#inspiration

Hold On

Years ago I decided to eliminate all of the one-sided relationships in my life. You know what I’m talking about, the people you find yourself reaching out to but they never reciprocate. I faced a long period of loneliness after doing this. It was awful.

Around the same time, I faced a stressful financial hardship. Compounded with my loneliness, my world was dark. But I never gave up hope. I realized that since I had put myself in this situation, I could work my way through it. I put my head down and went to work.

If you are in a similar situation in your life, I encourage you to hold on. Better days are coming. We don’t have the luxury of knowing when they will appear, we just know they will. Stay hopeful…

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#inspiration

Divided

In the United States, we are more divided now than since the Civil War. There’s nothing civil about war. We are weakened and compromised when we stand apart. The media and the politicians are feeding this division, but we do not have to allow it. In truth, we are more alike than we are different. Stand up for what’s right. Let the dividers wallow in their own mess…

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#inspiration

From The Inside…

If you believe everything you see on social media, you might think that everyone’s life is perfect. It’s not. We show people the outside, not the pain, the hurts, struggles and worries of life. Remember this when interacting with others. We don’t know what’s going on inside…

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#inspiration

Alone

If we learned anything from the pandemic, it’s that we are not meant to be alone. We are hardwired to be connected with each other…in community. Reach out to someone who might be by themselves. Just check in with them. Saying a simple “hello” might be exactly what they need…

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#inspiration

Activity

It has become an honor to be known as the busiest person around. Has this become the culture of America? I hope not. We must make time for what matters most: people. If we gain wealth but have no real friends and our family merely tolerates us, we aren’t winning the game of life. Examine your focus. Recommit to the people who care about you…

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#inspiration

Remember Me?

In 2018, my first book was published. The book is called, “Killing My Father Then Finding Him.” The theme of the book is about how I came to forgive both of my parents for the abuse and neglect I felt all through my childhood. I hid my upbringing from my friends in school. I masked it well because recently I read a short piece one of my childhood friends wrote about me and why he was buying the book. He wrote, “what I remember about John was his passion for life and his genuine concern for others.”


If you are holding onto pain from your past, I encourage you to do the work on yourself to heal. I did, and I promise it isn’t easy, but nothing worthwhile ever is.

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#inspiration

Suicide Awareness…

September is officially the month designated as Suicide Awareness Month. In 2016, suicide became the #2 killer of our kids. It still rages on. Mental health has been shredded through the pandemic. People feel isolated and alone. Hope has been lost. Make sure you are staying connected with your family and friends. If you get a vibe from someone that they might be contemplating suicide, encourage them to seek help. Suicide awareness is a daily practice…

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#inspiration, Uncategorized

Interview With Joshua Shea

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-determined-people-podcast/id1545647376

Joshua Shea was 38 years old. He was a successful businessman, City Council member, founder of a wildly popular film festival, and Joshua had even received the “Key to the City.” In 2014 it all fell apart. Joshua Shea got arrested and went to jail.

Today, Joshua is sober for over seven years, and his life is dedicated to helping individuals and families in their recovery. Josh’s story gives families hope that healing is possible. Hear his remarkable story of redemption and restoration on

The Determined People Podcast

Click on the link to listen…

http://www.paddictrecovery.com

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#inspiration

Reach Out…

We are in the final stages of the pandemic, and that’s something to be grateful for. Yet the damage to mental health rages on. Reach out to your friends and family, work colleagues and acquaintances to see how they are doing. Really doing. And if you aren’t feeling just right, please find someone to talk to. There is light on the other side of the dark…

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