Tag Archives: God

FOLLOW CRAIG: The Gift

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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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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.

“

FollowCraig: Happy!

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A few nights ago my lovely wife asked if I would write about something happening now and not reflect so much on my past experiences. After thinking about her request it occurred to me that happiness sums up what’s happening now, so here I go!

It seems to me that happiness is such an under studied emotion. We so often read about sadness, loss, frustration, difficulties and more. Great novels and movies are often written from the depths of despair & fear. But happiness is something very different. It’s a special state of mind and spirit. I believe true happiness comes from being secure in oneself.

I for one have experienced great happiness as well as small and almost unnoticeable moments of joy. Everyday when my feet land on the ground as I awake, I am at peace with the day ahead and that little moment makes me very happy.

In my own life so much good fortune and happiness has landed at my feet that I too often have stepped right over it without even taking a moment to recognize it, let alone be grateful in the moment. However I am truly blessed with great memories and would just like to take a few minutes and share some of my life joy’s with you. Hopefully your own joyful and happy memories will be sparked for you as I share with you.

Today my two grown children each with their own families have made me grandfather seven times! I am married to a wonderful partner who brings great joy and peace in my life. She is smart, warm, loving and gives all of her heart to her family and her life. In addition we have a small dog who seems to love me unconditionally (awesome). Today my life is filled with very dear friends who can count on me and I can count on them. My spiritual life is sound and I am secure in my faith. Today I have standards to live by and strive to be present always.

Some would say having a key to your own front door is no big deal but for me that’s one of the things I am most grateful for and brings me great joy & peace. Plus I live where I want rather than where I have to. Recently a dream of mine came true as I now have a beautiful boat to enjoy and share.

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I am happy that my health is good and now that I am nearly 64 years old all my hair remains on my head.

It brings me joy that all those in my family are still here. My mother is alive and well and my father has left me so many lessons and memories.

I am happy that God stepped into my life all those years ago and caused me to make the choices and changes so I can be here today.

Happiness presents itself in so many ways from the smallest experience, emotion or thing to the ones large, noticeable or even remarkable. There is truly nothing more joyful than getting up each day knowing that the day ahead includes me and I will get to play with and live in it! Knowing that I am at peace with my spirit and heart. These are the things that make me happy.

Perhaps the real happiness and joy in my life is grounded in gratitude?

Who knows if anything I’ve written today sparks some memories or if for a moment you too feel the happiness and joy of life as I do? I do know this, if everyday we each would take a few moments to remember 5 things we are grateful for in our lives it would be impossible not to be happy everyday!

 

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

 

Craig

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FollowCraig: “Spare Change”

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I have a special place on my desk for spare change, it’s a large and very oversize martini shaped glass and it is always filled with my left over daily pocket change. Every day, week and month change builds to overflowing and then I take it somewhere to cash it in. Sometimes I even grab some coins for little extra things I might need that day. It’s just a great feeling to have spare change for the little extras or to give someone a tip or the occasional helper some cash. Yes, spare change is really comforting to have.

Earlier today while out walking our puppy dog “Clyde” It occurred to me that life is much like that martini glass on my desk. Every day, week, month and year we leave a little of us somewhere everyday and bring home our experiences, failures, successes and all that each minute of the day leaves in us. So how is this really like spare change?

Years ago it was difficult for me to feel any level of comfort in my own skin. Really impossible! I had to continually be the loudest person in the room, the one wearing custom shirts and showing off all my bling. So self-centered that there was really no space for anyone else in my life but me and my ego. If anyone were to ask me what I believed in or stood for, I would just make up something that sounded good for the moment. My bank accounts were as empty as my soul and my actions had no spare room for others. Sounds pretty bad doesn’t it? Basically I had no spare emotions, compassion or real love to give to anyone else. It was sort of like having no spare change. Nothing extra for me or for others.

How many of us are lucky enough to finally realize these flaws and troubles in our lives in time to change them? I don’t know the answer but I do know that it happened for me. Not long ago it occurred to me that I had become comfortable in my own skin and that self-centered behavior just was not in me any longer. It was as if God just stepped in one day and made me ..me.

Now you may wonder why I’m writing about this now and at this time? Simply this, I have two friends and one in particular who has fallen very ill with cancer. One friend has been so blessed to have discovered it early enough to treat this and my other friend may go home to his heaven very soon. These two men have and always will be my friends. They have each shown me what it is like to have a remarkable and generous character. Both are so blessed to have given so much to so many. They are both so comfortable in themselves that they are able to give so much extra to others. Just like that spare change in that glass on my desk that often overflows.

So perhaps having spare change really is not about money at all but rather just being in that place that you’re able to give away more than you ever need. More love, more, compassion, more time to listen and just more of yourself to others that just don’t have any spare change.

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

Craig

FollowCraig: “Insurance”

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When I think about insurance my first thoughts usually go to paying the premiums on my car, home or health insurance. So as I contemplate paying these premiums I’m caused to think about all the types of insurance and the premiums we have in our lives.

