Every year I am humbled by being granted another day of sobriety. Today I am proud and greatful to say that I've been a friend of Dr. Bob's for 2,925 days or 8 years. For some reason it seems so much more emotional than previous years. This particular day is so much more than any other day, because it acknowledges the decision I made back then and the life I am granted now.
I know that I wouldn't have a happy home, with my son and husband, if I didn't make that decision. I know I wouldn't have my beautiful, sweet little pets, if I didn't make that decision. I know I wouldn't have peace and sanity if I didn't make that decision. The glorious news is, I made that decision and now I have everything I always hoped for. Not everyday is roses, but that's part of life. Everday is a gift and blessing though and I can see that now.
I've seen the tragic, long term effects that alcohol can play on our bodies. I've watched people I love die from those effects. I know that my child and my family will never see that happen to me. I was 22 when I quit drinking and the main thing I heard then was how young I was and how amazing it was for someone so young to get sober.
So, I say to you reading now, if you have any trouble with your drinking or your life has trouble due to your drinking, you are not too young or too old for that matter to choose sobriety. You won't miss out on anything special by not drinking. The friends who are really your friends will support your decision and those who aren't worth it will tell you that you don't have a problem. Even if you're not sure, just get up and go to a meeting in your area. There is AA in every single town/city across the continent. I'll be perfectly honest, for the first little while you're not going to like it. For the first little while you might feel really out of your element. That's normal. It's even normal for you to think things like, "I don't really have a problem, I was just going through a phase" or "I've had a break now so I can go back and have just one or two" The truth is, that's the disease of alcoholism trying to trick you into feeding it again. Ignore that voice. Eventually you will feel grateful and eventually you'll see the wonderful decision you made when you chose life over this drunken existence. I believe in you! I believe that you can choose better if you want it. If you don't have enough courage yourself today, then rely on my courage for you. Rely on your child's courage, your spouses courage, mother, father, friend, or your new sober friends' courage. Choose to lean on others for help. All you have to do is get up on your own two feet and walk into a meeting. That's it! They will help you learn the tools you need to learn to not drink. I'm sure there are other ways, but this is the way I did it and this is the way that I've seen work for generations! Go to AA Canada or AA World Services page to find the meeting in your area today. You are not too busy and I know that's what you're going to say next, because that's what I said. Just go and worry about the other junk later. Life can be better and I know because mine is! Look up AA in your phone book and call. There is a person just like you and me waiting to help you, because someone waited to help them. We give, because we were given to and it's that simple!
I am thankful and blessed to have stayed sober for another day! I am blown away that "just one more day" has accumulated itself to become 8 years. That's amazing!
0 comments:
Post a Comment