SUNDAY 19TH MARCH 2023
Not a bad week – I’ve had the pleasure of spending some time with both of my sisters. Both have asked me how far into my alcohol-free year I am now and the fact that the number of weeks and months doesn’t automatically come to me is always a pleasant surprise. Rather than count how far I’ve come, I just say that the last day I drank was 22nd June last year so by that rationale, I’m just over 3 months from the finishing line. Incidentally, I’ve already taken the decision not to drink in June at all. I want to experience all 12 months of the year completely alcohol free and I’m unlikely to get another chance to have a completely clear June since my husband’s birthday is then. I’m definitely not in any hurry to get to the finishing line – if anything, I’m apprehensive about it. Complete abstinence is easy once you’ve got the hang of it. Moderation is so much harder, which begs the question – why not just stay abstinent? There is actually very little I’m looking forward to about being able to drink again. I don’t really want to get drunk but then I never have been, and cannot see myself ever being, someone who has just the one drink. It seems a bit pointless, especially having recognised that the high of that one drink will inevitably be followed by a low as it wears off. And yet, I’m reluctant to permanently deny myself the pleasure of sharing a bottle of red wine or the thrill of celebrating with champagne – yep, those are my 2 biggies! I guess I’ll just have to see how it goes – try moderating for a while and if it turns out that there is more pain than gain therein, I’ll have to think very carefully about the way ahead. For now, I am safe in my bubble of abstinence.
After shouting out to all the women last week, it’s only fair I should mention the blokes too because my inspiration over the past few weeks has predominantly come from men. First though, to the men I know personally…… To my wonderful dad – gone but never forgotten and part of the reason I’m even typing this now. To my husband, who supports me, inspires me and makes me a better person. To my son, who proves to me that the Universe has perfect timing. To my brother, my nephews, my great nephews, my brothers-in-law and my nephews-in law. I love you all. To the male friends, past and present, romantic or otherwise, who have featured in my life at one time or another – thank you for playing your part. And now to the men of influence….. Since reading ‘The Secret’, I’ve been led to look into one “new thought author” after the other, predominantly through Audible downloads. What astounds me is that a lot of these works were produced over a century ago and yet their teachings seem as fresh today as they must have done then. This little stepping stone journey I seem to be on has brought me into contact with the works of: James Allen, Walter Wattles, Emile Coué, Robert Collier, Napoleon Hill, Theron Q. Dumont, Earl Nightingale, Bob Procter, Jo Vitale, Hale Dwoskin, Lester Levens…… and they are all saying the same thing, which is basically that we have the ability to create our own lives and our own futures by the power of our thoughts. I am truly grateful to all these men for their work and for the inspiration I am finding in it today.
Theme Tune: Let’s Hear It For The Boy by Deniece Williams