I have given up alcohol plenty of times only to revert to my old ways. The pressures of the world can cause one to search for an escape. Many people lean on alcohol or narcotics to open the door to peace for them. I purposely did not say alcohol or drugs because alcohol itself is a drug. It alters your mind state just as narcotics, but is more accepted. I used it many times as my passkey to peace.
While talking to someone that holds a great significance in my heart, they said to me, "I thought you stopped drinking." It was a simple question but opened so many doors of retrospection in my mind. Thoughts popped into my head and in that one second I visited chasms of my mind. I felt I had disappointed myself.
That moment was months ago and alcohol of no kind has touched my lips since. I do not have a yearning to drink. That same night I poured every ounce of alcohol in my house down the drain. Even the unopened bottles.
I replaced it with a voice. It keeps reminding me of how my great grandmother quit Tobacco in one day. It pulls my mind away from the thoughts of being wild and free and instead it lets me be unapologetically.
Alcohol did offer an escape but I never liked where I ended up, mainly with a headache and upset stomach. I now just do some push-ups or go to the lake. I let my emotions be and work my way through the discomfort. Running head on to the discomfort or pain allows me to get to my peace faster and with less negative repercussions.
Whatever comes my way now I just blink a couple times, look for a solution and then move forward. The bottles in my life now help me prepare meals.
My Thoughts: Escape to peace by remaining at peace.