- Alcohol
- Mental Health
Submitted by Susanne Johnson
My sobriety date is February 3, 2000, and at that time I was a single mother working as a mortgage lender. I was supporting myself and living in a very expensive home in a very expensive area of San Diego. I was committed to my fitness for the wrong reasons: looking good and avoiding looking bad. As I began my journey of recovery, I began to take an objective look at my dysfunctional behaviors and limiting beliefs. I was unconsciously making uninspired life and lifestyle choices. I had a moment of clarity which was a call to action for me. I was living my life in recovery as if it were a punishment for all of my failed attempts at perfection. I decided that this way of living was no longer serving me. I prayed for guidance and made a declaration to, “Live a life I love and live it powerfully!”
I subconsciously began the process of letting go of external dependence on the pride, property, prestige, good looks and other attributes I was basing my self-esteem on. I surrendered my real estate license, sold my home and downsized my life. This process allowed me to create a clearing in my life from which I could choose what to include and what to let go of. I chose to become a personal trainer as a way of educating myself about how to inspire myself and others to find joy in physical activity. This was very fulfilling for me as I began to recognize myself as a leader. For me leadership is empowering others in their leadership.
I began to recognize an unfulfilled desire for self-expression. My life had become so busy raising children and “surviving” that I completely forgot about my love for music. I had a drum set that I had not played in several years. I enrolled in community college and began to pursue a certificate in music technology which involves recording arts, performance arts and business. I started my own company which provides music, art and performing arts for children living in homeless shelters. I organized my first fundraiser, a dub-step circus with 200 performers, four bands (including one that I played drums in) and a DJ. Over 500 people came to my event, and I have continued to expand my self-expression and leadership development by inspiring others to take on leadership. I have put on concerts with some of my favorite 80s musical artists including Belinda Carlisle, Men without Hats, the Tubes, Love and Rockets, Flock of Seagulls, Missing Persons and AC/DC. I overcame my fear of failure and performed on the same stage with these artists. I have fulfilled dreams I didn’t even know I had. I recently reactivated my real estate license and I am now working on a part-time basis while staying focused on the true reason that I am alive which is to, “live a life I love and live it powerfully!”