I was thinking about this statement “You only live once” and its many variations like “live a little”, that are usually the motivation people give for you to do something irresponsible, or to try something a bit dangerous, or to drink/use/whatever.
The statement is meant to justify that you only have a limited time on earth, and should experience everything, including things that are not necessarily good for you or healthy. Otherwise, you’ll regret/miss out/have no fun.
I came to the conclusion that BECAUSE I only live once, I don’t want to miss out on any more minutes, moments, experiences than I already have because I was numb to it or completely passed out. “Live a little” will never again be a justification to drink a lot.
Regret will be to have missed a precious minute of this miracle that is life itself. Every minute - good, bad, calm, frenzied, beautiful, dark, bright, big and small - is the most precious thing I have. It is a gift and should not be wasted.
I know this is a bit too phylosophical and out there - too much for a Wednesday
But just thought to share
Wishing you all a great day in your sobriety journey!
A wonderful share! I read somewhere, “you only die once…you live every day”. For me, some of what you said gets to that point…live each miracle, every day!
You would think that I had a lovely day, sharing all this today…but no, not really. It was a crappy day, but even a bad day had beauty in it. I found good humor and laughter with my husband at the end of an awful work day for us both. I called my parents to vent and heard good news. I took my dog for a walk…and that’s just it, taking her for a walk makes me happier
I could have shut out all the bad things (temporariky) but also all the good things if I was drinking. No more.
115 days strong, and hoping for many more to come
PS: I also dented my husband’s car. No silverlining on that one. But in the big scheme of things, one day we will fix it. Maybe.
could not agree more…every time I feel the slight pull of wanting a drink for whatever reason, I hear my calm heartbeat and think: “This heartbeat was not this steady and calm for a very long time. It took some time to get here. 115 days. Is one drink (or ten) worth it to throw this precious thing away?” And I respond to myself “No, it isn’t.”
Same here! The calmness of my heart is a big thing for me too. Especially now that we can monitor through smart watches and what not. The peace in sobriety I’m sure is the feeling so many are looking for. Glad we have found it.
What all this reminds me of is something I learned in Recovery Dharma…
Bad things, bad days happen…and that isnt why we suffer…we suffer because of how we react to them. We suffer because we are holding tightly on how things are “suppose” to be in our mind.
When I use to smoke I’d say we all have to die from something when people would ask why I didn’t quit. I’m glad I overcame that mentality and quit cause honestly lung cancer sounds like a terrible way to go.
Sorry to hear that I had the best of intentions, to drive his car around the block to make sure the battery was ok…and plopped the front bumper against a skinny tree as I parked Now a square piece on the side of the front bumper fell off and the car looks like it has a gap in its teeth!
@Runningfree@Dmcg1987 isn’t it nuts how when we are drinking/smoking/using we have this crazy idea that “living” is doing something that damages our bodies, jeopardizes our relationships, puts our lives in danger and erases moments and memories from our lives?
I’m not sure if it’s getting sober, getting older, or both, but I really cherish all my minutes and want to really live them without anything blurrying them