Leaf has 4 years!...wait what?

[leaf]

That’s the truth.
4 Years
1462 days…In a row!

I say in a row because truth has become very important to me. I spent over a decade as what I’ve hysterically heard referred to as an “alconaut”. I would touch down with stretches of sobriety from time to time and fly back off to another planet.

It took what it took until I finally had enough. No, like REALLY had enough. I made the freeing realization that a life with alcohol in it was not one I was able to live anymore. That is MY truth.

Up until that day I learned “about” recovery tools from many programs inside and out. I learned how to use them, I could tell others how to use them and I didn’t stick with them.

There is a line from the Matrix that has a lot of meaning for me:
“Neo, sooner or later you're going to realize just as I did that there's a difference between knowing the path and walking the path.”

Sounds a lot like it works if you work it huh?

And that was it. I started to apply the tools I found here on SMaRT online some 15 years ago, but for real this time. I started to apply them even when I didn’t want to. I started to apply them even when I thought it was stupid. I started to apply them when I didn’t believe they would help. I didn’t just look at and old CBA. I updated it regularly with all the amazing new things I experienced. Try it, I dare you and pay close attention to how much those pro-drinking/con-quitting columns change. I actually put pen to paper and put the things that upset me into columns using an ABC.

And guess what, it worked. Or more specifically, I did the work in support of my own sobriety.

So most importantly if you are new, I have broken this program down in the simplest way that works for me:

I’ve told you my truth, that I am not willing to live a life with alcohol in it.

So I can’t drink on the truth.

To drink I am going to have to believe a lie.

Using the tools here helps me identify those lies.

Follow the truth and the truth sets me free.

It’s that simple.

The first greeting I ever got here on SMaRT online in 2001 (thanks Dan) has resounded in my head and has held true to this day. I introduced myself and talked about the problems I was having. The reply was, and I quote:

“The good news is it’s all up to you! The bad news is it’s all up to you! Ha!” (he stuck the “Ha!” at the end of most things if you have been around long enough to remember Dan). I’ve proved him right these last 4 years.

I promise if you are new and reading this there is nothing standing between you and sobriety other than yourself. Give yourself this gift. You can do it. Folks on this forum are here to support you. Do something to support your sobriety and do it today.

There is only one way to measure your success in recovery. If you are sober and happy about it you are doing it right!

Thanks so much to all the Smarties former and current for all the support and putting up with me when I was a pain in the azz!

With a Special shout out to (I know I’m forgetting someone not on the current member list, if you see I missed someone from back in the day shoot me a name sorry!):

Dee, yesterdaywas, LMR555, Barbless, Mo, Cody, Charlie, fenquat, Hammer, Dan, Shari, GJBXVI, Mask, JeCraw, Richard, josb, JoeB, Afrita, DonS, Wombat, Arby, AlexMBJ, I_am_Ned, melliemoo, Cdawg, Matisse44, Mindfulife, Gentoo, gregr, Claudia73, abctj, elmer, Aksue, dpowersdoc, JVB, mellie, charlies_angel, Jon, music, CarolD, Autumn, peter, Gooch, Jon_L1, Charlie_Dunver, patrick the skywiz.

Each of you has made a lasting impact on my recovery, whether you know it or not

To CHY – thanks for letting me in your village when I needed one.

To DangerousDan from sober musicians (in memorandum) – I’m still here bro and I’m still sober. I hope you are proud of me.

“lay down your gun belt bart, you’re out of ammo.”

Love you guys!

[LobsterTank]

Congratulations on 4 years, Leaf! Thank you for the awesome and inspiring post.

Be well.

[fenquat]

Wonderful post...and a great list of SMART folks. I remember fondly so many of those you listed.

[HeidiM]

Congratulations on 4 years. I love the way you laid out what the SMART program looks like to you!

[leaf]

Thanks Lobster, I must say I see you post around here and you are one hell of a Smartie!

Fen! Thanks bro. Lot's of great folks have landed on these shores for sure.

Thanks Heidi! I LOVE how welcoming you are to everyone here. That is so important and people will remeber it!

[Peg1960]

Leaf,
Congrats to you on 4 years!!!! Living your truth....YES you are
Peg

[leaf]

Thanks Peg!

Living it and doing the sober happy dance!

[Lookingout]

Congratulations leaf! And thanks for the post. It is helpful to me since I am just coming back to SMART and starting over.

[df2]

Congratulations Leaf, what a great post!

[BrianM12]

Wow, good job, 4 years and sounds like you aren't struggling with it at all! Good line from the matrix. The bible sais be not just hearers but doers.

Thank you for sharing, I will try the ABC system you mentioned, can use all the tools I can get my hands upon.

[leaf]

Lookingout! So glad you are back my friend! Always here if you need some support

df - Thanks for all you do!

