Featured Guest

A Special Guest Blog Who Remains Anonymous ~ And Who Helps Others Recover From Alcoholism…

Catherine Lyon Author/Writer Featured Guest

Welcome Recovery Friends, Seekers, And New Visitors ~ Happy Memorial Day To All Veterans & Active Military!

 

 

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Hello friends!

I want to introduce you to a special guest who prefers to stay anonymous, but she knows all the in’s and out’s about “Alcoholism”…

For the sake of me not losing track of my good friend, I’ll call him “Paul” for this blog post today. I’ll share with you both of his websites with you as they both have excellent advice, help, resources, and are very educational to help understand more about alcoholism, the disease.

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* The first site I’ll share is their wonderful Recovery Blog here on WordPress called; http://alcoholicsguide.wordpress.com …
I have spent reading many of the blog posts, and even though my main addiction was with addicted compulsive gambling, I did drink a bot too much when I gambled. I also could see how very easily I could have turned into a full-blown alcoholic by switching addictions from gambling to becoming an alcoholic after I entered treatment and recovery from addicted gambling. This blog has some awesome information and insights as well. Here is more about Paul’s blog The ALCOHOLICS GUIDE *
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Welcome

The main aim of this blog is to discuss this condition of alcoholism/addiction in an open inclusive manner that gives alcoholics, families of alcoholics, those who treat and research them a more candid insight into their condition and thus why and how recovery works!

Hopefully understanding how the brain changes, via neuroplasticity, will give hope to many that change does come, recovery does happen and does make positive changes to the brain which alter our emotions, thinking and behaviour for the better.  It alters our stress systems, emotional regulation, alters our neurotransmission. It alters who we are, and how we see the world and act in it. How we relate to our fellow human beings.

This is in addition to emotional catharsis, change in consciousness, recovering our relationships with wives, husbands, children, parents, other family, friends, community, or in terms of  career, social standing, you name it, it all gets better through time. This is recovery for us, the repairing  and recovering of that which has been damaged by our alcoholism, the clearing away the wreckage of the past .

Hopefully this too will help motivate others to keep doing the things that work, because they work, it can be demonstrated, measured even. We seek to supplement what you have already not substitute, to add to, not take way. To illuminate not confuse.

We do Recover!! Yes, we do…and encourage you go to visit their blog!

*Now this next site in which Paul is a big part of, is all the about how alcohol effects our brain.  http://insidethealcoholicbrain.com/  …
Here on their website, you’re going to learn, become aware, and be shown insights and information on just how our brain works when we become an alcoholic. It is so informative, and educates how harmful alcohol really is! Here is a little preview:

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THE PURPOSE OF THEIR WEBSITE…
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About:

As some of the writing done here is by recovering persons we wish to keep our identities private and remain anonymous. Hence we will not provide contact information here but please,  contribute to this blog via the comments utility. We, as a collection of writers, are very interested in your views in contributing to the sum of knowledge regarding the theory and experience of alcoholism, addiction and recovery.

The collective term we will used in various blogs apart form when one is talking from a purely personal experience.  This blog will be quite academic but we also have another, sister blog –  http://alcoholicsguide.wordpress.com/about/

which talks in more layperson, user-friendly language but essentially addressing similar points as here.

We do not propose to have all the answers, so please take what is useful for you and leave the rest.

We are supportive of all therapeutic strategies that help alcoholics and their families recover and do not endorse one over the other. We do not have all the answers but in the last several years have come across new ways to look at the problem and to inform the solution.

Our purpose is to create a forum for discussing how accurately scientific research, covering neuroscience and it’s associated fields of research, describe alcoholics and addicts, especially those in “recovery” in terms of theoretical conception and diagnostic  description.

In simple terms, how well do these theories and diagnostic suggestions match the experiential reality of alcoholics in recovery or long term abstinence. How accurately do they model the reasons for these individuals relapse, for example? How effectively do these models and diagnostic criteria point the way to effective treatment of these chronic conditions? How well do they allow the families and loved ones of these suffering individuals to comprehend their neurobiological disease and why it makes them act the way they do?

Most theories of addiction, from a neuroscientific perspective are based on neurobiological definition, and experimentally driven. They test theoretical paradigms in controlled lab conditions and at times appear to lack ecological validity.

They seldom appear rooted in the daily realities of the individuals they purport to study.

We suggest the best way to disprove one’s elegant theory is to apply it to the everyday reality to addicts and alcoholics in recovery. We suggest that neuroscientists and psychologists, among others, would be better served by engaging at a personal level with those they observe and study.

We believe that the neurobiological theories, mainly ‘conditional ‘ or positive or negative reinforcement models, provide a great insight into how the brain of the addict or alcoholics is ‘hijacked’ in the transition from user to abuser to addict but do little to illustrate how these neurobiological deficits effect and in turn are effected by cognitive-affective regions of the brain. In other words, in our conception of addiction, for example, we are interested in how these neurobiological impairments  both prompt and are mediated by emotional deregulation and processing deficits.

The ‘emotional disease’ or ‘cancer of the emotions’ or ‘parasite that feeds on the emotions’ or this ‘fear-based illness’ that alcoholics and addicts in recovery frequently describe their addictions and alcoholism appears to get little mention  in many theories of addiction. Why?

We forward the theory here that emotional dysregulation, measured often by heart rate variability, lies at the heart of addiction and alcoholism.  Via a series of blogs, which hopefully build on and will be linked to each other, we will set out our theories in the hope that alcoholics and addicts will learn profound insights into their condition.

Speaking personally we can say that research has not only helped improve our recoveries but even helped save them on occasion. We hope that families and loved ones will again insight into the behaviour of their loved ones in recovery and this will help them. We also hope to start a debate with researchers, clinicians, treatment providers, and other’s involved in helping and providing therapy for addicts and alcoholics regarding the nature of this condition and how best to treat it. In this blog we marry the theoretical with the experiential and anecdotal to attempt to show how it is difficulties in processing, controlling and regulating one’s emotions that leads to decision-making difficulties so profound that they set up and drive  the addiction cycle and which also pose the greatest threat to one’s recovery and sobriety.
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I happen to read this post called: “Soap Box,” and found it very important and relevant. Look, addiction is addiction no matter the type, so much of the recovery info I feel can be applied to all types of addictions!
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Soap Box

This blog will discuss the purely academic side, or neuroscientific side of this neurobiological disease –  it sets out a simple premise, irrespective of where recovery is achieved, AA or elsewhere or unaided, which states, in the hundreds of alcoholics we have met, there appears to be an emotional processing  and regulation deficit at the heart of this disorder, a psychiatric disorder according to many leading academics, which results in distress based impulsivity, compulsive behaviours, short-term decision-making, difficulties recognizing, labelling, processing and regulating emotions as well as having an altered reward sensitivity to alcohol so that drinking is different from them as young people than to others.

