even begun. So the word here is wait and see.

The next part of the process involves a little reason and a little faith. It's about understanding, from years of experience, how my mind is used to working, and endeavoring to steer it in a different direction. I have the tools to do this! What it is is setting aside doubt and arguments and drama and looking at this whole thing objectively. The first question my mind came up with was, "Why did this relatively minor (to me) felony get flagged, and the other four did not?" Answer: "It doesn't matter." Knowing the answer won't change anything. "I want to see the background check that my HR rep is looking at." There's no need to do so, and, more importantly, trying to dig up all the facts surrounding this thing at this point only adds drama (fuel) to the fire. This is where I begin to use some faith. Faith says to me, "Trust in the Lord (my Creator) with all my heart; acknowledge Him in all my ways, and He will direct my path. (Prov. 3:5-6). That's what we're asked to do in any spiritual recovery program - turn it over, let it go, fuggeddabowdit. In other words, don't worry - God's got this. And this is an important part to protect my mental health and avoid relapse - to understand that my hashing it out, either in my head or with others, will not change a thing and will only damage my serenity. I have not spoken of this with anyone besides my HR rep because repeating the story and getting everyone's opinion only adds negative energy to the situation. It doesn't matter that all of my felonies occurred ages ago; it doesn't matter that another state approved me (3 times!) to work in human services; none of the "unfair!" arguments my little mind can generate have any effect on what may be, and can only serve to increase my doubt and fear, which is detrimental to forward progress in my recovery, which is the only thing that matters. Yep, that's right - it doesn't matter if I keep the job or not; it doesn't matter if Arizona kicks me out; the absolute only thing that matters today is that I take actions that will keep me in recovery.

Fortunately, I don't have to do this perfectly - I didn't do something that I could have done, which was talk to a spiritual advisor (practitioner or chaplain) at my church about it. Even though I'm a member, and even though I've been going there in person now for a month or two, I don't feel comfortable enough yet bringing it up with someone, even though they'll treat it in a way that is positive and good for my recovery. Yes, I still have trust issues, and yes, I know I'll get another opportunity to work on them. 

The method we use at our Spiritual Center is called affirmative prayer, and these are the elements: 

• Recognition (God is all there is)
• Unification (I am one with God)
• Realization (speaking my desired good)
• Thanksgiving (gratitude)
• Release (let go and let God)

So my prayer is this: I acknowledge One Presence, One Power, in my life and in the Universe, and I call that Power God, Love, Source, Life. I know in Truth that I can never be separate from this power; that I live, breathe, move, and have my being in God, and I trust in God in me. I am always loved, supported, and led to my Highest Good by the Divine within, and anything else is an illusion. I know that today, right here and right now, I am in exactly the right spot to take the next step on the path to my Highest Good. I know that I am firm in my employment as a Peer Support Specialist, and I know that the Arizona Department of Public Safety will approve the work that I am doing. I am grateful that I am employed in a way to assist others in stepping firmly on the path of recovery, and I am grateful that the State of Arizona allows me to continue practicing my profession unimpeded. I speak my word into the Universe knowing that as it is said, it is already done, and I give thanks. And so it is.

Faith is not (at least for me) a one-shot deal like a vaccine - "Here, take a shot of faith, and fear and doubt will never touch you again." This has not been my experience. But what I do know is if I come from a hopeless state of mind and body, and begin to cultivate, on a daily basis, the beliefs that my life is worth living and that the Universe loves and supports me, that my faith will grow. And it has, and it does. Doubt comes up, and I can nip it in the bud knowing that whatever I'm doubting is already taken care of. 

I think I'll leave it at that for now, and come back when the situation is resolved. The reason I don't post this now is I don't want anyone else's possible negative energy delaying my good - having a debate or creating a story around this issue is unnecessary, and I work at releasing and not accumulating unnecessary stuff in my life.

August 19th, 2021

Well, I got news today via email at the end of the day that the State of Arizona Department of Public Safety denied my fingerprint card, meaning that if I do not successfully appeal the decision within 60 days I will be terminated and will not be able to practice my profession in Arizona. I read the email and I felt deflated. I cried. I felt very, very sad. Sad that I might not be able to do something that I am exceptional at, and something that I love doing. 

