Life is Hard
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 7,910
Life is Hard
(Don't know what possessed me to write this, but if it helps someone......why not, right? I mentioned this concept once before on SR, but found myself thinking about it again this morning.......)
There's a great book I read quite some time ago (The Road Less Traveled) and the opening sentence is "Life is Hard." It goes on to say that once we accept this, the burden seems much lighter. We're not alone - life is hard for everyone.
For alcoholics, the choice seems to be: what kind of "life is hard" do we want? Whether we're sober or drinking, life will be a challenge. There is no such thing as an easy way out. We bought into the idea that we could do it the easy way and have paid ten-fold. Don't believe the voice that tells you momentary relief is worth the agony of consequences.
Sobriety may be hard, but at least it's real. It's true to life. It means growing instead of retreating. You get to trade something that is mind-numbing with bits of joy, and satisfaction with a job well done. With alcohol, "life is hard" means suffering. With sobriety it means striving. It's about overcoming and gaining freedom instead of living with lies and pain. It's a matter of quality.
Once you admit your problem, you've already taken the first (sometimes the hardest) step. Facing our fear of change is a huge accomplishment in itself.
Hindsight is always 20/20 of course, and just like others I couldn't see the forest for the trees...... But I can assure anyone who's out there, you won't regret giving sobriety a chance. Life will never be easy, but in the end I want to affirm that it was a "job well done."
YOU CAN DO IT.....................................
There's a great book I read quite some time ago (The Road Less Traveled) and the opening sentence is "Life is Hard." It goes on to say that once we accept this, the burden seems much lighter. We're not alone - life is hard for everyone.
For alcoholics, the choice seems to be: what kind of "life is hard" do we want? Whether we're sober or drinking, life will be a challenge. There is no such thing as an easy way out. We bought into the idea that we could do it the easy way and have paid ten-fold. Don't believe the voice that tells you momentary relief is worth the agony of consequences.
Sobriety may be hard, but at least it's real. It's true to life. It means growing instead of retreating. You get to trade something that is mind-numbing with bits of joy, and satisfaction with a job well done. With alcohol, "life is hard" means suffering. With sobriety it means striving. It's about overcoming and gaining freedom instead of living with lies and pain. It's a matter of quality.
Once you admit your problem, you've already taken the first (sometimes the hardest) step. Facing our fear of change is a huge accomplishment in itself.
Hindsight is always 20/20 of course, and just like others I couldn't see the forest for the trees...... But I can assure anyone who's out there, you won't regret giving sobriety a chance. Life will never be easy, but in the end I want to affirm that it was a "job well done."
YOU CAN DO IT.....................................
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Chicago
Posts: 166
Originally Posted by artsoul 
(Don't know what possessed me to write this, but if it helps someone......why not, right? I mentioned this concept once before on SR, but found myself thinking about it again this morning.......)
There's a great book I read quite some time ago (The Road Less Traveled) and the opening sentence is "Life is Hard." It goes on to say that once we accept this, the burden seems much lighter. We're not alone - life is hard for everyone.
For alcoholics, the choice seems to be: what kind of "life is hard" do we want? Whether we're sober or drinking, life will be a challenge. There is no such thing as an easy way out. We bought into the idea that we could do it the easy way and have paid ten-fold. Don't believe the voice that tells you momentary relief is worth the agony of consequences.
Sobriety may be hard, but at least it's real. It's true to life. It means growing instead of retreating. You get to trade something that is mind-numbing with bits of joy, and satisfaction with a job well done. With alcohol, "life is hard" means suffering. With sobriety it means striving. It's about overcoming and gaining freedom instead of living with lies and pain. It's a matter of quality.
Once you admit your problem, you've already taken the first (sometimes the hardest) step. Facing our fear of change is a huge accomplishment in itself.
Hindsight is always 20/20 of course, and just like others I couldn't see the forest for the trees...... But I can assure anyone who's out there, you won't regret giving sobriety a chance. Life will never be easy, but in the end I want to affirm that it was a "job well done."
YOU CAN DO IT.....................................
There's a great book I read quite some time ago (The Road Less Traveled) and the opening sentence is "Life is Hard." It goes on to say that once we accept this, the burden seems much lighter. We're not alone - life is hard for everyone.
For alcoholics, the choice seems to be: what kind of "life is hard" do we want? Whether we're sober or drinking, life will be a challenge. There is no such thing as an easy way out. We bought into the idea that we could do it the easy way and have paid ten-fold. Don't believe the voice that tells you momentary relief is worth the agony of consequences.
Sobriety may be hard, but at least it's real. It's true to life. It means growing instead of retreating. You get to trade something that is mind-numbing with bits of joy, and satisfaction with a job well done. With alcohol, "life is hard" means suffering. With sobriety it means striving. It's about overcoming and gaining freedom instead of living with lies and pain. It's a matter of quality.
Once you admit your problem, you've already taken the first (sometimes the hardest) step. Facing our fear of change is a huge accomplishment in itself.
Hindsight is always 20/20 of course, and just like others I couldn't see the forest for the trees...... But I can assure anyone who's out there, you won't regret giving sobriety a chance. Life will never be easy, but in the end I want to affirm that it was a "job well done."
YOU CAN DO IT.....................................
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: NJ
Posts: 20,458
I actually find my life to be much easier in sobriety....i used to make many of my own problems due to drinking and over drinking.
I have never regretted stopping..I don't miss the hangovers, depression or sense of sadness.
I have never regretted stopping..I don't miss the hangovers, depression or sense of sadness.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Baghdad
Posts: 2,822
Originally Posted by CarolD
I kinda remember the author is M. Scott Peck?
If so....he wrote several books and his life was interesting.
If so....he wrote several books and his life was interesting.
Gin, cigarettes, women: I'm a prophet, not a saint - Times Online
Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 426
Originally Posted by Fandy
I actually find my life to be much easier in sobriety....i used to make many of my own problems due to drinking and over drinking.
I have never regretted stopping..I don't miss the hangovers, depression or sense of sadness.
I have never regretted stopping..I don't miss the hangovers, depression or sense of sadness.
great post !
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Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: SE Michigan
Posts: 1,066
Originally Posted by artsoul
Sobriety may be hard, but at least it's real. It's true to life. It means growing instead of retreating. You get to trade something that is mind-numbing with bits of joy, and satisfaction with a job well done. With alcohol, "life is hard" means suffering. With sobriety it means striving. It's about overcoming and gaining freedom instead of living with lies and pain. It's a matter of quality.
YOU CAN DO IT.....................................
YOU CAN DO IT.....................................
Sunny Side Up
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Sth Australia
Posts: 3,802
Artsoul, I also read the book (The Road Less Travelled, Scott Peck) quite some years ago too. It changed my whole life and my way of thinking. There is also another great book I read sometime ago too. (Why Me, Why This, Why Now? by Robin Norwood)
It helps ask some of lifes toughest questions.
JJ
It helps ask some of lifes toughest questions.
JJ
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