Many of these changes are present as premorbid vulnerabilties also in children of alcoholics as are a host of other endophenotypes, such as cortical arousal, i.e. more glutamate compared to GABA which affects cognition in various domains. Add to this a low resting heart rate variability in abstinent alcoholics, especially in early recovery and you have a head and heart which are predisposed to distress states and reacting to emotional cues. As the American Society for Addiction Medicine state in their definition, there is an “dysfunctional emotional response”.

There is academic evidence for all this which will be presented over the next 6 months to clearly build our argument on redefining addiction and alcoholism so that those who need treatment find a treatment more tailored to their independent needs. By diagnosing individuals simply as having a vaguely related co-morbidity when they do not may be counter to effective treatment, whatever that treatment is – we have no axe to grind here regarding treatment, whatever works for you, works! We try our best not to be blinkered as we are researchers. Most treatments have good elements.

The point of this is to have our voices heard in terms of defining the problem, to mix the anecdotal with the experimental – When stress has whittled your pre frontal cortex to such a profound extent that you can no longer control or regulate emotions or stress or to use emotions as a guide to decision-making, then one needs the help of others, the ‘external’ prefrontal cortex , if you like, to help you get well. Recovery is partly the strengthening of this brain region, but we need, most of us anyway, help in getting there.  We hope to forward an argument that helps alcoholics and addicts get the same recognition and the same access to legal and medical services as others with similar psychiatric disorders.

The main aim is to discuss this condition in a open, inclusive manner that gives alcoholics, families of alcoholics, those who treat and research them a more candid insight into their condition and thus why and how recovery works!

We also have a sister blog  which explains these concepts in more simple, easy to follow, every day language  http://alcoholicsguide.wordpress.com/

Hopefully understanding how the brain changes, via neuroplasticity, will give hope to many that change does come, recovery does happen and does make positive changes to the brain which alter our emotions, thinking and behaviour for the better.  It alters our stress systems, emotional regulation, alters our neurotransmission. It alters who we are, and how we see the world and act in it. How we relate to our fellow human beings.

This is in addition to emotional catharsis, change in consciousness, recovering our relationships with wives, husbands, children, parents, other family, friends, community, or in terms of  career, social standing, you name it, it all gets better through time. This is recovery for us, the repairing  and recovering of that which has been damaged by our alcoholism, the clearing away the wreckage of the past .  

Hopefully this too will help motivate others to keep doing the things that work, because they work, it can be demonstrated, measured even. We seek to supplement what you have already not substitute, to add to, not take way. To illuminate not confuse. 

We do Recover!!

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 I want to thank my anonymous friend ( Paul ), and all who contribute to both the Website and their Blog I shared with you today! I know exploring both their sites, I have learned a lot more about alcohol addiction and hope you all did as well. It doesn’t matter which approach you take to seek help, enter treatment, and recovery,….. as long as you pick one!

There is so much information on support, treatment, rehab, therapy, and counseling out there, that there is no reason to have to suffer the ‘cycle’ of alcoholism or any other addiction. We need to remember that half the battle of recovery is “Acknowledgement.”  It’s admitting to ourselves that alcohol is affecting area’s of our life. There is also a lot of information and help on through the internet now as well! The internet has really changed the way we get our information about how to recover from all addictions…

 

Even being able to share both, “The Alcoholics Guide”  http://alcoholicsguide.wordpress.com/about/  &
“Inside The Alcoholic Brain” http://insidethealcoholicbrain.com/
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Happy Memorial Day & God Bless!
Catherine Townsend-Lyon ~ Author Of Addicted To Dimes
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0984478485

 

 

 

“New Life Recovery Outreach of E. Lansing, MI Is Doing Awesome Work! A Message To Parents About Drug Addiction”…

Catherine Lyon Author/Writer Featured Guest , , , , , , , ,

Hello Friends and Welcome Visitors,

 

Today’s “Guest Blog Share” is by a wonderful recovery friend of mine, “Aaron Emerson” and his dad “Wes Emerson” at “New Life Recovery Outreach,” in East Lansing, MI…
They help & support ” Families Against Narcotics (FAN)- www.familiesagainstnarcotics.org ” and are involved in other Christian outreach organizations like them, who try to keep kids safe from drugs. And this blog post today on their website from Aaron’s dad Wes needed to be shared to all parents whose kids have been touched by drugs. It’s a hard road, and one I’m sure none of us want for our children to go down, and that is why I’m “sharing” Wes’s post of advise on how to talk to your teens.
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I myself would like to take it one step farther and ask parents to also talk to you teens and your college age kids going off, or back to campus. A growing number of college young adults are becoming “addicted & problem gamblers” at an alarming rates! Of the current 17+million problem gamblers in just the US alone, half that number is now YOUR High School and College age young adults. That to me is just UN-ACCEPTABLE!  How do you feel about that? So not only do you worry when your kids leave the house is they will be pressured into drinking or introduced to drugs, but now you have to worry if they are gambling as a fast past time in their dorms. The good news is, many colleges and universities are trying to help students through offering many addiction & recovery resources through the schools “Counseling & Mental Health Services” on campus. So when you do give your young adults, “The Talk,” please include the dangers of gambling.
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So here is a special message for parents from “Wes & Aaron Emerson” of New Life Recovery Outreach, and more of how they help others!
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Hello, my name is Aaron Emerson and I am a recovering heroin addict. I am the founder of New Life Recovery, and here is a little about my story:
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Dad and Me New
*Aaron Emerson and his father, Wes Emerson*
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New Life Recovery is an outreach of New Life Fellowship that was started to spread hope to drug addicts and their families, educate the public on the effects of addiction, and prevent drug use in our youth.  We accomplish this through various methods:

Blog-This is where we share our story in detail and write about our struggles and triumphs dealing with this deadly disease.  It is written by Aaron Emerson(recovering heroin addict) and his father, Wes Emerson.  There is a form down below where you can subscribe to our blog for free and get all of our posts and updates sent directly to your email, or just come check them out on here!

Speaking Engagements-This is where we go to schools, churches, or anywhere else interested in our presentations and share our story in person.  We educate people on the disease of addiction and how it can affect anybody in any walk of life.  We also talk to youth about addiction and it’s effects on the lives of people who use drugs.  Contact us if you are interested in scheduling a presentation if your in the Lansing, MI area…

We also do everything we can to help support addicts and their families and help them find recovery.  We help them find resources in the community and can refer them to professional Recovery Coaches who will offer the help, assistance, and tools needed to find recovery and build a new life. We also work closely with the Ingham County Chapter of Families Against Narcotics where family members of addicts, recovering addicts, the professional substance abuse community, law enforcement groups, medical professionals and anybody else interested join together to offer support, group forum activities, resources and anything else needed to help addicts and their loved ones.

