Since December 15, 2005 the Earth has traveled almost all the way around the Sun: 584 million miles (940 million kilometers). It is almost back to the same exact position in its orbit as it was on that day one year ago. As I write this, it still has 1,608,000 miles to go before it completes its revolution and is in the exact same spot. What is so special about this mark in the Earth?s orbit? For one man, it is the spot in Earth?s orbit at which he took his last drink. This year, and every year as the Earth goes round the Sun, he will celebrate his rebirth.
This man in Tennessee was weak and tired this time last year. He was killing himself with booze and cigarettes. He didn?t know it yet, but he was coming down with a life-threatening case of pneumonia. All of the strength within him went unused.
A short while later, gasping for breath, he knew he had to make a choice: life or death. Continue with drinking and smoking, or live. His survival instinct kicked in and he decided to live.
As the Earth continued its journey around the Sun, this man started taking good care of himself. He ate good foods and took supplements. He read good books and meditated. He started exercising his tired body. At first all he could do was walk, but he did it. He pushed himself to do what he could, and when that became comfortable he pushed himself to do more.
As winter became spring and spring became summer, this man grew and bloomed just like the landscape around him. His body and spirit responded to the care they were getting for the first time and he felt like a new man. The better he felt, the more he wanted to do for himself. He started running and lifting weights. He felt like a teenager again.
Occasionally the monsters of alcohol and tobacco would come knocking at his door. He would beat them to a bloody pulp.
As summer became fall, the man started feeling tired. He wondered if he might be in dangerous territory again. He sought out a new source of strength, and met a group of people on a similar journey on a website called My Way Out.
From the fall and into the winter, this man shared his experience, strength and hope with his new friends at My Way Out. He gave them a fresh perspective and they learned from his journey, as he learned from theirs. He inspired and encouraged all those who read his story.
Now, as the sun approaches that same mark on its path, this man is a different man. He is stronger and wiser. He is happy to be alive. He is sharing that enthusiasm and vigor with others. His body and spirit glow, and his eyes have a spark of knowingness. He has been to the depths of despair and back. He knows that life is worth living, because he has made the conscious choice to do so.
We at My Way Out are forever grateful that you made that choice, Neil, and that you came here to share part of your journey with us.
This man in Tennessee was weak and tired this time last year. He was killing himself with booze and cigarettes. He didn?t know it yet, but he was coming down with a life-threatening case of pneumonia. All of the strength within him went unused.
A short while later, gasping for breath, he knew he had to make a choice: life or death. Continue with drinking and smoking, or live. His survival instinct kicked in and he decided to live.
As the Earth continued its journey around the Sun, this man started taking good care of himself. He ate good foods and took supplements. He read good books and meditated. He started exercising his tired body. At first all he could do was walk, but he did it. He pushed himself to do what he could, and when that became comfortable he pushed himself to do more.
As winter became spring and spring became summer, this man grew and bloomed just like the landscape around him. His body and spirit responded to the care they were getting for the first time and he felt like a new man. The better he felt, the more he wanted to do for himself. He started running and lifting weights. He felt like a teenager again.
Occasionally the monsters of alcohol and tobacco would come knocking at his door. He would beat them to a bloody pulp.
As summer became fall, the man started feeling tired. He wondered if he might be in dangerous territory again. He sought out a new source of strength, and met a group of people on a similar journey on a website called My Way Out.
From the fall and into the winter, this man shared his experience, strength and hope with his new friends at My Way Out. He gave them a fresh perspective and they learned from his journey, as he learned from theirs. He inspired and encouraged all those who read his story.
Now, as the sun approaches that same mark on its path, this man is a different man. He is stronger and wiser. He is happy to be alive. He is sharing that enthusiasm and vigor with others. His body and spirit glow, and his eyes have a spark of knowingness. He has been to the depths of despair and back. He knows that life is worth living, because he has made the conscious choice to do so.
We at My Way Out are forever grateful that you made that choice, Neil, and that you came here to share part of your journey with us.
Comment