As an example what premium do we pay to have a safe and secure life? What premium do we pay to have a happy spouse or family? When sending our children to school and incur-raging their success or how about our careers? When we work hard everyday taking care of our minds our health and keeping a positive attitude isn’t that a form of insurance and intern isn’t this the premium we pay to have all God wants us to have? How about our spiritual and integrity standards? And what about our compassion and empathy for others? Would offering a hand up to someone in need be insurance?

A dear friend told me once that we may not always want to be present however that is when our presence is most often needed. As I look over my own life and all the self-centered behaviors and actions of my past, it occurs to me that those behaviors were literally my avoidance of paying the premium to insure the peaceful life I had always wanted.

Our lives are filled with premiums to pay and when we do, our life is certainly insured. So today I think; it’s a great joy to be here and able to continue to pay all these insurance premiums!

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

Craig

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FollowCraig: “10”

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’10’, yes 10 years…

Many of you have read about the day the Demons came, you know the Demons that appeared in my head so many years ago. Many people have had their own night of Demons, you may know that event or life experience that changes everything and points you to a path you never expected to travel. My own was that of ending a lifetime of drinking and becoming sober. Oh, I remember that time so vividly as if it was yesterday.

So many people have just stopped and like me turned their life a full 180 decrees. Some of us call that time our sobriety date or a date of rebirth. But what is sobriety? Does it just mean we have stopped an addiction to some personal destructive behavior? When I stopped drinking, little could I imagine the life ahead. It has taken several years and so many experiences to finally just begin to understand what sobriety really is.

I used to believe that sobriety was just about not drinking or for others not using drugs or booze and such to feel better and escape life. Perhaps part of that is true but I have found so much more.

By definition sobriety means:

1. Gravity in bearing, manner, or treatment.
2. Moderation in or abstinence from consumption of alcoholic liquor or use of drugs.

Here is what really happens when living a truly sober life. “It’s Peaceful”

Overtime everything changes and integrity takes over. No longer are you living a sober life but rather a life of integrity. As I have learned over the last 10 years is that when we no longer use alcohol or some other chemical to escape but rather live through each daily experience sober, we become at ease. We learn to face obstacles, problems and our emotions with a clear outlook. Overtime that outlook becomes reality. In my own life it’s honesty not only to others but myself as well. It’s knowing that the bills I’ve stacked up in life both those of finance and conscious are paid, promises are kept, stories are untold. Life changes so much when living in sobriety. My perspective of life overall is different now. Today I care more about others, the concerns of the society around me matter, my spiritual life and my beliefs matter. The opinions and feelings of others matter and I listen. I’ve learned to be more patient and forgiving. Crazy as it sounds, work is even more fun than ever. Yes, 10 years of sobriety has and is changing me.

I’ve been lucky and even blessed. I have been given a chance to live a full and very promising life. My children and their families are healthy, strong and of good character. I am married to whom I can only describe as “the Greatest partner God could give a man” and I love and cherish her so much.

Being sober and living this sober life for 10 years now has at times been challenging and scary. However as I look back and look forward, it’s today that matters most. It’s the person I’ve become or actually becoming the person I am supposed to be that brings me peace. Today I know, I just know what serenity, sobriety and integrity are and what it feels like to live it. I encourage anyone who wants to live a peaceful life to go ahead and reach out for it, it’s there for you.

Thank you for letting me share a little of my life journey with you.

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

Craig

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FollowCraig: “Shiny Shoes”

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Just how real are you? I was watching an interview on 60 minutes recently profiling Mr. Steve Jobs of Apple fame. The biographer of Steve Jobs life shared a story from “Jobs” youth. His stepfather taught him how to build many things and one was a fence. His stepfather told him, always build the fence so it is just as attractive on the back of the fence as the front. Perhaps no one will ever know or see it but you will always know what you’ve built.

It may seem to some that this is perfection in the making or some OCD thing. But doesn’t it really describe integrity and character? It’s what we do that no-one may ever see or how we behave when no-one is looking that truly defines ones character.

My Grandfather always had wonderful small statements of fact to simplify the experiences of life. One I will always remember..Craig he would say, “Always be wary of a man who only shines the front of his shoes” I have always remembered that statement and to this day I always shine the back of my shoes because you never know who’s looking?

I too have many statements of my own making and one I will share is this: “I would rather wear a real Timex watch rather than a fake Rolex”. Being real, being of good character and integrity sounds simple enough but it’s not always easy. It takes a bit more work to build that fence so it’s attractive on both sides, a little bit more polish to shine those shoes completely and refrain to resist the temptation to wear a glimmering fake Rolex.

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

Craig

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FollowCraig: 7 Day Wind

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We have a cuckoo clock here at home that is rather old and holds great sentiment to my wife. We also have a wonderful grandfather clock that holds so many family memories. I just love wind up clocks. They remind me of a wondrous creative time when artist, science and craftsmen come together and create often beautiful or even whimsical keepers of time. Time is very interesting and even more so the methods we use to keep track of it. I remember my son never really grasping the concept of a clock with hands that revolved in a circle but rather was more comfortable with a digital clock or how in awe I was when first learning of the atomic clock in Colorado. Have you ever looked at the beauty of a watch and wondered how all those little pieces just keep working so well together? It’s amazing how much effort, thought and imagination it must take to create these wondrous devices. Then time itself is so fascinating as we all have the same number of hours, minutes and seconds everyday. No matter who you are or where one lives, time is the same for all of us and no one knows when God will call us home. So why do we have such a fascination with time and what would we do if we never kept track of time with all these clocks? What if we never knew what time it is? What would you do if you really had no concept of time?

