I love being here too. I missed you. I'm doing some soul searching and trying to understand why I run away from good things sometimes, and from good people. I'm very grateful for what I have.

I'm glad you feel grateful. That's so important. :)

So many emotions we feel. I understand completely.

We are here for you, Briar.

Lean on us as much and as often as you need.

So wonderful to have you back.

Goodnight, Octsobers.

Pleasant dreams.

Wishing Dee and PhoenixJ a great day :)

❤️ Love ❤️ and Peace for all.

Sobriety

Rocks

:e044:

Nighty-night

So happy to hear that the new position is freeing you up for some genuine Briar time! You are worthy and deserve every single good thing and good person that comes your way. I understand that it can be hard to receive though... another mysterious paradox of life and love, I guess. I so hope you'll have some cool views to share with us from your climbs!

Y'all make me smile ❤️

Thank you, Conquest, I find plenty of inspiration here. Here comes a long ass Briar story time I'm sure you all missed :) :

I'm seeing the importance of being part of a community that values recovery. I was feeling a bit lost at sea earlier this year, and I seriously considered drinking again. I acquired and threw away bottles of wine, going back and forth about whether I wanted to take the "easy" way out, obviously by making my life much harder. AV logic.

I wasn't valuing my recovery. It had become old news, the new normal, easy to undervalue. I wasn't getting any reinforcement from my support system because everyone has accepted that I don't drink, and it isn't a big deal to them. Which is beautiful in its own way, but when it wasn't a big deal anymore, it seemed to lose some of its importance. It was easy to take it for granted.

I didn't grasp this until today when I was on the phone with a lady from my employee benefits program. We were going over some health stuff, and she asked how much I drink. I told her I'm in recovery and have been sober for about two and a half years. She perked up and started carrying on about how I've done a very hard thing, I should be very proud, I should never minimize this accomplishment, and I have given myself and my family an incredible gift.

Well, I certainly wasn't expecting all that! It really meant a lot to me. It struck me how important it was for me to hear that at this point in my journey, and how lucky I was to encounter someone who would give me the message. Weird how these things work.

From there I realized how important it is for me (and all of us) to be among a community where the value of recovery is never taken for granted. It is always present and always celebrated. I get it now.

So a big thanks to you guys, and to Mindy the benefits lady who benefited me more than she realized.

That's a nice post Briar and a great reminder to start this day with a bit of gratitude.

Happy Thursday all.....and I think I see another Friday sparkling just around the bend.

Wishing each of you the best day.

Beautifully said, Briar! It is easy to take sobriety for granted. And I love that the words you needed to hear came suddenly from a surprising stranger.

I do declare today to be a day of "suddenly surprises"! Keeping my eyes and ears open ❤️

So glad you had that convo, Briar. It's sometimes takes an a-ha moment to realize what you got. The good thing is we see them much better now we're sober. I have a long list of stuff like this to share at some point.

I learned early on the only way I was going to make it was to treat this thing as a blessing in disguise and embrace sobriety one hundred percent. It wasn't anything awful really. It was a new lease on life. A better one.

So, props to you! We're all special people in our own ways. :)

Would love to see some views, Briar!!!! (Only taken when very safe to do so!!!!!!)

Hi, Conquest. :wave:

What a lovely post, Briar. Thank you.

That conversation must have been so uplifting.

My ears are open, too :)

Sober eyes and blessings in disguise - good stuff, Arbor.

Hello and love to all.

Be back later.

Goodnight, Octsobers.

Sleep well and pleasant dreams.

Have a very fine day, Dee and PhoenixJ.