I want to tell you about a dream I had. This was when my ex and I were still married planning out our divorce. A very hard time to say the least for both of us. One night as I was sleeping next to her I had the following dream. I’d come home and walked through the door. I looked across the room and my wife(ex) was completely white and shaking. She was so scared she couldn’t even speak. She was pointing around the corner. Like something beyond frightful was hiding. For once in my life I didn’t ignore it or run away. Without thinking I ran across the room, around the corner, and looked right at the monster and SCREAMED! After that I woke up.
Prior to quitting alcohol, I had a little voice within constantly asking:
- If not now, then when? When? When will you truly live this life?
- Are you happy about how you’re living? Is this the human experience you believe you were intended into this universe to follow?
- What will be the biggest regret you’ll have on your deathbed looking back over your life?
- Have you ever given your true self a chance?
I’m now 1 year sober sitting here feeling very proud, happy, and mostly just peaceful. Much of the guilt and shame is going away and self-love is starting to finally come back. I do want to say though, from my experince quitting alcohol and leaving the comfortable numb fog takes courage and tons of internal rewiring. There will be many mental, physical, and emotional battles you will face on your path. Some you will win; others you may lose. Regardless you will grow. Staring down your dragon will take everything you got, but oh is it ever worth it. Scream if you need to but wake up! If you need help get it! You won’t be alone. Don’t wait 40 years like me. It will be the most rewarding work of your life. Hell you’ll actually get your true life back. Lean in and have faith in that voice from within. It’s your guiding system – listen to it.
I thank you all for your love, inspiration, and support this last year and offer it right back!
Dwight
From The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown: “Owning our story can be hard but not nearly as difficult as spending our lives running from it. Embracing our vulnerabilities is risky but not nearly as dangerous as giving up on love and belonging and joy—the experiences that make us the most vulnerable. Only when we are brave enough to explore the darkness will we discover the infinite power of our light.”
Please join me in supporting these beautiful brave souls:
Claire, Ditching the Wine
https://gettingsobernow.wordpress.com
Collette, Wine to water
http://wine2water.blog
Elizabeth, Without the wine
https://withoutthewhine.wordpress.com
GettingSoberGal, Just a gal trying to get sober
https://gettingsobergal.wordpress.com
Jackie, morrisfamily2222
https://morrisfamily2222.wordpress.com
Jim, Life beyond booze
https://formerdrinker.wordpress.com
Limetwiste, Moderately Sober
https://moderatelysober.home.blog
Lisa Marie, I love my new life!
https://ilovemynewlife.wordpress.com
Lovie Price, Wake Up!
https://theglassvidalia.home.blog
Msnewleaf, my life without alcohol
https://msnewleaf.com
Nadine, The Sobriety Tree
https://sobrietytree.com
Nelson, One Drunk’s Tale
https://onedrunkstale.wordpress.com
Celebrate YOU – Crank it up and dance in front of a mirror!
From YouTube: Sara Bareilles – Brave (Official Video)
https://youtu.be/QUQsqBqxoR4
Fill your world with silly love songs
From YouTube: Paul McCartney & Wings – Silly Love Songs
https://youtu.be/wh15LOppcWQ
Are you still reading??? Okay, last tip. Be kind to yourself and be silly! Life’s a frickin trip!!!
Okay, okay, I promise this it. Never ever over estimate a fist bump from your daughter when you tell her it’s been a year being sober and you need her to take some photos for the occasion. Priceless❤️
If there was a “love” button, I would have hit it! Like will have to do. Congratulations Dwight💐!! Awesome and inspiring post. So glad to be in your blogosphere.🙏
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I’m so glad you’re here too! Thank you, Elizabeth🤗
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Congratulations!!!!!!🎉 Incredible achievement! Woo hoo!!!🥳 and the fist bump from your daughter. Love it! ❤️
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Thank you, NL😊. She gave me one a year ago too. Thank you for all your support.
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How wonderful. I hope my daughter and I have that when she is older. Of course! Have a fantastic day of celebration. 😊
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Congratulations on your achievement and thank you for your sobriety. It’s inspiring!
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It feels great I can tell you that👍
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Congratulations! It’s a never-ending battle always worth winning. Life’s a bitch. Hopefully, nobody else except maybe your female dogs is not.
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Ha😊. Thanks so much Pat for all your support🤗
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I have a huge grin on my face Dwight! Delighted to celebrate your one year with you with this post! Congratulations! May your continued journey be filled with wondrous miracles, joy, healing and happiness! I’m so happy for you! ♥
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Janie – you in turn make my heart grin❤️. Thanks for hanging with me, listening to me, and lovingly supporting me🤗
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Dwight you undoubtedly have my loving support from faraway…but that’s ok too…a virtual hand-holding and much applause! Oh and a big hug! ♥
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That’s a great achievement dear Dwight. Sending best wishes to you💫🌻
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I’ll take em 😊. Thank you Abhishek!
