This month is National Recovery month. Leading up to this month and this post, I have been thinking a lot about what recovery means, in general and for me. I have been talking with friends about to what degree does my recovery defines me versus my hope that sharing my story will have an impact on someone's life.
I could take this opportunity to expand on the actions I have taken have worked for me thus far:
1) An ongoing recovery program.
2) Practicing Ashtanga yoga
2) Writing at least once every 10 days.
3) Public accountability
However, I would like to tell you about what I consider the most important component, which required no action on my part:
My friend Walker tirelessly supporting and not giving up on me.
Walker and I have been friends over 20 years. We met in our sophomore year in college and quickly realized we had similar tastes in movies, books and the now, not then, popularized nerd culture. For the last, at least, 7 years, we have prioritized most Sunday nights to share a meal and watch a movie or television show like Walking Dead or Game of Thrones.
When I share this part of my story , people usually amazed to hear of the priority and consistency two friends put into a friendship. But if you put this into context, you will quickly realize many Sundays across many years, it was me showing up blind drunk, passing out in the middle of our shows. Before I sobered up, at my worst, there were periods where I was unkind to him. Yet there he stood, willing to help and shepherding me to what he knew way before I did, I needed to get sober.
DragonCon is an annual event for us. This year we celebrated our second DragonCon with me being sober. I finally had the courage to dress up as an elven mage. It was ridiculous and fun and a moment I was happy to share with one of my best friends.
I am a very lucky human. Without the people in my life, like Walker, I would not be sober. One of the scariest parts of addiction, a life threatening part of addiction, is the belief that everyone has given up on you.
Don't give up on people.
We are all on this great adventure together.
This month I am raising $1000 for the Trini Foundation who supports those in recovery by offering scholarships to Ashtanga yoga shalas to supplement their recovery program. Community and yoga both play a big part on my own recovery. I want to give that gift to someone else. I hope you will join me.
Thank you Walker.