Good morning everyone!
I just wanted to jump on and start a thread for the day. I don't have anything profound to start with, but it is always good to have a thread for the day. Gets the discussion going, at least. Gives people a place to "check in."
Speaking of checking in, today I am checking out of my hotel and going on a tour around the island of Oahu. They call it the Royal Circle Island Tour. The whole time I've been here (until last night's luau) I was here at the hotel or within 1/2 mile along the beach in front, so I wanted to get an idea of the lay of the land before I have to go. We are supposed to see rain forest, the famous North Shore beaches, pineapple and sugar plantations, the set of Jurassic Park, and more.
So, out of my experience here today, two thoughts come to mind related to my sobriety.
First, I am exploring new territory. When I was drinking, or even when I was trying to quit but not committed to staying sober, I was stuck in old familiar territory. I wasn't expanding my horizons. I knew where a drink would take me. It wasn't a good place, but at least I knew where it was. And even after I supposedly decided to abstain I would "slip" over and over and over again -- and why was that? Many reasons perhaps, but one of the reasons was that it kept me in familiar territory. I knew I was psychologically safe in the land of drink. Or the land of quitting drinking. I did not know what to expect on the other side. (Emotions, for one thing -- and how to deal with those??) Anyway, this trip to Hawaii and this tour of the island are symbolic to me of my newfound sobriety. Since I have made the commitment to stay sober long term, and have accepted the fact that drinking (including having slips) is simply NOT an option, I have found myself in truly undiscovered country. Sure, it is a little bit scary, but what isn't? It is also unbelievably beautiful.
The second thought that comes to mind is very simple. I just want to savor every moment of this sober life, just as I am this time on a tropical isle.
Blessings,
Mike
I just wanted to jump on and start a thread for the day. I don't have anything profound to start with, but it is always good to have a thread for the day. Gets the discussion going, at least. Gives people a place to "check in."
Speaking of checking in, today I am checking out of my hotel and going on a tour around the island of Oahu. They call it the Royal Circle Island Tour. The whole time I've been here (until last night's luau) I was here at the hotel or within 1/2 mile along the beach in front, so I wanted to get an idea of the lay of the land before I have to go. We are supposed to see rain forest, the famous North Shore beaches, pineapple and sugar plantations, the set of Jurassic Park, and more.
So, out of my experience here today, two thoughts come to mind related to my sobriety.
First, I am exploring new territory. When I was drinking, or even when I was trying to quit but not committed to staying sober, I was stuck in old familiar territory. I wasn't expanding my horizons. I knew where a drink would take me. It wasn't a good place, but at least I knew where it was. And even after I supposedly decided to abstain I would "slip" over and over and over again -- and why was that? Many reasons perhaps, but one of the reasons was that it kept me in familiar territory. I knew I was psychologically safe in the land of drink. Or the land of quitting drinking. I did not know what to expect on the other side. (Emotions, for one thing -- and how to deal with those??) Anyway, this trip to Hawaii and this tour of the island are symbolic to me of my newfound sobriety. Since I have made the commitment to stay sober long term, and have accepted the fact that drinking (including having slips) is simply NOT an option, I have found myself in truly undiscovered country. Sure, it is a little bit scary, but what isn't? It is also unbelievably beautiful.
The second thought that comes to mind is very simple. I just want to savor every moment of this sober life, just as I am this time on a tropical isle.
Blessings,
Mike
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