What does that even mean?
This concept eluded me and for a long time I struggled to grasp what it meant when my mentor first slapped me with that phrase. I thought “well that’s a stupid saying of course you’re either growing or dying that’s what life is… Everything is either in a state of growth or decay.” What I didn’t realize, is that phrase encompassed everything in my existence and there was a deep meaning to his words. Hours of meditation finally revealed what it means to me: if I don’t keep moving forward on my quest for self knowledge and continue to grow spiritually, then I am slowly dying. I know when it’s happening, because something inside of me doesn’t feel quite right.
Planting a seed
Getting sober is not easy and staying sober at times is somewhere in between impossible and improbable. Only about 2% of us remain sober for the rest of our lifetime and far less live a happy life. That’s not great odds, but for me that means there’s a chance and that’s all I need! Statistics be damned! I know it’s possible, I have many long term sober friends who inspire me and give me hope when I have little to none. We can live long happy fulfilling lives, even if at times it feels like we’re climbing Mt. Everest barefoot.
Through my journey, I have learned how others stay sober, I try to learn from my mistakes and from the mistakes of those who have traveled this road before me. Alcoholism is just a word and alcohol (along with other drugs) was what I used to cover up deeper issues. When the substances stopped working and nothing made me feel right inside, I was forced to make a change, to chart a new course.
Yet, it took me a year of sobriety to learn that my mind is working against me and that my perceptions had been warped by substances and bad experiences. I had trained my brain to only see the negative in everything and everyone. Most alcoholics and addicts think along similar lines and the common thread between us is… fear. This isn’t to say that I am weak willed or that I am morally retarded, as our main stream society would have you believe. The truth is we are a infinitely creative breed and most of us burn with so much passion we don’t know how to channel this extra energy. We fight for our lives every single day and it takes heart to keep up that fight, when at times our efforts seem unnoticed and misunderstood.
Growth
It takes immeasurable strength and courage to get sober, and it takes a hell of lot more than willpower to stay sober. So, get connected with others like yourself, we don’t have to be alone on this journey. There are endless possibilities and many ways to reach the same destination. So, open your mind to the impossible and realize that there are around 7.7 billion other humans on this planet each one with a different reality. Close the mouth and open the brain, accept change and learn to see another’s point of view, even if you don’t agree. Being mindful is not always easy, but letting go of your ego is a good place to start.
If you get anything from this, I hope it’s the courage to look beyond what you think you know. Take a deep breath and remember that life is only as hard as you make it, my friends. This path can be treacherous, but you wont believe the view!!
Until Next Time