WARNING!! ADDICTIVE PRODUCT!
I am an addict. I have been addicted to drugs and alcohol for many years. Today, my girlfriend and I have 51 days clean and sober. Part of this struggle was the mundane, normality of life, which lacked the level of excitement (good and bad) that we had become used to. When you go from running with 10+ grand in your pocket and a gun strapped inside your leather coat, to a humble meditative lifestyle of writing, the change is a bit jarring. Other pressures included: having lost everything I had ever owned (more than once), the ensuing financial troubles and debt, emotional stressors, broken relationships, homelessness, social awkwardness, as well as many other things.
Although things can become difficult sometimes, through God and our love and support for one another, we have been doing it, But there is ONE more thing that really has helped me.
If you look back at my steem posts, there are not very many before my sobriety date. Even the posts that I had created before that time were sporadic and lacked any real direction. This was not just because I was new to steem. It was also because I was writing from the remnants of an old way; a dead way.
Today, I have discovered that I have a love of writing and my work ethic is finally paying off, a little. I want to thank all of the people who are following me and my generous and good-natured predecessors. I have many teachers here on steem and I learn new things every day. Something of a self-quote that I have said for a long time, but am just finally acting on it's wisdom:
- -To each man (or woman), another is a teacher, and that teacher to him, is also his student. We all walk different paths and glean different wisdom from those walks. No matter what appearance a man may take, he is a teacher of something, to someone, even you.
I realize that, though I have set aside the things of the old way of life, I AM NOW ADDICTED TO STEEM! Thank you, steem community, for helping me to replace my unhealthy fixations, with those that are helping me to develop into a much different, much better two-legged, four-fingered creature with oppose-able thumbs than I ever thought I would be.
Cheers to Steem!
-Article and image by Jonathan Caleb Williams @badseedalchemist
To listen to the audio version of this article click on the play image.
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STOPTo support your work, I also upvoted your post!
Congratulations on your sobriety. You are not the only ones here blossoming out of the dark soils of addiction. Writing amd being heard and valued here makes a difference in many lives. Its definitely not all about the crypto. You have so much to offer and give... xx
Thank you. That was very uplifting. I would like to use this comment and it's precious resources to ask you another question. If you read the article (pre-article) I wrote, "Even Angels Need A Little Hope, Sometimes" maybe you could offer me a little advice? In the article that I plan to write after my interview, what are the best 7 tags that you would suggest using for visibility and agreeability on the network? Any suggestion helps as I am, how would I have said back in my gaming days, a n00b?
Hahahahahahaha @badseedalchemist I should have warned you... "It's a Trap"!!
There are so many rabbit holes in different directions on Steem, it definitely seems like an instant addiction! (And that doesn't count Discord)
For me, it's been nice getting my writing chops back in shape, and also having something else to think about besides stresses in life ~ that's real, and not just a tv show. Side projects are my favorite coping mechanism that won't wreck my life.
Also, it's a nice activity to take up your time instead of using your substance of choice.
While all your other drugs of choice will cost you money (most profitable drug is one you sell and don't use), this one might even make you a little.
Welcome to sobriety. I can imagine some days its hard not having that cash flow or haze to hide the stress in, but you made the right choice. Peace of mind really is priceless, but it's not free.
I can tell we are going to be great friends on here. :-)
That was one of the best and INSIGHTFUL comments that I have had so far on steem. I agree, I think you will make a great friend (and I will try to make, at least, a good one 😜 )
I can't say I understand. I have never done an illegal drug, just prescription ones. Yes, that includes marijuana. So, I don't what sort of courage it takes to write this post. What I do know though is that finding something you value more than drugs is a good day in anyone's estimation.
Good on you and keep it up.