FollowCraig: Mad Men

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I sure have a character flaw when it comes to men and women in business. It makes me wonder if I’m the only one? Please don’t get me wrong as I love women and especially smart strong women. They have a lot to carry on their shoulders that’s for certain. And I admire so many because they do what I can’t. I just cannot seem to discuss business matters with most women, I get frustrated and take many of their comments as personal attacks even when they are not. My defensive side come up almost always when trying to work with most. I have had people say about me that I can’t stand dealing with women in power and I think those statements may hold some truth. I only wish to say to all the women out there who are reading this, it’s not personal. Men like me are very difficult for many of you to work with and some of us “mad men” types know it. So to all of you wonderful, smart and strong women I will until my dying day; continue to work on removing that flaw with God‘s help.

I’m still writing, you’re still reading, so please keep following…….

Craig

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FollowCraig: “Sand in the Pants”

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Secure, comfortable in your own skin, knowing who you are and where your going. These are traits so many of us struggle and strive for all our lives. Then there are some who just seem to already have it, a comfort level in themselves that is nothing short of amazing. The first person I ever knew who possessed this natural gift and has always remained seared in my memory is my son. Not now the adult man of 30 years but a young man in his teens. One day an english teacher gave his mother and I a short story he wrote. Now I can’t remember the whole story however I recall with clarity a sentence he had written. “Just woke from a nap on the beach and have a little sand in my cuffs, I’ll just shake it out and keep walking forward”. My son was 16 years old and already possessed a gift that some search a lifetime for. Isn’t it incredible what we learn from our children?

I’m still writing, you’re still reading, so please keep following…..

Craig

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FollowCraig: “One Message”

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I’d like a venti double mocha latte half-caf, the lady in line orders. It’s funny that we can go to any Starbucks in the world in any language and the menu is the same. The message is the same. I’m Christian and today is the celebration of “Pentecost“, many languages but the message is the same. The 12 steps of recovery is one message but many languages. Great lessons and profound messages are just that, they are one meant for all. No matter the language, the ethnic history, the color of skin but for everyone. We are all God‘s children and he has the same messages for all of us. Just like Starbucks, no matter the language we each know the proclamations. We all hear; One Message!

You’re still reading, I’m still writing, so please keep following….

Craig

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FollowCraig: “Wounds & Doorways”

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Writing a BLOG is surely a way of opening up both wounds and doorways. Friends, family and foes begin to find you and all about you. I’m finding old friends are so thrilled to see you again. Someone sends a note; is that you Craig, remember me Craig? It’s a wonderful feeling to hear from old friends. The following family; Many seem to follow along quietly and learn about you, perhaps even judge, others read along and begin to understand you and some actually learn to care for you. Sometimes some even learn how much I love and care for them. Then the foes; It does not matter what your past we all have one and our foes will find us. I have even found many of those foes to be me. Yes writing a BLOG about one’s life journey is perhaps risky. All you’re thoughts, your history, your life’s actions and more are played out for the world to read. Not like the Thurman Show, but none the less an open doorway for those who wish to look through. I hope and pray that the stories I tell of my ordinary journey will help someone else choose their own life paths more wisely than I, or even once in a while be inspired by my faith and great joy of being alive.

It’s Memorial Weekend and I pray you spend time with loved one’s and remember those who gave so much. Thanks for following…..

Craig

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Never enough time? Read this..Craig

FollowCraig: “My Life, My Wife”

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It’s 11:00 am and I’m just in time. As a Limousine driver being late is just not an option. So here I was picking up a fare to take to an airport, just a regular day. Then she came out of her house, right on time with an incredible smile. She was just so nice. As she sat in the rear I could see her in my mirror as we spoke. Some small talk at first, then we began to get to know each other some. I really liked her an even though I did not want to get involved with someone, wouldn’t be nice to meet someone like this. After getting to know each other a little I handed her my business card with my cellphone number. I suggested she ask for me the next business trip she scheduled and then said goodbye. What a doll I thought while driving away. A week later my phone rang and it was her. I was so surprised and so very happy. She sort of asked me out. Without hesitation I decided not to blow this! This woman with such a beautiful smile and eyes was going out with me. Often I’ve said in this blog I am a blessed man. We are married today and I would not trade our life together for anything in the world. no one else in the world is like my wife and I love her like nothing else in the world. I will fight for her and us no matter what!. She is my wife and my life.        I love you Baby..

I’m still writing, you’re still reading, so please keep following…..

Craig

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FollowCraig: “Bad butter; Good butter”

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My grandmother would have all her grandchildren and such sit at our own table away from the adults. Our dinner would be the same; however for our bread and toast we had to use margarine (Oleo) rather than butter. She called it bad butter. One of my aunts would share photos of friends and family with little cutouts of the people she no longer liked removed. Another grandmother would wait until everyone opened up their Christmas presents so all of us could watch her open and comment on hers. She would then tell us which item will be re-gifted to whom and why. And of course the children were to be seen but heard. I so wanted to be a grown up! They were in charge that’s for certain. As time has passed and I reflect on my own children and grandchildren, I now see so much of my character traits in them My son just the other night said “Dad, I’m so glad your writing a blog. I am finally understanding why I feel and do the things I do”. We learn our habits very young and we end up teaching our children the habits and flaws we carry. I suppose that’s true of most families. But it does make me wonder what if those photo memories were full, the Christmas gifts received and shared were of gratitude, the children could be heard and that we only had “Good Butter?”