Subscribe To Our Blog

The Not-To-Do List

By Wes Emerson

5-4-2014
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Every now and then, a parent will ask me what they should do in response to their child’s drug use or addiction.  Looking for step by step instructions to get their kid off drugs, they assure that I, the father of a now recovering heroin addict, have the answers they need.  Even though we went through seven years of active addiction, I have to admit that I still find this question hard to answer.  Drug addiction is so powerful and every case is different.

As I reflect upon Aaron’s addiction, I realize that we didn’t always do the best things or the right things as parents.  Sometimes we just didn’t know what to do.  Often times we did things that, in retrospect, probably prolonged Aaron’s addiction.  Confused, scared, heart-broken, angry, frustrated…we made mistakes along the way.  And so, from my experience, I have composed a “not-to-do list” with the hope that you can gain insight in your struggle with a drug addicted loved one.  This list is derived, not entirely from my misguided actions, but also from things I have observed other parents do.  So here it goes…the NOT to do list!
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  1. Don’t be ashamed to use the word “addict.”  Many parents are living in denial in regards to their child’s drug use.  They know there’s a serious problem going on, but cannot bring themselves to admit that their beloved kid is an addict.  Addict is a term we refuse to use because it has a negative, degrading sound to it.  This is really a form of pride.  If someone is using drugs despite continuing negative consequences, they are an addict!  But we, in our attempt to preserve our own and/or our child’s dignity and reputation, are ashamed (or too proud) to say, “My son/daughter is a drug addict.”  In the first couple years of Aaron’s drug use, I couldn’t bring myself to call my son an addict.  I loved him, and I just didn’t want to refer to him that way.  Then, as the war worsened, I learned that shame and pride must be put aside.  Drug users live in daily denial of addiction.  If we, their parents, are also in denial, how can they ever reach recovery?
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  2. Don’t blame yourself for your child’s addiction.  When a young person turns to drugs, it is very common for parents to shoulder the blame, believing that the addiction is a direct result of something they did wrong.  This results in unbearable grief and self-condemnation, and often results in the parents tolerating their kid’s addiction or not holding them responsible (wrongly thinking that it’s their fault, after all).  As you may know, I was fired from my position as Pastor at a local church in Mason after 14 ½ years, placing my family in a “homeless” situation for the next year and a half.  It was during the aftermath of my firing that Aaron plummeted into heavy drug use.  Though I knew my firing was not warranted, I couldn’t help but feel responsible for Aaron’s addiction.  “If I hadn’t been fired,” I thought, “Aaron would not have started using drugs.”  When we began attending Al-Anon meetings, one phrase kept being repeated, almost week after week: “You didn’t cause it…”  Eventually, I came to the realization that this is true.  I didn’t cause my son to become a drug addict.  Don’t blame yourself parents.  You will be better able to help your child when you are released from self-condemnation.
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  3. Don’t think you can change your addicted loved one.  While some parents blame themselves for their child’s addiction, many others think that they can “make” their kid stop using.  We resort to harsh words, threats, even physical altercations in an effort to “change” our kids, and in the final analysis, we discover that we are powerless to change the addict.  I tried everything I could think of to reach Aaron, and discovered it was futile.  Drug addiction is a disease-a disease that we as parents have no power over.  The change has to come from within the heart of the addict.  They have to reach that rock-bottom point in their lives where they truly want to seek recovery.  Until they get to that point of desperation, there is little we can do to “change” them.
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  4. Don’t be an enabler.  One common trait that parents of drug addicts all share is that of enabling our children in their deadly pursuit of drugs.  We are bewildered, we love our kids, and we find it hard to say no.  Just to keep peace in the family, we find it easier to give in to the drug addict’s demands, and, thus, enable them to continue in their deadly course.  While you can’t change your addict, there are some steps you can-and must-take to stop enabling your child to use drugs.

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For starters, stop giving money to your drug addicted child.  So many times, Aaron would come to us for requests for cash.  Addicts will tell you that they are going to the movies, out to eat, to a recreational activity, etc.  The money will ultimately be used instead to purchase drugs.  Or, they may tell you that they owe money to a dealer for a previous drug purchase and have to “pay up,” or else.  For years, I am ashamed to admit, I fell for these lines and gave my son money, which was in turn, used to buy drugs.  In giving my son cash, I enabled him in his drug addiction.

Another form of enabling is allowing your child to drive your vehicle.  If you know, or even suspect, that your kid is using drugs, simply say no when he or she asks to take your car to get together with friends, go to the mall, the movies, etc.  For years, I gave my son access to my car, which resulted many times in a bad ending.  In giving my son use of my vehicle, I enabled him in his addiction.
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Another form of enabling involves rescuing your child from rehab.  In some cases, young people are court-ordered to rehab.  In other instances, they are taken to rehab by their parents.  Quite often, the addict will flee from rehab, and, ultimately, call their parents, asking them to come and bring them home.  We found ourselves in this stressful situation many times during Aaron’s seven year battle with addiction.  Looking back, he simply was not ready or willing to seek recovery.  Sad to say, we went out and picked him up from numerous locations and brought him back home.  In doing so, we enabled our son to continue in his life of addiction.  Therefore, parents, I urge you to say no.  Do not pick your son or daughter up if they flee from rehab.  This is very hard to do, but if you cave in to their demands, you are enabling them, pure and simple.
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  1. Don’t bail an addict out of jail.  Ultimately, drug use and/or addiction will result in the offender’s incarceration.  Jail, as I have written previously, is a terrible place.  Incarceration is not a remedy for drug addiction.  Yet, time behind bars can be an eye-opening experience for some people.  During the course of Aaron’s 7 year battle with addiction, we did not bail him out one time when he was incarcerated, despite his pleas for us to do so.  I do believe that his time spent in jail over the years finally was one motivation for him to turn from the drug lifestyle.  We simply refused to bail him out, though our hearts were aching for our young son.  On the contrary, we witnessed other parents of young addicts step in, repeatedly, bailing their children out of jail, not allowing them to endure the consequences of their lifestyle.  Lawyers were hired, strings were pulled, and their drug addiction continued on.  If your son or daughter is in jail due to drug offenses, don’t bail them out!  They may thank you later on.
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  2. Don’t hesitate to hold your child accountable.  If your son or daughter is living in your home and you suspect or know that he or she is using drugs, it is imperative for you to hold them accountable.  You must make it clear that drug use will not be tolerated in your home.  It took us a long time to start exercising tough love-a very difficult thing to do as loving parents.  I hated doing what I’m about to suggest, but we did some things out of love in an effort to hold our son accountable.  Periodically, conduct a search of your child’s bedroom or vehicle.  If you have concerns when they come home, check their pockets, wallets, purses, or belongings.  If he/she says he’s going to the movies or such outings, ask for receipts or ticket stubs.  When your car is driven, write down the beginning mileage before they leave and the ending mileage upon their return.  You can also keep track of your child’s cell-phone calls-who they are calling, who’s calling them, and at what time.  Phone activity can tell you a lot.  This may sound like detective work, and I guess it is, but if you don’t hold your child accountable, the odds are that their drug use will continue to increase.
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  3. Don’t try to weather the storm on your own.  If your son or daughter is in addiction, you need support from others who are dealing with this terrible epidemic.  Many parents, for whatever reason, are choosing to stay in the closet and are suffering alone.  Please, do not isolate yourself in this trying time.  There is support available: Families Against Narcotics, Al-Anon, and in some locations, Nar-Anon groups meet regularly with the sole purpose of providing encouragement, guidance, and hope to people trying to cope with drug addiction in the family.  Remember, millions of people in the U.S. are struggling with the same issue as you are, and fellow sufferers can relate and understand what you are going through.  You can’t change your addict, but you can get help for yourself.  So step out and get help for yourself.  You will be glad you did.
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  4. Don’t give up on your addict.  At this point in your struggle, you may feel that there is no hope for your addicted child or loved one.  Nothing, to this point, has gotten their attention and he/she continues to follow the path of self-destruction.  You are ready to throw in the towel and give up on them.  We were nearing that point with Aaron.  I didn’t think he would ever change.  I was almost ready to give up on him, fearing he was destined for prison or death.  But we continued to love him throughout those 7 long years.  We remained in his corner.  And then finally, when it appeared there was little hope for recovery, miraculous things began to happen.  Aaron finally turned away from drugs and today he is almost 1 year clean!  We refused to give up on Aaron, and I urge you, don’t give up on your child or loved one.  If you, the parent or loved one of an addict give up and turn your back, who else do they have?

