A Simple Conversation

the shadow of a person in a boardroom

Written by, Michael J.

A fellow’s post reminded me of a simple conversation I had this morning with the love of my life. It was about how taking something non-narcotic to help me sleep only works if I take it about once a month. If taken more often than that, it does nothing.

That simple conversation awakened Little Addict, who fidgets in the dark corner of my internal boardroom.

Little Addict softly whispered, “Remember how leaving pot alone for a few weeks made that first high so good?”

Little Addict stood and spoke a little louder, “You’re able to accept not sleeping well for weeks, knowing you will get a good night’s sleep soon.”

As Little Addict approached, he said louder, “If you can leave the sleeping aids alone for a month, surely you can leave the weed alone just as long.”

Then Little Addict rose on his toes and shouted in my face, “You could do that! You could get high once a month!!!”

I looked around the boardroom. All the other voices were silent, except one. That one voice said, firmly, and clearly, with no shout to add to its truth,

“Bullshit.”

That was the voice of the part of me that loves me. That is the voice that a power greater than myself placed within me. I listened to that voice.

Published in A New Leaf – February 2026

More Articles

  • Growth, and Small Changes

    Written by, Ernest F. I went and helped someone move into a new place. I had been friends for years, we were co-workers. I would always expect good work, and good conversation, when we were placed together to work. I had left the company some years before. The move was good, and we talked. After…

    Growth, and Small Changes
  • I’m Moving Out (My break up letter to Marijuana)

    Written by, Charlie L. Dear MJ, I didn’t know it then, but I was looking for you my whole life before we met.I never knew how to exist in my body.How to quiet the loud busy streets of my mind,I never knew how to make any choices, I didn’t know how to feel anything.I didn’t…

    I’m Moving Out (My break up letter to Marijuana)
  • Heard in a Meeting

    “Don’t make a permanent decision based on a temporary feeling!” Published in A New Leaf – August 2026

    Heard in a Meeting
  • Cannabis Induced Psychosis (CIP)

    Written by, Connor B. I had my first psychotic episode at the age of 21 while away at college. While taking a bath, I was suddenly afraid I was going to drown so I called campus authorities and ran in the cold in only my pajamas to make it to the security booth. I hadn’t…

    Cannabis Induced Psychosis (CIP)
  • Surrender & Serenity

    Written by, Bella Even as a child I was inclined to argue and be stubborn. My skills of rationalizing and manipulation were part of my character makeup. I was also ready to start a game or sing-along at any given moment. But I was also shy, moody, and given to victim fantasies. I was the…

    Surrender & Serenity
  • Poem 4

    Written by, Jessyka C. It was the bee That inspired me To quit the green Been smoking so long I’m no longer ganga princess, I’m ganga queen Now I’m realising it’s only bringing me down Spending all my money on it like a clown I need to stop, give it a rest I can be better…

    Poem 4