The back right tire catches some gravel on the shoulder, and starts to slide as I grab the steering wheel and try to pull the car back in line. The car swerves back and forth until finally gaining traction. The blue bandana around my head is drenched in sweat as my teeth clench tightly at the leather belt that is wrapped around my bicep. “Start me up” by The Rolling Stones is blaring out of

Four speaking engagements in two weeks!? For me, that’s unheard of, but it’s happening now. See, I was the type of shy kid growing up that couldn’t talk to anyone I didn’t know very well, especially a female without being drunk. Get me drunk though and I’ll talk to a whole crowd about all kinds of shit. It made me a social Superman. When we step into recovery and change our lives we’re called to

I’m here to tell you that within all my years of recovery I’ve never felt like I was treated “less than” for being a recovering addict. My personal approach is to be upfront and honest in almost every situation. That includes first dates, job interviews and any other situation where I think people may look at me differently if they found out on their own. For me, this has always worked out in my favor.

What’s the point of shedding our skin and emerging anew if we’re just going to come in contact with all the same things our old skin came in contact with? A second chance is more than a just a retry, it’s a blessing, and our gratitude should impel us to do everything in our power to try things differently given the opportunity. In order to fully change, you must kill off your own self completely.

“Gold authenticity can only be tested under maximum fire. The same holds true with regard to manhood.” -Moutasem Algharati Gold was the goal. Since I was a child I’ve been in love with gold, I would see the chains and the rings on the hip hop artists that I listened to and I longed to have my own. Gold was that unattainable thing that was just out of reach that I could chase. While silver