I, the father of a recovering addict, am a graduate from the school of hard knocks.  I have learned, from my own mistakes as well as the errors of others, what “not to do” when addiction strikes home.  It is my sincere hope that these 8 “Not-To-Do’s” will be helpful to you, and I pray your loved one will see the light and seek recovery before it is too late.

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God bless you all,
Aaron & Wes Emerson
New Life Recovery Outreach
http://www.newliferecoveryoutreach.org
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“My Special Guest Author Interview Is With “Rhonda Sellers-Elkins” And Her New Book Release Of, “My Bright Shining Star”…

Catherine Lyon Author/Writer Featured Guest , , , , , ,

Hello And Welcome Friends, Readers, And New Visitors,

 

It’s my pleasure to share with you a good friend of mine who just become a “New Author”!  Please meet Author, Rhonda Sellers-Elkins and her new book release titled; “My Bright Shining Star:” A Mothers True Story Of Brilliance, Love & Suicide….

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Rhonda and I met through WordPress where we both have our blogs. I remember the first time I came across her blog, and her story about the loss of her beautiful daughter Kaitlyn. I was so inspired by her words, and how she was able to share such a painful experience with all of us through her blog posts that I became to admire her and her courage. We visited each others blogs many times and quickly became fast friends. Her daughters story really touched me, and many of her blog readers. I could relate to her feelings about the loss of her daughter,  as I had two failed attempted suicides myself from undiagnosed bipolar depression and a gambling addiction.

Her sharing taught me to see what others who are left behind from such a tragic event feel and go through when you lose a child.
I don’t know if I ever mentioned that to Rhonda before, but sharing her story of how to move on, to get through each day with keeping your head up and courage in your heart, I have learned so much from Rhonda. Now, in keeping Kaitlyn’s beautiful memory alive through her new book, I know this has been a “Special” accomplishment for Rhonda, and a “Tribute to Kaitlyn”…
Here is a little more about Rhonda and her new book!
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OUT THE AUTHOR:
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Rhonda Elkins lost her 23-year-old daughter Kaitlyn to suicide 4-11-13. The fact that Kaitlyn took her own life was horrible enough, but the fact that she never displayed signs of depression her entire life made it even harder to understand. She was a 3rd year medical student and was doing very well in school. After Kaitlyn’s death Rhonda began writing about her grief in her blog and after a time decided to write a book about her daughter to tell the story of her daughter and to bring out the fact that there can be hidden depression in highly achieving young people, a fact she did not know until her daughter’s death.

Rhonda lives in North Carolina with her husband Allyn. They have two cats, Dagny, and Kaitlyn’s cat Gatito who they adopted when Kaitlyn died. They also have another daughter, Stephanie Alford, and a son-in-law, Steve Alford, who also live in North Carolina. Rhonda is a registered nurse, but at the time of this book’s publication has not returned to work since Kaitlyn’s death. She is an advocate for suicide prevention.
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ABOUT HER  BOOK: http://www.amazon.com/My-Bright-Shining-Star-Brilliance-ebook/dp/B00JBMLXTA/ref=tmm_kin_swatchh_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1398705187
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To all that knew her, Kaitlyn Elkins was a happy, intelligent, compassionate and extremely talented young medical student with a bright future ahead. However, beyond her warm smile and string of impressive achievements lurked a dark secret-depression; something she hid so well from all those that knew and loved her. This is the story about a mother’s quest to find some answers as to how her daughter, who seemed so happy on the outside, could hide such a dark, horrible depression that ultimately lead to her suicide.
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It is a story about her wonderful daughter’s life, the lives she touched, the search for answers, the stigma of mental illness, the great love and deep bond they shared.  The book also incorporates insightful experiences from other depression sufferers, contributions from some of Kaitlyn’s friends, and views from medical professionals.  This heartrending memoir of love also serves as a caution to parents, teachers, counselors, and young people that depression can lurk among the high achieving, that they hide it expertly, and if not reported and treated, can lead to suicide.  It is a warning to everyone. 


Here is what readers are saying in All 5 Star Reviews!
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This review is from: My Bright Shining Star: A Mother’s True Story of Brilliance, Love and Suicide (Paperback)   Hope in the wake of loss, March 26, 2014 

“Though a beautiful life was cut extremely short, this story of a mother’s love uses the pain of that loss to provide both a beacon of hope to others who suffer from depression as well as provide warning signs to those who might not be familiar with depression themselves. I especially loved reading the personal stories from outsiders, most notably other medical students. The deadly nature of depression is a very real thing, and it goes unnoticed so frequently. It is my sincere hope that those who read this book will be able to see that there is always another option and that there are others who are suffering from the same affliction. It is not something that should be ashamed of, and the pain that results from the loss of a loved one is unbearable. Please, give this book a chance to touch your heart.”
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This review is from: My Bright Shining Star: A Mother’s True Story of Brilliance, Love & Suicide (Kindle Edition)Heart-rending, beautiful, and important,  March 29, 2014

“This book is a mother’s heart-rending, beautiful tribute to her daughter. I wish there was no need for this book, but given the circumstances, this story is important on both the personal and community levels. Still in the depths of grief, the author felt compelled to speak out about the stigma of mental illness. Her daughter never asked for help or gave any indication that she felt suicidal. I know that this book will help many people speak up and speak out. Kaitlyn’s brilliance will live on in her family’s love.”
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As many of you know when I have an “Author as my Guest,” I only ask them TWO questions of them. Here is my interview questions I asked of Rhonda, and her answers and thoughts…
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1.)  Since we follow each other from your beautiful blog, I know more than my readers about your life. But what made you decide to write and share your personal story in book form

