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Staying Sober Today

Daily Resolutions

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It’s the last day of the calendar year 2017 and many things have impacted my life. Some events not so good and others for the better. This past year has had visits with distant family and unfortunate deaths of close family members and friends. As I have often reiterated in previous posts, I did not have to take a drink over the good or the bad times. It’s by the Grace of God and  for that I am grateful.

As I reflect over the past year, and of my sober years previous, I have indeed seen growth in myself. I have been able to improve my conscience contact with God throughout the day with increased prayer. What a wonderful feeling to be able to reach out at anytime, no matter what is going on, and take just a minute to express thanks or ask for guidance over any particular issue at the time. This is a very strong force in my life now. Now as a newly sober person some 15 years ago I was not even close to having this relationship with God. It took time and dedication in prayer, I believe, to get where I am at mentally and spiritually these days. I know if it worked for me and  it can also happen for any alcoholic whether suffering, in early recovery or having been recovered from alcoholism.

Now there have been many instances over the past year that I needed improvement over. My personal relationships with family and friends could have been better and have occurred more often. I know that I have neglected some people and have distanced myself from others. This indeed is a character defect as they say. The acknowledgement of this however is positive. As a recovered alcoholic I should be “giving” in more of my actions than just seeing what is in it for me. I am going to work on being more emotionally available for some and give my utmost self to family and friends. I want to know that in some small way I am making a difference in someone’s life. I will make these resolutions on a daily basis in the coming year. I have heard it said and I think it is important to mention that for this alcoholic every day can be a new year’s day. You see I always have the opportunity to better myself the next day. Amends may have to be made and good living can be improved. So, for myself, I will not make a new year’s resolution based on the calendar year but rather make a new resolution every new day of the year. I  live one day at a time so it would not make sense for me to over extend  my abilities to be a good person by proclaiming unrealistic expectations for myself. My hope is that all alcoholics can live one day at a time and find their opportunities to be a better person. By the Grace of God I am willing and will try to do so for myself and people around me. It never hurts to be a good person to stranger or those that cross our paths from time to time as well. That will be my resolution for today.

I pray for those are suffering this holiday season. My wish is that they may find God and meet a lot of good people who may assist them in getting and staying sober. I am proof as well as all the other once suffering alcoholics who have now found a new way of living and thinking. What a blessing. For those suffering now it will take the hardest  work of your life, but you can do it. You are worth it. May God place sobriety into your life to.

Thank you for reading this post. Please feel to join in with your comments or life experience.  I believe it t could help save someones life. God bless you!

 

 

 

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.