IGNORANCE IS OPTIONAL: A Memoir of Recovery and Hope
In this unflinchingly honest and inspiring memoir, Gordon Worley, Jr. chronicles a life path defined by poor choices, addiction, and their catastrophic consequences, culminating in a powerful journey of redemption.
From a troubled childhood and emotional instability in Washington, D.C., the author recounts his service in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, where he first spiraled into daily drug and alcohol dependence. After an undesirable discharge and returning home, he became deeply entangled in the DC drug culture, leading to years of addiction, incarceration, and a life of profound disappointment to himself and his family.
His narrative is a raw look at the cycles of destruction caused by poor decision making and seeking instant gratification. The central message, embodied in the title, is the profound discovery that "the greatest power one can utilize is the power of choice."
Worley details his brutal detox, finding a new life predicated on spiritual principles, and a commitment to serving God and others, eventually becoming a counselor for at-risk youth-a career he loved for 19 years.
