4 Hard Truths About Sobriety

You will lose people. Friends, family, death, blackballed. But you also get to choose who stays in your life. It comes at a difficult time because we are often down on ourselves as we recover. That's why seeing ourselves accurately, and in an image of our future growth is very important. I've had individuals cut ties with me stating "I'm not worth the risk". I informed them, where I'm going, I can't risk surrounding myself with disloyal people like them.

Your other preferences may change. Taste, smell, peace, excitement. Dopamine hits hit differently. Hormones take time to heal and often time need temporary medication to stabilize. It's called recovery for a reason, our recovered selves get to emerge which is the authentic us. So don't be alarmed if what you want has changed, it supposed to do that. 

You're going to cringe at the past. This is true though in recovery or not. But when we layer in the lens of shame that only we see, it can be hard. Our mind sees the old us. I remember looking at old pictures of myself and just weeping. I was impaired in so many photos, videos, speeches, and televised interviews that haunted me. I'd see the broken Aaron every time I'd blink and when I'd lay my head at night. To no longer cringe at the past, I had to be present for the now to begin building up my future. I'm now proud of the photos I take. I want to make sure my smile is big enough to portray the love that returned my heart to me. 

You're going to be called to service at some point. You're going to have to help someone else build their boat when it rains. Once you're breathing ok, you need to help a stranger. Whatever the platitude, if you're waiting for some sort of sign...consider this it. Recovery needs YOU! Reach out to someone in the name of service. Check on someone you never have before. Go into someone's social media and blow it up with love. We all have strengths, passion and this super power called sobriety. Let's use it. 

If you're still reading, thank you. Please don't give up. I believe with everything in me that we're doing something very special and we are going to save lives, improve lives and empower recovery. I'm honored to get to share words and thoughts with you. I encourage questions, sharing and interaction.