Category Archives: Life

FollowCraig: Heart

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Recently I was asked a simple question, simple to me anyway. Then after a few moments the answer came with frankly some ease.

Here is what happened. While at a Toastmaster’s meeting several weeks ago I was asked to reveal in less than two and one half minutes what may seem so simple. To make this easy, I will ask you that same question.

Your life is now over and a memorial is to be constructed in your memory and honor. This would be a magnificent structure where others could come and stroll at leisure, all your memories, achievements, failures, loves, not loved and more was on display. There was to be one item, one important part of you, your soul. The one thing you would want others to know about you? What would that be?

When asked this question, the thought seemed daunting. I think of myself as an ordinary man, imperfect and flawed. Overall lucky in life yet nothing outstanding. After a few moments of thought “felt like minutes” I finally answered.

What felt right and frankly what matters the most to me is all I really want noted. I began to describe how I would want a very tall wall that is also wide enough to display the names of every person who has touched my life. When looking over the years and all those who have cared for me, who have inspired me, who have disappointed me, who I have hurt, those I have loved, this list would go on and on. I would want a letter of gratefulness written to all and so many others who may not even be listed on that wall.

The most important part of my life has been all those lives, all those souls that have shaped my life by just being present in it.

I believe the only thing we ever keep is what we leave behind. The spirit of our heart and how we we hold it open to those we know and those we do not.

I would like to leave this world letting others know that everyday I have lived, I have tried to become a better version of the man I wanted to be. To somehow leave that thought and belief in others that striving everyday to become closer to the person they want to be is what really matters.

Now the question is, what would be your answer?

I’m still writing, you’re still following…Craig

FollowCraig: Heart

Recently I was asked a simple question, simple to me anyway. Then after a few moments the answer came with frankly some ease. Here is what happened. While at a Toastmaster’s meeting several weeks ago I was asked to reveal in less than two and one half minutes what may seem so simple. To make…

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Fired!

FollowCraig: You’re Fired!   Has it ever happened to you? The work or job you love, worked so hard for so many hours, days months and even years is abruptly ended. You’ve been fired! Perhaps the company closed down or you quit or even retired but none the less it’s over. No more showing up,…

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FOLLOW CRAIG: The Gift

You’re still following… I’m so messed up, so broken, I just want to end it all! All of it, he says to you. As you sit there having coffee, this friend (person) is nearly crying and has begun just telling you everything that you most likely don’t even care to know. We all have been…

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Fired!

			
						

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FollowCraig: You’re Fired!





 





Has it ever happened to you? The work or job you love, worked so hard for so many hours, days months and even years is abruptly ended. You’ve been fired! Perhaps the company closed down or you quit or even retired but none the less it’s over. No more showing up, no more time clock, the friends are gone, more than 50% of your days are now empty. That feeling of being not worthy, helpless and likely afraid. Now you’re worried about money, health insurance, your rent, your family and the list goes on and on.





Then the doubt, was it your fault? Are you a looser, a failure? How do you tell your friends and your loved ones?





Not everyone experiences this personal devastation, however most of us have have faced devastating loss and pain. Almost all humans have experienced the feeling of being fired from a deeply connected part of our life.





How do we continue? Why do some human beings often lift themselves up after devastating loss? Why is it that others never do? These are the questions that haunt so many of us.





Personally I have also been through great loss, very devastating loss. I know that desperate feeling of regret, fear, denial and so much more. I’m guessing you know it too.





As a kid, I was taught that faith is the way. However faith never did really work for me, I tried to believe and hold on. Faith alone just didn’t work! So I thought I could escape by pretending everything was ok, but that never lasted.





Like others I’ve known, I tried everything to get out of that quiet depression I kept hidden from the world around me. Then one day someone gave me a tool. The tool that has changed my life! It was so simple, one would think everyone knows it?





Long ago I was sharing in a group circle of others opening up our lives and experiences. Afterwards a woman came to me and gave me this gift. She was there that day to help support a close friend and had listened to my story. Why she came to me with this I’ll never know, why this day and this place?





So very simple, so powerful…





Craig she said, when you get home go find a quiet place where you are alone. Where no one can disturb you, where no one can hear you. Have a pen and paper in hand. Can you do this she asked? Of course I said as I looked into her trusting eyes.





Now she said, sit down in this quiet special place and write this down. Write 3 things you are grateful for in your life. She said you must have three at your age “jokingly “. When you’ve written these down, stand up. You must stand up she said to me with conviction. Then Craig she said, read ALOUD your three things you just wrote. Do this 5 times, then go on with your day. Then, tomorrow do exactly the same. I guarantee you will begin to forget your pain.





