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[Hippyman]

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How are ya doing today?

[beherenow]

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Day 5

Hippyman, doing alright, up to this point. As you rightly pointed out, it is necessary to constantly strengthen our resolve with all tools available. Already two readers have talked of reading Ram Dass's Be Here Now and also finding it interesting. Maybe one day I should attempt to review the book on the Reading section. I personally found it very profound with the basic truth of non-duality resonating with me.

Runningcourage, appreciate your thoughts on the benefits of daily journaling here. It is true that this is a cozy corner where I can put my swirling, sometimes incoherent thoughts and emotions down and give a better structure to my thinking. This can also keep a meaningful conversation going with like-minded people who have/ are experiencing the same inner struggle. I expect this daily blog to strengthen my resolve on a daily basis.

In fact, there was a minor threat on Day 4 - a party in the evening. Knew that there would be free-flowing booze and food. Had to wrestle with the temptation of joining the party, but thankfully, overcome the urge. A minor victory.

Again the weekend is coming, so I better be on my guard.

Have a nice day all!

[beherenow]

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Day 7

Closing in on a week being alcohol-free.

The weekend turned out to be good. Saturday, was asked by a friend to pair up to play in a local badminton tournament. We played a match in the evening and won. Felt good that my skills weren't too rusty. Sunday evening, played another couple of matches - won one and lost the final. Met a couple of ex-international players, whose fitness level and racquet skills even in their late-50's were amazing! That kept me really busy and left me with no thought of booze. Today, feeling sore with the exertions but feeling satisfied. There are very few things in life that truly lift our spirits up as well as competitive sport.

Start of the second week. Have to guard myself and my thinking in the evenings.

Today read a lot of back posts at MWO. There are a number of inspirational stories - of people who have turned their lives around - here. Great inspiration.

[ThreeDogNight]

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Congratulations, Beherenow!! Great job on seven days. It really is one day at a time for all of us. Keep posting. I think it's a great idea to keep yourself accountable.
:lTDN

[beherenow]

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Day 8

ThreeDogNight;1440009 wrote: Congratulations, Beherenow!! Great job on seven days. It really is one day at a time for all of us. Keep posting. I think it's a great idea to keep yourself accountable.
:lTDN

Yes, TDN, shall be posting daily, even if it were a few lines of gibberish.

Yesterday evening, spent time watching a documentary with the family. By now it is very clear that I only drink in the evenings and getting myself busy during those hours is important.

I also have started my run/walk regularly. My mind seems to be a lot calmer and still when I get my morning dose of exercise in.

have a great day all!

[cpn1004]

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BeHereNow,
It truly does get better and better with each day.

[K9Lover]

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Overit44;1433702 wrote: . At this moment in time I am using a crutch called Antabuse. It make you deathly ill if you drink while it is in your system.

It's not a crutch...it's a TOOL...use it.

How are you today Beherenow? Day 9?

[beherenow]

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day 10

Cpn & K9! Thanks, I am doing fine. And day 9 safely negotiated.

Started exercising vigorously in the morning. Yesterday, hit the gym for a 40 minute cardio session on the treadmill, exercycle and the elliptical. Because of the sobriety and the exercise, been sleeping like a log for 7-8 hours- blissful, undisturbed sleep. When drinking, sleep was never restful.

Today started the day with a run/walk of 40 minutes.

To protect this stretch of sobriety, I need to take care of my evenings. Boredom and sudden cravings generally prod me to drinking. So, every evening, I shall try to fit in some positive activity or the other.

Have a nice day, all!

[beherenow]

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day 11

Okay, day 10 was a breeze. Spending time in the evening teaching a bit of math.

Great start for the day. A good 40 minute cardio workout at the gym and then elaborate stretching. Feeling a renewed sense of physical and mental energy.

