Bottoms Up!

I wanted to write this great nostalgic blog on my one year -alcohol free- anniversary, but as I sit here I'm having the good ol' fashion writers block. 

I think the true turning point in life is when you recognize that something in your life needs to change, and also actually doing something about it. I feel like there are so many people from my past that I need to apologize to, simply because all too often I was an awful drunk. There are also those same people that I hope would be proud of me for getting here. If not, at the end of the day, I feel good about it. 

It's really hard making the decision to cut drinking out of your life, it's even harder to actually stick to it. There have been a fair share of weak moments, that only a few have been able to encounter, but to those few, your support and encouragement have been priceless to me. I also want to thank the few who continued to be true friends and who didn't abandon me while I went on this new path. I've lost a lot of friends in the last year but I cannot feel any guilt for them being uncomfortable around me while they drink and I don't. Their feelings are not my responsibility.

I think about the things I've been able to accomplish in the last year instead of spending my money on high quality, tasty drinks. I think about how God has blessed me and provided for me as I've rallied with Him to get here. 

I hope I am now a better example to my daughter. I hope that she forgives me on the days that I'm tired and frustrated, and simply wish I could sit down to a drink but instead I am just that tired and frustrated Momma instead. 

It took me three years but I've been able to acquire a better handle on my grief. Ironic that the past couple nights Jeremy has been visiting my dreams. I know he's proud of me, he always was. I've also been able to set down and walk away from the garbage baby-daddy tries to drag me into. I've all around become an emotionally stronger person from not using alcohol as a crutch for hard situations in my life. 

I can't say that I'll never return to drinking. In fact I'd like to celebrate with a drink; but I know who I am and I know that that is just too slippery of a slope for me. For now, I'll still remember the first sips of Patron Silver, craft beers, IPA's, and sweet red and white wines; but not without remembering the aftermath that comes with it. I guess I'll enjoy this sweet, rusty penny looking, 1 year chip instead.

It's Okay To Reset Life

It may be that as we age we forget basic life rules, or it could be that as the years evolve, we as a society dissolve into having poor standards. Let's recap some basics in life that maybe we all just need a gentle reminder of. 

~ Hold the door. Do it and don't expect appreciation. When you get it, it will be all that much better. 

~ If I tell you about something going on in my life, good or bad, it doesn't entitle you to then tell everyone else. Please find your own life events to discuss because if there's a process to someone's news, you're forcing it into fruition; you're not God nor the town crier. 

~ Texts, emails, and social media help you stay in touch but for heavens sake, pick up the phone. It's okay to step away from life and catch up. 

~ Write a note, put a stamp on it and everything. You wouldn't believe the happiness it will bring. 

~ Be present. All the time. 

~ Being honest and presenting facts are worth it but not always received. 

~ Your word is your bond.

~ Say what you mean and mean what you say. Play board games, not mind games. 

~ Apologize and accept apologies. Never accept repeat offenders.