Larry Winter

Ignatius was born in 1900. He was a person with lived experience due to depression, anxiety, and substance misuse. He became a Peer Specialist and learned the meaning of the 12 Recovery steps from a mentor named Paul. Ignatius loved to write and pursued becoming an author. He wrote a book about his struggles and […]

I am occasionally asked, “How will I know I am Recovering and the 12 steps are helping me heal”? A response is, “Refrain from being tempted to judge others”? Recovery warns us about the consequences of judging others harshly and while this has a negative tone it may surprise us there is a positive invitation

We are invited to dinner with Recovery. What is important is to look at Recovery before we accept the invitation. Recovery reminds us that our lives have purpose, meaning and that we are to be the world’s light. We are never to cover the light because if we cover the light then people cannot see

A person was an employee at a local restaurant she came up to a pastor while he was having a quiet dinner alone. With tears in his eyes, the waiter said, “My son died at age 15 which was 3 years ago and I keep praying he will appear to me giving a sign he

Earlier today I had the opportunity to spend time with Lacie Weatherholt, Community Engagement Coordinator from At The Roots LLC. At The Roots, LLC is a space for people to find non-clinical mental health and substance use recovery support that is non-judgemental, outside the box, and provided by those with lived experience in the areas

Today we will focus on Steps-#8 and #11 (see below). Once upon a time, I faced a dark night of the soul when depression and anxiety paralyzed me. My behavior had an impact on my wife and children. This bothered me and caused shame and guilt as I navigated my Recovery to find healing. My

Do we remember when a parent, grandparent, or another person spoke to us about our guardian angel? I remember moments before bedtime when my mother taught me about this spiritual phenomenon. We may have viewed as children pictures of angels and had one hanging on our bedroom wall. The existence of angels is a truth

Mindfulness expands our participation in the world without delusion or distraction. We are created to be in a relationship with our family, friends, co-workers, students, and recovery community. Our humanity warrants being heard, rather than ignored or remaining silent. Let’s see ourselves as neither good nor bad but as a person deserving of compassion, kindness,

We are trying to figure out our role, which one of us is going to be closest to Recovery? It is the meekest of us, the gentlest, those who seek not to be great who will be great. An innocent person was on their way to meet his destiny. While on the way this person

Today our country zooms in on Veterans of the United States. I deeply appreciate your sacrifice to keep us safe through the ups and downs of our human existence. Has someone told you, “Pay attention to what I am telling you”? The person says this with a sense of urgency. We are asked to pay