Listen to the 6-minute podcast version Watch a 1-minute introductory video When I was 16, I discovered something that would change my life: drinking is fun! And it’s relaxing. Starting then, most of my enjoyable activities—for the next 30 years—included alcohol. It came to be an adventure to drink as
Listen to the 6-minute podcast version Watch a 1-minute introductory video The last STEPS Journey Blog article gave an outline for “Writing Your Life Story” to deal with the issues or problems you may be facing. And develop a happy and satisfied lifestyle at the same time. This article will
Listen to the 5-minute podcast version Watch a 1-minute introductory video All parents want to protect their kids. These days, that can mean from drugs, alcohol, and other dangerous habits, and it also includes misfortunes such as anxiety, depression, and hopelessness. There are many roles parents take on to offer
Listen to the 9-minute podcast version Watch a 1-minute introductory video Addiction is like a car crash. It can harm or kill the driver and hurt anyone else along for the ride. The good news is that, with the right driving techniques, we can be trained on how to avoid
Listen to the 8-minute podcast version Watch a 1-minute introductory video If you haven’t done so already, please read Part 1 of “How to Be Proactive About Vaping” which addressed many of the most common questions people have about the issue. But it’s also important for parents to understand that
Listen to the podcast version Watch a 1-minute summary video Many ideas accepted in today’s world are wrong. What people think “feels okay” in the moment can be wrong. And when we allow false thinking in our lives, we falter. We tend to focus only on ourselves rather than God and
Listen to the 11-minute podcast version Watch a 1-minute introductory video In the last few years, many parents are hearing something like this coming from their teenager: “Mom and Dad, can I try vaping? They’re not dangerous or illegal, and it’s no big deal. My friends use them, and their parents
Listen to the 10-minute podcast version Watch a 1-minute introductory video Harmful habits, compulsions, and addictions are issues which strike us all. If we haven’t yet been affected by one of these conditions, we likely will be in the future. Unless we do something about it first, by re-learning how
Listen to the 7-minute podcast version Watch a 1-minute introductory video Think about the people you know—especially teenagers—and how they interact with their electronic devices. What do you notice? Do you see occasional and casual usage, or something more compulsive? Does their use of technology affect how they interact with
Listen to the 7-minute podcast version Watch a 1-minute introductory video For decades, the world downplayed the increasing waves of alcohol abuse. And somehow ignored the warning signs for what became a deadly worldwide tobacco problem. Now, we are in the middle of a widespread opiod epidemic that, once again,
Listen to the 5-minute podcast version Watch a 1-minute introductory video When someone is stuck in an unhealthy behavior, the first step is often the hardest. It is also the most important, because it can lead them on to a whole new life. And, sometimes, we can help. In the
Listen to the 8-minute podcast version Watch a 1-minute introductory video If your teenager is taking drugs, you may feel this is the worst time of your lives. It will be the same if they have become consumed with alcohol, or trapped by come other form of addiction. Amazingly, it
Listen to the 7-minute podcast version Watch a 1-minute introductory video You won’t feel great if your teenager is taking drugs, or facing any other type of dangerous addiction. You’ll feel terrible. And scared. Absolutely bewildered, often angry, constantly frustrated, and (did I mention this part?) horribly scared. Probably more
Listen to the podcast version Watch a 1-minute summary video Many parents have good intentions about how they will raise their kids. But do they have a plan for how to be the best parent they can be? One based on knowing each of their kids individually? Each day, are
Listen to the 5-minute podcast version Watch a 1-minute introductory video Each of us is at a different place in our journey. If someone we know is struggling, and we want to be helpful, we can begin by meeting them where they are. Everyone has issues, and we all struggle
Listen to the podcast version Watch a 1-minute summary video I met some people recently that I am rooting for and respect, because they are working on becoming the parents they are meant to be. Each gave up their Saturday morning to attend a seminar on “Proactive Parenting.” By being
Listen to the podcast version Watch a 1-minute summary video Do you know where your kids develop their initial understanding of God? From you. Through what you teach, and the example you set for them. As a parent, how do you handle kids and spirituality? It starts with recognizing that
Listen to the 6-minute podcast version Watch a 1-minute introductory video What do you do if you suspect someone at work has an addiction problem? You have a choice to make. The easy approach is to do nothing; that’s what most people choose. But is that the right thing to
Listen to the podcast version Watch a 1-minute summary video You want your kids to be successful, which is fine. All parents, including me, wish that for their children. Sometimes, we wish it too much. Because there is a better goal for them than what the world labels as success:
Listen to the 7-minute podcast version Watch a 1-minute overview video Much of how we experience life—good or bad—is what we choose to make it. People perceive life, and react to it, in widely different ways. You probably know people who seem stressed all the time. Plus others who have
