- Alcohol
- Friends & Family
I have a little over five months of continual sobriety. I first found the program in May, 2011 and was sober for 10 months before a relapse. I have gained a new sense of serenity from my spiritual progress.
Alcohol abuse led to my need for recovery. I was disgusted with myself, and I was unforgivably unhappy with life. I was sick of the hangovers and the suffering. Life was every shade of miserable. Now every obstacle is an opportunity to improve my condition. I am proud that I now have a choice not to pick up the first drink. I am proud of my relationships and where my life is going. I still struggle to not follow the want for escape or instant gratification. If I give in to my feelings at the moment, it would make me a slave to my desires. Avoiding this sometimes means taking myself out of the moment with prayer, meditation or a phone call.
I ran the Spartan race in April, went skydiving in May, traveling this summer, and running my first marathon in November. At work I’m excelling like I never have before. Most of all I’m developing real relationships again.
Happiness and freedom begin with a clear understanding of one thing: Some things are within our control, and some things are not. Are you willing to try? It doesn’t mean you have to overcome all fears today. Are you willing? Growth begins when you are willing. Action can follow.