cu·ri·os·i·ty/ˌkyo͝orēˈäsədē/ noun: a strong desire to know or learn something.(oxford)
It is incredible and inspirational when we stop and take in where we are on our journey to the unknown. As far away as the past is physically, mentally it remains near. And, though we still tend to compare ourselves to the “drunk us” of yesteryear, it is the sober, emotional child of yesterday that intrigues and inspires us.
Less and less do we find ourselves entertaining emotions and feelings that drag us down. Sadness, loneliness, fear, anger, jealousy, self-criticism, and rejection were reactions to the poisons we ingested. Today, we experience joy, interest, contentment, pride, and love thanks to healthy living.
This transformation needed tending like a garden needs care. Weeds naturally seed and grow, fueled by non-discipline, and can overtake the scape if not eliminated early. We must be aware of the immediate and present conditions. Getting to the root of a wild plant is simpler when the strands are smaller.
Alcohol and drugs were like spraying Roundup on our growth potential. We killed the bad momentarily and destroyed the good permanently. We squashed the inner parts of us that so desired to thrive. We were left with the nothing that we had become. The self-discovery that is Innate went dormant. The deep desire for understanding became untended and never matured toward its natural beauty. We lost our will and killed our curiosity, which drives us into the unknown and where we develop ourselves, relationships, and opportunities.
Br Allen Berger says that curiosity is like Miracle-Gro for emotional growth. We might add that being interested in oneself is a gift we never saw coming when we turned the corner toward sobriety. It is the bud that bloomed that we never fully envisioned as part of recovery.
Our curiosity does not come without the chance of discomfort. We were reminded that one lives close to the other when pricked by the sharp rose thorn. So near the gorgeousness, the thorn exists to protect life. Sure, curiosity can be painful, as can weeding near a rose bush, but the net result, done right, can be breathtaking.
Emotional Sobriety is the missing link to peace and pure pleasure. It is worth the study. It is the logical next step in one's journey of self-awareness and acceptance. When approached effectively, it cultivates relationships, clears out the unwanted, and advances the gardener's plans and vision.
The unfolding of a consciousness of freedom begins with a mindset of curiosity.
We are in love with recovery and the message of hope that it delivers. Sobriety starts with abstinence, but that is just the preparation phase for the magnificent masterpiece that is possible if we are willing to tend to the structure of the design.
The garden we lived in before matters no more. It has been turned over, and it will be from our new plan that we build. Driven by our experiences and desires, we will create and care for a setting based on a serenity seeded with curiosity.
From this place, we will discover, alongside ourselves, a new future and a purpose worthy of admiration.
We are curious to see this unfold.
Today, we welcome that curiosity.
Thoughts and ideas for this blog post were taken and built upon from sober.coffee podcast # 159 titled “Inspired: Time with Allen Berger, Ph.D. Part 2” … The session dropped on 4/10/2024. Click here to hear the podcast.
Photo by Markus Spiske 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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