Started reading a great book 'The Power of Full Engagement' by Jim Loehr & Tony Schwartz. For me the introduction itself was a revelation. The basic argument is that managing our energy, not time, is of primary importance. Great insight. This full engagement - flow, being in the zone, call it what you will - is what we keep seeking again and again. Our drinking probably is also mostly that futile search to keep finding the pleasure that the activity gave us during the early days.

Have a great day all!

[beherenow]

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day 12

Okay, doing alright till this point.

Today, spent a lot of time reading back posts. Tracing the evolution/progression of some of the longtimers here is very instructive and fascinating. Spent reading and re-reading the posts by Abouttimetoo which were truly inspirational. Her journey is something which really touched me to the core. Her determination and resolve are simply amazing.

Same goes with the posts of xtexan. He has so eloquently documented various stages of his journey. One could literally feel the growth in his spirit that was happening over time.

I am sure there are many such personal journeys here which can prove to be instructive to us.

One observation that I have is that regular posts here documenting our journey, seem to enable people to approach and attain long-term sobriety. The very act of formulating our vague thoughts into words, seem to help our resolve and determination.
In fact, this is how I quit smoking about three years ago - started posting daily on a quit-smoking website for a whole month and then periodically, documented my journey over time. The discipline helped me in staying nicotine - free up to this point.

For me, I think I have taken care of the weekend worry. For the next two days, I will be partcipating in another veterans' Badminton tournament and that will take care of the evenings. Hope to do well reasonably well.

All the best to everybody for the weekend!

[kuya]

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Well done on 12 days, that is awesome and you are through the physical withdrawals.

You mentioned reading posts, also read long timers stories, they are inspiring.

I am four plus months and it is now very easy, in fact I would have to actively decide to drink rather than a bad day pushing me too far. I never want to drink alcohol again and will do everything it takes in my life to achieve it.

Being sober is WONDERFUL . Keep working towards that one day at a time

[Hippyman]

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Reading alot helps me. I can feel how bad others feel when the relapse and that's enough for me to strengthen my resolve!

[beherenow]

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day 14

Kuya, Hippyman...Thanks for chipping in with words of wisdom. The very thought that others are also following my journey and rooting for my success is a tremendous motivator.

For me, thankfully, physical withdrawals have not been a problem. I have earlier stayed away from booze for an extended period stretching into a couple of years. So, this attempt to stay away from drinking is probably a final push to banish alcohol from my life forever. But I also know that this mountain has to be crossed one day at a time.

The last two days have been normal. Kept myself busy in the evenings playing badminton and teaching math. Also my morning exercise sessions are continuing which always leave me refreshed. They aid in putting negative thoughts out of my mind.

Have a great day all!

[RunningCourage]

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Hi Beherenow,

REALLY good to see you working through this and building up the AF days. You seem to have a good strategy going - keeping yourself accountable with this thread, exercising and reading posts at MWO.

Keep trucking - it is a great inspiration for others too

RC

[beherenow]

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Day 15

RunningCourage;1443606 wrote: REALLY good to see you working through this and building up the AF days. You seem to have a good strategy going - keeping yourself accountable with this thread, exercising and reading posts at MWO.


RC

Yes, RunningCourage. That's about my plan - journal here, exercise, reading and staying away from potential threatening situations like parties, restaurant visits and the like. Your thread is also a wonderful one, and you have a way with words. I am keenly following your journey.

Two sober weeks and they have been generally good. For one reason or the other, I have tended to avoid social situations where there is a lurking danger of alcohol. Have kept myself busy doing better, productive things.

Plan to continue in the same way for the next 10 days.

As I was driving down to work, saw this huge billboard shouting 'Sit back and relax while everyone is losing their head' ( or words to that effect ). An ad for 'Black Dog' whisky. How many such pernicious messages conviced us consciously and unconsciously about the glamour and power of alcohol! It helps when I stay with mwo with like-minded friends in fighting these subconscious messages. As someone so wisely said ' Marketing is lies'.

Have a great day all!