Many years ago (circa 1995), I read The Road Less Travelled, by M. Scott Peck. He was a reknowned psychiatrist who held several high level positions at both military and civilian psychiatric facilities. He once wrote, "After many years of vague identification with Buddhist and Islamic mysticism, I ultimately made a firm Christian commitment – … Continue reading Life is Difficult. Pain is Mandatory. Suffering is Optional. →

Relating to Quasimodo: The Abject Suffering of Self Flagellation and Ruminations "The Flogging of Quasimodo" hits me at a very visceral level, as it taps into a wellspring of pathos, and a metaphorical empathy for the tragically miserable existence of Victor Hugo's protagonist. While I have not endured the abject suffering that Quasimodo did during … Continue reading Relating to Quasimodo: The Abject Suffering of Self Flagellation and Ruminations →

(Living in a subculture that loves me unconditionally FOR my social "sins," this beautiful young lady's insight and experience touch and soothe my soul like a sudden cool breeze on a torturously hot summer day or like listening to a virtuoso performance of Mozart’s the Sonata No. 16 in C Major.) -JM A THANK YOU … Continue reading A THANK YOU LETTER TO THE HATERS →

Hell is Porn Porn grabbed me by the balls at a very young age and has never let go. My Addiction to Pornography has dogged me relentlessly for years. Ever since I discovered the cocaine-like rush of a pornographic orgasm -one induced by masturbation to irresistibly seductive images of tantalizing women exposing themselves in ways … Continue reading Hell is Porn →

I am open about my Bipolar Disorder and Alcoholism so that my fellow sufferers of mental illness and/or addiction know that it's possible to keep one's head above water in our 'survival of the fittest' society, even with these extreme challenges. For 52 years and counting. One day at a time, through perseverance, with many … Continue reading →

"True belonging is the spiritual practice of believing in and belonging to yourself so deeply that you can share your most authentic self with the world and find sacredness in both being a part of something and standing alone in the wilderness. True belonging doesn’t require you to change who you are; it requires you … Continue reading True belonging →

Seattle isn't Dying. The Severely Mentally Ill are Suffering A piece of "journalism" recently served to ignite a white hot flame in my gut, nurturing a burning desire to stand here on my little platform and shout at the devil of Ableist privilege. Said catalyst was the "documentary" produced and broadcast by Seattle's local Sinclair … Continue reading Seattle isn’t Dying. The Severely Mentally Ill are Suffering →

Fear Not, The Lions are at Bay "Fear. This short word somehow touches about every aspect of our lives. It is an evil and corroding thread; the fabric of our existence was shot through with it. It set in motion trains of circumstances which brought us misfortune we felt we didn't deserve." - AA's Big … Continue reading Fear Not, The Lions are at Bay →

HANGING ON BY THE THINNEST OF THREADS After spinning around this Big Blue Marble 455,520 times (52 years), I have endured my fair share of trials, tribulations, and challenges. Yet few have required me to summon more spiritual perseverance and to call upon the Higher Power of my understanding for more strength than living as … Continue reading HANGING ON BY THE THINNEST OF THREADS →