That was the first tool she gave, then came the second. She went on to insist that I begin writing a daily journal of my experiences and always end that day’s chapter writing down one thing I was grateful for. The miracle happened , I listened and followed her instructions then everything changed.





This was the day I fired my pain and began to live in “Gratitude “





Blessings to you





…..keep following Craig





 





 





 





 





 





    

					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
FOLLOW CRAIG: The Gift

			
						

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You’re still following…

I’m so messed up, so broken, I just want to end it all! All of it, he says to you. As you sit there having coffee, this friend (person) is nearly crying and has begun just telling you everything that you most likely don’t even care to know. We all have been there, someone you may know comes to you and begins telling you just how bad life is for them right now and they just do not know what to do, no hope and just lost. I know we all do this, we are kind and so we listen. 

Then as it often happens you begin remembering a time in your own life that all was lost. You had lost your standards, your joy, your hope and willingness to thrive. You start to remember more and more as you listen. This crazy heartfelt trouble being shared begins to remind how someone sat and listened to you when you had just about given up? So of course you continue listening. Your own memories bring you to that point when your friend offers you a hand and a touch on the shoulder or offers a hug. They tell you it’s going to be OK and you think to yourself, how? Then the words came, “if you are willing, I may be able to help you through this”. Afraid to let go, you just sort of say OK, but how? I’ll teach you what I’ve learned he says and then perhaps you will find the peace you seek?

Now as you listen to this story being told to you, your heart begins to open and you find yourself asking him if you can help? Then you find yourself asking “if you’re willing, I may be able to help you through this?”

You know at that very moment it is your duty, your own personal peace is demanding you share and teach your experiences, strength and hope with another human being. This was the gift that was given to you so freely so long ago and the only way you can keep it is to give it away.

All those lessons your friend, your mentor taught you about love, kindness, integrity, forgiveness, faith, gratitude and more. These lessons and life skills he gave to you, you must now give away.

You know you must and when you do this, when we help another human being find there way to their own soul, it’s then and only then you truly have opened your own gift. That beautiful silver papered box with ribbons of life holding it closed. As you now open this wondrous gift you see the words “This is the gift of Mentorship” I give to you.

Blessings
Please keep following…Craig

					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
“It’s All About Me”

			
						

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I’m still writing and you’re still reading…







Life is interesting and ever changing, don’t you think? Many years ago I began this little blog as a way of releasing my thoughts, experiences, failures and so much more just to have personal peace. A calming of my mind and soul by writing and sharing with people like you. Crazy I suppose, but it works. 







All those years ago, my life was really a mess. I had made a lot of bad choices, hurt myself and so many others with my actions. In fact I wrote a book about what it was like and what happened. The title is: “Don’t Look Back, You’re Not Going That Way” Before I get back to that book and what my life is like today, I would like to share something that happened just this week.





I have been a member of Toastmaster’s for several years and as time moves forward, it was my time to move on from being President of our local club. (I had been President now for 3 years). Our club has grown and finally another member could step into that role, I am happy to move forward now. As we exchanged officers for our new 2025-2026 fiscal year, I was surprised when our area director called on me to receive an award for my service. That was not a big surprise, but rather the words of introduction our area director read to all in attendance. 





Here is what she said.





This next award will come as a surprise to the recipient and he has no idea that it is coming. I am proud (she said) to honor Craig Petersen as our Toastmaster of the year. A well deserved recognition for a leader whose impact has been felt across every meeting, every member and every milestone. As three-time Club President, Craig has led with vision, steadiness, and heart. His commitment to excellence, mentorship, and growth has helped shape the success and spirit of the Mesquite Silver Tongued Toastmasters club. Whether guiding new members or modeling what it means to serve or just showing up, Craig’s leadership has elevated us all.





“Maya Angelou” Once said: I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.





Craig, your leadership has made every person who walks through the door feel empowered, supported and inspired. Your legacy of service continues to shine. 





I cannot begin to ever express what these words meant to me or even that someone else would see me as this person.





You see on March 30th, 2002 this is what I woke up feeling and knowing. From the opening first chapter “The Demons Came” of that book I wrote…





F..k, !!,  I can’t believe it’s 6:00am? God what have I done? I am so f..ked! I so f, ing broke, everyone is pissed at me. God, another day. I need to rustle up some cash for my landlord and car payments before they are both repossessed! I wonder if I can float a check until nest week? I think I’ll call mom…





This is who I was all those years ago. I just finally stopped that day. I stopped it all, the lies, the self-pity, the booze, everything! I had no integrity, no standards and I really did not who I was. 





