re: Have you ever reached rock bottom?

My years from about the age of 14 through 18 were something I'd not wish on my worst enemy. I really cannot say how I made it.

Yes, I have and it's the best thing that ever happened to me. I was at the end of a crashing career in 2009 where I made in the $200K range. I was losing everything I "had", including my family. I'll never forget this night. I was sitting outside a tent in the rain. I was putting in a hunting club's food plots for $ so I could try to pay what bills I could. Sitting there in the rain I had a conversation with God. I said "God, I'm 40 years old and for most of my life I couldn't have screwed it up much worse. If you'll forgive me for those I've hurt and the mistakes I've made I'd like to try to live your way for a while."

There was no booming voice moment. I went on to sleep and the next morning I felt better, just different. I decided to go on and quit what I was doing at that time because it was crashing anyway. I figured at least I could be home every night instead of traveling all the time. I found a local job and have not worked my way up to a facility manager. The ex still divorced me after 20 years but just this week I'm getting remarried to the absolute woman of my dreams. The kind of woman we all dream of as young men to call our wife. Since that night I've been blessed beyond belief.

In short, my advice would be when you're at your lowest, LOOK UP! It truly changed my life and I'd go through it all again knowing the result was going to be the same. Going through what I did taught me that all that money couldn't buy me happiness, all the "things" I could buy with it was just that, "things" that could be gone in an instant. True happiness comes from within and once you really achieve that it can never be taken away from you. People can call me a religious nut or whatever, I'm cool with being called a Jesus freak because I lived it, they didn't.

Another suggestion I have is don't keep your stress in. Get it out, talk to someone you trust that won't betray your confidence and get it all out. Whatever rut you're in is only temporary. Fight so hard your soul hurts from the determination you have to overcome. You have no idea of the satisfaction you'll get knowing when it got deep, you dug down and did it.

Well that's what happens when your only friends are posters from online web forums.

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And what stopped you from giving up?

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The reminder that I could be Paige.

Give me a fricking break. If it's so hard to truly hit rock bottom in America, how do you explain all the 12 Steppers and the people who commit suicide?

(I know the conventional wisdom of the OT is that suicide is for weak willed, selfish pussies who couldn't handle a little bump in the road of life, so spare me that bullshite.)

I prefer the Stone Cold Stunner personally.

I had a rough couple of months when my wife left me for another man. That was about as low as I have ever been.

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And what stopped you from giving up?

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Faith.

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It is really hard to truly hit rock bottom if you live in America.

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nah. hitting rock bottom has nothing to do with the possible opportunities one has or doesnt have

Been there. I just told myself that I had a family to be there for and to be a man and dig myself out. Face your fears and punch through the tough times. Good luck.