I quit drinking in 2005, but it wasn't long before I realized drinking wasn't my problem. The real problem was me, and my inability to cope with life. I was sober, but I was still making poor choices. I knew if I wanted to stay sober, I was going to have to figure out why I drank in the first place. At this point, I didn't know who I was or where I was going in life. I was still blaming others for where I was. I still hadn't taken responsibility for my life.

Finding myself without any other options, I asked God to show me why I was the way I was. I wasn't a religious person, but I had been raised to believe something created us. Somewhere deep inside of me, I believed that God would answer my prays if I really needed help, and this was one of those times. But God didn't give me the answers right away. Instead, He put people, experiences, and lessons in my life so I could find the answers for myself. Little by little, my attitudes, my perspectives, and my perceptions about life changed. I went back to college and got my degree, I started a small weekly newspaper, and I became a published author. Along the way, I learned who I was and what life was all about. I stepped outside my comfort zone and battled fears that had plagued me my entire life. I finally found that happiness I'd been looking for. I knew the next step was to share my experience with those who might be asking the same questions.

Stepping Stones tells about my journey and the steps I took to find those answers and the lessons I learned along the way. No one can tell you how you should change your life, or even if you have to. But I can tell you my story and maybe it will encourage you to start your own journey. One thing to remember is that life doesn't always turn out the way you think it will; sometimes it is better than you ever imagined.