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Seriously, love this. Congratulations, Dwight. I’m SO proud of you. Love the questions your wise little voice was asking. Love your honesty and observation that it does take courage and internal rewiring. And, love the photos and the fact that your daughter was the photographer. Your story is turning out to be amazing! 😊💕👍🏻
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Okay you made me shed a tear..a happy one! Thank you, Collette🤗
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Well what to say. You are totally awesome Dwight. Huge congratulations to you on one year sober. That is an amazing accomplishment and your posts and your support for others has been inspiring and very touching. This post came at a perfect time for me. The photos are ace and a fist pump from your daughter .. just the best reward 😊. Xxx
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It is indeed just the best, Claire! I wish this all for you – thank you for your beautiful support🤗
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Well done, it’s a real accomplishment. You have all the reasons to be proud! All the best for the future and a big virtual hug!
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Hugs right back🤗🤗🤗. Thank you, Pascale.
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This is very uplifting to read. Congrats, and may this continue for the rest of your newly wonderful life:)
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Thanks, Becky😊
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Congratulations. It’s always so good to read posts like this. Good luck with your life going forwards🤞
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Thank you., Anne Marie😊
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wowowow congratulations Dwight !!! This is such a huge achievement and it’s really inspiring for those of us who are behind you on this crazy path 🙂 This post really made my evening ❤ Keep going !!!! ❤ xxx Anne
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Thanks for your support, Anne! We’re all right beside each other🤗
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❤
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Hey You! Congratulations! This is a killer post! You look so awesome and happy! I love your silly pictures your daughter took! That’s so special and she’s a great photographer! I was reading and then scrolled down to read the comments and at the bottom came up your 1 week sober post! I had to click on it and that was super cool to read week 1 and then this post! You are such an inspiration! Thank you for sharing here on WP and being there with support for us all! We sure do appreciate it!
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I appreciate all your support, Jackie! Thank you🤗
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I’m so happy for you, Dwight.
Warm wishes for the next year!
Tanja 🌸
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Thank you my friend and sending light and love to you, Tanja🤗
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Thank you, Dwight, I’m sending it right back. 😊❤
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Well done Dwight, 💗💗💗💗💗
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Thank you my beautiful friend❤️
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Congratulations Dwight, not just on one year sober but using that time to grow as a person and offer support to others. Anyone reading your posts who is thinking “will it be worth the struggle of giving up alcohol” will see the benefits right in front of them. Of course it’s worth it, you’re testament to that. And well said about being silly and playful. Long may you continue to be silly, as shall I. Fist bump from Blighty ! 👍🏻 Jim x
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Thanks for your support and kind words, Jim! A fist bump to you brother😊😎
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I wish I could reach through and give you a big hug!!! Congratulations my beautiful friend, you have come a long way baby xox
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Thank you😊
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CONGRATULATIONS!! Happy one year soberaversary!! 🙂
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Thank you, Amy😊. I’m glad we’re growing and healing together. You are a loving soul 🤗🤗🤗
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Thank you so much Dwight! 🙂
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Congratulations! It’s such a powerful message but the most powerful voice is that one inside. It is worth following.
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Indeed, thank you for all your support😊
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Congratulations! I wish you continued happiness and healing!!! You are very inspiring!
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Thank you so much😊
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My pleasure!
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you, and a lot of the other ones listed , are totally what has made my journey better, of not easier. I think so many of us need to read and interact with others in this way for inspiration, reality checks, and pats on the back.. thank you so much Dwight and CONGRATS!!! Rock on!!
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Thanks, Lovie😊
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Wow, first that perfect picture, then read this lovely post, and then to see my name somewhere in it? Very much a treat. Thanks so much, beautiful Dwight. You’ve been such a very great support to me, from the very beginning, and so many others as well. And… congrats on ONE YEAR!!! That is fantastic. You look amazing!!! (Inside and out.) 🎉🙌🎂🕺🎉💖🤗
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Wow- thanks so much Nadine! And thank YOU for all the cheers along the way❤️🤗. I’m a lucky guy!
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❤️❤️🤗❤️❤️
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So beautiful, 1 year Recovered. Your story affected me. Such a beautiful expression of getting to know and love yourself. Our Higher Power will remove the guilt and shame as we are granted the emotional sobriety that is Steps 6 & 7. We are Powerless over our disease and therefore not responsible for yesterday-you are a miraculous example of the Power of being responsible for your recovery today. Sending you and your family love and unity ❤ #recovered 😀
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congratulations and can’t wait to check out some of the blogs you mentioned. Hi there. I am going around the neighborhood introducing myself. My name is Marc. My blog contains excerpts from my book The Driveway Rules. It contains memoirs about growing up with undiagnosed autism. I hope you stop by.
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Congratulations to 1 year sober! You are my inspiration. Great post 👍 🥳
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Thank you. Use the links above to find the most supportive nonjudgmental folks around. They continue to help me through my good, bad, and ugliness and I KNOW they will welcome you.
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This is excellent – I was looking for my tribe and here are all these contacts – 3 years sober just this month and so grateful.
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