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When I first joined Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), I quickly noticed that while the program focused on quitting alcohol, cigarettes were practically endorsed. You’d see smoke swirling outside meetings, with nearly everyone lighting up. It wasn’t just normal; it was almost expected. Somehow, I bought into the belief that quitting cigarettes was the hardest thing to do—probably because no one in those circles ever seemed to stop. And I absorbed the idea that I would need another program, another crutch like religion, to give me the strength to quit. But I’m not in AA anymore. Now, I see things differently, and...

In 1970, renowned conceptual artist John Baldessari burned hundreds of his paintings in a symbolic act, forever altering the way we view art and our relationship to it. This poem, "The Beauty He Burned?" reflects on that transformative moment and asks questions about the value of our creative efforts, especially in an age where digital art and memes can disappear in an instant. What were in those paintingsThat Baldessari burned?His graduation, his manifesto, his kissesResting in an urn. Baldessari's paintings were more than just artworks—they represented phases of his life, artistic milestones, and perhaps his own personal revelations. When he...

Thank you for sticking with me through this journey. I’ve been reflecting a lot, and I truly believe this new outlook will change things for the better. We’re often fed a lot of false beliefs about addiction, and one of the biggest lies is that a slip-up equals failure. I used to beat myself up for sneaking out to smoke those two times, but now I realize that thinking a slip-up means giving up is just a setup for failure. Instead of wallowing in guilt, I’m learning to face the cravings head-on. Meditation, deep breathing, and other techniques that are...

Slip-ups. They happen to the best of us. When you’re trying to quit a habit—whether it’s smoking, drinking, or anything else—those little bumps in the road are almost inevitable. But here’s the thing: the real danger isn’t the slip-up itself, it’s how we respond to it. I’ve noticed something about myself (and maybe you have too). When I slip up, there’s this immediate temptation to throw my hands in the air and go all in, as if one mistake means I’ve lost the battle entirely. It’s so easy to say, “Well, I messed up, so I might as well go...

Today, I’m reflecting on addiction and how much of it feels like a self-fulfilling prophecy. The more you’re told that quitting is impossible or requires a miracle, the easier it becomes to believe that. I experienced this with alcohol, and now I’m seeing the same exaggerated beliefs about smoking. But the truth? Addiction might not be as overpowering as we’ve been led to believe. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that addiction, in many cases, isn’t some all-powerful force. It’s a mental game. Slip-ups happen. They’re part of the process, not an indication of failure. When you view addiction as this...