Another year. Another milestone.
Its just over three years ago that I found mwo at one of the lowest points of my life, when I got myself embroiled in an unseemly barroom brawl after getting punch-drunk. I still remember posting my first post here in a sorry state of gut-wrenching anxiety and panic, not knowing where to turn to and feeling out of my depth in real life.
That was the start of my sobriety ( except for a couple of inconsequential slips in the early days ) after close to two decades of living a life of self-deceit.
Another year has now gone by without much ado, smoke & drink-free. This post gives me a chance to reflect upon those bygone days and the way ahead for me. My previous posts always give me a reference point about my emotional states at different periods of time.
This third year of sobriety has been a different sort of experience for me. I had already done the heavy duty work - avoiding the triggers, getting over the physiological addiction if any etc. in the early stages itself. They sure were huge struggles. This year, the challenge has been to focus on pursuing life consciously, deliberately ( Walden has been a bedside companion ). I succeed but rarely in this effort but still, the struggle continues.
Reading, running, pranayama and a bit of volunteer work have been my saviours and have helped me in keeping from romanticizing the drink.
The challenge for me now is to keep moving ahead savoring the simple pleasures and challenges of life. During my drinking days, I had this uncanny penchant for getting embroiled in emotional dramas. That tendency seems to be on the wane now.
Coming over to mwo has been a bit different for me from most of the other members in one way. This has been my window to the outside world, having lived my whole life in a couple of two-camel towns. It has connected me to a wider world and made me realize that human emotions and struggles are largely the same across cultures.
And of course, special thanks to Angel who was the rock who stood by me, seeing me through the treacherous early days of sobriety.
I sincerely wish everyone who come here, a sober, happier life. It is heartening to see that there are a number of contemporaries at mwo leading the good, sober life. There are quite a few success stories here at mwo - slayers of the beast in the bottle.
Peace to all!
Its just over three years ago that I found mwo at one of the lowest points of my life, when I got myself embroiled in an unseemly barroom brawl after getting punch-drunk. I still remember posting my first post here in a sorry state of gut-wrenching anxiety and panic, not knowing where to turn to and feeling out of my depth in real life.
That was the start of my sobriety ( except for a couple of inconsequential slips in the early days ) after close to two decades of living a life of self-deceit.
Another year has now gone by without much ado, smoke & drink-free. This post gives me a chance to reflect upon those bygone days and the way ahead for me. My previous posts always give me a reference point about my emotional states at different periods of time.
This third year of sobriety has been a different sort of experience for me. I had already done the heavy duty work - avoiding the triggers, getting over the physiological addiction if any etc. in the early stages itself. They sure were huge struggles. This year, the challenge has been to focus on pursuing life consciously, deliberately ( Walden has been a bedside companion ). I succeed but rarely in this effort but still, the struggle continues.
Reading, running, pranayama and a bit of volunteer work have been my saviours and have helped me in keeping from romanticizing the drink.
The challenge for me now is to keep moving ahead savoring the simple pleasures and challenges of life. During my drinking days, I had this uncanny penchant for getting embroiled in emotional dramas. That tendency seems to be on the wane now.
Coming over to mwo has been a bit different for me from most of the other members in one way. This has been my window to the outside world, having lived my whole life in a couple of two-camel towns. It has connected me to a wider world and made me realize that human emotions and struggles are largely the same across cultures.
And of course, special thanks to Angel who was the rock who stood by me, seeing me through the treacherous early days of sobriety.
I sincerely wish everyone who come here, a sober, happier life. It is heartening to see that there are a number of contemporaries at mwo leading the good, sober life. There are quite a few success stories here at mwo - slayers of the beast in the bottle.
Peace to all!
ray:
Peace be with you D. Glad your doing fine......keep up the good work. Tony
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