The real beauty of my white VW Golf 1.4 TSI GT E

Going to the gym and doing a spin cycle class from 7am to 7.45am. That would have been out of the question during my drinking and smoking days.

I would have suffered through an absolutely terrible day at work if I was hungover.

Sunrise viewed from my deck with a cup of coffee in my hand and hummingbirds hitting the feeder hard.

Laughing so hard I nearly cried- multiple times!- during my once a week shift at Chick-Fil-A last night. I enjoyed the fun and silliness of my coworkers - wouldn't have been able to do that fully if I'd been drinking up til I went to work or hungover (still, in the afternoon) by then!!

And, the loving texts from my boyfriend who says things like he loves me because I am patient with him, and supportive, gentle and kind - things I absolutely could not have been while drinking.

An effective meditation practice.