I am grateful I could feel what I was feeling. I felt sad, but I was also a little afraid. But I also felt determination. Most importantly, I do not feel like giving up! I will file my appeal, and even if it is not successful, I will not give up! Giving up is throwing away every gift and miracle I've received and experienced over the past year. Giving up is stopping the wonderful process of healing that is going on right now. Giving up is going back to the misery that I used to live, breathe, and have my being in. Today, I live, breathe, and have my being in God, Source, and I will not allow that to change. I have experienced peace and joy about life and a consciousness that I previously had only hoped existed. No matter what, I will not go back!

So what about faith? Did I not receive what I prayed for? God might be a lawyer, because I re-read my prayer. I didn't specify when or how the State of Arizona Department of Public Safety (bless their hearts) would approve me to work in human services. 

But here's the thing - for the last four and-a-half hours, before I re-read that prayer, I did not lose faith. I was saddened, yes, but I went about my business. I took a client to a recovery meeting, as I had scheduled. I assisted a little in running the meeting, and when I shared, I shared today's experience. I shared my sadness, but I also shared my gratitude that I could feel what I was feeling. I shared my gratitude that I have no desire to quit, to get off my path and go back to the misery and suffering in which I used to live. I shared my gratitude that I have support and people with whom I share every bit of my recovery. There is so much to be grateful for in this situation! I am grateful for an expanding consciousness that knows there is so much more out there (or in me, too) than just what I see in front of me. I see an arduous task that I really don't want to do (writing a history, explaining myself, and explaining my rehabilitation. I think my actions today and over the past year speak for themselves, but perhaps not). 

I have not been denied by God. The Universe does not say no, it says Yes. However, being relatively new at getting in and staying in alignment with my Higher Power, there may have been some conflicting thoughts and desires within me. In fact, I know there are. Sometimes I still doubt where I am at and what I can do. Sometimes I still doubt my effectiveness. Not for long, and not much, but it's there sometimes.

But I can drive myself crazy trying to figure out what I did wrong. If I can't see it, the best thing to do is move forward with the knowledge and skills that I have. Today I know the difference between skillful action and unskillful action. Skillful action is simply doing the next right thing, the next indicated step, without harming myself or others. That's it. So I do my homework, file the appeal, and leave it in the hands of Source (and the State of Arizona Department of Public Safety, bless their hearts!).

I almost forgot - I mentioned above about not doing the appeal homework until I had to. This, to me, is an element of faith. I've already said my prayer, and I don't need to think about this until I need to think about it. I've thought about it very little over the past month. I did not worry! (About that, anyway). When the thought of this situation crossed my mind, I let it keep on going. And it's a good thing I did. This past month, the majority of my attention has been on learning my new job. It has been an intense experience, and I've experienced a lot of anxiety over some elements of my new job. If I had added worry about the fingerprint card approval, I might have overwhelmed myself. I got close to being overwhelmed with what I was already doing a couple of times. So my focus was on doing my job, not keeping my job. That's a lot of what faith is - leaving a situation or issue in the hands of the Universe, and doing what is immediately in front of me.

But what about the outcome? What about it? It's not over yet. And even if my appeal is denied, I will still know the Universe has my back. Source supports me and guides me. I'm going to quote Proverbs 3:5-6 again, because I used it earlier this week in a worrisome situation, and it worked: Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not on your own understanding (because it's limited). Acknowledge Him in all your ways (God is with me now and always, loving and supporting me) and He will guide your path. 

I think it was Jack Canfield, one of the creators of Chicken Soup for the Soul, who said one can drive across the country at night and get to their destination even though they can only see 200 feet in front of them. We really only see a very small part of what's really out there. I do not currently have access to all the knowledge and wisdom of the Universe. All I really know is that if I stay on this path, it's going to be alright. No, that's wrong - it is already alright. Just as it is. 

Another thing I thought about. I mentioned above how intense this past month has been for me. If I were not to keep this job, I still have the experience of working there - of being of service to my clients. It's like going on vacation somewhere - I don't stay on vacation forever, but just because I have to leave, it doesn't mean that I can't keep the experience. I may not be where I was anymore, but I still have that experience.

The wonderful thing about meditation, which I've been practicing consistently for the past 3 months, is that it gives me a great sense of calm about what is. What is doesn't bother me any more because it simply is what is. What is is going to change. Nothing is permanent. I can experience what is without wanting to run from it or change it because I know that somewhere down the road, what is is going to be what was. This is the nature of consciousness. I don't have to worry about what is or what was, because I really don't (and can't) control it. It is just there to experience it. If I try to hang onto what is as it becomes what was, I will turn into a pillar of salt (Genesis 19:26). When I deal with life exactly as it is in this moment, I experience peace, serenity, equanimity. If I try to deal with life as it 'used to be' or 'should be', I experience unrest and discontent. Suffering. If I'm so focused on how it used to be, I'm not in this very moment and not experiencing life as it truly is. 

