I'm grateful for getting back to my regular schedule post break. I'm grateful for having time to breathe and slow down. I'm grateful for the stories in the back of the Big Book hitting deep each and every time. I'm grateful for TJ's sweet & savory trail mix. I'm grateful for letting my body rest after a series of long runs. I'm grateful for being able to write long-form again. I'm grateful to hear the message about letting go and embracing reality.
Greetings TFLMS community.
This is Sean, or “S,” as my sponsor,TBD, refers to me. I'm excited to begin contributing to this beautiful sober forum TBD and Miss Sober Jane have created.
A quick intro on me for the "uninitiated"...
I'm a native New Yorker with a little over 2 years of sobriety (Dec. 7th, Pearl Harbor Day, is my Anniversary to be exact). I come from a very traditional South Asian family, and as a gay man, I've spent many years trying to reconcile my truth with the assistance of alcohol.
That painful, circuitous journey finally brought me to AA. While life is far from perfect today, I'm in deep gratitude for the things I've learnt in this program via the Steps, my Sponsor, other fellows, and AA meetings. Acceptance and serenity are states of being I try to reside in more regularly - and thankfully am able to, without a Tito's vodka bottle in tow.
I'm writing this post sitting on the sofa on Christmas Day. Presents have been unwrapped, laundry is being done, my dog and partner are by my side with The Muppet Christmas Carol streaming in the background. I'm reflecting on how different life was a few years earlier, during my relapse. I was holed up in my bedroom struggling to walk to the bathroom, just a few feet away - crawling like a newborn to make the route. Now my life is awash with the little joys and healthy routines that make days worth living. And as my future is about to change considerably with a move to Denver in a little over a month, I cannot believe my luck.
"One day at a time" - even as arduous as that maxim may seem - has been my saving grace to ensure life improves incrementally. Then, in seemingly random spurts, it has changed by leaps and bounds. I certainly don't know what else is in store, but for now, I am in awe of what has transpired.
So, that’s me and my situation in a nutshell. AA is a such a warm, cozy place to be nowadays. I'm grateful to have arrived at this realization. And I'm grateful to be able to share my journey with you, as we grow together in sobriety.
Hi, Sean! 🙂