Category Archives: Faith

FollowCraig: Miracles II

Posted on by
Reply

….and you’re still reading

A couple of months ago when writing Miracles I spoke of my God car and how in the face of adversity, desperation and fear I was given this gift. So, I thought I would follow-up with a little on this story. Almost five years later I was attending an A.A. meeting in Las Vegas while on my way to California. At the end of the meeting a fellow came to me with the greatest smile and the warmest hug. He said, Craig you might not remember but you drove me to WestCare one day when I was in a drunken and drugged blackout. I know you didn’t want to take me in your beautiful car but you did. I wanted to tell you that I haven’t had a drink or drug since that day, I have a job as a taxi driver, my own apartment and a car of my own. And Craig he said: it’s because of you and what you did for me that day, you stayed with me until I was safe and told be it would get better. No one else had ever said that and been so nice to me. Tears come to me when I remember him and his story. You see it was not me or my car or the care facility, it was God that made that day happen for him, the rest of us were only God’s servants that day.

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

Craig

Related articles

20120608-141823.jpg

FollowCraig: Be Yourself

Posted on by
2

….and you’re still reading

I’ve spent a lifetime trying to figure out how to just be myself. As a young man I was always told what I was to be when I grew up. You should be an architect, an accountant a lawyer and so many other things. I was taught to believe a certain faith and be of one political party. When my children were growing I didn’t ever tell them what to be, what religion or faith and nothing about politics. Let’s see who turned out best? I think the kids did. You see they found there careers, perhaps have found their own faith. So when I read the following written by; Ralph Ellison, “Battle Royal” I felt like me!

“All my life I had been looking for something, and everywhere I turned someone tried to tell me what it was. I accepted their answers too, though they were often in contradiction and even self-contradictory. I was naïve. I was looking for myself and asking everyone except myself questions which I, and only I, could answer. It took me a long time and much painful boomeranging of my expectations to achieve a realization everyone else appears to have been born with: that I am nobody but myself.”

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

Craig

20120607-121734.jpg

FollowCraig: Birthday’s

Posted on by
2

….and you’re still reading

I just love Birthday’s and today is my grand-daughter’s special day. Children really have it all, that innocence and peace that only childhood gives. They are so cute and so full of joy. Why do we forget how special those days are in our own lives? As we get older and begin to work and build families we so often forget about our own special days. In my life I’m blessed with three birthday’s; The first when my mother gave me life, the second when God gave me recovery and the third when I was reborn as a Christian. These are all days I celebrate with the greatest of joy and gratitude. But for today, I celebrate my grand-daughter’s birthday. May all the gifts that life and God give be hers today.

Happy Birthday Jewel!

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

Craig

20120605-122213.jpg

FollowCraig: Be Yourself (re-post)

Posted on by
Reply

….and you’re still reading

I’ve spent a lifetime trying to figure out how to just be myself. As a young man I was always told what I was to be when I grew up. You should be an architect, an accountant a lawyer and so many other things. I was taught to believe a certain faith and be of one political party. When my children were growing I didn’t ever tell them what to be, what religion or faith and nothing about politics. Let’s see who turned out best? I think the kids did. You see they found there careers, perhaps have found their own faith. So when I read the following written by; Ralph Ellison, “Battle Royal” I felt like me!

“All my life I had been looking for something, and everywhere I turned someone tried to tell me what it was. I accepted their answers too, though they were often in contradiction and even self-contradictory. I was naïve. I was looking for myself and asking everyone except myself questions which I, and only I, could answer. It took me a long time and much painful boomeranging of my expectations to achieve a realization everyone else appears to have been born with: that I am nobody but myself.”

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

Craig

20120607-121734.jpg

FollowCraig: Courtrooms

Posted on by
1

….and you’re still reading

Just this week while watching the “John Edwards trial” we witnessed how judges, juries and courtrooms each come together and determine an outcome. Now this may sound as a bit of a leap, but isn’t that how partnerships both business and personal should work? You see in a courtroom all parties bring the facts, truths, lies and perspectives to an open forum in order to determine what really happened. The judge and jury then decide how to resolve the issue. It finally came to me that is how partnerships should be? When a decision needs to be made, all facts, details and perspectives should be brought out in the open and then ask the “Partnership” to determine the best course take. It all seems so simple and actually it is. The only hard work involved is doing it!

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

Craig

20120602-092037.jpg

Integrity

Posted on by
Reply

Another must read from John Burton

jpburtongroup's avatarJohn Page Burton

Abraham Lincoln was a man who seemed to be very concerned with character and he was certainly a person who understood the importance of having a solid reputation. He once explained the difference between being of good character and having a good reputation. “Character is like a tree and reputation is like its shadow. The shadow is what we think of it, the tree is the real thing.” Stated another way, your reputation is what people think of you and your character is who you really are.

We live in a very image driven world. It is easy to get caught up in maintaining the “right” image and subsequently losing sight of our character. Our reputation is a public relations function while our character is based on our morals and values. As leaders we must exhibit a strong persona but this persona must be grounded in integrity and action. Far…

View original post 153 more words

FollowCraig: Mad Men

Posted on by
Reply

….and you’re still reading

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

Related articles

20120530-113448.jpg

FollowCraig: “Sand in the Pants”

Posted on by
Reply

…..and you’re still reading

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

20120528-212709.jpg

Related articles

FollowCraig: “One Message”

Posted on by
1

…..and you’re still reading

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

20120527-125922.jpg

FollowCraig: “Wounds & Doorways”

Posted on by
1

…and your still reading

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

Related articles

20120524-090616.jpg