 From the very day I found out about Kaitlyn’s death, I shared her death of Facebook to let her friends know who I had no other way to contact.  From that moment on, I got a great deal of responses and condolences and stories about Kaitlyn from her friends and many people I knew and did not know.  After that, in my horrible grief, I had no outlet for my grief except for crying almost nonstop and going through her things and touching them and remembering the wonderful girl who was my daughter for 23 years. I began to post on Facebook about my daughter and my horrible grief and confusion about why such an exceptional young woman could take her life.
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You see, she was brilliant, sweet, very accomplished, graduated valedictorian of her high school class, graduated summa cum laud from Campbell University in two and a half years (instead of the usual 4 years it takes) with a degree in biology. After a few months she was accepted into Wake Forest School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, NC, to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a doctor. She was happy.  Always said and seemed to love medical school and was doing well in it, as well as her busy life.  She kept her body fit by eating healthy, exercising and running. She had run a half a full marathon only months before. She never showed signs of depression in her entire life and was a model daughter and student.
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Then on 4-11-13 she took her own life, leaving a note to us that she had been depressed all her life and hid it from us to protect us from it. She never told anyone and never sought help. So after writing on Facebook I started a blog devoted to writing about my daughter and that horrible thing that took her life, depression, by way of suicide.  Not long after that, I decided to write a book in the hopes that Kaitlyn’s story will help those people out there that are like my daughter; highly driven, intelligent, but hiding a deep depression that may take their life if not treated. So many highly achieving young people never seek help for their depression and never admit to it for a variety of reasons, the stigma of mental illness being one of them.   It’s also for parents, counselors and teachers so they will know of this often silent killer of our young people.  My book is to honor my daughter, tell of her life and suicide, and to provide some insights into how such a thing could happen. It is also a warning.
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2.)  Even though your new book has only been out a short time, has there been any one thing that has surprised you since the release?

There has not been anything that has really surprised me, but I am very pleased about the very positive reviews that it has received so far.  I was hoping so very much that it would do what I intended my book to do, and by reading the reviews it seems to be doing so.

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A Tribute To Rhonda’s Beautiful Daughter “Kaitlyn Elkins”…

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So I want to share a little of what Rhonda confided in me that many may not know about her and Kaitlyn. She wanted me to pass on to my readers and friends thoughts that are important to her and all who may suffer from Mental illness and Depression.
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“For those of you that have not yet read my book, I would like them to know that I suffer from depression myself and have for years.  My children have always been aware of my depression as I have always sought help for it.  However, Kaitlyn never shared her depression with me or anyone else and never sought help.  I do a whole chapter in my book on what I experienced with my own depression as well.
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I want to Thank my friend and New Author, “Rhonda Sellers-Elkins” for letting me introduce her to all of you here, my friends, readers, followers, and new visitors! She a woman “Brave, Beautiful, and Strong” for all she has gone through and endured the last year or so. She is an inspiration to all parents who have had the heart break of a suicide or loss of their grown child. We all know it’s unnatural to mourn the loss of a child before ourselves, but sharing her story is going to help others get through their own loss.

I’m at the same time so “HAPPY” for the release of her new book, and all the 5 Star Amazon Reviews tells me that she just may have a Best Seller on her hands! If you would like to buy a copy today, which I highly recommend, and visit here websites too, here is where you can find Rhonda Sellers-Elkins. I have her book on my GoodReads Book shelve already and can not wait to read it!
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AMAZON BOOK SITE:
http://www.amazon.com/My-Bright-Shining-Star-Brilliance-ebook/dp/B00JBMLXTA/ref=tmm_kin_swatchh_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1398705187

SHE IS ON GOODREADS:
http://www.goodreads.com/RhondaE

BOOK FACEBOOK PAGE:
https://www.facebook.com/kaitlynstar

MY BLOG:
http://welding81.wordpress.com/

OFFICIAL WEBISTE FOR THE BOOK:
http://welding81.wix.com/rhonda-elkins
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Email Contact:
welding81@intrstar.net
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And As Always, let Rhonda know Author, Cat Lyon sent you!
God Bless All and Thanks for the Visit,
Author, Catherine Townsend-Lyon
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>Thanks Rhonda! Your Guest Author Post helped me make a New Milestone here on WordPress!
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Most Likes in One Day

On Wednesday April 30, 2014 you surpassed your previous record of most likes in one day for your posts on All Things Writing & Social Media By Author Catherine Townsend-Lyon. That’s pretty awesome, well done! WP

 

 


Welcome Jessica Wood, Founder Of A New Unique Concept Called, “Hone Life”…

Catherine Lyon Author/Writer Featured Guest , , , , , ,

Welcome Friends And New Visitors,

I’m very excited to WELCOME “Jessica Wood, founder of HoneLife.com http://www.honelife.com
“It’s a new unique way for artists to express themselves by “A Single Word” and inspiring meaningful connections.”
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Jessica Wood
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Hone Life

WELCOME TO HONE LIFE!

HoneLife is a topic-centered platform on which to share your creative perspective. Use HoneLife’s Word of the Week as inspiration to create and connect to the world around you. To learn more about being a HoneLife member and how to use this website, check out the How to Hone page.
THERE MISSION? TO INSPIRE MEANING & GLOBAL CONNECTIONS!

How to Hone

Become a member of HoneLife, and participate in the simultaneous focus on the Word of the Week. Share your creative interpretation of the word through images and/or text, and be inspired by the perspectives of others’.

To become a member, register and create a profile. Once registered and logged in, you can submit a post by clicking the “Share your perspective” button on the homepage.

The Word of the Week is posted on Sundays at 12:00 (noon) CST. To know the word ahead of time, solve the Friday Riddle posted each week on HoneLife’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How do I edit my user profile?  The information you provided when creating your profile will appear in the upper left hand corner of each post you submit.  To edit your information, mouse-over your profile image found on any of your posts, and click on the pencil.
  • Why is my image taking so long to upload? While there are no formal size restrictions, the site currently performs best when images are smaller than 1MB.
  • How long do I have to make submissions to a weekly word? One week. A new word is posted each Sunday. Once a new word is posted, you will no longer be able to make submissions to previous words.
  • Do I have to submit something each week? No. Sharing your perspective is not required. There is no minimum requirement. Sharing your perspective is also not limited. You may submit multiple posts for each word, but please put adequate thought into each submission. People want to see [insert your name here]’s unique take on the word. Get creative!
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    Friendly Reminders

    • Experiencing the Word of the Week ideally does not take place behind a screen. It is through reflection, discussion, observation, and action that the experience occurs and your unique perspective is revealed. Sharing your perspective (posting) on HoneLife.com is secondary to the experience.

