Larry Winter

There was a woman who rented an apartment with another friend—renting together allowed each the ability to afford a decent living space. The woman was troubled with the man her friend was dating. The man drank heavily and had relations with another woman while dating the woman’s friend. The woman clarified to her friend that

We will be turning the page from summer to fall during the course of the next three weeks. My psychiatrist has asked me on several occasions, “Do you notice more sadness, anxiousness, and lack of motivation during the fall?” I said, “No, I do not recognize an increase in these symptoms” During the spring my

Why do I find support groups like Depressed Anonymous and Peer Recovery vital to managing my mood? It is a place where I can be myself, people don’t judge me, and I discover who God (higher power) designed me to be. I learn about God from having a personal relationship with him. The support groups

One way I take care of myself is meeting with a therapist about 1 time per month. Therapy is a tool I have used for over thirty years to aid in helping me Recover. I do not use a sledgehammer to get my mind right. Rather I see therapy as a drill. I am empowered

When I committed to Recover when I was 30, it wasn’t easy to find any redeeming qualities about my childhood. My memories consisted of being physically abused by my dad, the peculiar behaviors of my mother when her bipolar symptoms emerged, the emotional abuse of my basketball coach, my substance abuse, and telling myself I

Last week my wife and I registered to attend a marriage retreat at our church. A year ago we joined a group of married couples called The Domestic Church. From September through May, we meet one time a month. We have a simple meal together, read from the bible, share how the passage impacts our

I have traveled to Woodbury Minnesota for a medical procedure once a week for the past eight weeks. When I arrive at the doctor’s office they weigh me and take my blood pressure and pulse. I am proud to say the results of my vitals reflect that I am in excellent cardio condition. I do

I participate in a Zoom meeting once per week with authors from around the world. During our time together we commit to being kind toward one another, being specific with our feedback, and being helpful to each other to grow as authors. When I prepare to write I notice defeating thoughts dominating my mind. Examples

I was grocery shopping earlier today. I went early in an attempt to beat the heat. My theory came up short since it was already 85 degrees while the mercury was rising by the time I returned to my car. What a blessing to have an air-conditioned automobile. Reflecting on my shopping experience I made

In childhood, I fell in love with the game of basketball. I would gather friends after school and on weekends to play for hours. I found basketball gave me an escape from the messiness of life and it provided meaning and purpose for me. When I could not gather friends to play I practiced my