Why did I write all this today? Perhaps because a friend once said to me many years ago, “If just one day at a time you don’t pick up a drink, surround yourself with positive people, help others and be present. One day you will become the person you are meant to be.” Perhaps someone you may know or even you may have come to that point of just being lost. I was 50 years old then and frankly what happened a few days ago I could never have imagined all those years ago. My life changed, I surrendered to my demons and found freedom to find me. I attest that anyone has the power to surrender and change their life, no matter your age.





I am grateful for the life God has given me, I will always share with others a hand up, a kind word, a hug, a smile and an open heart. Integrity and compassion is so much more rewarding and joyful than living as I did years ago. I never thought anyone would ever say those kind word about me to so many, thank you.





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Ten Years have passed since I wrote this…more to come soon!

			
						

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FollowCraig: It’s Over! “I Quit”



					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

							

					
FOLLOWCRAIG: “The King”

					
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It’s been a very longtime since I have written and frankly I’ve missed sharing. Tonight I watched a new movie “ELVIS”, the film was just released and is streaming on-line. What a time we live in to be able watch a first run film right at home.





Elvis Presley died way too young at the age of 42 in the year 1977. As I watched the film my own memories of that time became so vivid. You see my father died the same year as Elvis and he was also the same age, 42. The memories of this period of time, the music, the political unrest, my own life experiences back then have shaped me to the become the 70 plus year old man I am today. Like Elvis my father passed away of a heart attack and in many ways dad was a lot like Elvis, at least to me. Dad played the organ in his spare restful times, he loved music much like me. Dad was very smart and frankly very well known in his Phoenix, Arizona town where he lived and I really miss him. So you may be asking why am I sharing this stuff or perhaps you’re not but I am. I think it’s freedom, the freedom to remember and be free.





I had dreams back then, so many dreams of what I wanted to be, those dreams changed over the years as I began to experience life on life’s terms. Dreams changed, faded and many were lost over these years. I wonder what dad would have become in his later life had he lived longer and I would have grown with him. Would he and I be friends? Would he love his grand children? These questions could go on and on. Someone told me once that all of us, you and me all experience loss, love, joy, sadness and so many other emotions. We all may have traveled our own paths but the emotions of the experience’s are the same. Pain is pain and joy is joy. Memories are what we build our life upon. our experiences and how we move on from them shape our future. My own surely shaped me. How about you? Have you reached the dreams you had when you were young or have yours changed or faded as well? Have you had new dreams come true? I think that’s what’s important, the dreams we’ve had come true even if we never knew we dreamed them.





Yes, I miss my dad. I miss the Elvis’s of the world and all those who have made a difference and shaped who I am. How about you, are you the person you’re supposed to be? I enjoyed the movie tonight, I really did. I do hope to continue being around for a long time so I continue to become who I am supposed to be and hopefully more, I do hope you are becoming the person you’re supposed to be. I have learned, as we become comfortable in our own selves and know who we are, it’s then we can give ourselves to others and hopefully help them become free as well.





Thank you for reading this …





Please keep following, Craig

					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
FollowCraig: Baby Grand

			
						

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Yes, I’m still here…





Do you enjoy listening to piano players, talented piano artists like…David Benoit, Ramsey Lewis, Jim Brickman…and others?





I sure do, I really love the relaxing sounds of a soft jazz piano concert, then of course the thundering and bold musical piece that only a piano and its pianist can perform. Closing my eyes and listening is like viewing a beautiful Picasso, Monet or even Warhol. Perhaps for you it’s Ray Charles, Floyd Cramer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elton John, or Randy Newman. Who knows, they all have such a gift to tell us a story with keys of music.





About six months ago on a whim of sorts I bought a beautiful baby grand piano and placed it center in our living room. This was completely crazy as I have never learned to play one, not one lesson. Secretly I’ve wanted a piano for many years. You see, my father could play and play very well. He preferred playing the organ over a piano because he could create a one-man band at home. It was such a joy to listen to his music and I think of those moments often with such warmth and joy. Anyway, these last few months I’ve been practicing, learning, and ever so slowly figuring this skill out and I admit it’s frustrating at times but ever so joyful as well. It was yesterday however that brought clarity to me as to why finding a piano for me or perhaps for you some other form of an un-experienced challenge or activity is the best mind-altering escape I’ve experienced in a long, long time.





