Thank you for such a powerful, beautiful share, Timothy. Excited for your memoir!
I had a Buddhist practice long before getting sober, but it played a part in that decision and deepened profoundly thereafter. A pivotal question for me when it comes to any substance or behaviour is: Is this connecting or disconnecting? Meaning, does partaking make me more or less connected to my truest self and core values? To others in the sense of true intimacy rather than bonding over a shared drug of choice? To Source, spirit, and my spiritual practice? When choosing what was connecting rather than disconnecting, giving up alcohol was a simple choice.
Thanks for your story. I am past the seven month mark, and life has never been better. My current perception of Higher Power is way, way different than what I believed (or rather DIDN'T believe) during my drinking career.
Thank you for sharing your story. I think the cyclical nature of your story is quite beautiful. I think your braving church basements again was very courageous.
One of the aspects of recovery that I’ve grown to treasure is seeing the overlap of experiences we share with other sober folks who we initially see as different from us.
On the surface, you and I are very different: I’m a straight cisgendered female. I grew up in NY & ended up in the South. 🤷♀️ I grew up Catholic, but as the youngest of 7, I more accurately say “my parents were Catholic.”
I had almost no spiritual education. Around age 40, I found Unitarian Universalism. Hardly religious or dogmatic, yet not very spiritual, either.
However, getting sober during the pandemic inspired me to grow a connection in something greater than myself.
I began praying. I began just saying my gratitudes-my thank you prayers-before I went to sleep. Then I began asking for help. For me, for loved ones: for the world. Then I began to mention a Wow in my day: a moving sunset or a silent graceful heron I’d spotted on a walk. This practice -loosely inspired by Anne Lamott’s book, “Help, Thanks, Wow: the Three Essential Prayers,” has been a pivotal part and powerful tool in my sobriety. Praying has transformed my life.
Congrats on three years! Can’t wait to read your memoir.
Working on my sobriety has made me struggle even more with the concept of a higher power. I grew up in a fundamental baptist church and resist anything dogmatic. Even spirituality - which I know can be defined anyway I choose - is not something that comes easily to me.
And that frustrates me in many ways because part of me feels like if I just had something to grasp, maybe all of this would be a little bit easier. But it’s not and I personally just can’t create something out of thin air to make it so.
I can so relate, Bekah. I love the analogy of “God” being a “group of drunks,” and how sometimes when we can’t find room for faith or believe in God or a Higher Power, that the experience, strength, and hope of others in the rooms of recovery can be a lifeline and connection to something greater than ourselves. Like we can borrow their faith until we find one of our own. Keep going, friend.
Thank you for such a powerful, beautiful share, Timothy. Excited for your memoir!
I had a Buddhist practice long before getting sober, but it played a part in that decision and deepened profoundly thereafter. A pivotal question for me when it comes to any substance or behaviour is: Is this connecting or disconnecting? Meaning, does partaking make me more or less connected to my truest self and core values? To others in the sense of true intimacy rather than bonding over a shared drug of choice? To Source, spirit, and my spiritual practice? When choosing what was connecting rather than disconnecting, giving up alcohol was a simple choice.
Thank you so much for your kind words and for this opportunity, Dana. ❤️
Thanks for your story. I am past the seven month mark, and life has never been better. My current perception of Higher Power is way, way different than what I believed (or rather DIDN'T believe) during my drinking career.
Love, Christopher
Thanks for sharing your story! I came out while in seminary and had similar experiences of rediscovering faith via recovery.
Hi Timothy.
Thank you for sharing your story. I think the cyclical nature of your story is quite beautiful. I think your braving church basements again was very courageous.
One of the aspects of recovery that I’ve grown to treasure is seeing the overlap of experiences we share with other sober folks who we initially see as different from us.
On the surface, you and I are very different: I’m a straight cisgendered female. I grew up in NY & ended up in the South. 🤷♀️ I grew up Catholic, but as the youngest of 7, I more accurately say “my parents were Catholic.”
I had almost no spiritual education. Around age 40, I found Unitarian Universalism. Hardly religious or dogmatic, yet not very spiritual, either.
However, getting sober during the pandemic inspired me to grow a connection in something greater than myself.
I began praying. I began just saying my gratitudes-my thank you prayers-before I went to sleep. Then I began asking for help. For me, for loved ones: for the world. Then I began to mention a Wow in my day: a moving sunset or a silent graceful heron I’d spotted on a walk. This practice -loosely inspired by Anne Lamott’s book, “Help, Thanks, Wow: the Three Essential Prayers,” has been a pivotal part and powerful tool in my sobriety. Praying has transformed my life.
Congrats on three years! Can’t wait to read your memoir.
This is so well written and resonates with my own journey in many levels. Bravo for your bravery and how far you have come.
❤️ thank you Priscilla.
Working on my sobriety has made me struggle even more with the concept of a higher power. I grew up in a fundamental baptist church and resist anything dogmatic. Even spirituality - which I know can be defined anyway I choose - is not something that comes easily to me.
And that frustrates me in many ways because part of me feels like if I just had something to grasp, maybe all of this would be a little bit easier. But it’s not and I personally just can’t create something out of thin air to make it so.
I can so relate, Bekah. I love the analogy of “God” being a “group of drunks,” and how sometimes when we can’t find room for faith or believe in God or a Higher Power, that the experience, strength, and hope of others in the rooms of recovery can be a lifeline and connection to something greater than ourselves. Like we can borrow their faith until we find one of our own. Keep going, friend.
Thank you for this reminder about how alcohol disconnects us from ourselves and others. Eager to know when your book comes out! Keep writing!
Thank you so much Mary!
Courageous write, Timothy, about a courageous life. Rock on