Five Months - The Reward-
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Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 919
Five Months - The Reward-
I sat in my hotel this morning in Penang. The lobby is beautiful marble with old roman arches. Teak chairs are set up against the background of large ferns and a waterfall that cascades into a lazy river right by the dining hall. In front of me is a huge plate of nasi lemak, a curried rice with anchovies and nuts on the side, a fruit platter, fresh yogurt, coffee and sugar cane juice. I have been travelling since new years. Three countries and so many beautiful faces and wonderful experiences. I haven't had a drop, haven't craved a drop, have found the idea laughable. This is my last destination and I've been so caught up loving my experience Ihavent even considered my sobriety or date, its just been a part of me, which I love. Nothing I thought I needed liquor for was true. I don't need it to make friends, to have a good time, or even (as once embarassingly really worried a teenage me) talk to ladies.
I motorbiked down a beautiful gorge in Taiwan. I sampled the greatest foods of Singapore. I walked my way through the old colonial streets of Malaysia. I did it sober. I did it, sometimes alone, sometimes with friends, but always for me and without regret or pity.
I started planning this trip when I first quit and it terrified me. By the time I settled in to the first country I was so at ease I could care less about the bottle.
I am not a saint, I see liquor, I get flashbacks. But I have made my garden and I tend to it. I will not let down those walls, or let the weeds get to high.
I never could have done this while drunk, and I never could have gotten sober without SR.
Thanks.
I motorbiked down a beautiful gorge in Taiwan. I sampled the greatest foods of Singapore. I walked my way through the old colonial streets of Malaysia. I did it sober. I did it, sometimes alone, sometimes with friends, but always for me and without regret or pity.
I started planning this trip when I first quit and it terrified me. By the time I settled in to the first country I was so at ease I could care less about the bottle.
I am not a saint, I see liquor, I get flashbacks. But I have made my garden and I tend to it. I will not let down those walls, or let the weeds get to high.
I never could have done this while drunk, and I never could have gotten sober without SR.
Thanks.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 8,637
THIS IS FANTASTIC.
Well done.
And beautiful.
And I have found the very same thing. None of it required alcohol. In fact, I have learned that alcohol actually took away from it. It robbed me of presence, of memories, of sincerity, of intimacy, of the opportunity to truly experience - as me - all of the things I have experienced in this world. Sure, this body was there - but it was another person. It was a character, built up by alcohol and drugs and hazed and defined by those things. Oh, I don't regret it and thankfully there are many times and experiences I do remember, many friends I still have..... but the point is that now I know just how much deeper, richer, sweeter life is when it is lived pure and true.
Anyway - wonderful post. I'm happy for you and grateful for your sharing.
Well done.
And beautiful.
And I have found the very same thing. None of it required alcohol. In fact, I have learned that alcohol actually took away from it. It robbed me of presence, of memories, of sincerity, of intimacy, of the opportunity to truly experience - as me - all of the things I have experienced in this world. Sure, this body was there - but it was another person. It was a character, built up by alcohol and drugs and hazed and defined by those things. Oh, I don't regret it and thankfully there are many times and experiences I do remember, many friends I still have..... but the point is that now I know just how much deeper, richer, sweeter life is when it is lived pure and true.
Anyway - wonderful post. I'm happy for you and grateful for your sharing.
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 51,564
How fabulous - thank you so much kinzoku. "Nothing I thought I needed liquor for was true." Absolutely the same way I feel. I only wish I'd known sooner that it was doing nothing but hampering me and keeping me from growing.
I know your words will help many. I'm so happy for your new found freedom.
I know your words will help many. I'm so happy for your new found freedom.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 288
Thank you for this well-written post! Congrats on 5 months sober! Yes, last summer I missed out on the beautiful beach scenery during my vacation because my head was in a bottle the entire time. I'm looking forward to trips like this! 
Member
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: California
Posts: 13,040
Congratulations on five months, and thank you for such a beautiful post! It sounds like you have had he trip of a lifetime, and have enjoyed every minute of it! Enjoy the end of your journey, and safe travels as you head back home.
❤️Delilah
❤️Delilah
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Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 919
Thanks so much for your support and kind words! Today my trip comes to a close, but the confidene it has instilled in me myself and my sobriety will continue. Much love,
-Kin
We can all walk our own path.
-Kin
We can all walk our own path.
Member
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Posts: 66
Thank you for sharing this. What I saw was your beautiful soul shining through your words. I know drinking has caused my soul to feel lost, and dim. I'm starting to feel it emerging again now, 6 days in (almost a week!).
Loved reading this!
Loved reading this!
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