Who I Am

On March 7th 2016, I began a new life.

I came to believe in God in early 2015, when I was literally drowning in alcohol. I spent a year or so learning about who He is, and about the twelve steps of recovery. After countless relapses, and two trips to the hospital, I ALSO came to understand the importance of surrender.

My dear friend Gil encouraged me to write about my journey. I believe his original comment was “why don’t you write about how people can change at any age?”

Thankfully, I accepted his challenge. I was going to write the story of how my life was transformed. This actually meant something HUGE to me at the time. In order to fulfill the mission, I actually had to change!

I HAD A PURPOSE!

I started with a blank piece of paper and had absolutely no idea how it would all turn out, but I set my sights on a glorious future. The possibilities were boundless. All I could imagine was that something magnificent was waiting for me out there, and that all I really had to do to find it… was believe. That tiny glimmer of hope was all it took.

A sprinkle of faith.

So… here I am today entering my fifth year of sobriety. I’m still moving forward and sharing my story.

I have a slightly dramatic style (at times), at least when it comes to writing. I’m a serious optimist, so you’ll likely find me searching for and discovering silver linings, rainbows and hidden treasures in my posts. I also try to be funny. It’s a little offbeat sometimes, and may be hard to catch due to your inability to see my facial expressions and smile when I’m sharing… but it’s there.

That’s about all for now. The rest of my story is—or will be—written in the pages of my blog somewhere.

Thank you for reading!

64 Comments

  5. Just finished Unteach Me and have ‘poked’ around a bit. I need a ‘love’ button to press. God has blessed you with many talents and us for being the recipients of your servant’s heart. May the Lord continue to bless you in all that you do. ❤

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Oh my goodness. Thank you so much. I’ve been teared up a bit last two days and especially at church today. Good cries. ❤❤❤

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Hi Janet, thank you for the follow, I am following you now also. One of our daughters also became a Christian and has been sober now for over four years. We almost lost her so you can imagine how thrilled we were. It was pretty bad but praise God, He did what I thought was impossible. I’ve been working for the last two days but I will have some spare time early next week, so I am looking forward to getting to know you better by reading some of your posts. Blessings!

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  9. Congratulations Janet, I have about 15 years of sobriety but mentally am in the same place I was when I started drinking at 17. Zen teacher Charlotte Joko Beck said “We have to face the pain we have been running from. In fact, we need to learn to rest in it and let its searing power transform us.” I guess I’m still running.

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    1. Funny you say that. Last night I was talking to someone and told him that I was 13 when I started drinking, so I’ve grown (mentally) now to be about 21. Little steps! Thank you and congrats on 15 years wow!

      Like

  15. I am celebrating you–and celebrating with you! God is good, and faithful–when I was 59 HE opened my eyes and heart. I’m not a perfect saint but I look and listen better now, in the final chapter of my life, with HIM. May HE bless you so abundantly.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Thank you! I am glad we did too. I look back at coincidences along my path and see how all the pieces start fitting together. It’s awesome. Sometimes I feel like I’m just throwing words into a tunnel and then something wonderful happens. How cool is that?! 😄

      Liked by 1 person

  22. Hi again Janet, I too am an optimist, with dollops of enthusiasm, with the added downfall of being a hopeless romantic. I love that you can be dramatic, and that you search for silver linings and rainbows!

    Thanks for the follow on Writer in the Woods!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thank you Jude! My pleasure to follow. Those last 2 posts were intriguing, and I’m looking forward to hearing more about this beautiful place you moved to.

      Like

  24. Well ms/mrs Janet, you have a testimony! I too used to be an addict of many things. Praise God! And I’m pretty stoked to have found your blog and you find my poetry worth following! I appreciate ya!

    Liked by 1 person

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    2. Me too! You seem a tad not confident in your writing abilities, but I’ve been aggravating you for 2 days now? So, if you are… don’t be!

      I’m John by the way, nice to meet you, Janet!

      Liked by 1 person

    3. Nice to meet you too, John! I am not confident in my poetry whatsoever, it’s not something I ever did until a year or so ago and it’s new. I am confident in my writing in general though. Some day I will write a book. It’s on my list anyway. 🙂 And I’m certainly not aggravated!!! haha.

      Liked by 1 person

    4. You’re really not bad!! It’s a practice!

      I like to talk, a lot! And I feel aggravating. I’ll try to be subtle and to the point 😁

      Liked by 1 person

    5. Lol!! Not the strong silent type, huh? No worries. Aggravating is someone who wants to argue and thinks they are always right, so just don’t try that and you should be alright. 🙃

      Liked by 1 person

    11. Usually I have to get to know you, but for some reason, I’m not having that problem with you lol!!

      You’ll get tired of me eventually lol!!

      Liked by 1 person

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