Last year I decided to quit drinking. I had no idea what was going to come in the year ahead. Hell if I had, I might not have quit. I lost my dog Fats, my father passed away, car got broke into and had $3k worth of equipment stolen and my Jeep died on me. . . . . But I am glad I didnt know all that, because if I hadnt made that decision, I would be looking back on this year as a disaster and not one of the best years I have had in a long time. This year hasnt been about learning how to not drink, its been about learning how to not be so selfish. Its been about learning to put others needs before my own and most importantly its been about learning to let go. I am still a work in progress, but I like the person I see in the mirror. Do I miss drinking? Yeah there are certain aspects to it that I miss, the thought of having a nice three finger scotch at a happy hour with friends has a romantic notion to it, but I remember that it is just that, a romantic notion. The reality is I wouldnt trade the person I am today for any romantic ideal. I know that each day is a new day, and in that day I make a choice to put others before me. Some days I do a better job than others. But if I had to loose Fats, a Jeep, a laptop and other equipment and go through a funeral with family to get here, then it was the price of admission to getting to this point. I am no saint, just in the midst of progress, but I am happy with where I am at today. For those who have been there for me along the way thank you!! For those who have understood my distance as I make my way through this last year, thank you for understanding. The reality of this year is I have far more today than I did starting this year out. I was given a gift of seeing my father through the eyes of those who knew him better in his last few years; saw their respect for him and love. That is a true gift that, in and of itself, is more than the rest I have gained. Materially I recouped my losses and ended the year out of debt (with the exception of a new found Jeep payment), but hey I have a kick ass Jeep now. ;) I managed to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, visit the ancient Moai statues of Rapa Nui (Easter Island) and stand among them with just the stars above to light their mysterious faces. I was able to travel to Myanmar and gain a new appreciation for an amazing people there and fall in love with a new country and people in Vietnam. And a toper to my year was to take a rescue of Fats real brother Jackson who needed a new home. So this year hasnt been about not drinking, its been about learning to let go and being open to things you couldnt imagine when you do. So when I think of all I have gained . . . that three finger shot of scotch doesnt even compare.
Posted on: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 07:48:36 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015