Look, this isn’t always easy.

There are times when the appeal of a cold beer is pretty strong.  Sometimes it’s because I’m angry.  Sometimes it’s because I’m bored.  Sometimes it’s because the sun is shining and its 70° F.  Sometimes, it’s because it’s Tuesday…

When the urge strikes, I find that it’s good to remind myself why I got sober.  I find that it’s good to look back on some older posts reminding myself of just where I was.  And sometimes, that’s enough to set the mind on the right path.

Sometimes, I have to remind myself of all the good things that have happened as a result of getting sober.

1. Freedom from Shame.
2. Learning to accept things as they are, some of the time.
3. Reconnecting with people who I care about.

And sometimes, I need to remind myself that there are some really good valid reasons to keep at it.

1. My health is improving – In fact, it’s improved dramatically, my cholesterol and blood pressure are both down and my triglycerides dropped significantly (cut in half).
2. I feel better most days.
3. I’ve lost weight (not as much as I’d like, see item 10).
4. I sleep soundly. Every. Single. Night.
5. I no longer have a pain in my side (right where my liver is, btw).
6. I no longer have IBS symptoms on a daily basis.
7. I have more money to do things that I want to do –  I’m not spending it on booze.
8. I’m much more present with my son. (And he notices it!)
9. I can actually have a conversation with my wife without it turning into an argument (though that still happens too.)
10. I can go to Safeway to buy ice cream at 9:00 PM  (because I’m not drunk as a skunk.)

I’m in a much better place than I was a day or two ago.  I won’t lie and say that everything is peachy, but it sure ain’t as bad as I felt yesterday morning.