I'm From...my life story in under 5 minutes

[Questor7]

Hi everyone

You may have heard me on one occasion or another reciting my poem called "I'm From" at one of the Smart New Years Eve celebrations. I finally made it into a little Imovie and it tells the story of my addictive behaviors over the years and how I overcame them by using the Smart Recovery tools and other healing modalities.

I hope you enjoy it.

And by the way, today is my birthday and I'm celebrating it sober as I have done for the last 15 years. I was blessed last night with a full night's sleep, not waking up once, which is very rare. And then this morning I woke up to cool weather and a smoke free sky, after several months of blistering heat and air quality alerts. I have spent most birthdays feeling depressed and abandoned, but today I woke up feeling blessed to be alive. It's good to be a part of this thriving Smart community.

Best to you on your journey wherever it takes you.

Kevagne (questor7)

[Michal02]

This was lovely ❤ Thank you for sharing. I've been around AA for about a decade but new to SMART recovery, and I feel like I've come home.

[Questor7]

This was lovely ❤ Thank you for sharing. I've been around AA for about a decade but new to SMART recovery, and I feel like I've come home.

Hi Michal

I felt exactly the same way I found Smart online, like I had come home. And all these years later, I still feel the same way. I'm glad you're here.

Best to you

q7

[Questor7]

P.S. The views and opinions expressed in this video called "I'm From" are my own and not necessarily those of SmartRecovery®

[komoto]

Awesome Kevagne (q7). I REALLY can identify with a lot of that video. Like I said you are a real bad ***. You always inspire me. Thank you. Sidebar. I love Joni Mitchell (Chelsea Morning) Etc. Yep, they paved paradise and put up a parking lot. ULA = we can deal with it. Later. Komoto/Billy

[Questor7]

Oh, Billy, thank you for your comment. It started my day today with a big smile on my face. And re: your sidebar: I was just listening to a live performance of Joni doing Chelsea Morning...holy smokes, wasn't she something? Here's what someone wrote about her: "They sure broke the mold when they made Joni. There's not another like her."

No, kidding, right?

Always good to hear from you Billy, I hope you are doing well.

Best to you.

Kevagne

[punkguy760]

That was fantastic. Thank you.

[Thaleia]

I love this. I’m new to SMART. One year sober, tired of AA. I’m trying to learn my way around right now. That was lovely. Thank you.

[Questor7]

Hi there Punk Guy and Thaleia

Thank you so much for watching my "I'm From" video. I'm glad you enjoyed it. and FYI, I'm working on a new video about playing the tape. It's through my creative efforts that I hope I'm giving back to Smart for helping me get my life back together.

Best to you.

q7

[Joshua1987]

Its good to hear that, i think we should work for the best but prepare for tough times ahead. I hate to say it but tough times will come to us, to me and to you. Just remain focused.

[C_C]

Thank you for sharing this link Questor7, from your poem which I had read earlier.
I must say you have great talent and creativity making these videos that I have watched.
It makes me reflect on many of my own emotions and feelings that you had endured in your life journey.

Thank you again for a great share.

[Questor7]

You are very welcome. I'm glad you resonate with many of the feelings I have shared.

Take care.

q7

[Joeybear]

Hey questor7. I’m coming back to smart after a long history of alcohol abuse. Just reaching out as your video really helped me. I’m at day one and want a different direction. Hope you will reach out to say hello
JoeyBear

[Questor7]

Hi Joeybear
It's good to see you here at Smart. I'm glad my video helped you. I got right into the tool box and went to lots of meetings when I first got to Smart. James (jwg54) has put together a wonderful series of workshops about the tools. I've gotten a lot out of his workshops. The first one is about the HOV. Here's the link in case you want to check it out. https://www.smartrecovery.org/commun...Tools+Workshop


Best to you

q7

[RainTara]

I'm new here. I saw the video and think it is beautiful. I'm just not sure where to start. I'm working on the ABC's. I haven't done any meetings yet, online or in person. Where do I go from here? Is a meeting the best place to start? I've done AA. I quit drinking for 8 years and that was around 20 years ago. I am back worse than before. I know what I need and want to do, but it's a huge struggle to begin.

[Caroline14]

RainTara

Hi Tara,and a warm welcome to SMART Recovery!

It sounds like you have had some challenging times,and bravo to you for getting yourself together and joining SMART.

There are all sorts of places to explore here. I personally found the meetings helpful to start with. If that interests you, just go to the dark grey menu line at the top of the page,and click on SMART ONLINE MEETINGS....when further options come up....click on Meeting Schedule and Events Calendar. All the online meetings are listed there, along with links to get to them. The default time for the listings is EST - but below the red banner headline you will find the option to change all the meeting times to your local time zone.

Sending you all good wishes from here

[C_C]

I tried to stop/moderate many times on my own during the last 29years in my relationship with alcohol. I never succeeded until I sought help with a substance abuse doctor. After undergoing a near fatal detox in the hospital, my doctor introduced me to SMART Recovery. That was 26months ago, the greatest gift that I have received is my sobriety!

When I started, it was attending the SROL meetings. Due to the pandemic all meetings were available online and this gave me an opportunity to attend many meetings. I picked the meetings that I could relate to personally and felt comfortable attending. I attend them regularly till today.
I found that sharing and participating in the meetings made feel motivated in my recovery. The support from the community was encouraging.

Browsing through these forums also kept me occupied with all the free time I had when not using.
Practicing and using the tools I learned played an important part in my journey as I soon discovered that they tools actually work with practice and perseverance.

I am happy and enjoy the freedom I have gained from my addictive behavior.

I wish you success too JoeyBear and RainTara,

“ Keep on keeping On “