It's great at 8
 

I awoke inspired this morning. I hadn't slept well the night before, so I slept really well last night. As I woke up, I was remembering people and events that I hadn't thought of in ages; literally, years. These were people from 30+ yrs ago that were in my life. So...I decide to test the memory a bit and see if I could take a nostalgic tour of my youth. Wouldn't ya know, it worked?! I saw faces, remembered names and events that I know I wouldn't/couldn't have when I stopped drinking 8 months ago. In fact, I've been worried about permanent brain damage since quitting. I still am, but it seems I'm regaining a little more each day. Today was fantastic.

So, it occurred to me that there are quite a few folks still struggling to get a day, a week, month or 90 days, and it might help them to know how my life has changed in the last 8 months.

I can best assimilate it to facing a mountain to climb. Getting started up the hill is hard, because it takes a different energy, and resolve. So, we set out, breaming with confidence; whiteknuckling, if you will. After the initial energy that keeps us going dissipates, we have to strengthen our resolve in a different way. We look up the mountain, and see that the air is clear up there. We can imagine the beautiful view, and the healthful feeling of lungfuls of clear, crisp breath.

I am just enough up the mountain to start realizing those benefits. Memory and thoughts are crisper. I don't sweat at the drop of a pin anymore. Anxieties have dissipated. I'm telling myself the truth about my life, instead of making it up as I go. My true, inner strengths and weaknesses are surfacing, and it's okay; those define the person God made me to be. I'm feeling closer in my relationship with God. I don't judge others, as I'm humbled by the realities of who I had become. I can forgive; others and myself. My senses are heightened. I haven't suffered the seasonal allergies I normally do (probably because of the absence of beer). I'm starting to consider the welfare of others as much as my own; and truly so, not simply saying so. Although my relationships have a lot of healing to do, they are daily getting stronger, and the daily blowups have almost completely abated. My kids, thankfully, have bounced back and seem to have forgiven the most quickly.

These are but a few of the changes that I've realized over the last 8 months. I am breathing easier, and accepting of help from others. I'm no longer the sole troubador trudging through the tundra of life. I'm among friends.

I am not done climbing the mountain, but I've developed a new rhythm in life that is so different from before. It's beautiful.

So...you have my prayers that you will keep putting one foot in front of the other. You'll love the results!

Thanks for an awesome post Lofty - and congratulations! :)

D

T hank you for a wonderful post.

WOW! That is a fantastic message, Lofty. I'm going to think about that all day. Thank you for sharing. Thank you for being here!

Beautiful post...Keep trudging Lofty...Congrats on 8 months!!

Fantastic post (and congrats!)....this is indeed inspiring. I went 3 days and slipped last night so am starting over today. I have assumed my memory fog was permanent so this is great to hear! Gives me a little more perspective on what can be gained if I can stick with this. Thanks so much!!!

Thank you .
John.

Congrats Lofty...Nice post. Have a beautiful blessed sober day!

What a great and inspiring post! So happy for you and for myself to know you and learn from you on this journey we are on together...to the life we are meant to have and all the good things to come.

Well done on 8 months LoftyIdeals and thanks for the inspiring post, it's great to know we have more to look forward to :) x

Beautifully said, and so helpful to all of us. Congratulations on your 8 months. It'll just keep getting better. :)

Great post Lofty. Emerging above the tree line is worth the effort !!

Congrats Lofty,

Thanks for posting such an inspiring post.

caiHong

If you're worried about alcohol and brain damage, here is a resource that may clear some things up for you. There's a graph half way down that explains what thoughts and memory functions recover after certain periods of abstinence.

Myths and Facts about Alcohol and Brain Damage

Obviously only your Doctor can tell you for sure.

That's a great post, Lofty, thanks and congratulations on 8 sober months.

Way to go on the 8 months, Lofty! Thanks for the well-written, inspiring post.

Beautiful post, Lofty. Congrats on your accomplishment, you should be proud. And thank you!

Great post, Lofty! YOU ROCK!! :c011:

Congratulations on 8 months Lofty, great post :thanks