Ways to experience a word include but are not limited to…

  • observing the word in your home, in public, and in nature. Reflecting on the word’s significance to you.
  • capturing the word through photography, illustration, design, painting, sculpture, poetry, and storytelling.
  • participating in discussion about the word. Hone as a family, classroom, company, or group.
  • Be considerate and respectful of others’ posts. Expressing creativity takes courage and practice.

*I have honed, and I have to tell you it’s awesome! You’ll meet many talented people from all over the world. And you’ll find some interesting blogs and websites too! So, as many know, I only ask 2 simple questions of all by “Blog Guests,” and Jessica is no different. So here are the 2 questions I asked her about http://www.honelife.com and what she was kind enough to share with all of us*….
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Jessica Wood, Founder of HoneLife.comLives in St. Louis, MO
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1.) Is there a story behind how HoneLife came about?
The concept of HoneLife came to me during a personally difficult time.  I was feeling “trapped” in a career I did not like.  Trapped because I “should be thankful to have a job”, trapped because I had no other skills or training, and trapped because quitting would mean disappointing and worrying those who cared about me.  When you’re dissatisfied with how you are spending the majority of each day, it’s extremely difficult to become happy.  Yes, there are evening hours and weekends away from work, but the lack of enthusiasm I had for my job bled into all other areas of my life.  Instead of spending time doing activities I enjoyed or pursuing new hobbies that could potentially lead to some joy, I instead would come home from work, sleep,spend endless hours staring a screens (phone, computer, tv, sometimes all three at once), and then sleep some more.
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Nothing about my daily routine was going to get me out of the funk I was in.  I would imagine what I would do if I was one of those people who had energy, motivation, and courage. Writing came to mind, but what would I write about?  My educational knowledge was based on a career I was trying to escape. I then heard a piece of advice that changed my way of thinking, don’t write about something just because you know about it, write about something because people will want to read it. It sounds simple, but that idea got me thinking less about myself, and more about creating something meaningful and useful for others.
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I knew I was not the only one who experienced social media remorse–that feeling of guilt that comes from wasting time mindlessly perusing social media sites.  So then I thought, because social media is here to stay, what if there were a social media site that instead of distracting you from reality, it encouraged you to engage with it?  What if it could motivate you to discover or reawaken creativity and passion?  It was then that the idea for HoneLife hit me, and I remembered what it felt like to be passionate about something.  A few months later, having resigned from my job, I started development on the website and on the new me!
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Right now HoneLife.com is centered around a “word of the week.”  The word is used to prompt awareness and creativity.  Members submit their creative perspective of the word in the form of poetry, paintings, photos, stories, etc.  Being a very new site and having limited functionality, I’ve been overjoyed with the positive response from the creative community.  I’m ecstatic for members to see the upcoming improvements and additions.  There will be many new ways and opportunities to inspire and be inspired.
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2.) What is the most exciting experience that you enjoy about HoneLife?
Jumping head first into a new venture is beyond intimidating.  It can be easy to want to give up and slip into old, familiar habits.  It can be easy to believe the naysayers and the statistics that “prove” the odds are against you.  You will have moments when it’s hard to recall what was so bad about your old way of life–it had to be easier than this.  But then there are those times of triumph.
Those times you accomplish something the old you would have never even attempted. Those times when you realize what you are doing resonates with who you want to be. For me many of those moments come at the end of a good workday, when time has flown by because I was busy enjoying what I was doing, or when I hear from a member that HoneLife got them out of writer’s block or inspired a group discussion. People should never feel “trapped” in their life. Changing your course is never easy, but not changing it is detrimental.  Start by finding a positive outlet. Recall what used to make you feel energized and excited. What could you spend hours doing as a child (e.g. building, drawing, cooking, performing)?  Remind yourself of what you’re capable of and who you are at your core.  Foster your passions until there is no time left in the day for things that bring you down.
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*I really understand what Jessica is saying about how we can get to feeling “stuck” in life sometimes. Hone Life is such a fantastic way to release all your creative energy by sharing what you think the “word of the week” may mean in your own life by describing it in writing, or a poem perhaps, or maybe even with pictures. Don’t be afraid to let go and share all your talent! I have met some interesting people from all over that may not have found me on any other website or blog, and that’s why “HONELIFE.COM” is so different and “Special”! So go by and say Hi to Jessica and experience Hone Life for yourself*
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I want to “THANK” Jessica Wood of Hone Life for letting me spotlight here amazing concept with all of my friends here. And as always,…..tell Author Catherine Lyon sent you!

GOD BLESS ALL,
AUTHOR CATHERINE TOWNSEND-LYON

 

Welcome Talented Song-Writer And Performer, “Rhoda Joy”!

Catherine Lyon Author/Writer Featured Guest , , ,

Hello Friends and Welcome New Visitors,

 

You are all in for a “Beautiful Treat” today! I have the pleasure of sharing with you a “Voice from Heaven” as I Welcome my “Special Blog Guest” and sweet friend, “RHODA JOY”!
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Rhoda and I met through “Twitter” a long while ago, and not to sound “creepy” but I have followed her ever since. I always keep an eye open when she TWEETS a “New Song link” on her You tube, so I can go take a peek and a listen. I also know she is as beautiful inside as she is on the outside!
“Praise The Lord” that God gave her a “Gift” and a blessing of an “Angelic Voice”…..
You can visit Rhoda Joy on her wonderful website for yourself, http://rhodajoy.com
and see just how “talented” of a song writer and performer she really is! Here is a little more about her….
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An independent classically inspired Pop singer/songwriter, Rhoda Joy performs her music with a voice that is elegant and powerful. Her stirring and soaring vocals combine the range and command of Amy Lee from Evanescence, lyrical and elegant qualities of Anne Haslam of Renaissance, with the emotional expression that compares to Leona Lewis.

In her dramatic style of writing lyrics and music, one hears her Soul’s vulnerable, raw emotions. For the listener, it generates a surround-sound of deep feelings that allows for the listener to connect to their own heart-felt emotions. “I create music that heals, connects you to yourself, and reminds you of an awareness of who you are,” says Rhoda Joy…
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Here are a few of here videos you can check out, and make sure you go visit her on here on YouTube! http://www.youtube.com/user/RhodaJoyMusic/
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Thumbnail 3:34 Watch Later

“LET IT BE – THE BEATLES” (RHODA JOY -…

“Now I just happened to go listen and watch her video for the “Cover” she did of “The Beatles” classic song, “Let It Be,” and you really need to go take a look yourself! *Fantastic*! Here is a little from her website’s blog on how she did the cover on this song”….
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My version of “Let It Be” is somewhat of a melodic departure from the original Beatles’ version. It’s diffucult to fully describe the creative process that I utilized to create my “original version”; but singing a cover song involves integrating a vocal signature sound and musical flavors, re-imaging the song and singing it in a way, as if I had written it myself!