It had been a frustrating couple of days dealing with others in our HOA regarding a very irritating issue in our neighborhood. As some of you may know from experience that working with other committee members who may share a vastly differed point of view can be draining and I was profoundly drained.





Oh, what to do? My mind was a mix of emotions from disappointment to jubilation. I was all over the map and just could not mellow out. Even relentlessly repeating the “Serenity Prayer” didn’t help, I was a mucky mess for a while.





Then suddenly it was there, that beautiful Piano! The time was right to take another lesson; so I sat down, placed my iPad right up on the piano and opened the piano lesson application and began to play. The lesson of the day was the chorus of “Mr. Bojangles”. Here I was sitting at my lovely piano in the beautiful living room of our stunning home, and I just began to play. No, I was not great! I did get through it though and as I read the notes then let my hands and fingers touch the keys of music, then suddenly it happened. Not just the sound of the notes, or the feeling of the keys or the song itself. What was it? It was peace, my mind was no longer on the frustrations of the week but rather the joy of the music and the joy of learning laced with some success that I was able to play “Mr. Bojangles” (ok, sort of).





One more time, one more thing, one more action and one more gift was given to me by just taking a moment and leaving the troubles at the pedals of the piano and instead touch the keys of music. I had let go of frustration and replaced it all with a much more joyful memory. What a great way to just get out of myself.





I’m often reminded that letting others live in my head without paying rent is just not very smart. We all do it, we all listen to others and often their words just become mindless noise that turns around and around in our thoughts, even dominating our reason. When we find something different and far removed from this noise to focus on for even a short time, what a difference the outcome of your day becomes. Now when I’m thinking of this very uncomfortable HOA experience, I will also be reminded of “Mr. Bojangles and my piano”. That brings a smile.  





 Thanks for reading and please continue to FollowCraig…





 










 

					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
FollowCraig: Changes!

			
						

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I’m still here…….


So it’s been a while since I have placed words on paper and sent them out to the world.. Much has happened since my last writing. My wife and I sold our home and our beautiful boat. We made a list of things we wanted and where we wanted to live as well. To that end, we moved from our beloved Bay Area to a desert. Mesquite, Nevada to be exact. Construction of our new home is nearly complete and we are here building the next chapter of our lives. My lovely wife retired and of course I just re-wired.


So much has happened since we last spoke like this. Our country is being transformed by a new administration and as you may easily guess I am not enthused. My health is great even considering the last major surgery I experienced in January and my weight and BMI scores are improving. Our cute little dog “Clyde” is as happy as ever to call me his person. So life is good!


You may wonder why I bother to update my life review like this so openly in a blog? I think it’s simply who I am. You may remember in past posts I have spoken of my struggle with alcoholism as well as my experiences with pain from various times in my life. The faults I know I have and what I attempt everyday to do not to feed those faults. I have spoken of my faith and why it is so important to me. It can probably be said that I am pretty normal. My life is not so different than anyone else, most of us have ups and downs, happiness and joy, pain and hurt even loss and sadness. Then there is fear and hope, what a life driver these are?


Now that I have updated you, I’m going out on a limb here. I want to speak up and say that I am afraid..really afraid. The fear is the state of our country and how we fit in the world? I really had not thought about this much all these years. Of course I vote and read and even express my thoughts on Social Media, etc. It’s this underling disruption of people, the underling fears and hatred of others only because they look or pray differently. I am unhappy about greed. Greed never seemed to be part of our world so much when I was younger. See, I don’t know what to do about this? I don’t know how we can fix it? I always believed that America was the place to look for hope, that shining star on the horizon. This great experiment where people could govern themselves. I feel like we all have been hi-jacked somehow. So tonight I needed to let go a little and share my fears. Perhaps you have concerns as well? I think it’s time to speak up however soft or strong our voice’s are. We must pay attention to our values, standard and beliefs. We must apply these values when we vote and as we live in our communities.


I do not wish to be afraid like I am feeling now. I hope I am not alone?


As I said earlier, my life is good. God has been good to me.. I guess it’s time for me to speak up and do what I can to help others have a “Life is Good” feeling.


Thanks for letting me check in..


I’m still here, and I’m still writing so please keep following,


Craig


 

					

		
		
	


				
					
	

		

						
Followcraig: “40 Years!”

