You're The Author

The Pen in Your Hand: Reclaiming Your Power

Pick up that pen. Start writing the story you want to tell. Right now. Don’t let fear, doubt, or the weight of past failures hold you back. The truth is, every moment—this very moment—is your chance to make a change, to take a step forward, and to start creating a better future.

Writing holds a special place in my heart and hope to be good at it someday.

When I was in treatment, that’s when I first took out my journal. It wasn’t just a place to jot down thoughts; it was a lifeline, a way to explore my emotions, fears, and dreams in a way I had never done before. The cool part was that there were no rules. I just wrote. Whatever came to mind, I let it flow onto the page. (Okay, flow might not be the right word - my hand liked to shake a little... Damn, that hand!)

Each time I turned a page and saw it blank, I felt a sense of renewal. It was like having New Year’s Day over and over again, sometimes multiple times in a day. You know that feeling of excitement, of possibility, that comes with the start of a new year?

For me, that’s what every blank page represented—a chance to do better, to make improvements, to start fresh.

As a police officer, New Year’s Eve was always a busy night for me, and I never woke up with a hangover because I worked all night. So I always woke up with that excitement to be better and a renewed hope.

But writing in my journal during treatment gave me that same sensation of starting anew every time I saw a blank page. It was a reminder that no matter what had happened before, I could always begin again.

Breaking Free from Others’ Narratives

But writing wasn’t just about self-reflection; it was about reclaiming my story from those who had written it for me. My struggle with alcohol and the choices I made led to a DUI, and later, I found myself feeling suicidal. The media loves a “bad cop” story, and they didn’t hold back when it came to me. Reading what they wrote—seeing the harsh words on social media comments—was difficult. The guilt I felt was overwhelming.

The media and others had written my story for me, and it was all negative. I couldn’t control the narrative, and that’s what hurt the most. I felt like the words others wrote about me were carving my identity in stone, leaving me with no way to change the story. But then I realized something crucial: I could take back the pen. I could write my own story, one that wasn’t defined by my past mistakes but by my future choices.

When I began working with others, particularly those who were struggling like I had, I found myself fully engaged in every conversation. Every phone call, every interaction was special to me. I wanted to give my clients everything I had, so I started following up with emails.

These emails weren’t just summaries; they were lifelines, recapping our conversations, highlighting the next steps, and offering encouragement.

Those emails became something more significant than I ever imagined. They became the foundation for my book on interventions. As I compiled them, I realized that I had a proven method—a way of helping others that was effective and transformative. Writing this book was exhilarating. It was a reminder that my words could empower and uplift others, rather than tear them down as I allowed the media to do to me.

Turning the Page: Your Story Isn’t Over

When I think about the message of opening your book and writing your new life, holds great significance.

It’s not just a metaphor; it’s a call to action. Every time I see a blank page, my heart comes alive because I know it’s an opportunity to create something new, something better.

We’ve all been there, buried under guilt and shame, feeling like our past mistakes are etched in stone. But here’s the thing—they’re not. They don’t have to define you. They don’t have to dictate your future. You have the power to write a new chapter... HELL, A NEW BOOK, to create a story that’s not just about where you’ve been but about where you’re going.

Your life is a story, and you are the author. You have the pen in your hand, the power to create the plot, choose the characters, and shape the outcome. Don’t let anyone else write it for you. Don’t let your mistakes or regrets hold the pen. You get to decide how this story unfolds.

Maybe you’ve been stuck on the same page, reliving the same mistakes, drowning in the same guilt. But you don’t have to stay there. You can turn the page. You can start a new chapter. And here’s the best part: it doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t have to be polished. It just has to be yours.

The first step is simple: pick up that pen. Don’t worry about how the story has gone so far. What matters is what you write next. Every word, every decision, every action you take from this moment on is a part of your story. And you have the power to make it one you’re proud of.

Silencing the Voices: Owning Your Narrative

Let’s be real—it’s not easy to face the blank page, especially when guilt and shame are whispering in your ear, telling you you’re not good enough, that you’ll just mess it up again. Those voices? They’re lying. They’re just echoes of the past, and they have no place in the story you’re about to write.

So, silence them. Drown them out with the sound of your pen scratching across the page or the pounding of your keyboard, with the certainty that you are in control. This is your life, your story, and you are the hero. You have the power to choose a new direction, to make different choices, to write a narrative of redemption, growth, and triumph.

And remember, this isn’t about erasing the past. It’s about learning from it, growing from it, and using it to fuel your future. The mistakes, the failures, the pain—they’re part of your story, yes, but they don’t have to be the whole story. They’re just one chapter, and there’s so much more to be written.

Writing Your Life: The Next Chapter Starts Now

So, pick up that pen. This is your story. Make it one worth telling. Make it one that reflects your strength, your resilience, and your unstoppable determination to rise above the past and create the future you deserve. The pen is in your hand. The story is yours to write.

As someone who’s been in that dark place, I can tell you that it’s possible to break free from the narrative others have written for you. It’s possible to turn the page and start fresh. But it starts with a decision—

Ready to start writing your new chapter? Visit holdingdoors.com to schedule a call and see how we can help you build the future you deserve. We’re here to support you in reclaiming your narrative and creating a life that’s truly yours.

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*This is a recovery/health coaching education service only. It is not, and is not intended to be, medical treatment or recommendations for medical treatment. Actual medical treatment must come from your physician. Telephone or video consultations do not replace the need for seeing a doctor in person. Holding Doors recovery educators and coaches cannot diagnose or prescribe medications, treatment, or testing procedures. Holding Doors recovery educators and coaches can provide general information that may need to be reviewed and approved by that person’s own physician. Consultations are not considered to be medical advice or diagnosis. Payments are refundable; if you reschedule with 24 hours' notice, your payment will be transferred in full to your new appointment. The cost of Holding Doors recovery education and coaching services is not covered by health insurance or Medicare.