It’s exactly 3:04 a.m. on a Monday morning as I type this post. I’m on Day 358 totally alcohol free and one of the things I do now that I’ve broken up with the booze is that I rise up early in the morning. Sometimes too early, like today.

But as I sit here in my bed typing away, donning a furry leopard robe and fuzzy slippers, I’m so aware of the happily lost feeling of lethargy I used to experience from too much wine the night before.

Rather, I feel happy for no reason at, now, 3:06 a.m. in the morning.

And if I really wanted to I could be feeling really angry. I’m working way too much and the frenetic environment that I’m currently in doesn’t align with my soul.

However, nothing lasts forever so I choose to believe that one day soon the current freneticism in my life will morph into a trio of calm, serenity and peace.

I have transformed in the last 358 days. And the gateway to it all was taking a break from alcohol. How could one substance steel the life right out from under me all these years?

One of my favorite quotes is, “Just when the caterpillar thought her life was over, she became a butterfly.”

A year ago, I thought my life was over. I was depressed and contemplating, “Is this as good as it’s going to get?”

So in seven days, this phase of my rebirth will be celebrated by the achievement of a goal that will elude thousands upon thousands of people in the world–going one entire year without alcohol.

Self-respect. Love. Faith. Joy. Hope. These are gifts I’ve received this year and I am grateful. No doubt, my best days are ahead of me.

Peace and love,

Kathleen