Verte

I just suggested on another thread that someone should not allow alcohol to get its claws into them any longer.

Suggested because I am talking the talk, and walking the walk. Day 7 sober!!!

Do not let the tutu fool you...I have found my inner lion, never letting go, and put its picture on the refrigerator so I can always be reminded.

Thanks to everyone on SR and everyone who is searching for or finding their inner lion as well. I love this photo...I'm not sure to whom credit is due. But I think it is amazing and wanted to share with you all. Ok! no more procrastinating I'm going back to work now.

biminiblue

Addiction is also like a lion. Lions are kept in cages - you can't let one out a little bit at a time.

LBrain

good new LeTheVerte, you are ready to ROAR!

Verte

Biminiblue - so true. And it is funny that you write this because I had nightmares a few nights this week that really shook me up. So intense and graphic (withdrawal??). One in particular went like this:

One night I was in Africa at dusk [the gloaming...when it is hard to see] on a plantation-type zoo. All the wild animals had been allowed to roam free for the day and were now being slowly led back to their cages. Everyone was calm, collected including myself except I felt this intense internal terror for the lions.

I told someone to please secure the lions as soon as possible and off they went. But I was so internally terrified that I walked to the lions cage and locked myself alone in the cage with all this chaos going on outside. And this massive beast of a lion walked up to the cage and crawled as close as possible trying to get in.

The lion plopped down right next to me and reached its paw with giant claws through the bars and strained to rip me to shreds. I squished myself into the furthest corner to stay away. But knew that the lion was just being a lion instinctively wanting to rip me to shreds. As I closed my eyes in preparation for the onslaught I forgave it noting that the lion had a sweet gentleness while wanting to rip me to shreds.

Then I woke up drenched in sweat. Not in Africa but at home in my bed.

How's that for symbolism??

RazaR

Ya the dreams & nightmares can get a bit intense.

I've always loved the big cats, wish I could just lay on one and wrap my arms around it's head. I used to have a Maine Coon cat named Gordie... he was my little lion, miss him.

Mags1

Love the picture LeTheVerte

Thepatman

I love the analogy, well done btw!

Verte

Thepatman - I do not know if you will read this but I have to tell you what I think of when I see your user name and superhero:

"Thepatman and Robin"

I once answered a trivia question with "The Batman and Robin" and was never allowed to forget it. Makes me chuckle.

Much like LBrain and the dancing smilee of Purplenight...hee, hee, hee.

Hevyn

LeTheVerte - Whoa, the lion is stunning! I'd love a print of him.

You're stunning as well - 7 days is a huge achievement.

Dee74

Congratulations on your week LeTheVerte

D

Verte

Thanks again for all the good words. Really means the world to me right now.

It is so hard to be here in the early stages with a personal tattered trail - the majority of friends, family and acquaintances totally unaware of the internal struggle.

But, its time to get new friends. And this is for me...my life.

I really appreciate being able to write and read here. Truly inspiring and helping to move me forward.

BTW - Thank you Hevyn for taking the time to look up the name of the photographer for that great lion photo I posted. Eric Esterle is the photographer.

Mags1

Hi LeTheVerte hope you don't mind if I copy and paste that gorgeous lion.

We have pictures, usually of the person, on our emails at work, I always have one of the cat family, and change it often.

I've found a new one, thanks to you.

All the best LeTheVerte, you're not alone, you've got us and they are great.

songthread

Hey, congratulations on your week...nice work and nice lion!

MariahGayle

Great job on 1 week LTV