Reply To: Describe one key takeaway from Webcast #22: Igniting Innovation + Creativity

[kropfkm]

My key takeaway from today’s session is that I can be so much more effective in all of my roles (father, husband, son, friend, member of my community) if I’m not drinking and simply numbing myself.  My brother passed away 18 months ago after having been homeless for several years.  Two things started at that point.  First, my desire to help end homelessness (and the hopelessness that comes with it).  The second is my heavy drinking to help numb the pain associated with my brother’s death and a series of other life events that hit me hard (my oldest daughter being diagnosed with a life-threatening autoimmune disease, getting caught up in the Vegas Route 91 shooting, the death of my best friend, sister with cancer, etc.).  What I’m seeing today is my drinking isn’t solving anything, it isn’t helping me cope, it’s getting in the way of the rest of my life and my ability to make changes for myself, my family, and for those like my brother that live on the street and have no hope.

I am seeing  a way out for the first time.