Holiday smiles can change a day

Many principles drive the sober life, but chief among them is that we have only today.

I hear it all the time: “Yesterday’s history, and tomorrow’s a mystery.” Another: “Today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.”

We speak in a 24-hour language.

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It’s a point-driven home time and again. If I start living in a day that hasn’t yet happened, that’s where my bummer thoughts come from.

If ever there was a one-day-at-a-time season, it’s now.

Most people are very excited about Christmas. They’re out shopping, wrapping gifts, listening to cheery music, sipping eggnog, sending cards, and deciding which Christmas Eve service to attend.

Others, though, struggle.

Depression, mental illness, and addiction are common themes in the Christmas season, and I don’t want to dwell on that this week.

However, I don’t want us to forget it either. Folks in our community may be doing all those wonderful Christmas things, even with a smile on their faces, while something is tearing the fabric of their insides.

Let me be blunt: Depression is awful, and it’s worse at Christmastime.

You know this is a battle I’ve faced here and there. Just last week, it felt like the walls were closing in. Before the darkness descended too deeply, I called a trusted friend who yanked me off the ledge.

Christmas is a time of giving and receiving. It’s a time of joy and hope. Just know that not everyone you see this week and next is feeling that.

A smile goes a long way.

—Semi-related, Club Recovery of Citrus County will have an “alcathon” on Christmas Eve and again on New Year’s Eve.

An alcathon is sober/clean fellowship, food and 12-step meetings over a period of several hours, usually related to a holiday. Club Recovery’s alcathon is 36 hours for both events — 10 a.m. Christmas Eve to 10 p.m. Christmas Day; 10 a.m. New Years Eve to 10 p.m. New Years Day — with 12-step meetings every couple of hours or so. And a lot of food. I cannot overemphasize the food component.

These events are vital for people like me who may experience incredible loneliness this time of year. During my early sober years, it wouldn’t be unusual for me to pop into an alcathon at 3 a.m. Christmas morning.

My first season, though, is a lasting memory.

New Year's Eve was a Saturday that year and, man, I was sure feeling sorry for myself. It was my first one without a former best friend, and whiskey seemed to show up everywhere I turned.

My new sober friends were gathering at the normal Saturday night spot, and someone was having a birthday party that same night. 

That wasn’t for me. Nope, I had a better plan. I would visit with my friends in Holder and then come home to wash the bathtub. On New Year’s Eve. Alone. Less than six months sober.

When I explained this brilliant line of thinking to my friends, two of them had a different idea. They tossed me into the backseat of a car, and off we drove to Crystal River where like-minded sober friends were enjoying New Year’s Eve together.

By the time 2 a.m. rolled around, I had spent New Year’s Eve with sober friends who had my best interest, and theirs, in mind.

If this sounds like something you’re interested in, message me, and let’s talk.

Love the Christmas season, but not everyone is feeling perky this holiday season.  I don’t want to forget that.

Have an awesome Wednesday, friends.

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