If you do not understand the above paragraphs, if it sounds like gibberish to you, that is perfectly ok. You may yet experience what it's like to truly live in this moment. It really is heaven. And meditation allows me to experience that - each day I get little bits of it, and it strengthens my faith. No matter what life looks like now, it really is ok. This too, shall pass, and it doesn't matter what it is - it's going to pass. 

Well, I really covered a lot in this post. The point is, for me, anyway, that faith is really about getting to know that everything really is alright, no matter what. It's about knowing that on this path there probably will be uncertainty, doubt, fear, discomfort, maybe even some pain and suffering; but there is also joy and growth, healing, love, peace, serenity, and fulfillment. It seems that everything is equally available to me, and I can live in whatever state of consciousness that I choose. 

No matter where I've been or what I've done, I endeavor to show up today as a positive influence on the people with whom I come into contact. I endeavor to be of service in the best way I can, and I excel at what I do. I really think that speaks for itself. And it really doesn't matter if the State of Arizona Department of Public Safety (bless their hearts) approves or disapproves; I'll keep doing what I'm doing wherever I'm led to do it.

Never, never, never give up. ~ Winston Churchill

Namasté,

Ken

It's An Inside Job

Today I celebrated 1 full year of abstention from alcohol and other mood-altering substances. I am very grateful that I no longer have the compulsion to escape my experience through drugs and alcohol. A lot of really neat things have happened this year, as often happens to addicts and alcoholics when we put down the substance and begin working a program of recovery. I've chronicled these events over the past year in this blog, but the biggest thing that has happened this year is that I have been relieved of the habit of sabotaging my recovery, the symptoms of major depressive disorder, and have experienced more emotional healing than ever before. This past year has been the best year of my life so far.

As you might know, this isn't my first rodeo. I've been trying to recover, with various levels of effort, for 38 years. I've experienced many periods of sobriety, ranging from several months to a little more than 3 years. About 7 years ago, I began addressing my mental health disorder, major depressive disorder, in earnest. I've experienced this mood disorder for most of my life, and it was around before I started drinking. For a lot of reasons, I was in denial that I have a mood disorder, and this denial greatly diminished my chances of recovery - from anything. When I began to accept it and really start addressing it, I was able to attain 3 years of sobriety. Then the journey to relapse began again, and I began drinking again, with all the attendant problems of relationship damage, job loss, homelessness, and legal issues. I sought treatment yet again, and found out that I also have to learn to deal effectively with trauma. (Everybody who experiences trauma deals with it, one way or another - it's just that what I could come up with on my own did not work very well). So for the 6 months or so before my last relapse, I began to work on that as well. I didn't realize that I had begun making progress until after the last relapse, when I was able to stop suicidal ideation and the desire to die. I began to have enough ambition toward healing that I was able to begin to consistently apply to my life the tools I've been learning over the past 4 decades.

So here's the deal: I have a problem with sobriety 'birthdays'. I know that it's important to note milestones in recovery, but I think - well, I know, in my case - that the quantity (time) of sobriety does not necessarily have very much to do at all with the quality of sobriety. Yes, if I've been sober a year, I must be doing something right, but the same is true if I've been sober a day. Just putting the plug in the jug, as they used to say, does not reverse the psychological and emotional damage my addiction and my mental illness have done to me.

By the way, I didn't stay sober a year. I stayed sober each day that I woke up and desired another day of healing and recovery. So far, that's been the past 365 days.

There is a lot of outer evidence that my addiction is arrested: first of all, I haven't been (arrested)! But I've also managed to maintain good steady employment, I'm homeful again (as opposed to homeless), I have a valid driver's license again, and I haven't been broke in at least 9 months. Like time in sobriety, however, these things don't necessarily attest to what is going inside of me, and that's where I really live. 

I heard something a number of years ago that was a revelation to me - that when everybody in my life (family, employer, probation officer, counselor, doctor, banker, friends) said I had a problem with my drinking, they didn't know that drinking was not my problem - drinking was my solution. I won't begin to accept sobriety until I accept that my solution no longer works, and surrender to the fact that because of the damage my disease has done to me, I'm unable to come up with a better solution. I must have help on the journey of recovery.

