MY INSPIRATION

August 16, 2021

Where is my inspiration? These words are flowing
My brain, its going, my smile, is glowing
My emotions are showing. No signs of slowing down
Up is up, and down is down
The sound in my head, depleting
These thoughts are fleeting
I’m seeing in the now
Who? What? Where? Why?
And how? Is this happening?
I’m trying to find my inspiration, my guide, to the life I want,
I want; I need you, to see that this endless disease, just won’t let me be ME
It’s constantly haunting with memories
I’m only tired, but no longer a liar. I feel that this fire can get even higher
And I pray that one day, my words will inspire
But where does this all go?
I feel like I’m dreading to know, where I’m heading
How many things must I read or write?
Until I have the right to see the light
Where is my inspiration?
For this piece of paper, this pen, I’m so blessed to start over again
But when will enough be enough?
When will I feel the gust of the wind at my back?
God, take me back.
To a time where I had no reason to write or rhyme
What happened to laughter?
The more I think I get madder
As a kid, I was going, my smile, was glowing, my words were flowing
Showed no signs of slowing down
So, how did I get here, just to be clear, I’m older, I’m wiser
So where is the answer? To my inspiration, my guide
I look down at the page and find out it’s me.
Or the people I see, it’s not the trees, or the birds and the bees
It’s the personalities I meet that won’t let me sleep
Their stories keep this pen flowing
I’ve got to keep going, constantly showing no signs of
Slowing down
The grass is green, and the sky is blue. Where is my inspiration?
My inspiration is YOU.

~ Christopher H.

This writing is selected as an excerpt from the book Effective Use of Creative Writing in the Treatment of Addiction to Chemical Substances, Eric A. Kreuter, Ph.D., editor, a clinician at St. Christopher’s Inn.

It is published by Nova Science Publishers, to learn more click HERE.

The nurses are the best part of my day.

The admission process was as fast and painless as it could be.

The medical staff is excellent, they treated me with love and care.

Overall the program and facility at St. Christopher’s Inn is the best, bar none.

Family program is PERFECT please don’t change a thing.

I took part in the GED program and was quite satisfied. I haven’t taken the test yet, but I have very high hopes of passing.

Gained immense knowledge from lectures and treatment plan.

It is very spiritual and I needed the experience.

The care and concern by my counselor and supporting staff shows the love that I didn’t know existed.

Staff is unbelievable, saved my life.

The goals I have reached and the new ones I’ve developed while being here are something of a life changer for me in my future.

I was pleasantly surprised by the existence of the Coffee House. Music is a central and meditative part of my life. The ability to perform for my new brothers here and the staff was unexpected and made this an incredible journey.

I would have nothing if it wasn’t for SCI.

Great people, caring and responsive.

I would like to tell you how thankful I am to you for having this family program available. I want to say thank you for giving me exactly what I needed.

The experience of being here and becoming a member of the Brothers Christopher fraternity has changed my life. Being in the Friars house was a blessing. Their generosity gave me knowledge I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Thank you for the privilege I was given to stay here in your house. God bless you all. I will always keep a piece of St. Christopher’s Inn in my heart.

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the hot meals, warm bed and unconditional love you so easily gave to me. I know if it were not for you, I would truly still be a lost soul.

The road to recovery is called Franciscan Way, and the door to happiness lies within the walls of St. Christopher’s Inn.

I never thought someone could care for a drug addict like me. You have shown me that I am worth something. May God bless you a million times.

Thank you for welcoming me in to your home, and granting me a scholarship for treatment. There’s not enough “thank-yous” I could say, so I’m going to show you by staying clean and living a peaceful sober life.

I want to thank you for everything—from my stay here to working in the Thrift Shop. I am so grateful for St. Christopher’s Inn and every staff member that represents this fantastic organization.

I was amazed by the unbelievable generosity of everyone at our Christmas party. A nice scarf and a collared shirt—I have been through hundreds in my life but I have never cared for any of them as I do for these. Thank you for giving me the best Christmas in many, many years.

I love this place. They have given me a place to sleep, food in my stomach, clothes on my back, and a chance at a first-class life. Recovery is here . . . all you have to do is want it!

Today, I am a sober man. I live an honest and simple life. I’m a reliable, employable productive member of society. I have dignity and self-worth and even self-love. All of these things are a direct result of the care and guidance given to me by the Friars and the staff at St. Christopher’s Inn. Some people call it a homeless shelter. I call it home.