According to the Harvard Business Review, humans make tens of thousands of decisions daily. Big and small choices are contemplated constantly. We select from options or hone an alternative. On any given day, consciously or subconsciously, we vet likelihoods and execute outcomes more than we inhale.
Our decisions' consequences or results lead us to where we are today. For good or bad, we are a product of our selections.
At certain crossroads, we meticulously analyze the data and scrutinize the facts until we take the next step. Other times, our decisions are heavily influenced by our emotions, what feels right, or what's best for our feelings. Sometimes, the decision perfectly blends both.
When we were out drinking and drugging, we made bold choices. We chose the drink regardless of the reality of the ruins it would produce. We opted to consume, knowing it was the worst decision we could make, but we ingested it anyway. This poor circle motion repeated itself until the spiral spun us to the brink of extinction – and we were ok with that.
What caused this lowly loop is a debate for those smarter than us. Some would say it is a weakness in character, and we argue that our character is and always has been strong, as proven in many areas of our lives. Others point to a lack of willpower, yet we proved plenty of self-will, as we succeeded in most areas of our existence. Still, others would suggest a disease of the mind and body that sets us apart from those who can drink in moderation.
We have landed on the point of acceptance that though we may never know the why, we surely know the what and the what is that we identify as alcoholic. We have admitted to ourselves and others that we can not drink responsibly. We have conceded to the strength of the foe. We have made the decision to let a power greater than ourselves take control of the very lives we mismanaged. We have chosen to buy into a program of recovery that has produced outcomes for ourselves that we never imagined possible.
We found a community of support that operates on the same principles that we aspire to. Through its own trial and error, this fellowship teaches us that a better life is possible. Its actions and outcomes set the bar for our potential.
We still face tens of thousands of choices each day, but the foundational one is the easiest: We don’t take the first sip—heck, we don’t even sniff it.
Our higher power has taken away the obsession, the compulsion to drink. That is their job, and we are so grateful it is gone. Our only job then is not to take the first sip. We don’t swallow or even entertain the notion that it would be different this time. We trust that we don’t have a this time in us.
This second chance, this do-over, is a gift that we value and protect as a pirate protects his treasures, as a bear their cubs. And though it starts with abstinence, it becomes a way of life that is synergetic with our passions and purpose.
If one is sober, they get it. If one is curious, we say try it. Make the decision today to come on in. We are friendly and helpful. We ask for nothing in return but your happiness. There are no dues or fees. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help the next guy get what we have.
Believe it or not, sobriety exists for all, and the decision to drink or not becomes moot once one has tasted true recovery.
he rest of the choices that come our way tend to work themselves out. We don’t fret over the small stuff because the big stuff is taken care of.
It starts with one decision: will I drink today? For us, abstinence is a no-brainer
Thoughts and ideas for this blog post were taken and built upon from a sober.coffee podcast #179 titled “Going the Distance - coffee with John” … The podcast dropped on 8/28/2024. Click here to hear the podcast.
Photo by Milad Fakurian on Unsplash
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Alcoholics Anonymous and AA are registered trademarks of Alcoholics World Service. Inc. References to AA, the 12 steps, and 12 traditions does not mean that AA has reviewed or approved the contents of this publication nor that AA agrees with the views expressed herein. This publication is intended to support personal growth and should not be considered a substitute for healthcare professionals' advice. The author’s advice and viewpoints are their own.
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