NYCGirl

I was up later than I have been, I was reading here and from out the blue a verse from this song I remeber from when I was a kid popped in my head

I've looked at life from both sides now,
from win and lose, and still somehow
it's life's illusions I recall.
I really don't know life at all.


So I looked it up to get all the words an began to cry. I suddenly realized that I have spent my entire adult life buzzed, drunk or waiting to be buzzed or drunk and because of all that "I really don't know life at all".

I feel like I have just begun to really live and know life.

Time2Surrender

Me too.

BLackshirt

Sounds familiar to me too.

best

Your not alone in your quest.

King Solomon... who is said to the the wisest man that ever lived wrote 12 chapters on the subject. They may be found in the book of Ecclesiastes in the bible. He looked at life from all sides now from win and lose, and still somehow
it's life's illusions he recalled.
Dust in the wind, all we are is dust in the wind (words from another song)
and yet another song that is filled with words that Solomon spoke many years ago...
To every thing, turn, turn, turn,
There is a season, turn, turn,turn,
And a time to every purpose under heaven

A time to be born, a time to die
A time to plant, a time to reap
A time to kill, a time to heal
A time to laugh, a time to weep...
By The Byrds (inspired by Solomon's words)

and when Solomon finished his quest of looking at all things from all sides
This was his final conclusion on things...

Ecclesiastes 12:13

Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man.

CarolD

For me... exploring life in sobriety is infintely fascinating!!

Recovery Rocks!

I'mready99

I feel the exact same way. I am in my mid 50's and have spent almost my entire life trying to alter my mind...

But you know what, I feel my best days are ahead of me, and I'm going to do the best I can to live like I should have lived the last 40 years...

One day at a time.

Steve

Rusty Zipper

NYCG... i'm right there w/steve, and many others... 50 + ish... sobriety affords me the chance, and its my choice to learn about life now...

the line.. "restored to sanity"... a greatful work in progress.

NYCG... explore your new life!

all good wishes..........................xxoo, rz

NYCGirl

Yep, I am in my mid 40's and have been there done that too.

I guess I can can look at it as one phase (experience) of my life and now I am entering the next phase.

Best-- of course I recognize Kansas - heard them at the Paladium on 14th St in the late 70's

Thanks for the uplifting replies. I presume as I travel on this journey of sobriety my eyes will open to new realities everyday.

Slowly the fog is lifting.

Jersey Nonny

Since we're waxing poetic and musical...I've always liked this one by Chicago:

As I was walking down the street one day
A man came up to me and asked me what the time was that was
on my watch, yeah
And I said
Does anybody really know what time it is
I don't
Does anybody really care
If so I can't imagine why
about time
We've all got time enough to cry
Oh no, no


And I was walking down the street one day
A pretty lady looked at me and said her diamond watch had
stopped cold, yeah
And I said
Does anybody really know what time it is
I don't
Does anybody really care
If so I can't imagine why
about time
We've all got time enough to cry
Oh no, no


And I was walking down the street one day
Being pushed and shoved by people trying to beat the clock,
oh no, I just don't know,
I just don't know
And I said, yes I said


Background Vocal:
People runnin' everywhere
Don't know the way to go
Don't know where I am
Can't see past the next step
Don't have to think past the last mile
Have no time to look around
Just run around, run around and think why


Does anybody really know what time it is
I don't
Does anybody really care
If so I can't imagine why
about time
We've all got time enough to die
Oh no, no

And, then there's Sinatra's point of view:

I'm gonna live till I die! I'm gonna laugh 'stead of cry,
I'm gonna take the town and turn it upside down,
I'm gonna live, live, live until I die.
They're gonna say "What a guy!" I'm gonna play for the sky.
Ain't gonna miss a thing, I'm gonna have my fling,
I'm gonna live, live, live until I die.
The blues I lay low, I'll make them stay low,
They'll never trail over my head.
I'll be a devil, till I'm an angel, but until then.
Hallelujah, gonna dance, gonna fly, I'll take a chance riding high,
Before my number's up, I'm gonna fill my cup,
I'm gonna live, live, live, until I die!
The blues I lay low.

(Wait until you're my age, NYC, and realize the more you think you know about life, the more you know there is to learn.)

NYCGirl

"(Wait until you're my age, NYC, and realize the more you think you know about life, the more you know there is to learn.)"

I can see that now, know matter how much I think I know I know I will be done learning.

If I am doing the math right you were somewhere around my age when you became sober. It's good to know there is still time for me too.


This lyrick has always echoed in my mind and the older I get the truer it becomes.

Pink Floyd ... Shorter of breath and one day closer to death. Every year is getting shorter never seem to find the time.

Sugah

Time that could never be recovered was my greatest regret in recovery, then it occurred to me: the more time I spent regretting, the more I was wasting the moment in front of me.

It's all going to be okay. Every one of those experiences, remembered or hazy, will be of value to someone, someday. And most of them will be of value to you.

I don't know diddly, but I'm taking notes.

Peace & Love,
Sugah

Jersey Nonny

I once heard someone in AA say, "Live every day as though it's your last, because someday it will be." At the time, I was a youngster of 50, and thought, "How morbid!"...25 years later, I know, "How true, how true."

NYCGirl

My Mom could certainly relate to that in 1977 she passed away at 45 years old. It is really hitting home for me this year.

At 16, 45 seem so far away all her friends would say oh how young she was, now at 45 I can finally relate.

NYCGirl

P.S. thanks Rae for the Chicago tune I've always like that!