Marcher13

1. Getting sober and living a sober life are two different things. I had to get sober before I could live a sober life then the real work started.
   
   
2. Cravings don’t stop, sometimes they are weak, sometimes they are strong enough to rock me but a craving is no more than a thought which means nothing unless acted upon.
   
   
3. It’s easy to be happy if I start from a place of gratitude. If I start from a place of whinging or comparison I will never be happy.
   
   
4. I cannot go back and change the past nor can I go forward and arrange the future but I can live well now.
   
   
5. As a sober adult it is my responsibility, if I want to live a full life, to look after my body by eating well, hydrating it, making sleep and exercise a priority. Cheating on any of those undermines my health in the same way drinking did.
   
   
6. I can save what I used to spend on alcohol and tobacco and use that money for bills or savings.
   
   
7. It is never too late to change anything in my life.
   
   
8. If I lie to myself I can’t be honest with anyone else.
   
   
9. It’s true that most people don’t drink to get drunk and it's also true I don’t need to drink to have a good time.
   
   
10. It is when I look outward instead of inward that my worldview expands, my thoughts shift and my entire perspective changes, it’s then I can help can change the human condition. I don't have to be a missionary in a war torn country to do this, I can do it from where I am now, each and every day.

What have you learned in sobriety that might help someone on the path to sobriety?

saoutchik

You seem to have covered most of it Marcher, good post

I don't think I so much learned a whole load of new things but that I rediscovered truths that I already knew but had ignored

happyandfree

Well said, marcher. So true.

HeartsAfire

Needed #5 especially today so thank you.

I've given myself almost a year (working on month 12!!) to be sober by "any means necessary." That translates to lots of Ben & Jerry's & practically mainlining Twizzlers. It's way past the time of putting total body health on the agenda. I appreciate you giving me a new way to look at how I treat my entire body - not just my liver.

Saskia

Thanks, Marcher! Great perspective as always :-)

Anna

Very good post, Marcher!

PurpleKnight

Fantastic post Marcher!!

strategery

I love this thread Marcher! Thank you for your wise words.

resolute50

#2

Very manageable at nearly 2 years.

MsJax

Nice! Great foundation

Soberpotamus

Love it, Marcher

HeadLump

Oh, Marcher, this is such a great post that I think you've covered everything. Being of a certain age, I particularly love #7!

least

I've learned that today is all we have. We can't go into the past or the future but can only make the most of today.

Magellan

Great post, as always

Ruby2

Marcher, thank you for such a thoughtful post. Each day I could probably point to a different item on the list. Today, I'm feeling #4 resonate. Live well today. Living well today encompasses many of the different items.

Thank you!!

Heartsafire way to go on month 12! I still see ice cream as a major food group.

wehav2day

Wooohoooo, awesome post marcher!!

Venecia

What a fantastic thread, Marcher! You rock!

And I'm so thrilled for HeartsAfire!

I'm almost reluctant to add anything as it seems to be tampering with something that's already great. But I'll just say this: One of the many great things I learned from fellow journeyers on SR is the concept of "play the tape forward." My thoughts of drinking are very infrequent but when they are, I know what to do.