"HOPE is being able to see there is light despite all the darkness." -Desmond Tutu
Did you know that 22 million Americans are currently suffering from a substance use disorder. More than 23 million others are living in recovery. When you include the families of the afflicted, addiction impacts over 85 million people. We all know somebody.
I have chosen to step into the light and share a piece of my story with you. Addiction does not discriminate, nor does it care what color, race or religion you are. Remaining silent around this epidemic, only gives it more power and I AM no longer willing to be tight-lipped. Addiction has taken the lives of way too many people already, and will only continue to do so, unless we begin to make some drastic changes.
Our stories must be heard so that we can heal the pain, suffering, shame, and guilt that goes hand in hand with this disease. It's time to de-stigmatize addiction and come to the understanding that there is something much deeper going on here, than just trying to get high, numb out, lie, cheat and steal. Ohhh.. there's so much more to learn. Education is key!
When we share our stories, our raw, unfiltered life experiences, we give HOPE, COMFORT, STRENGTH and INSPIRATION to those on a similar journey. We don't feel so alone and isolated which this disease loves to do. NO... we stand in our power, come together and bring new awareness to addiction, so that people do not have to continue to die with their song still inside of them.
My passion is to be a part of the solution, to help heal this world so others can see their divinity, their essence. Together, we can make a difference for there is indeed power in the collective.
I created a healing video on addiction. It is the witnessing of my son's journey with and through addiction and how greatly it impacted my own journey as well. May my heart-felt, creative endevour give you or your loved ones the STRENGTH to walk towards the light, towards your truth. For as we share our truth, we invite others to do the same. In essence, may you find your way back home, to your true self. RECOVERY IS INDEED POSSIBLE!
I dedicate this poem to my son. We are both sober and in recovery today and he is the proud Dad of a beautiful baby boy. May you feel the love I have in my heart for you. May you believe in yourself and may you believe that you are worthy of living a life second to none. I see YOU. I see your light. May you come to see it, too.