Aloha and welcome to the sobriety rocks podcast, I’m your host, Kirk Waterman. Today we talk about Gentle and Loving Nietzsche said, “The voice of beauty speaks softly; it creeps only into the most fully awakened souls” When I was a child, I possessed a naturally gentle and loving nature. My heart overflowed with kindness, and I treated others with care and compassion. However, as the grip of addiction tightened its hold on me, my gentle and loving nature slowly began to fade. Then, when drug...

Aloha and welcome to the sobriety rocks podcast, I’m your host, Kirk Waterman. Today we talk about The Allure of Shortcuts Bryant McGillsaid, “Every shortcut has a price, usually far greater than the reward.” I excelled in life as a child. I didn't take shortcuts and embraced hard work and dedication. Unfortunately, as I entered my teens, the allure of drugs and alcohol took hold, and lead me down the treacherous path of shortcuts and instant gratification. Thankfully, I found a glimme...

Aloha and welcome to the sobriety rocks podcast, I’m your host, Kirk Waterman. Today we talk about True Partnerships Charles Darwin said, “It is the long history of humankind that those who learned to collaborate and improvise most effectively have prevailed.” When I was a child, I had an incredible gift for forming deep and meaningful connections with everyone around me. My genuine kindness and ability to understand others created strong partnerships and friendships. However, as I entered my...

Aloha and welcome to the sobriety rocks podcast, I’m your host, Kirk Waterman. Today we talk about Imagination and Creativity Albert Einstein said, “Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” I possessed a vibrant imagination with boundless creativity as a child. I would paint colorful pictures with my thoughts, weave intricate stories, and dream of endless possibilities. Unfortunately, as addiction took hold of my life, my sens...

Aloha and welcome to the sobriety rocks podcast, I’m your host, Kirk Waterman. Today we talk about Entirely Ready Tao Te Ching said, “When the student is ready the teacher will appear. When the student is truly ready... The teacher will Disappear.” I approached life with a sense of readiness and open-mindedness when I was a kid. However, in my teens, the grip of addiction took hold of my life, I lost my sense of readiness, and found myself unprepared for the struggles and obstacles life prese...

Aloha and welcome to the sobriety rocks podcast, I’m your host, Kirk Waterman. Today we talk about Finding Your Silver Lining Terry Virts said, “It's funny how, when things seem the darkest, moments of beauty present themselves in the most unexpected places.” When I was a boy, I found the positive ‘silver lining’ in nearly everything I experienced. But, once I started drinking and using, hope and optimism began to fade, and I soon found the negative wherever I looked. Then, in the dept...

Aloha and welcome to the sobriety rocks podcast, I’m your host, Kirk Waterman. Today we talk about Risk Good to Pursue Great William Shakespearesaid, “Be not afraid of greatness. Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them.” I was born with potential for greatness. And as a young lad, I began to capitalize on it. Unfortunately, once drugs and alcohol infiltrated my life, that greatness began to fade, and good became acceptable. Over time, med...

Aloha and welcome to the sobriety rocks podcast, I’m your host, Kirk Waterman. Today we talk about Letting Go or Being Dragged Ron Kozak said, “Once you realize you deserve a bright future, letting go of your dark past is the best choice you will ever make.” In my drinking and using days I believed that holding on and hanging in, were signs of great strength. But, I held on and was dragged for far too long, through the muck of my poor choices, the depths of addiction, and eventually, th...

Aloha and welcome to the sobriety rocks podcast, I’m your host, Kirk Waterman. Today we talk about going From Victim to Victor Gandhi said, “Whenever you are confronted with an opponent. Conquer him with love.” As a child, I embraced life with joy and a victorious spirit. However, as I entered my teens, I fell into the destructive grip of drugs and alcohol, and gradually was transformed from a victor into a victim. Thankfully, when I reached my lowest point, I found sanctuary in the roo...

Aloha and welcome to the sobriety rocks podcast, I’m your host, Kirk Waterman. Today we’re going to talk about A Time of Reprogramming George Bernard Shawsaid, “Create your own miracles; do what you think you cannot do.” I was a happy and wonderful kid, full of potential and curiosity. However, the people around me preached one thing but lived another. The contradictory messages I received led me astray, and I began to mirror the behaviors I witnessed, ultimately succumbing to th...