There are many words to describe the essence of Memorial Day, and they go hand in hand with my sober life. A few of them are mainstays in my daily vocabulary.

Freedom.

Gratitude.

Courage.

In contemplating the holiday today, I am beyond grateful for the courageous men and women who unselfishly serve(d) to protect our freedoms.

Following our calling.

For those I know in the military, it seems like a calling they have answered. What an amazing gift to realize your calling and then to be courageous enough to respond. How brave you must be to report to duty knowing that your physical well-being could easily be at-risk, and your mental peace could forever be disrupted.

Sometimes I feel that I am called to do certain things in life, but I often quiet those voices with a quick “shish.”

Shhh…quiet down. It’s too scary.

Shhh…quiet down. What will people think?

Shhh…quiet down. Go with the flow so no one notices you.

Shhh…quiet down. You are not worthy to fight for your calling.

Honestly…I don’t really know what my calling is, but I do believe it has to do with writing and connecting with people. It’s a question that seems to haunt me…until I finally sit and unleash the pen.

Fear

When I think about the men and women who proudly defend our country…I wonder what they would think if they knew that I was sheepishly cowering in fear.

…fear of speaking our truth
…fear of being transparent
…fear of saying I want to change my life…again!
…fear of love and intimacy

There they are on enemy lines…

fighting for us.
fighting for our freedom.
fighting for us to live any life we choose in this great country.

Sober Courage

Are we going to squash that freedom because we are fearful? Or are we going to follow the footsteps of the brave

who have gone before us
who have lost their lives for us
who sacrificed everything for us

so that we could DO and BE whatever we want.

It feels kind of like a slap in the face to our veterans to cower down in fear.

Freedom.
Gratitude.
Courage.

Celebrating freedom from alcohol.

When thinking about the men and women who have fought for us, I ask myself how I am celebrating the freedom they afford us.

Am I showing up for life? Am I joining in and living this great big roller coaster ride? Am I courageous and brave?

Am I living my best life, or could I do more?

I think there’s a whole lot more to be done, and I feel inspired by our military. I hope I take today’s thinking forward in the coming days…always asking…are you giving it all you’ve got?

For the love of the men and women who have sacrificed everything, don’t we owe it to them to be courageous in our lives? We have been gifted a beautiful gift in sobriety. Here’s to celebrating our freedom from the bondage of self each and every day in this great big beautiful life.

#live-courageously