52 weeks of gratitude: Week 10

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March 11, 2018

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. ~Hebrews 12:11

52 weeks of gratitude: Week 10

It is hard to believe we are already ten weeks into 2018, another reminder of how quickly time flies. In the ten weeks of 2018 as well as December of 2017, I have fulfilled a goal to abstain from alcohol for 100 days.

Why does one abstain you may wonder? For me, my journey stemmed from a loss of focus. Why did I drink? Was it because of a stressful day, overwhelmed by sadness or gathering with family and friends that made me fill a glass, and then another.

Annoyed with the headaches and nausea that often lingered throughout the next day, even after just a few, I decided a change was in order. The damage incurred by a careless habit grew heavy and deserved the space to evaluate.

As John Mayer quoted, "Alcohol is like a Vegas loan shark, lending you 3 hours of fun you will pay back for the next 24." A truth I believed, with the costs no longer a value.

Usually, each January I do give up alcohol for 30 days, but this calling surfaced in November. What if I just chose to live alcohol-free? And so beginning December 2, 2017, I just said NO to alcohol. An opportunity to re-evaluate the consequence of booze in my life.

Sure, a few occasions lingered in temptation, like during the holidays or our trip to New Orleans, but I knew this journey had something to teach me and I was ready to learn.

Since achieving my goal, I still am still uncovering the ways I will choose to allow alcohol in my life. This opportunity to examine the details influenced a new direction. Providing the space I needed for growth and the gratitude for transformation during this exploration.

These 100 days untangled new ways to examine emotions I once buried beneath that bouquet of cab. A spectator of my own life, providing the space to breathe.

If you are just joining, HERE is the first post on the journey