Happy New Year!

Sedona, Arizona

Today: "Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle." which I believe is a variation of "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." by Plato

The time has come to end my journaling here, for I wish to write about health and fitness related subject matter, and non-anonymously. However, I truly enjoy reading the recovery blogs and will continue to do so, I'll be around.

This has been a good year in many ways, and many challenges have been provided to keep things interesting. I still struggle with some hip and back issues, but have a pain management plan that includes core work (much!), yoga, prolotherapy, platelet rich plasma treatments; but while continuing to work out. I've chosen to live life doing the things I love, although on a reduced scale (no marathons). I am off the prescription pain meds, and still able to stay active.

Gosh, it has been such a treat to blog and meet and learn from other recovery folks during the last three plus years. I'm connected to many with email, phone numbers, and Facebook. Each year we even have a Fantasy Football league, where I usually do pretty well for not actually watching any football games.

While my journals here will end, I am still on a recovery journey. I think the early years of sobriety provide the greatest challenges and opportunities for change, with a tapering as the years go by. This seems to be my experience, sort of a steep learning curve that continues to go up, but at a slower pace. Regardless, much work remains.

And I am not sure if it is my age, or the tragic news of childhood friends passing during the past year, but I seem to be more and more focused on my own mortality lately. There is a quote that I remember from the 'old party days', and here I offer a variation:

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body...but rather to skid in sideways, running or walking shoes in one hand - yoga mat in the other, body and mind thoroughly challenged, but totally taken care of... screaming WOO~HOO - What a Ride!"