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Six Years Today ~ Thanks SR

Old 01-10-2020, 07:03 AM
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Six Years Today ~ Thanks SR

.
Six Years ago today, I looked up from the catatonic, Alcoholic Abyss and decided in abject desperation to escape from there. Do or die.

A few Months later, after my ill-informed cold turkey quit in Early Retirement from truly-insane daily Vodka consumption 24/7, I found SR during a search. SR has been my primary support after halting 42 Years of increasingly-hard drinking, and I want to thank you all for that. My on-line Search was to find structure to buttress what I call 'The Big Quit Decision'. SR fit the needs of this kinda-Introvert swimmingly. A diverse set of viewpoints, and a plethora of 'try before you buy' perspectives, allowed me to customize my own Recovery Construct. I had a emerging sense - as my MInd cleared gradually after a few Months Sober - of what would work long-term. I *just* had to create it. The 'Secular' Section here on SR was especially useful, and inspiring. I never viewed myself as going it alone. Not with collective SR wisdom and hundreds of Members available around the Clock.

While Business Dinners and innumerable sotted Evenings in 18 Countries back when working provided a wide and memorable assortment of paid-for Ethanol, I think I will forever be amazed that such a powerful Drug is openly sold at 7 Stores locally in our nearby Rural Town of ~7,500 Persons. Alcohol availability still boggles my Recovered Mind some Days. It also serves as a reminder that serene Sobriety in the midst of such Alcohol Permeation is a necessary Mental Serenity I was on my own to create. I have. For some Years now, I've called my Mental Fortress 'Permanent, Effortless Sobriety'. Because now, it is. Any push-back against Intoxication is long gone.

Sobriety is the proverbial 'Gift That Keeps On Giving'. Through the Mental Discipline it fosters, I've lost 32 lbs. [~15 Kgs.] over the past 4 Months. Also walked away from my nightly Cigar. They were my Addiction Transfer. This trade-off was readily understood, and my choice to help cope. I'm now nearing the end of a memorable fight with an extremely-painful outbreak of Shingles. I mention these Health challenges only because the resolve with which I've tackled them is direct testimony to the composure, and mental discipline, one can achieve in permanent Sobriety.

I joke about having a Spine forged of Titanium and Kyptonite. This formidable internal resolve frames my point here. The common characteristic I read to achieving Sobriety - irrespective of Program - is for a Person to dig deep. Relentlessly down to a place beyond compromise, or self-sabotage. I've always liked the concept that we return to the Core Person we were before Addiction ensnared us. The pristine Values of our Youth. That Core was still there, and I was one of the fortunate ones to be allowed to embrace it again Sober.

My best *thinking* was not what kept me drinking. My best thinking, and ultimately what freed me, was the clear, innate thinking that emerged after first sobering up. Alcohol temporarily obliterated thinking. Alcohol, however, did not destroy it. Even after Decades. Taking full responsibility for my Sobriety was not easy. But, it was simple. I never did surrender. Quite the opposite. I recognized clear choices, and forced the sole responsible Entity in my Bathroom Mirror to manage them over time. I was not about to accept the lie [for me] that Alcohol still determined my future when any role of Alcohol was solely my decision. I could live to see the view below out our Kitchen Window. Or, I could die in a Medically-induced Coma during excruciating Organ Failure, as an acquaintance did.

'Intelligence is not what you know. It is knowing what you don't know'

In ways that will never be visible to The Selfless here, and via the steadfast efforts of Mods, I recycle to Strangers the invaluable insights of Sober Life learned in part on SR. I pay it forward to my Friends at the local Dog Park whose Spouses, or Children, are ensnared in Alcohol, Meth, or Kratom. To Folks I meet at RV Parks in our Trailer travels. Contributors here live on in the aggregate of the Sober good and Kollective Karma that flows out into The Universe, and ultimately helps others in ways not readily apparent.

This generous flow might be the greatest gift of this Community, and I thank you all for comprising it.

To those struggling in a myriad of sometimes-hopeless situations: never give up...

~ 'Don't Give Up' ~ Peter Gabriel ~ Live ~


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Old 01-10-2020, 07:13 AM
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Excellent Mesa-speak post.

Deer!

Congrats.
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Old 01-10-2020, 07:35 AM
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Good Job Mesa on your 6 yrs sobriety
and incorporating SR for recovery support..!!!
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Old 01-10-2020, 08:34 AM
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A job well done- great achievement!
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Old 01-10-2020, 08:55 AM
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I would love to have your kitchen window.

It's always such a pleasure to see you popping into the weekender.
Nice job Mesa.
👍
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Old 01-10-2020, 08:56 AM
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Awesome post!! I've had shingles, so I know how extremely painful that is. Thanks for the photo. I'm going to have to get out that way when spring arrives. There is no mistaking the mountains in the background.
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Old 01-10-2020, 08:57 AM
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oh yay!
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Old 01-10-2020, 09:01 AM
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Congratulations MesaMan!! Always appreciate your insightful posts and stunning photos. (and MesaDog!)
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Old 01-10-2020, 09:55 AM
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Congratulations on six years! Thanks for such an inspiring post!
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Old 01-10-2020, 10:03 AM
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Nice one man
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Old 01-10-2020, 10:15 AM
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Brilliant post, MesaMan, as always. You write such great and common sense regarding your 'Big Quit Decision' that gave you the step to climb out of your Alcoholic Abyss, and into your sobriety.

Huge congratulations on Six Years! You have a MesaDeer, it's beautiful, just like that backdrop view! I'm glad you've recovered from shingles, in readiness for the next decade of sobriety .
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Old 01-10-2020, 10:32 AM
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Congrats on six years sober!
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Old 01-10-2020, 11:31 AM
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A magnificent post from one of SR's greatest great advocates for sobriety. Many congratulations MesaMan and may I say how much I enjoy your unique and insightful style of writing.

Originally Posted by MesaMan View Post
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The common characteristic I read to achieving Sobriety - irrespective of Program - is for a Person to dig deep. Relentlessly down to a place beyond compromise, or self-sabotage.
You have identified and isolated something really important there Dennis. You do have to go really deep inside yourself to find that thing that makes the difference to the addicted mindset, the thing that enables you to get beyond the craving stage and into the much, easier phase of mid to long term recovered.

To anyone seriously about quitting booze that sentence should be committed to memory.

Well done Sir!

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Old 01-10-2020, 11:48 AM
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Inspiring.
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Old 01-10-2020, 01:39 PM
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Great post, MM- inspirational.
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Old 01-10-2020, 01:59 PM
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Hearty congratulations MesaMan
D
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Old 01-10-2020, 02:16 PM
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Big happies! And thanks for the superb post!
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Old 01-10-2020, 03:40 PM
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Congratulations on 6 sober years 🙏
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Old 01-10-2020, 03:53 PM
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Old 01-10-2020, 11:59 PM
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MesaMan Congratulations on 6 years!

A brilliant post, it warms my heart to read your words.

Great photo too!
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