Monthly Archives: December 2016

The Wasted Years - I don't have to live that way anymore

24 Hours at a Time

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A new year is about to begin and many resolutions will be made. As far as my sobriety goes I care to just look at it one day at a time. I feel with prayer and conscious contact during the day with God, and by his grace, I can stay sober  for the day. I have heard it said that since ones future is uncertain, it makes sense to commit to staying sober for a 24 hour period rather than overwhelming  oneself’s  with thoughts the future. This helps me to stay focused on the gift of sobriety as my number one daily resolution. I may make some resolutions or set goals for the new year but they will take a back seat in my effort to remain clean and sober. Over the last 13 years this approach has worked for me and other recovered alcoholics as I have heard. Please join me and countless others in making a daily resolution to stay sober. I feel it will be the best resolution of all.

To those still suffering from the disease of alcoholism and desperately want to get and stay sober, my wish is that you can find a resource, whether it be Rehabilitation, Alcoholics Anonymous, Clergy , Counseling or a combination of them or any avenue that can get you clean and on your way to a life of joy and happiness, free from the chains of alcoholism that bound you. I am confident you can do it and I pray for all those still suffering.

Thank You for reading and feel free to make and comments, that can help alcoholics trapped in the cycle of addiction, get free. God Bless and have a Happy New Year.

 

Courage and Strength

Holiday Joy

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Spending time with my family over the Christmas holiday is a very special time for me in sobriety. I live 1500 miles apart from my sons and grandchildren so seeing them is the highlight of my year. However, that was not always the case. For most of my drinking years I only lived less than 40 miles away.  I would somehow, intoxicated no less, try to see them over Christmas, forgetting what the holiday really celebrated, and try to give them gifts that I could not afford in attempts to make up for all the lost times when I choose the bottle over picking them up for a weekend stay or just taken them down to the park.  Over the years  my only thoughts were how soon and frequent I could get alcohol down my throat rather than caring for my young children. I could only be described as nothing less than a deadbeat and very selfish person.

The last thirteen years of sobriety have been a work in progress in terms of rebuilding relationships with my children and family members. I have made sincere amends with those I wronged in the past and hopefully they have been accepted. These days I talk to my sons often even though we are still many miles away from each other.  I have a good relationship with there mother. Incidentally she was the only person there for me when I was near death as a suicidal alcoholic even though our past relationship was very volitile and destructive because of me. I will not forget that. I know she was there for the sake of my sons and I am eternally grateful.

Why am I telling you all of this? I want those alcoholics that are suffering from the disease, those in early recovery and even those with a few years under their belt may see that you can make up, to some degree, the irresponsible, destructive  behavior and mistakes of the past that may be plaguing you. I say make a sincere promise to get and stay sober so relationships can be mended. Let God lead you to a different and wonderful life filled with happiness and joy.

I have also shared this post with you for my  own selfish reasons. It is very important that when I recall the past I must realize that I was sick however I am just one drink from becoming that person again. I must guard taking that drink with my life.

God willing I hope that I can spend many more years with my family. For those who celebrate Christmas, and for those who don’t,  may God bless you over the holiday season.

God

“But for the Grace of God, there I go”

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“But for the Grace of God, there I go”.  I recently encountered a  situation where I reminded myself of this passage. It was  on Thanksgiving day, celebrated here in the U.S.,  that I encountered what appeared to be an intoxicated man. I was in a convenient store buying my customary Diet Pepsi cola when a man lined up, at the cashier’s station, to my left side. He was a thin man dressed in soiled clothing with his head hanging low while he awaited his turn to pay.  He was purchasing  three beers at about 8 am.  After paying I returned to my truck and he shortly followed. He was driving a vehicle that did not appear to be in good order as it sit with the wheels over line of the marked parking place. As I stared over at him I remembered the passage above and how I must always remember it. It has been a number of years now but I remember vividly the times when I was purchasing  and consuming alcohol early in the morning  to quiet my nerves in order just to function. My head was always hung low and my vehicle was always on the brink of not working. I am grateful that God was with me at those times of great despair and destruction in my life. I must always remember that passage and realize that I am just one drink away from being that person I encountered that morning. I don’t know that mans story but if he is a suffering soul as was I,  may he allow  God to carry him to sobriety, if he so chooses. I will always try to remember that “But for the Grace of God, there I go”.  and that it applies to any situation or person I encounter from the desolate person to the well dressed ones suffering from the disease of Alcoholism.  God I pray for your help in getting those who wish for a better life and sobriety as well as the persons not ready or willing to accept your hand to somehow desire to change. I am grateful that you were there for me in my time of desperation even though I didn’t know it.  God bless all those suffering souls out there and my wish for them is to find sobriety and peace.

Thank you for allowing me to share my experience and feel free to comment and post your thoughts.