“The pacing of this re-take is refreshing;
her voice breathing new life and meaning into the lyrics.
Rhoda Joy shares this song in a way that pierces the soul as
she re-captures the clear intent of the original song;
inspiring, touching, comforting, and soothing…
With the chords, the lyrics, the acoustics and her voice
delivering this fresh new version,
‘Let It Be’ has a new heartbeat.”

I have eclectic musical influences, combining my love for and study of classical and pop music, merging and weaving my interpretation of ‘Let It Be’, encompassing the contrasting yet overlapping styles of classical and pop. I drew on all my musical background and training for the musical arrangement of ‘Let It Be’. Whatever “grabs” and moves me int the moment is what comes out in the arrangement and recording of a song. If I can bring in different elements that are tastefully done, work musically, and emotionally sing from my heart, the song and message will sound believable to other people. If a song touches a person’s soul in an honest way, that’s the most important thing an artist can do! Music is a very emotional form of communication.

“Showcasing her etherial performance, as she intimately intertwines her musical skill and ability with the artful backdrop of nature, Rhoda Joy will delight you, inspire you, and she will deliver!”
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“Now I  ONLY ask TWO questions of all my “Blog Guests,” and here are the two I asked my good friend Rhoda, and here is how creatively she answered them”!
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1.) How did you become a songwriter and performer?
The answer to this question is an evolution of myself as a person and as a performer. My love affair with music began at age 5, taking piano and voice lessons for 8 years, and attending The Academy of Performing Arts in Ontario, CA, post high school graduation. I performed in multiple choirs and participated in the production of 2 albums with my church choir, as well as entertained audiences in schools, churches, special occasions, and special events.
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However, once I returned home from Canada, I decided to attend college to become a physical therapist, and all my creative pursuits and talents were lingering in the background. After listening to my soul whispers over a period of 10 years, I finally listened to my intuition and accessed all the courage I possessed to abandon all fears of the unknown at the door and pursue a different pathway. Physical therapy did not allow me to live the creative expression my soul craved, and I decided to listen to my heart’s voice, empower myself, and return to school to become a board-certified music therapist.
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However, working to support myself during my pursuit of a music degree, I endured a tragic accident, which left me in intense physical and emotional pain for 7 years. I broke my neck and my back, and during that time, I lost my ability to sit, stand, sing, walk, and talk.

During a time where I could do nothing but solely listen to the voice within, I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that I had to pursue my love of singing and songwriting. As I physically began to improve and heal, I began to fully embrace and intensely go after my love of music and creativity, with full expression of my entire being!
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2.) What’s the most exciting thing that has happened in your journey of music?
I have had the privilege of studying under Cari Cole and glean insider information about the music industry and vocal techniques, and I have also had the privilege of working with a vocal coach trained by Seth Riggs. If you are unfamiliar with these names, both vocal coaches have a long list of many famous/star clientele!
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Presently, the most exciting thing for me is coaching others to write songs they have always dreamed of writing, and writing and rehearsing for my debut album.

“I can’t wait to share my own original work with the world”!
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You can find Rhoda Joy many places!  Please follow her on Twitter,  @RhodaJoysMusic and check out here “Facebook page here: https://http://www.facebook.com/RhodaJoyMusic
also on  LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/rhoda-joy/7a/800/b19
and on Google! google.com/+RhodaJoy
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SO I WANT TO THANK “Rhoda Joy” for letting me share all THIS with all of you, my fantastic and supportive friends, family, and Readers! I hope you will take a little time today to VISIT my good friend Rhoda Joy to see just how “Truly Blessed & Talented” she really is! If you’re a song writer, make sure you visit her website too, as she helps others with song writing.
http://rhodajoy.com/
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HAVE A FABULOUS WEEK ALL, AND GOD BLESS!
AUTHOR, CATHERINETOWNSEND-LYON

 

I’m Pleased To Have Fellow Blogger, Very Artistic And A Unique New Friend of Mine, “Joe Guerrero”…

Catherine Lyon Author/Writer Featured Guest , , , , ,

Hello Friends And Welcome New Visitors, (Mature Content)

I’m very happy to share with you a very unique new friend of mine I met here through WordPress.com. I came across a blog post of his and was intrigued right away by his talent of “Words & Sketch’s”! He was kind enough to let me share a little about him, what he does, and Where he does it from……
Now your intrigued right? Well, lets let the cat out of the bag right off the bat! Here is a wee bit more about my friend “Joe” and his blog called, “Joe Writes His Wrongs” http://JoeWritesHisWrongs.wordpress.com And the beautiful art he shares.
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Joe Writes His Wrongs
Chesapeake, VA
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Bio: Welcome to the madness. See through the eyes of a guy incarcerated trying to find something better for himself. I’m an artist and a writer and it is through a combined effort of both of these things that I hope to find some type of success. I’m amerced In a chaotic world.  A world that is like hell on earth. Prison. I’ve been here for over 5 years now. Desperately struggling to keep my head above water and hope alive. The stories and posts you will read chronicle my journey, mostly in an over the top, vulgar and hilarious way.
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They depict what life is really like for a guy who is trying to rise above the negativity he is surrounded by daily. This is “real life” behind the barbwire fence. You will be intrigued. You will be in tears,…from laughing that is. No “sappy” shit here. If you want a tear jerker, go watch a Lifetime movie.  This is “JoeWritesHisWrongs”. Stories and posts about the type of shit you’re forced to deal with when you put a bunch of criminals, gang members, drug addicts, and a vast array of colorful individuals together. Can’t you just imagine what life is like in here?
Yes? No? Maybe?
Well…you have certainly come to the right place to find out and experience a little bit of this paradise for yourself.  Believe me. You don’t want to be here. But you sure as hell are going to be entertained hearing all about what goes on in here. Feel free to comment and let me know what you think. If you like this blog please share this blog. If you found it to be funny or enjoyable, maybe someone else will too.
Thanks, I hope you enjoy-Joe
* With the help of my girl, I am able to share all my stories and artwork with you as she helps run my page. So…no, I am not blogging in prison. Well, I am on paper, she puts it on here for me.

View complete profile …

Now, you must be wondering why I would share a guy who’s in prison on my “Writers Blog” Right?
Well, as may of you know, I blog about many things, especially all things recovery. The reason is this,…..when I was in the worst of my gambling and a wee bit too much alcohol addiction, I too had done things I’m not proud of. I stole from someone, and even though I was arrested, charged, and did all that I was required  to correct “My Wrongs,” which was to take  accountability, ownership, and responsibility  of my crimes, I spent 30 days in jail, 2 years probation, paid all my PO and Court fees, and had to pay back restitution to the victim, and I”M STILL PAYING THAT TODAY. But, if I would have continued down the path I was going, I know I’d have ended up in “PRISON” myself.
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So when I seen that “Joe” was actually “blog journaling” his journey in prison, I told myself that could be me! If I never would have entered recovery and continued to gamble, I know my next stop could have been prison. Because I’ll always be “JUST ONE BET AWAY” from destruction. Even though I had not had a “Prior Criminal Record,” I still know that in recovery we never say “NEVER.” I also don’t “Judge” others as we all deserve a 2nd chance in life. I have 2 very good recovery friends who are also “writers & authors,” who wrote about their gambling addiction experiences, and have been in prison. One of which was 60 years old when she went to Prison! Can you imagine?
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So here is a recent blog post of Joe’s that hit home for me, and really shows some of what he has to deal with each day. He is an awesome writer, and I know when he does get released, he is going to have a “Bright Future” as a Writer & Artist!
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“Ticket-Fever… Plus a Mural Mishap”

“Gambling is huge in prison. Especially, sports betting.

