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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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“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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