I started writing about some of my observations and life lessons about a year ago and found that it’s been a growing exercise. My choice of the subtitle for this blog is pretty self-explanatory. Some of life’s hardest challenges are divorce, substance abuse and other disasters that turn daily life upside down.

I’ve dealt with alcoholism for the majority of my adult life. Sometimes more successful than others, but it’s always been a part of who I am. As a teen and young adult, I often drank to excess. It eventually grew to a daily habit. I quit cold turkey when my ex-wife put an ultimatum down… the booze or her. I chose her. Fourteen years later, when there wasn’t a wife, I dove back in to the fray. Within just a few years, my drinking had progressed to the point that I was hospitalized several times. Many of my loved ones feared for my sanity (as did I during moments of clarity).

My drinking progressed to the point that I was no longer employable and as a result without a home. I lived out of my car at state parks and rest stops. It was then that something finally clicked in me and I’ve been steadily progressing towards a better life ever since.

My recovery included a year living at the Salvation Army and eventually even working for them for a spell. I’m now working full-time again in my original field of engineering and live happily with my girlfriend. Our life is far from perfect, but I try to learn from my past failures and move on.

Living life better isn’t about always being happy… or getting rich… or even staying on that pesky diet. For me, my life is better because I’m at peace with who I am today, where I’ve been, and the hidden road that’s in front of me.

My hope is that by sharing some of the lessons I’ve learned the hard way, you (the reader) can grow without experiencing the harder knocks of life. Please feel free to leave comments or questions.