I’m still writing, You’re still reading, so please keep following….

Craig

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FollowCraig: “tell me about your Elevator?”

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Have you ever watched those movie thrillers where an elevator is falling several stories really fast and everyone on board is screaming? You know the end is coming for all and just at the last moment some hero or super hero saves the day? That’s how my life was and every once in a while still is! When I was still drinking and doing all the crazy behavior that everyone saw but me, that’s what happened. My elevator just kept falling, faster and faster. Falling faster than I could lower my standards. It was a super hero that stopped it for me, a power so big it over took that elevator and me. I survived the landing but by no means was it a soft one. I had a very rough landing, even today I have reminders in my life. Small elevator crashes still happen, but my super hero is always there. I’d like to hear from some of you about your elevator, when your life seemed to be out of control and how your super hero saved you? So you know, my super hero is God!

I’m still writing, you’re still reading, so please keep following….

Craig

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FollowCraig: Who are you?

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I’ve been wondering lately, who am I? Some people never forget their roots and always seem to have a strong footing in the foundation of their youth. I wonder why some habits never go away and some character flaws remain? Where did they come from? When I was a kid, I seem to remember not really having the life some of my friends had. Oh my family was a good one and my life was by no means sad, it’s just that I never really found myself. I didn’t like sports much, but neither did my folks? We really didn’t go to church much until my mother re-married. Both my mom and dad worked, my mom was a secretary and dad was always trying to run a business. The last was a service station in Pasadena, Ca. We always seemed to have money issues, never really broke but always on the edge. Always robbing “Peter to Pay Paul”. My stepfather was a teacher and wished for me to be an architect, my father wanted me to become a lawyer or a CPA. Nobody really asked me what I wanted and I sure was not going to question the grown ups! I had to keep secrets so I wouldn’t get in trouble for what would be just normal stuff. I think my life has been driven by fear of being in trouble for so long, I just don’t know any other way of life. Even today I still live on the financial edge, much like my family did. These are the struggles that make us or at least me. At 60 years old I still have so many flaws when it comes to honesty and secrets. I struggle with fear all the time even when it appears I am at peace. However, for some reason I still have an undying optimism that all will be Great! So who am I? I think I’m human!

You’re still reading, I’m still writing, so please keep following……

Craig

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FollowCraig: Green Demons! “the next day”

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Remember my Green Demons? In short, this is how the following day unfolded. God truly let me sleep and I awoke feeling so rested. So much different from the day before, it was nice. I was still frightened as everything in my life was screwed up! I found myself in my kitchen reading a phone book that seemed to just open to the Alcoholic‘s Anonymous phone number. I really was not looking for that number, it just appeared! So I called, they were nice and gave me an address of a meeting happening that day. After some him-hawing around I got dressed up (shirt & tie) and drove to the noon meeting. The meeting place was at an old run down dive bar on Sahara Blvd in Las Vegas. There were a bunch of motorcycles outside and what looked to me some real lost souls. I will never forget walking in only to see all these people drinking coffee, smoking, talking, playing games and such. Not at all the kind of place I would ever hang out at. What was this place? I’m in a suit and all these people look like biker people. Did I come to the right place? I was shocked to say the least, but I stayed. About noon people began to move thru an open door leading to a room filled with several tables and chairs. A lot of people all taking seats so I finally sat down in the middle of the room. The door closed and the meeting opened. I don’t remember much about the meeting, but I wondered about the list of 12 Steps posted on the wall. People began to introduce themselves and when my turn came, I quietly said I’m Craig and this is my first visit. I was so nervous and no one looked like anyone I would want to visit with. However something kept me sitting there, listening and crying inside. I thought to myself “has life had turned to this, was I one of these low life’s“. When the meeting ended and we were moving out to the common social area a fellow came up to me and just asked if I would like to have a cup of coffee with him? Sure I said, why not? It’s funny now but I don’t remember his name and I have never seen him again. We talked for what seemed like hours, I just opened up and he listened, I cried and he gave me towels for my tears. He never judged me, he just welcomed me. I didn’t feel alone anymore, it was as if some small voice was telling me I would be; OK. As we spoke another fellow stopped by and introduced himself, his name was Bob D. Now he must be the head A.A. person I thought as he was dressed very well, looked like Kenny Rogers and walked with confidence. A very charismatic man, my kind of guy! He gave me his phone number and invited me to a “Speaker Night” the following day. He said I should come, but if not at least call him. I said; OK Bob! When the afternoon was over my head was spinning. What is this A.A.? What about those 12 Steps posted on the wall? Little did I know the path my life would take, the journey to unfold ahead of me?

I’m still writing, you’re still reading, so please keep following…..

Craig

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