And therein lies the problem of addiction recovery - eventually, hopefully more sooner than later, I have to take responsibility for my own recovery. Because I've stopped drinking, and because I've got people in my life encouraging me and supporting me in my recovery, my life gets better - alcoholics and addicts get their job back, their woman back, their truck back, their probation officer tells them they're doing great and puts them on the lowest level of supervision, their mama's stopped worrying, and on and on and on. They get congratulated on a year's sobriety. That's awesome! But if the alcoholic/addict in recovery is not aware, and has not assumed responsibility for their own recovery, relapse will happen. It's not the stuff on the outside that made us use; it's the stuff on the inside. And nobody but the person in recovery knows what's going on on their insides. A human being's subconscious, addict or not, drives 90% of the human's behavior, until they become aware or conscious. This is perfectly fine, unless there's stuff in the subconscious that is counterproductive to living a decent life and, again, because of the wounds we've inflicted upon ourselves through our addiction, there is inner stuff that needs to be healed in order to stay out of active addiction. And nobody, not even your closest girlfriend, can tell you what's going on in your subconscious. That's something each individual has to find out for themselves, through whatever means are available.

This is why I mentioned earlier that the biggest miracle in my life has not been that I've been able to abstain for a year, but that I have stopped experiencing the symptoms of major depressive disorder. My recovery from depression fuels my sobriety, because when I don't hate myself, when I don't think I'm a piece of shit, when I don't want to die - in other words, when I like myself enough - I have no desire to drink, and I know how to stay away from drinking. I do understand that, as an alcoholic in recovery, I will need to work a program of recovery for the rest of my life in order to stay sober. I've been around long enough to see what happens to people who stop working their program, no matter how much 'time' they have in. But, by the same token, if I want to stay in recovery from alcoholism, I also need to learn what I need to do to stay in recovery from depression, and that's what I've been doing this past year. And, for me, recovery from depression involves a whole lot more than "taking my medication." That's what makes my psychiatrist happy when I talk to her every 3 months, but it's not what necessarily makes me happy.

In conclusion, dear friends, it's nice to enjoy the outer rewards of recovery, and to be recognized as being in recovery. Recovery wouldn't look too attractive if there weren't some hope that someone or Something could pull us out of the gutter. I know how to put the pieces back together and how to get approval from others, but this year I've been learning something I never learned before in this lifetime - how to approve of and respect myself, and how to like myself and love myself and love life. That's something nobody else can give me, no matter what I do or how hard I try. It can only come from inside.

Namasté,

Ken

Happy New Year!

 My new year is on my birthday, which is today! Today I begin my 60th journey around the sun, and I am incredibly grateful to be on this journey. I think this is my best birthday ever (except I forgot to go to Denny's for a free meal. I was going to go, but I got busy doing other stuff, already ate, and I'm trying to lose weight anyway). 

Looking back on this past year, it doesn't look like it's been hard at all - it looks like success after success after success - but I know that there have been a lot of difficult moments. Shortly before my last relapse, which was a couple of days after my birthday last year, I was doing EMDR with my counselor. EMDR is a way of reframing traumatic memories, and I believe, despite the relapse, that it got me up to a certain level with which I could work. And on my birthday last year, I had a session with a practitioner (chaplain) of my church, and basically prayed that I know deep down that I'm a child of God. I've spoken much of my (and our) oneness with Spirit and the Universe, but I've never felt it inside. This past year I began to feel it. I began to realize my Oneness, that I have a place in this Universe, that I am loved, I am valuable and worthy, and I belong. These are the greatest gifts I've received this year, and out of these gifts springs gratitude and a joy for living that makes everything else possible.

Do you know how a dog sniffs the ground? Sometimes they're so into it that it's like they're obsessed! Or watch a dog riding down the road with the window down, joyfully getting blasted in the face with all the smells that are out there. That's how I feel about beginning to become conscious this year. As you probably know, I've been done with life many times in the past. It held no magic for me, no mystery, and was often just a daily dose of "let's see how I can make it through this day." And sometimes I didn't. I'm grateful for those who were there to help when I couldn't make it, and I'm grateful to have made it to this place where life seems wonderful and something I want to keep exploring. Life and consciousness are so much more than I ever thought they could be. It feels like I've touched the Infinite, and I want to keep going. It really is a miracle!

So my desires for this next year are to continue letting go of that which no longer serves me, to continue to increase my engagement with life, and to expand my effectiveness as I continue to learn how I can best serve others. I've received so much in this lifetime, it's time to give back! 

Thank you for being a part of my life, and I wish you all the joy that you can accept!

Namasté,

Ken