FREEDOM MONTH: DAY 25: “I think of a hero as someone who understands the degree of responsibility that comes with his freedom.”― Bob Dylan
We can have or do whatever we want and stay clean and sober if we are willing to pay the price. There was a man who used to say this all the time. I loved him, one of only a few gurus in my recovery. And I understood exactly what he meant.
My early days were filled with finding ways to do the same things I did loaded and not use or drink. I played with all the boys and did not become a recovering slut until down the road a bit. And I got to feel what that felt like, without taking a drug or drink. Okay. And I got to do other things that did not meet with the principles of this thing.
And I also know that my life is filled with responsibilities that I did not understand for quite some time. I have the responsibility for owning my stuff, for cleaning up my side of the street, and for letting you have your side of the street. I have the responsibility to take care of my wreckage and not create new wreckage.
I have the responsibility and privilege to work with others, to make restitution when I make a mess, and to let you have your messes.
I have the responsibility to walk my talk so that anything I say is believable and integral. If I don’t do that, then I will certainly fail. I have the responsibility to carry this message and let you find your own path to this thing.
And I believe I have the absolute responsibility to always remember who I truly am and where I got this gift, this tremendous gift, of spiritual, physical, emotional, and mental freedom from the insanity that was my life and thinking. I have to stand up and take this thing and use it as much as I can to serve the world I live in.
I must take this thing out into the world and show the world who I have become every minute of every day. They may not know how I got here, but they will certainly see the product I am today. Even when they have no clue what it takes to keep it. I don’t know about being a hero, but I certainly don’t want to live like an asshole any more. That is what I get freedom from.
Dolphin Hug 