steve-in-kville

I've had it. Its a long story, some I've posted about here on SR in times past. I'm just tired of people in general. Tired of organized religion. I've had my fill of folks that think they know what this is all about. Think they are the experts on addiction... trying to tell me how I haven't "truly repented", etc.

Time to become a hippie, a sober one, but a hippie none the less. Follow my own agenda, my own rules. Time to stop caring what society has to say about it. Stay sober for me and my family, no one else.

I've had it. I've already left beard grow out.

ChloeRose63

Peace

ScottFromWI

Nothing wrong with marching to to the beat of your own drum Steve.

steve-in-kville

That's the gist I've been getting. I never fit molds very well.

ScottFromWI

So break the mold. Or only use the parts that fit.

entropy1964

Right on maaaannnnn! Haha. The other day my daughter and I were moving around furniture and my daughter said my decor is 'eclectic hippie' and I thought 'really?'. I objected because I was a punk in the late 70's/early 80's and we pretty much rebelled against anything we thought was hippie and PLH. Obviously that was light years ago but I have never identified as a hippie. She says "mom, you have a glow in the dark tapestry in your bedroom, a prayer rug, candles and incense everywhere, yoga and tai chi stuff everywhere, and you're reading Autobiography of a Yogi'. I had to laugh. Now I am by no means anything close to a hippie but she does have a point.

And the Paramahansa Yogananda is pretty amazing so start there . And the chapter to the Agnostics from the big book. It's a God of YOUR understanding. I wonder if Bill W met the Yogananda? Wouldn't surprise me.

steve-in-kville

Or make my own mold!!

ScottFromWI

That would work too, someone has to make them in the first place.

There are some features that have to be used in all molds though. For example, no alcohol can ever be involved my life... no matter how hard I try to fit into that one!

JeffreyAK

Lot of us followed our own path, and in my case I followed it aggressively - get out of my way, I'm going this way and I'm sick and tired of the rest of ya all getting in my way. My favorite counselor in outpatient called me "very stubborn", and she was right, but it worked for me because of who I am, which is not what some people wanted to mold me into. The tip about taking what works is a great one, though - no "program" worked for me, but none were worthless either, they all have useful bits that you can borrow without necessarily buying into everything.

Maudcat

Is this about church, Steve? Things not going well with the new congregation? If so, sorry.

zjw

Careful with where you live and the beard they might think your one of them lol. I got my beard going now myself I look like a homeless guy and I'm proud of it but I have also been asked if I'm Amish hahaha.

That in mind with where you live and work keep in mind some the repent stuff you might be hearing could be from the extreme end of the spectrum not everyone's bad and some folks mean well all be it misguided at times or off the mark per say but till someone walks in your shoes how are the support to know just gotta filter the advice.

All that being said I'm with ya I'm always game to be left tf alone lol

BrendaChenowyth

Please don't let a few people that come on too strong shade your opinions of "organized religion". Religion isn't the problem, it's them. We want to try not to paint groups of people with the same brush because that breeds hate and it's not good for us to carry that around. Attribute personality traits to persons.. It's really hard to hear that sort of thing, as a Christian, because it is all about love.. unfortunately, there are people who call themselves Christians who don't live from that..

Edit: You have been going to church? What type of church?

Outonthetiles

In a way, sobriety has helped me become more individualistic/hippie-like. Now that I'm recovering, I'm able to be a lot more honest about my life and in my dealings with people. I would say that's part of the hippie ideal.

PhoenixJ

Be safe- for you and your family. Being a hippie is as you say- more a spiritual thing- not wearing fab 60's clothes and driving a combi with flowers painted on it. Changes in lifestyle can be started with high emotional drive- a possible trigger. Yes, you cannot change the world- just be careful in changing yourself and those you love.

aasharon90

I'm a 58 baby and wish I had been older
to enjoy the hippy era of course without
the all those trippin drugs for sure.

I like the freedom feeling today with remaining
sober for 26yrs. Now I just need me a huge metal
peace sign to hang amongst all my flowers growing
in my backyard gardens. Wear flowers in my hair,
drive a Vokswagon beetle, say groovy, peace out,
and all that comes with chillin out.

More of a spiritual feeling running thru
my entire body from head to toe, then
spread it around to all my brothers and
sisters.

Hang in there and feel the joy and peace
inside you each day you travel along your
road of life passin it on.

FBL

How about just being yourself? Works for me.

SnazzyDresser

I'm more the hipster doofus type, me and Kramer.

Timebuster

You either currently have dreadlocks, have had dreadlocks, or have seriously considered getting dreadlocks only then are you considered a hippie LOL

TB

steve-in-kville

Not really.

steve-in-kville

That's the best way to sum it up. I think I'm trying too hard to suit someone else.

Thanks for all the replies!!