Dear Group – Hello Everyone! This past year has been exciting. It began with treatment and progressed with working with a counselor and learning from other alcoholics who had worked a program of recovery. I have come a long way.
Those of you who have continued to follow my progress know how I’ve been blessed this year. I am a very grateful person today. I am grateful for the people in my life who care enough to intervene when needed, and who support and encourage me even when I don’t think I deserve the support and encouragement. I can’t say it’s been incredibly hard – but I’m fairly certain that things haven’t changed as much as my attitude has. I no longer live in the middle of what I can only call self-imposed chaos. My problems were mainly of my own making. Today live the majority of my days in a quiet peace and serenity that I can do no justice in explaining in words; I can only hope you can experience it for yourself.
I don’t lie anymore, so I’ll tell you that every day is not serene and peaceful. Nonetheless, those days are fewer and farther between the peaceful ones. For that, I am truly grateful and a bit amazed! You see, today I am comfortable in my own skin, and I have the spiritual relationship that I’ve spent a lifetime looking for. This relationship keeps getting better as the days go on – and thankfully it will continue through grow for a lifetime. As I replay the events that led to this year, I know I’m a different person. I’m a better person. I’m becoming the person I want to be – full of integrity, hope, and kindness. I’m getting there!
I’m sure you have read stories or seen the movies of people and their life-changing events. If you watch enough Lifetime you can’t help it. While my story is not “made for tv”, it is life-changing. It’s the story of hopelessness, despair, misery – and how one event can complete turn the tables. My story speaks to the results of Honesty, Open-Mindedness, and Willingness . . .and how those three things can lead to freedom and happiness. This year has been not only been spent in recovery from addiction, but recovery of my career, my finances, my social life, and my hope. The process will continue to take time but will never end. I’m happy to be on the great adventure! I appreciate your coming along for the ride. I am confident that if I keep focused on living One Day at a Time and keep focused on my recovery, my spiritual relationship, my friendships, and my service to others – I will continue to enjoy trudging the road to happy destiny! – Sincerely, J.
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Dear J. – Believe me it only gets better and better. Even the bad is better than the best day of your drinking. Even now sometimes it is one minute at a time but mostly One day at a time. Congrats and a very big HauOliLaHaNau (Happy Birthday) – Sincerely, A.
