15 Years

 Hope this finds you well.  I have not written in a while and I am hoping I can reconnect with my writing again in 2025.

On November 2nd ,  I celebrated 15 years of sobriety.  It was a big milestone for me and I felt a sense of great pride having achieved that.  When I made the conscious choice to address my alcohol addiction, it was the first step in getting to where I am today.  I have still struggled in that time with my gambling addiction but giving up alcohol was a pre curser to the success I have had with my gambling addiction over the last two years.  

I could not remember any time in my life where I had one drink.  I had no shut off switch or ability to drink socially.  I was filled with great shame for a long time in my adult life over some of the choices, actions and behaviours that transpired when I consumed alcohol.  If I could turn back time and had known the complexities of my disorder and my addictive nature, I never would have taken my first sip of alcohol.  But alas time does not go in reverse.  I can only learn lessons from my past and do as much as I can to spread awareness, knowledge and decreasing stigmas surrounding mental health and addiction.  

If you are looking for things to watch during this holiday season, Stephen Fry has an excellent two part documentary out there called the Secret Life of a Manic Depressive.  It is a wonderful documentary and gives really good insight in to bi polar disorder and the impact it can have on someone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtImgnj5DN0

Another great documentary is currently on Apple Tv with Selena Gomez called My Mind and Me. It was very brave and courageous of her to disclose her diagnosis and share some of her story being that she lives much of her life in the public spotlight.  I really respected her vulnerability in sharing and recommend giving it a watch.  

During the holidays, many people are often looking for charities to donate to.  If I could suggest one that does some amazing work.  Portage in Elora , On works with youth struggling with addiction.  I find their work to be so important as the earlier we can reach individuals struggling with addiction and/or mental health, the better chance they will have of finding balance in their lives and reaching their potential.

https://portage.ca/en/ontario/

I share my story because I want to impact others in some way as my way of gratitude for all the people that supported me along the way to get where I am in this moment.  It seems at times like our world is collapsing around us. Many things are out of our control but, we can always impact the lives of others by showing kindness and empathy to our fellow men and women.

Have a wonderful new year.  I hope 2025 is a year of hope, strength and new beginnings for you.

Take care.

Shawn 

Goodness is about character - integrity, honesty, kindness, generosity, moral courage, and the like. More than anything else, it is about how we treat other people.

Dennis Prager