I am nobody special

Yesterday evening I was honored to accept an award for the organization I created that supports people in recovery in our community. Myself, along with Brandi who is our Director of Operations for the Kittitas Country Recovery Community Organization smiled big when we were given the award. I shed a couple tears when our name was called. This is nothing short of a big deal for me. It is fitting it happens during my anniversary month of being in recovery.

Super amazing thing right?  Well know this.....I am nobody special. 

I am just a guy who has been fortunate enough to navigate a path from being in and out of jail, running the streets, couch surfing, and having no real purpose in life, to living the amazing life I have today.  I get to do a lot of amazing things in both my professional and personal worlds.  

It's not because I am super smart and it's certainly not because I came from an affluent family. It's not because the path from there to here has been easy and without struggle....No, not even close.  Here's why I am living the life I have today:

Because I was given access to resources along the way to help me learn ways of living that don't include drugs and alcohol.  From being given job opportunities, a roof over my head, educational opportunities, tons of therapy, and having people who have been cheering me on throughout.  

I could go on and on about the need for us as a society to understand that we NEED to ensure people have access to resources in the areas I described.  That IS a reality and we for sure need to do more not less. But, I want to talk about human connection and how that has helped me in massive ways. 

Without the people in my world.....friends, family, mentors and employers......I would not have been able to do any of it. Without people in what I call my "circle of influence" there is no way I would be where I am at today. I have had so many people along the way who have believed in me when I didn't believe in myself. I have had people who have pushed me beyond what I believe possible for myself. People who have challenged me to tap into the power within myself to do things I never once dreamed possible.  

That is exactly how I have done I have done in my life in recovery.  When I know I am connected to the world around through the relationships I have I feel so much more able to do things I never thought possible. 

I challenge you to connect with someone and be their biggest champion.  Tell them you beleive in them. Show them love in way that they have never seen before.  Give them hope in ways that they can start to have hope themselves. When we all do that we will help so many people.

Recovery works, lives change