Trudging the road to Happy Destiny - 3 Years!
 

Trudging the road to Happy Destiny - 3 Years!

Three years ago today i awoke out of another blackout head throbbing, anxiety to the max and in complete despair. Bottles were thrown all over my little cabin in the mountains with a half charred Swanson TV dinner in the toaster oven. A brief moment of clarity pushed me down the mountain to the hospital where i began my journey on recovery.
Today I celebrate 3 years clean and sober. It’s really hard to believe that I’ve come this far. A few years ago I could not string a couple of days together. I was stuck in the rinse and repeat cycle of waking up with the incomprehensible demoralization of the previous night, coping through a day of intense anxiety and/or hangover until the afternoon when I felt like a drink would be nice.
“Men and women drink because they like the effect that alcohol produces. The sensation is so elusive that after a short time they can’t differentiate the true from the false. Their alcoholic life is normal to them.” That was my life for 25 years. That’s a lot of wreckage and I’m still repairing things. I have a 24 hour reprieve which requires me to stay spiritually fit. This past year has been incredibly challenging for me. Unfortunate accidents, relationship stressors and a ton of change have not been easy. When life gets difficult i have to realize that alot of what life throws at me is out of my control. I do the best i can and move forward with the serenity prayer in mind. "God grant me the serenity to accept the things i cannot change, the courage to change the things i can and the wisdom to know the difference." In order to make it through some of the toughest times in my life i leaned on the program of AA , contacted my sponsor/fellow AA when in need and tried to stay in the middle of the pack. I worked through the steps but still have a ton of work to do. I do know one thing that a drink will never make anything better. Thank you All for your support and love through the years!
Garrison:tyou

Congrats on three years and on having the strength to turn things around. It provides a lot of inspiration to hear others talk about their success.

There's no better way to wreck time in a remote mountain cabin than doing it drunk. As a nature buff, it's downright sacrilegious.

That is just awesome, Garrison.
Not just the three years, but all the adversity you went through and managed to stay sober.
You sound like you've got your house in order. That will take you a long way.
Congratulations and many more sober days, one at a time, to you.

Congratulations on 3 years sober!

Congrats on 3 years!
Looks like you have a plan and it's working!

Congratulations!!! This is awesome. I was going to visit Boulder once, but I was told by my coworkers that it's actually called "The Republic of Boulder" and that I'd need a passport. (I used to live in Broomfield). Again congratulations on 3 years. That is a huge accomplishment. Stories like yours provide motivation for others.

Congratulations on 3 years, Garrison. That is just awesome!

Great job Garrison!

Congratulations and well done on 3 years Garrison :)

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Thanks for well wishes everyone! This past sober year has been the most difficult to date and i'm realizing that i have to work more on my emotional sobriety. It's not easy. I try not to beat myself up too much. I got into a very intense relationship shortly after getting sober and am learning the lesson the hard way. I did work through the steps but was too distracted being in a relationship to truly work on myself. I'm going to go out and find what makes me happy. I feel like i got a nice bday present from my higher power in the form of a new job. I'll be working in an area of my field which i really like and excel at. I hope everyone has a serenity filled Valentines Day!

Congrats on three years sober! :hug:

Congratulations Garrison. Inspiring to read you post.

Congrats on 3 years sober- great achievement!

Congratulations on 3 years!

Congratulations on 3 years. It's inspirational to read about people at SR reaching milestones and 3 years is a great milestone.