I heard a newly-sober young man share in a meeting the other day. He was talking about loving his normal life now, having just over 30 days of sobriety.
Normal ?
I heard this in a meeting when I first got sober: “Normal is a setting on a washing machine.” I loved that. In my newly sober mind, I had to rethink what was normal—without the drinking part. Everything had to be different from my old normal.
This man started to talk about how he didn’t have a care in the world about anybody or anything when he was drinking and using. How he did not think about the future and had no hope of things ever being different than his current chaotic way of living.
Then he said this, “I even like using my calendar now. I like planning out my meetings.” This kid sat there talking about being excited to actually use his calendar! What a gift. Showing up alert and sober.
Wow—think about it. The calendar represents future events. Hope. When I was drinking, I had no hope of anything being different. When I got sober, I could plan for future events, counting on the fact that I would be present to actually show up for them!
I remember somebody asking me in early sobriety if I had done 90 in 90 yet? Ninety meetings in Ninety days. I can do that. Out came my calendar and I marked my meetings in ink on my paper calendar. It gave me hope and resolve that I was going to stay sober each day by going to meetings and connecting with others like myself.
The scripture I added here at the bottom talks about the enemy. I think of drugs and alcohol as the enemy prowling around trying to destroy me and not letting me have full access to my mind, body and spirit.
Separation from God. Now that the enemy—alcohol—is out of the equation, I have full access to God and the power available to show up and be of service to others and to myself.
Use my calendar.
Have hope for the future.
Be present for today.
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
1 Peter 5:8
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