For a little more than a year, I have gathered virtually with many of the men on this distribution list for meaningful connection. Some weeks, I connect with you multiple times: in big groups, small groups and one on one. I have grown through these interactions and consider many of you dear friends.  Over roughly this same year, almost every …

Brother is a song by LA indie rock band Lord Huron. It means a lot to me and if you know the song it might mean a lot to you as well. If this post is your first exposure to the song, read through the words a couple of times and maybe find the song on your favorite music platform …

I chose to share my story through this blog series for many reasons. Since 2017, nearly every person that’s come into my life on a meaningful level knows about my experiences with mental illness. Whether it’s a new coworker, someone I met on a dating app, a stranger I vibed with while waiting to see an artist at Lollapalooza, I’ve …

Thankfully, my thirst for and commitment to learning never ceases.  By now, I sometimes wish I were further along in my knowledge and understanding but I guess we all learn at a different pace and in our own way.  Take for instance the “learning” of potty training for my son (our second), but perhaps that has more to do with his parents than him and that there’s …

Waking up in the behavioral health unit of a hospital was a surreal, humbling experience. There’s often a tendency to think you’re above those who are struggling harder than you are — it was hard to accept that I could be so out of control of my mood and behaviors to end up in a hospital. But as soon as I …

Hi, I’m Patrick.  I’m about to do what I feel that I do best. I’m going to tell the story of my life and experiences living with a mood disorder. It’s an abbreviated version of the rollercoaster ride of the last 5 years of my life living with depression, being diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder I after spending a week in …

I’m 19 years into my marriage and I don’t pretend to be an expert. However, I know my foundation is solid and will endure the test of time. Mostly because when I screw up, I do my best to learn and grow. Marriage is not easy. I want mine to be one for the ages, and for that to happen, …

I’m lying in bed (in my camper) unable to sleep and all of a sudden I hear it.  “Who cooks for you?  Who cooks for you-all?”   Who cooks for you?  Who cooks for you-aaaaall?” The amazing, distinctive call of the Barred Owl.  Undeniable.  And, thrilling to a bird nerd like me.  What a gift to receive during my inaugural camping trip in my new travel …

“We don’t see the world as it is; we see it as we are”― Anaïs Nin.  What does this quote open up your awareness to? Can you reflect on an experience that might bring it alive? Perhaps if it has some truth, human development (love) has more to do with who we are than what we do. Understanding the principle of …

There’s this dance of BEing in the present moment AND creating your future.   Oh this dance can be a graceful waltz or a rough krump battle.  It can be carefully choreographed or made up on the spot and improvised.   How to plant yourself firmly in the present moment and not just during a 15 minute morning meditation (and many of us …