21 Years Sober But Getting Drunk On Inspiration

If my child had been born on the last day I took a drink, that child would turn 21 years old today and able to drink legally. I am reveling in that irony. It’s a whole Ouroborosy kind of thing of a snake eating its own tail.

21 years clean. Rather than try to write anything new since I have sounded off plenty on the topic here, I am going to highlight a few of the most recent inspiring articles I have read.

When it comes to Chasing the Dragon for years and then trying to stay sober, I was blown away by this article from Writer Matt Haig. His post, “Reasons to Stay Alive” nailed the seemingly 'un-nail-able' points on both staying sober and staying alive.  Here’s number 10.

10. You will one day experience joy that matches this pain. You will cry euphoric tears at the Beach Boys, you will stare down at your baby daughter’s face as she lies contentedly asleep in your lap, you will make great friends, you will eat delicious foods you haven’t tried yet, you will be able to look at a view like this one and feel the beauty, there are books you haven’t read yet that will enrich you, films you will watch while eating extra large buckets of popcorn, and you will dance and laugh and have sex and go for runs by the river and have late night conversations and laugh until it hurts. Life is waiting for you. You might be stuck here for a while, but the world isn’t going anywhere. Hang on in there if you can. Life is always worth it.

Tattoo it on your arse, and then read the whole thing. Do it. Do it. Here it is: "Reasons to Stay Alive"

 As for running to chase new highs, I'm inspired by Caleb Daniloff, my most favorite drunken runner and author of an incredible book on running and sobriety called: “Running Ransom Road”. Here's a paragraph from his most recent article:

"after 15 years of chronic drinking and drug use, I found running to be a powerful healing agent — a therapist’s couch, confessional and pharmacy counter rolled into one. The head space that opened up during my predawn runs allowed me to embrace all the people I used to be, even the ugly ones, replacing callousness and narcissism with humility and clarity. My apologies to those I’d harmed were all drafted at six miles per hour."

 

This is from a series of New York Times articles on Endorphins as addictive. Check Them Out Here. The article from Jamie Quatro is simply Divine and to chunk out an excerpt would be to blaspheme the Old Gods and the New. Her article is now my answer to others who ask why I run. (Even though, if you have to ask, I can’t give you an answer that will make sense.)

Finally, as I scribble a few words down, sometimes just to see if a pen works, other times to write a novel and try not to suck, I’m inspired by Chuck Wendig. His writing tips speak a language that none can replicate. If you are a writer and aren't following his blog, you probably just got dial-up internet yesterday. His poetic quips will be studied by future generations when all of us are dust and ashes.

Here's number 49 of his article: 50 Rantypants Snidbits Of Random Writing & Storytelling Advice

49. No, Really, You Have No Excuses

Other people have done what you’re claiming you can’t do. People who have it worse. Or who have more kids. Or another job. You want to ask me how you do it: you just do. You extract words like teeth. You spill them on the table like dice from a Yahtzee cup. You carve a path through the words, through the story, through the industry with a machete made from your own desire and doubt, carved from your femur and scented with your blood. You write even a little bit a day, you’ll get there. You can’t manage that, then don’t even talk to me. Whaddya want me to do? Shove my hand up your ass, work you like a puppet? You wanna write, write. Otherwise: shoo. 

Wonderful words whatever your goals might be. (Read the whole thing)

All I got for today. 21 Years clean but getting drunk on this kind of inspiration.