To get involved in the action, you must simply find a “parlay-man” and express to him that you are interested in playing a “ticket.”

Usually, he’ll say “ok.” Then he’ll ask how much you want to bet. It’s usually somewhere between 1-10 dollars for a payout of 10-100 dollars if you win. This may not seem like a lot of money but in prison, this is big money. A couple hundred dollars here makes you RICH.

To win, you must first pick 4 winning games where the team you chose on all 4 games either won or lost by the point spread. It’s not as easy as it might seem. More times than not the parlay man or basically “the house,” wins and collects without having to payout anything. But every once in awhile the house gets “hit, “someone or even multiple someone’s win, which means that the parlay man has to pay.

Sometimes, these payouts could be for hundreds of dollars.

During college basketball, especially March Madness, it seems these parlay guys walk a tight rope because this tends to be around the time when ticket players get A LOT luckier.

A friend and I were talking and he told me “I’ve seen many-a-parlay man put out of business because of March Madness.

I agreed completely. Especially with the current gossip as of late around the compound being mostly about one such parlay “tag-team” duo and how they had gotten hit for over 300 dollars in just one day!

The problem was that they didn’t have the 300 dollars needed to cover the pay-out. So, one of the guys checked into the hole, which means he went into protective custody, leaving the other guy basically to fend for himself.

Mentioning all that, here is where I come into the story with a mural mishap that could have easily turned disastrous.

First, it all started with another mural painting buddy of mine being requested to go paint on the outside back wall of all 6 housing unit buildings here at the prison.

The request was simple enough.

He was asked to paint “DO NOT PUT YOUR FEET ON THE WALL.”

That’s it.

On this day, I was bored, with nothing to do. So my painter buddy asked if I wanted to help him.

I said “sure.”

We never made it passed the first building.

We got to the first building and my buddy suggested that instead of just simply painting the words, we should also include a pretty little background color.

Without thinking, I agreed. Then we went to town painting a big colorful “spot” on the wall.

Now at the same time as we were doing this, there were a couple of gang members outside with us talking about the parlay man who owed the 300 dollars. This parlay guy lived in the building we were working on, and the issue with this money he owed was now becoming a lot more serious and intense.

But what was even MORE crazy was what I realized after the gang guys left… The HUGE mistake this other painter and I had just made.

Without even realizing it at all… We had just “tagged” this building with a rival gangs’ color. Mind you, that was totally NOT our intention. But that didn’t even matter because interpretation is a mother fucker in prison.

“Jesus!” I said. “Do you realize what we’ve just done!?!”

I then explained how this could be interpreted.

“Well,” He responded. “Thank God this is a pretty neutral compound, then.”

He was trying to justify this by saying that of all the gangs that are here at the prison. There’s no beef between them. So this shouldn’t really be a big deal.

“Yeah, well…” I went on. “This is the type of shit that makes things NOT so neutral and kind of ARE a big deal!!”

He just wasn’t getting it.

The only middle ground we could reach was to “lighten” the color a little. But it was still obviously the original, blatant, signifying color.

We ran out of time to work before we could even begin the words. All I could think about was the nuclear type fallout that was sure to come from this.

I tried my best to put it out of my mind.

Later on that same day, for some reason, my good friend decided to be a hero and help that poor drowning parlay man who was hit over 300 dollars.

My friend loaned him the last 100 dollars he needed to cover what he had to pay-out… He loaned him that 100 dollars with HEAVY interest.

You would think this act of kindness would have purchased my friend some good MO-JO, right?

Well, it did not.

See, my friend, he is also a parlay man, himself, and in a strange twist of fate, guess what happened?

On that same day where he rescued another parlay man who had just taken a bad hit, my friend then took a bad hit himself for over 200 dollars…

Some karma, huh?

My friend had the money to cover what he now had to pay-out.

But, not by much! This almost crippled the tickets he runs.

Less than 24 hours after me and the other mural painter had painted that big, dumb, colorful spot; the fallout was in full swing.

All of the powers that be, the big wigs, the higher ups, they were all in a serious up roar behind this shit. They thought the building had really been tagged by a gang marking their territory.

My painter buddy caught all the flak, too. He was the one they HAD originally asked to paint the words. So, guess he got his ass reamed pretty good behind this little lapse of judgment the two of us had together.

The end result: nothing too bad, I guess. He had to cover up the colorful spot. Then he was told not to even worry about painting the letters now.

My reaction to all of this after he told me: Fuck it.

We made a simple mistake that could have set off an entire gang war.

What’s the big deal about that?

All of this taught me a few things too… the tickets and the parlays… the painting…

*The odds are always in the houses’ favor… whether that’s applied to the actual parlay man or the constant battle to rise above the negativity of prison… chances are, you’re playing a losing ticket.

*Something’s are best left simple, like painting letters. Sometimes too much is too much, and sometimes, in prison, too much could escalate into a full blown gang riot.

And finally…

*In my line of work, it’s best to work along. If I’m going to crash and burn, I’d rather do so on my own… not because I decided to ride shotgun with some other guy.
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“Now of course I had to go to Joe’s comment section and write my “2 cents worth” of WHY you shouldn’t GAMBLE!…LOL. But these are things that happen on a daily basis for those in prison that all of us on the outside don’t even give a second thought to. Now here is some of his “Fantastic Drawings” and “Caricature Sketch’s”….
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Pamela Anderson Caricature
Another big passion of mine is drawing caricatures, it seems lately I have not been doing that as much as I would like. The other day I was drawing a caricature of Pamela Anderson and it made me realize how much I miss drawing them.

I have decided I am going to start drawing caricatures of some of the guys in here along with other people to post as well, so keep an eye out for those to eventually come.

And yes, those caricatures WILL be clothed.  LOL…
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SEE, told you he was very TALENTED!! Now the next is pretty awesome as well, and one of my “Favorites” too!
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Make the best of life
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Make the best of life

“So I want to “Thank Joe” for letting me “Share” his talent and his journey. I encourage all of you to check out his blog often, http://joewriteshiswrongs.wordpress.com  and follow along, as this guy is going “Somewhere Special” with all the talent he has”!
I do believe he already has his 1st book in the making….
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God Bless All,
Author, Catherine Townsend-Lyon