Tuesday, December 24, 2013

1 Day Until Christmas: Countdown of Good Reasons to be Sober Day 1

Day 1

1st Good Reason to be Sober

I am deeply thankful for my sober community.

The Sober Community

Y'all might know or probably remember that sober blogs shored up the first six months of my recovery. My one connection to the world, to people who got what I was feeling and talking about was the sober blogging community. It's this magical place where all you have to do is show up, write a little SOS, and then out of the great blue beyond some words of hope or comfort appear.

The sober community has so much to give, and asks only sobriety in return. And then forgives if you don't even have that. My sober community has expanded from lurking on blogs to emailing to having my own blog. It has given me people like Sherry, Lilly, and Annette, Paul, Mrs D, Belle, Carrie, and Jen. It has given me a therapist who believes in me: I know she does because she says so, and she means it. It has given me a recovery group that isn't always easy or fun but that builds me every time I go. It has given me friendships that will last. I haven't been to an AA meeting yet, but Universe Amy and I are going on Saturday and so I will add that to my list.

I am so grateful that anyone reads this at all, and that I get these messages of support and love and encouragement still blows me away a little. Thank you so much for reading, for commenting, for emailing me. Thank you for letting me listen and try to help. Thank you for helping me. That makes me feel a part of a thing bigger than me and my own sobriety, alone- it makes me part of a chain of helping hands, all who have been there, and stay sober, together.

I am so proud to be a part of such a beautiful thing. I am so proud to be sober. There are so many many many reasons to be sober, but my very first one is this: I have said that I am. So I must be so. Because of sober mornings, better coping skills, care-taking, humility & grace, helping hands, feelin' it, sense of self, heart connections, forgiveness, trust & truth, a life.....forever, and the sober community I will continue to be sober.

Merry Christmas.




5 comments:

  1. I share your feelings of gratitude for this sober community- how powerful it is! And how much influence for the good! Merry Christmas to you and your family!

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  2. I am so happy I found the sober blogging community too. Days like today would have been so much harder if I didn't have the knowledge that there are many others out there like me staying sober today. Thank you & Merry Xmas x

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  3. Thank you Amy for all your inspiration and incouragement! Keep it up. Hope you had a wonderful holiday, all the best to and your family in the new year! Sending many hugs 😊

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  4. What a wonderful post, my friend. I have gone on at length as well about just how amazing this online sober community is, so I wholeheartedly agree with you. And you certainly have been a great part of it for so many. It's amazing how things have changed in your world. It's inspiring.

    And for the AA meeting - I look forward to hearing about it, however you experience it. But I love that you have had the opportunity to be face to face with others already. Regardless how others feel about the program, etc. the one thing that is built in and that is great is the fellowship, the face to face part of it. As much as I adore the sobersphere, I do need that eye to eye experience. Tonight I had coffee with an AA friend (who used to drink we me long ago...lol) and it was awesome. I can't get that sort of give and take in blogs. So there is room for both, and it is great that you have seen that, and also taking this on, to just check out.

    Great post series here, Amy. Gratitude never goes out of fashion :)

    Blessings,
    Paul

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  5. You are doing great honey, I am proud of your accomplishments and the sharing and caring for others. Keep doing what you're doing, it's working.

    With all of my Love!
    Jonathan

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