LIFE IS A LESSON; SOBRIETY IS A REWARD

Where to begin;

I’ve always been grateful and amazed for staying alive this long. Even in my 20’s I’d reflect back on the crazy or dangerous moments in my life and think of how lucky I was to have not become a statistic. Later in my 30’s and 40’s my recklessness with my life took an entire new level of danger and still, maybe there was an angel watching over me but I lived through it.

At this point, I’m convinced, LIFE IS A LESSON. Sobriety really opens up ones ability to reflect on our actions, interactions with this world, thoughts and general existence, values and ultimately our authenticity. If you’re reading this, like me you are probably leaning toward not drinking alcohol anymore. In my case I’m well over that line of consideration and I wish every other person who has ever been negatively impacted by alcohol in their life the ability to gain that clarify of appreciation for sobriety as well.

Recently, like yesterday a waitress served me an alcohol dosed beer when I asked for and NA, which I’ve learned to love. Its a place for another post but the carbs, sugar and hydration satisfy a lot of cravings we thought we needed booze for once upon a time. Anyways, the first few sips of the real beer were relatively un noticed, then I knew something was wrong about 3 ounces in. I felt that memorable gnawing sick feeling in my gut. That sick poisoned urge that was the first edge of being poisoned, calling out to me to take more, lots more and make it go away.

Needless to say, I was furious inside, but not outwardly as being a non drinker now, I was able to control my emotions and recognize the honest mistake of the server who was profusely apologetic and really got it.
The drink was replaced with one without booze and the sickness stayed for about 40 minutes, then it subsided and LEFT ANOTHER VALUABLE LIFE LESSON. In those small final minutes of making a choice, I chose, choose without question not to drink that poisonous liquid. We need to not give up in those final most important moments of life choices.

In Memory of Max Marin, a great man and mentor who once told me during training, “you’ve got a bad habit of giving up in the last few minutes Sparrow. We need to work on that”. We sure did.