What's Your Why? What Motivates Your to Stay Sober?

If I asked you what motivates you to stay sober? What would you say?? Well, this morning I went to Facebook to ask just that. Here are some of the answers I got. As you can see, there are many different answers to such a loaded question. I find that in a lot of recovery circles, there seems to be a strange unwillingness to admit that we get sober so that we can live better lives. For instance, if I were to tell you that I got sober so I could...

1. Travel the world
2. Find a great job where I can make more money
3. Prove other people wrong about me who used to call me a loser or a "junkie"

What would you think about me? Would you think I was being selfish? or self-seeking? or unspiritual?

There's No Right or Wrong Answer

This is a topic I want to bring up simply because I find it interesting. Many people get sober because they want to be of service to their fellow man and I think that's wonderful. I am saying that it is okay to give yourself permission to get sober so that you can get your life back. Life is meant to be enjoyed. Sobriety brings us peace and serenity and most of all, IT GIVES US OPTIONS! Now you can actually go do the things that you would talk shit about with your friends on a barstool. I'll give you an example. In just the last few months, I went to Utah on an amazing snowboarding trip with my best friends. It was truly the trip of a lifetime. See? In April, I am going to Vegas with those same friends for a bachelor party. (Don't worry we've done this before, no one relapsed lol) In May, I plan on going to Boston as a birthday present to myself. In June, I'm going to Sea Isle, New Jersey for a family vacation. Do you think any of this would be possible if I didn't have my recovery? No way!

It's Okay to be a Little Selfish

Notice I said a little selfish? For me, sobriety is not about taking and taking. It's about giving. It's about accepting this gifts that have been given it to me and sharing them with as many people as I can. The paradox is that giving is also the best way to receive. You get what you give. So it's okay to admit that sometimes your sobriety is about you. Sometimes it's perfectly fine to say out loud that "I have worked hard on my recovery and today I am going to treat myself." If you are waiting for permission, here it is. BUT... This is not an excuse to start being a jerk. If you continue to spread good energy in the world, if you continue to give back and be a light in other people's lives I promise you will receive blessings that you didn't think you deserved. I continue to be amazed with how much love I have in my life and sometimes I ask myself what I did to deserve it. The truth is, it's not about what I deserve. It's about action. I TOOK THE ACTION required to live a happy life, and because of that, I feel perfectly comfortable admitting that I want to live a happy, healthy, prosperous life. I also want to share it with as many people as possible. That's how it works.

Don't Take Things so Seriously

In case you were wondering, I have been thinking about this subject because of some real life experiences I have been observing. If none of this article has applied to your life, then this message just isn't for you and that's cool. But here is ultimately what I am trying to say... Sobriety and recovery are about happiness. It is about purpose, and enjoying the journey. It is about faith and love and harmony and I want to see as many people smile in their recovery as possible. So sometimes when I see people who get sober and become so serious and stringent on their purpose in their recovery, I get a little bummed out. Do all the service you want, but don't forget to take some time for yourself. What is your why? Why did you get sober? It's perfectly okay to answer "because I want to be happy and life a good life." So here it is... here is the moment I have been waiting for. I want to know your why. I want to know what you aspire to be in your recovery and what it is that keeps you motivated to stay sober a day at a time. Don't be embarrassed or reluctant. No dream is too big and no dream is too small. This is for you! Leave your comments below!