2013 - The Year of Absolute Miracles!!!

Today is January 1, 2013, truly the first day of the rest of my life and Emmanuel Jal's birthday.

This year, 2013, is the Year of Absolute Miracles

Every year of my sobriety has been named something:

2005 was Absolute Adventure - Leaving my law practice, my partner of 8 years, my life and home in Chicago for a return to St. Pete Beach, Florida and sobriety.

2006 was Absolute Surrender - Relapse and loss of everything - federal indictment.

2007 was Absolute Acceptance - Getting sober solidly and facing 24 months in federal prison, Saufley Field, Pensacola Naval Airbase, Florida.

2008 was Absolute Freedom - Freedom in April 2008 and Barack Obama becomes President - HOPE - Helping Other's Providing Experience.

2009 was Absolute Hope - Discovering running and happiness with friends and business opportunities.  Starting graduate school in addiction studies.  Return to Chicago for the first time defeated and resurrected - Chicago Triathlon.

2010 was Absolutely Amazing - Disney Marathon (my first) 1-10-10.  Early termination of probation and federal court judge, Chief Justice Holderman, endorses my efforts at drug and alcohol rehabilitation treatment. 5-18-12.  Chicago Marathon 10-10-10.

2011 was Absolute Peace - Peace in South Sudan, Peace in Darfur, Peace in Mexico, Peace is Congo, Peace in Ivory Coast, Peace in Iraq, Peace in Afghanistan, Peace in Pakistan, Peace in the world. Peace. January 9, 2011 is the Referendum for Freedom in South Sudan. The Kharoum government will want to hold power. Kill. War. More Hate. More Death.  I am fought for peace in Sudan.  In February, I prayed to be free from my restraints and was layed off from Southern Trial Counsel because they did not like my blog reflecting on their reputation.  It was the answer to a prayer. On 2-11-11, I started Absolute Adventure Radical Recovery, Inc., a firm engaged in addiction intervention and treatment. I ran 11 marathons - half and full.

2012 was the year of Absolute Achievement. - I was hired to do work on an admiralty case that I had once dreamed of working on.  I was hired by Spencer Recovery Centers Florida as a drug and alcohol counselor and interventionist.  I was also hired by Intervention Specialists as an interventionist.  I ran the equivalent of 12 full marathons and triathlons.

 

2013 is the year of Absolute Miracles.

Prayer for Peace

Praying for peace in South Sudan.

Praying for freedom for e'ry child, women and man.

I heard about Darfur and cared with my head.

And while I cared, more found dead.

Then I heard the song of Emmanuel Jal,

My heart opened wide and I heard the call.

I can't stop the screams and the cries of pain.

I can't close my eyes and pretend again.

Now, I can't turn away and deny what's going on.

The children and the faces show what's wrong.

Who am I? A convicted felon, gay, recoverying alcoholic and an activist.

Who am I? Lawyer, adventurer, interventionist and economist.

Who am I? A guy with integrity to fight against racists.

I am strong in spirit, body and mind.

I am a lover of life and all mankind.

I have enough love and tears for all who need them.

I will fight for the weak, the poor and the children.

I will run for GUA until my feet wear out.

I will not be silent, going to scream and shout.

We want peace for South Sudan.

We want peace in Africa throughout the land.

Enough blood; enough war.

Shout for peace for South Sudan and for Darfur.

We got to stop the killing and stop the greed.

We got to find the answer and meet the need.

Enough is enough of all this hate.

No time to discuss; no time to debate.

Let's tell our governments and demand our Presidents.

Peace for Sudan; let's stop the precedents.

Human beings and tribes must live and thrive together.

Before we destroy our land, our nations, our water and weather.

God protect us from war and disease.

Give us hope and give us peace.