My. Mind. Races.

My mom, Diane, died when I was only 6, from cancer. This one event shaped much of who I'd become over the next 40-some years. Who knows how my life would have been different had this terrible disease not taken her from me? I consider it sometimes, but don't ponder too long. Frankly, if I'm being honest, I am happy with who I've become. Sure, I struggle with depression, anxiety and other mental issues that come with a less than ideal childhood. But I've come to learn to not only deal with them, but I also now have the tools to overcome them. That wasn't always the case. I don't know if my mind ever stood a chance.

My. Mind. Races. is a deeply personal look into love unrequited, depression, anxiety and struggles with alcoholism. Coming to terms with my own issues. In between the poems, I've included some complex doodles created especially for this book. These doodles represent my mind, giving you a feel for how it "races." Feel free to color them in and tag me on social media. Let me see what you've come up with. The hashtag is #MyMindRacesDoodles.

I want this book to be a starting point for conversations about your own struggles. This isn't an end game, but a beginning. I can tell you, putting your heart out in the world is one of the hardest things you'll ever do, but I truly believe that if those who struggle with mental health issues don't speak up, others will feel alone in their own pain. Share your story! You never know when someone else needs to hear it.