I love wind up clocks and watches and the attention one must pay to setting them. Our cuckoo clock needs to be wound every 24 hours and if you forget, it just stops. Our grandfather clock lasts 7 days before it just stops. These clocks are much like life, in-fact very much like life. Weather each clock is a 1 day, 7 day or even 30 day wind, these incredible machines must be maintained or they just stop and re-starting them always requires a reset. Sometimes our lives need to be reset when we haven’t maintained our standards, integrity or our faith. Like these wonderful timepieces, daily, weekly or monthly winding often prevents having to reset.

Perhaps comparing wind up clocks to life seems odd however much like clocks we really can reset our lives anytime we want. And we can maintain our lives with daily, weekly or monthly maintenance. Some of us call this faith and prayer.

It so happens that my favorite clock is our “7 day wind” grandfather clock, as I wind it every Sunday before heading off to church. I believe God is the real keeper of time and our beautiful clocks are there to remind us of his love and his precious gift of time.

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

Craig

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FollowCraig: “1882”

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Can you imagine the year 1882? Our country was so young, barely 100 years old. Automobiles, trucks, buses and airplanes just didn’t exist. We had no radio or televisions and certainly no iPhones. Telegraph communication was the norm and the post office was invaluable. In fact most homes didn’t even have indoor bathrooms. People worked in factories, farms, markets and so many other places without coffee breaks or health insurance and the 40 hour work week was unknown. Many children had to quit school at young ages to work and support their families. The industrial revolution was upon America full swing in 1882 and what is now known as the middle class had its beginning. It’s through all this the America we know today was built and in most part by the American worker yes, American labor.

Although history is unclear who really proposed the Labor day holiday, we know the Central Labor Union of New York was responsible and celebrated the fist holiday on September 5th, 1882. Later this day was to become the national celebrated day we now enjoy. The original idea was to have parades and picnics to recognize the American worker. A day that all workers would be able to relax with family, friends and self.

It is so interesting and amazing that in a time when we did not have all the modern conveniences of today a movement of such importance and value was conceived, organized, executed and still survives. America is a wondrous country, our American workers have always been and still are the backbone of our Nation.

This Labor Day weekend of 2012 serves to remind us of what these men, women and children gave to our country then and now. May our families and friends celebrate in humble memory and warm embrace of us. God bless America and American Labor!

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

Craig

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FollowCraig: “the paycheck”

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“the paycheck” I’ve been a very lucky man all of my life. I grew up in a good family and lived pretty damn good. As a teenager I went to work along with attending school. I enjoyed having my own money and the freedom that came with it. I was able to buy cars, nice stereo equipment, take my girlfriend out and so much more. As I grew older my career provided a great income for myself, my family and as always it felt good to earn my way. I always took it for granted that my income would never really stop and I would always have success. Well as I and so many others have experienced, sometimes the paycheck stops. I never prepared for such a life changing event as losing your career and your income. I’m sharing this portion of my life journey in hope that if you or someone you know is going through this, that it can be fixed! I made many mistakes after the loss of my sales job in 1999. I found it difficult to just move forward. How could I “Craig” the man with the bold career possibly tell anyone I needed work and would be humble enough to start over. Let alone let anyone know that I was downsized and fired so to speak. Having no paycheck and no income begins to create no self-worth. Men especially need to earn a living, we need to have a little jingle in the jeans. The paycheck is often the only measure a man has to rate and value his life. Often I have spoken of finding my faith over these years, but not so much about finding my self-worth and confidence. Today, I gratefully state I have earned a paycheck. It’s not just about the money and it’s not just that jingle in the jeans either. Receiving a paycheck truly causes you to feel valuable again. After almost 13 years of on again off again jobs, being underpaid, starting MLM businesses, being promised or just believing I’m in the right deal I have finally come to realize that simply earning a paycheck is a wonderful feeling and I for one have missed it! It takes a lot out of a man when they cannot or don’t have that job that defines them anymore. My advise is not to follow my path of fear and shame, but rather stay working. If your job is gone, take anything to keep busy and earn that paycheck. Once you begin to lose your felling of self-worth and value it can take forever or like me over a decade to get it back. Believe me, it’s overwhelming and exhausting.

Today my life is very good, I am happily married and now a fresh beginning to an old career. I’m earning my way again and my feeling of self-worth is retuning with a humble vengeance. My faith is strong and I expect my life to be long. No matter what happens today in my life, I am prepared. “the paycheck” is a gift from God and it’s up to us to protect it, preserve it and use it wisely. Hold on to you’re self-worth no matter what obstacles fall in your path. After all the real measure of a man is not his paycheck but rather his character.

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

Craig

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