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Four years sober

Old 09-02-2017, 07:11 AM
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Four years sober

Just realized my four year anniversary was about a week ago.
To say life is different or better is an understatement. In the past four years I've lost 60 pounds, lowered my blood pressure, ran a half-marathon, sailed across the Atlantic Ocean with five friends, and most importantly, was a better husband, parent, and friend.
Life is not perfect, but it doesn't need to be. And I still have plenty of stuff I would like to work on, but drinking isn't one of them. I wouldn't be where I am now if I was drinking myself into a stupor everyday like I did for several decades.
None of this would have been possible without this forum. It was the realization that everyday there were people around the world saying "today is day one" that allowed me to make the same simple declaration. Like that moment in the movie the Wizard of Oz when Dorothy found out she could have returned to Kansas anytime she wanted to, I realized I could have stopped drinking anytime I wanted to.
Thank you Dee and everyone who posts their failures, frustrations, small wins, and big wins on this forum. I have found strength and encouragement from all of you.
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Old 09-02-2017, 07:13 AM
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Congratulations, Ornithology.
Thanks for posting.
I love success stories.
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Old 09-02-2017, 07:18 AM
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Congrats Orni!!!


Happy 4th! Woohooooo!!!
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Old 09-02-2017, 07:25 AM
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Wow. Thank you for the hope!
It is great to hear that it can be done....4 years is wonderful.
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Old 09-02-2017, 07:30 AM
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Congratulations, Ornithology!

Yes, it is an understatement to say "life is better." I don't think the words really exist to fully describe the transformation.

It is a joy to be on this road with you, Orn, and the Class of August 2013. It's equally rewarding to share this milestone with those newer to SR, and sobriety, as living proof of the possible.

All the best.
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Old 09-02-2017, 07:35 AM
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Congrats from a fellow August 2013er!
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Old 09-02-2017, 07:38 AM
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Brilliant - thank you for posting as gives us a incentive 😁

Huge congratulations !
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Old 09-02-2017, 10:45 AM
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Great post, Ornithology, and congrats on four years. It's amazing that we all have the keys to our cells all along, but we sometimes don't recognize that.
For twenty years it was inconceivable that I would not drink. It literally never crossed my mind, any more than I considered building a house on top of Mt. Everest. It just wasn't something I considered. Once I realized that drinking myself to death was NOT a requirement and that I could stop, everything in my life fell into place. I didn't do any other program...just SR. SR (and more accurately, the people here) saves lives, no doubt about it.
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Old 09-02-2017, 11:17 AM
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Originally Posted by Outonthetiles View Post
Great post, Ornithology, and congrats on four years. It's amazing that we all have the keys to our cells all along, but we sometimes don't recognize that.
For twenty years it was inconceivable that I would not drink. It literally never crossed my mind, any more than I considered building a house on top of Mt. Everest. It just wasn't something I considered. Once I realized that drinking myself to death was NOT a requirement and that I could stop, everything in my life fell into place. I didn't do any other program...just SR. SR (and more accurately, the people here) saves lives, no doubt about it.
Thank you for this, you said it much better I can but this is exactly how I feel four years in.
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Old 09-02-2017, 12:30 PM
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4 Years is fantastic Ornithology!!
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Old 09-02-2017, 03:22 PM
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Congratulations! You're the man.
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Old 09-02-2017, 03:49 PM
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Congrats on four years sober and thanks for sharing your inspiring story.
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Old 09-02-2017, 04:24 PM
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Old 09-02-2017, 05:22 PM
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Good for you. Sailing across the Atlantic sounds like an awesome adventure.
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Old 09-02-2017, 05:43 PM
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Congratulations Orn

D
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Old 09-02-2017, 06:06 PM
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4 years! How amazing, Ornithology. We're so proud of you.
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Old 09-02-2017, 06:48 PM
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Congratulations Ornithology, you had the power all along.
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Old 09-02-2017, 07:10 PM
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What a great post! Congratulations! 4 years is just awesome!!
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Old 09-02-2017, 08:23 PM
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Wonderful post. I agree, SR is a life saver if you open yourself up to it and allow it to be.
Massive props on 4 years
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Old 09-03-2017, 12:33 PM
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Big well done from me
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