Brian - Love the quote. Go try that ABC, I dare you

[annanz]

Congratulations and thank you for sharing - from a relative newbie.

[Tessie1975]

Congrats Leaf, so good to hear your good news story and a lot of honest sharing so valuable to a newcomer like me.

Wishing you life, love and joy.

[Tacitus]

I like that quote, "The good news is it’s all up to you! The bad news is it’s all up to you!" So true!

Congratulations for 4 years of sobriety, Leaf!

[leaf]

Thanks Anna and Tessie. So glad you took something from it and so glad you are here!

Tac! Yup Dan had an amazingly simple and powerful way of saying things. And it still makes an impact!

[Leesa]

leaf,

I remember you! A wonderful post and one of the "oldies" ... on your list, who isn't here anymore ... I'll be sure to tell what you said!

Best to you always!!

[leaf]

Leesa I remember you too!

Thanks so much for letting that person know. I miss everyone on that list that isn't around.

[Gentoo]

Hey Leaf!

Here's a big High 5 to you on your big-time success!

I'm honored to be on your list!

Warm regards,
Gentoo
<( ')

(Smart Point 5!)

[leaf]

Gentoo!

Couldn't be a list without you on it my friend!

Always remember SMaRT point 5!

[mh_logic]

Leaf, a huge congratulations on your success! Thanks for showing us newbies how it's done.

MH

[leaf]

MH!

Thanks so much and I love your sig line!

[LMR555]

Leaf!!!! Woot! Woot!! Congrats to you and the success you have achieved.
I am grateful to know you here at SMART!!
I think about you often...especially around the holidays!! Now I see that you have reason to celebrate around the holidays.
I to am humbled to be on your list.

Best to you and your ongoing successes,
Lorrie

[leaf]

Lorrie

Thank you SO much! You are the best!

[Astrid-O]

I love this post so much!! Leaf, I remember you and some of the others listed. I can really relate to what you said about knowing the tools vs actually applying the tools. I relapsed at 4.5 years for that very reason-- I got over confident and stopped applying the tools when it seemed hard or stupid or not interesting. Thank you for reminding me of how important it is to keep working at it! CONGRATULATIONS on your 4 years!

[leaf]

Astrid!!!

Thanks so much and thanks for the over confidence reminder. That is a big reason I am back here more often these days. I fear "complacency syndrome" and your post reminds me how real it can be.

Thanks for being back here!

[wildSaffy]

Your positive attitude just oozes out of this post, leaf and it gave me a big smile and a warm feeling!

Well done on 4 years - you own all the successes as you put in the work!!

[leaf]

Saffy!!!

Thanks so much!

[leaf]

Pssst....

I'm sober 5 years today.

1827 days...in a row

Just wanted to bump this thread because I still truly believe what's in it.

If you are new, you can make lasting change and you can start right now.


Peace

[mh_logic]

Congrats on 5 years, leaf! A huge accomplishment! Nice work, my friend.

[summering]

I remember you and am so happy for you !!! 5 years is amazing !! Congratulations!! I'm at my longest stretch in awhile at 48 days and am loving my sober life ! Thanks for the inspiration!!

[leaf]

Congrats on 5 years, leaf! A huge accomplishment! Nice work, my friend.

MH!

I expect a similar thread from you on 12/19

You rock!

- - - Updated - - -

I remember you and am so happy for you !!! 5 years is amazing !! Congratulations!! I'm at my longest stretch in awhile at 48 days and am loving my sober life ! Thanks for the inspiration!!

Summer!

Great job and you are a sober bad azz!

[Leesa]

leaf, congratulations!!!!!

[leaf]

Leesa thank you!!

[Peg1960]

Leaf,a whole year since I last congratulated you! Congrats on 5 years amazing accomplishment
Peg

[LMR555]

Leaf,

Congratulations!! Great choices everyday! Congrats on all your successes.

Thanks for sharing.

LMR

[leaf]

Leaf,a whole year since I last congratulated you! Congrats on 5 years amazing accomplishment
Peg

Living the truth peg. Thank you!!

- - - Updated - - -

Leaf,

Congratulations!! Great choices everyday! Congrats on all your successes.

Thanks for sharing.

LMR

Laurie!

Thank you so much

[Dee]

Hey leaf, that is just great! GOOD FOR YOU. WOOHOOO!!!!!!

With much love,
Dee

[leaf]

Hey leaf, that is just great! GOOD FOR YOU. WOOHOOO!!!!!!

With much love,
Dee

Dee!!

Thanks so much. It means a lot since you were there for some of the dark spots.

[Gordon1]

Leaf thankyou for all you have done here for others.

So very well done on your 4 years and now 5 years!!

Go you!!

[LobsterTank]

Congrats, Leaf!