Greetings all. Today I celebrate 6 years of sobriety, getting better at getting better, each and every day. Better today than I was yesterday, and tomorrow…better still.
Even though I’m not nearly as active here as I once was, I do check the messages almost daily. Maybe I leave a like or 2, or post a short comment. I figure I’ve said pretty much all that I have to say on the subject of sobriety.
It’s still a simple matter of saying “no” to the drink that matters…the first drink, and doing this 100% of the time.
My disease is in remission and keeping it there is 100% within my control. I only have to say “no” to one drink, 100% of the time.
I don’t consider myself a “recovering alcoholic”. I am a non-drinker. I won’t drink, because I don’t drink.
Now, I’m not a fool. I know that with a single drink, all bets are off. I might be able to moderate for a time, but experience as taught me that I were I to drink, I’d most likely be right back to it. I was right on the edge of the abyss 6 years ago. Never again.
All I have to do is hug my wife, and I know that giving up alcohol was addition through subtraction. Subtract alcohol, gain everything.
It’s never been complicated for me. Not saying it was easy in those first days and weeks, but it’s aways been a simple: don’t drink. Not even one. Not ever.
And life has been great these last six years. I saved my marriage. I found the martial arts. I earned black belt rank. I changed careers and became an instructor. I built strong relationships with my kids. I manage a martial arts school. I bought a mountain top.
And a bunch of folks here helped me do all these things. They helped with early encouragement, sharing their own experiences and victories large and small. I wouldn’t be here today without the love and support of my family and this community.
God bless you all.