			
						

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...and you’re still reading


It’s been a few months since my last post and I have been thinking that we should catch up. Hopefully your life and experiences have been good these last months? I have been busy, busy working on my business, my home and life in general. I have also been reading a lot. Learning and refreshing skills of personal development, setting goals, helping others and finding a way to become a little bit better everyday. It’s been wonderful and so inspiring to read, listen and study people like Jim Rohn, Grant Cardone, Tony Robbins, John Maxwell, Mel Robbins and so many others. These life coaches have really become a part of my daily routine. I have also been more active in Alcoholics Anonymous, joined a new church and working hard to help others in and around my life and business life. Basically, I am living one day at a time always looking forward.


It’s funny though? Sometimes when you just don’t expect it, something or someone comes along or we find ourselves in just the right place when you need it the most. Then something magical and eye opening happens. I have decided to share one of those moments with you,


Today I was attending an AA meeting. An ordinary Friday 12:00 noon meeting. One I attend most Fridays right here in Rio Vista. Today was a “Birthday Day” and those days are often a joy. However today was very special as a gentleman spoke up who has just celebrated 40 years sober “one day at a time”. Truly an accomplishment but that is not the story? He spoke of his life today, what it’s like now after all these years living a sober life. He happens to be a top selling author (5) novels, he has traveled the world and has built several successful businesses. I happen to know where he lives and he lives very well, in fact he just returned from a six month world cruise. I remember when he and his partner left for that trip a few months ago. His life is full of incredible experiences, travels and achievements. You may wonder, did this all happen because he remained sober for 40 years or was there more?


So this is what happened? About 35 years ago in an obscure meeting in Oregon a guest stood up and spoke. this man listened. This stranger said clearly that sober is good however if you wish to find happiness and peace in life you must get busy. You must begin by writing down everything you can dream of, everything you wish you could do or have. All that you have ever wanted to do or would like to accomplish! You must have a purpose and get on with it. So my neighbor wrote all this down and began carrying this list with him everyday for these last 35 years. After he finished his short story of what’s happened in his life I was blessed to see this folded up list he carries with him everyday. I took a photo of the battered list and so wanted to share what was written at the bottom with you.


I think this truly applies to all of us, so please enjoy.


“A man should conceive of a legitimate purpose in his heart and set out to accomplish it. He should make this purpose the centralizing point of his thoughts. It may take the form of a spiritual ideal, or it may be a worldly object according to his nature at the time being; but whatever it is, he should steadily focus his thought-forces upon the object which he has set before him…It is his duty!”


Please keep following………..Craig


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FollowCraig: Re-Post (72 cents)

			
						

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Special Post: A few years ago while having some difficulty in my life and my marriage I wrote this particular post. Our Pastor and my friend “Rev. Lon Haack” helped me through that difficult time with this short story. I of course wrote about this experience and perhaps aired a little too much personal laundry at the time however that’s another story. The reason for this post today is that this coming Saturday January 16th, 2016 we will be attending final services for our friend Lon. He passed away in November just before Thanksgiving while on a visit with his family in Nebraska. He was taken by a cancer he did not know he had until it was discovered much to late to stop. I will miss my friend so very much and remember all the times he and I spoke of so many issues including life, theology, politics and more. He was a very well educated man who had been fortunate enough to travel the world. Lon was a long time resident of San Francisco and enjoyed the city so much. So with all that said, I say good-bye Lon and thank you for allowing me to be part of your continuing journey…..Craig


R.I.P. Rev. Lon Haack


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….and your still reading


Two quarters, two dimes and two pennies. So just what does 72 cents have to do with anything you may wonder? That was the question I asked of my Pastor just the other day when speaking about my own marriage troubles. Do you ever wonder about your own relationship? Perhaps like me, mistakes happen? You and your partner are having trouble and just wondering is the relationship worth it? Do you think you care more than your partner about the relationship? Should you or they just wash their hands of it and walk away? Do you ever ask just how much are you or your partner are willing to invest in making it all work? So when speaking with my Pastor about this very subject, he suggested we do this. Each of us to take the penny, the dime and the quarter along with an empty envelope. Go to quiet place both in mind and heart. Look at that money, think about the love between you and the life you have or want. Clearly determine how much that relationship is worth and how much you are really willing to invest in it. Take your penny, dime and quarter in your hand. Put the amount you think your relationship is worth into that envelope. There is no time limit to this or a right or wrong amount. Only your own value, your willingness and the value you place on this relationship is what matters. Share if you want or not, but you will know for certain the value you place and then decide how much more to invest if any? I know the value of mine, do you know yours?


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


Craig


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