Hope

Dear Readers,
Last night my hubs and I went to the Christmas Carol play.
I couldn't hear any of the words, but I stayed for the whole performance.
Why?
Because it just brought joy to my heart. The costumes, and pageantry were beautiful.
The story is one of hope.

Hope is a word that is helping me through life.
I want to bring hope to people who are struggling with drinking.
There is a good life without drinking.
When I was drinking, I didn't always have hope.
I quickly went into a depressed state, where I couldn't see the joys I had right in front of me.

When things go wrong, as they will at times, if I can turn from the disappointment, or fears, and face things with the knowledge that things will be well, then I am stronger.
Life works out, one way or another, and I have very little control over most things.

But drinking took away that hope.
Drinking made me think there was only one way, and that way was defeat and fear.
Alcohol is a liar.
It promises you the world but robs you of everything.

My father-in-law is in a nursing home now, but he is safe.
Instead of getting so angry about the situation, I talked calmly with everyone, and brought some hope and peace to my husband.
This wouldn't have happened if I was still drinking.
I would have gotten drunk and angry and stayed that way.

My eye surgery is on December 2.
I have hope.
I will pray for my surgeon that all will go well.
It's all I can do.
It's out of my control.

If I were drinking, I would have gotten drunk last night, or tipsy, and cry over my inability to hear the play, and my eye problems.
It would have been "poor me" all night.

But I do have control over the way I approach life.
Today I choose not to drink.
And today I choose hope, a feeling of trust.

With Love on Day 442
Wendy

Comments

  1. Thank you Wendy for a lovely post. Indeed, hope and starting to be able to deal with things instead of being reactive, I am starting to see both of these appear in my life. :-)
    I am very impressed how you deal with your physical difficulties. I'll be sending lots of good vibes to the Universe for you.
    xx, Feeling

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Feeling!
      I can feel those vibes already!!
      xo

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  2. You do bring hope to me. You inspire me. My thoughts are with you. Dec 2 will be a rough day for you, but I am sure you will be fine. Hugs! Thank you for a great post.

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    1. Dear Time,
      I hope you are having a good day.
      I know Fridays are hard.
      xo

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  3. Wendy, you are so strong:) Love how you handle life. I hope your surgery goes well:) I'll be thinking about you and sending you super good vibes!

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  4. Beautiful Wendy. You'll be in my thoughts and heart on December 2 :) xx

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  5. Wow Wendy, you are an inspiration! Thanks for this, I was struggling last night and it helped xxx waking up

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    1. Dear Waking Up,
      I am sorry you were struggling.
      It's a hard thing to do, getting sober.
      I am glad you are staying with it!
      xo

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  6. *But I have control over the way I approach life.
    I love this line! It's so powerful.
    Dec 2 will be a day filled with love, joy and miracles....for you
    xo

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    1. Hi Sweetie!
      Thank you.
      I hope you are having a good day!
      xo

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  7. Wendy....i am praying for you for dec 2 and get so much joy from your hope and your story!
    You are friggin awesome girl!!!!!!!!!
    Love always
    Lisa

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  8. I'm happy to hear the father in law weekend move went well and most importantly is over. I still imagine that the older I get the less problems I will have, yet here's a man in his 90's still facing extremely difficult decisions. I hope my kids don't make decisions for me while drinking. Sober is such a lovely gift to your husband and father in law.

    I know Julie Andrews has faced a tremendous amount of grief at losing her singing voice. I'm glad you are reading the works of Helen Keller too.
    You are such a beautiful example of being strong & sweet and such an inspiration. I am always excited to see your blogs pop up and I can see what you have tackled next.
    Lori

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for the beautiful words!
      I did not know about Julie Andrews.
      xo

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  9. You attitude is amazing and inspiring Wendy, I know you're in good hands but will be wishing all the best for your surgery. Sending hugs your way. x

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  10. beautiful inspiring post Wendy.
    Kudos to you on soaking in Hope. That is exactly the positive attitude to take into surgery with you.

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  11. That looks so lovely from the picture.
    You inspire me lovely Wendy. You will be most definitely in my thoughts on Dec 2nd. You are often anyways. I know I haven't been around much of late but I do think of you all that way in the US.

    Happy Holidays xxxx Claire

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    1. Hi Claire!
      I am SO glad you are back!!
      I've missed you!
      xo

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  12. I'll echo those who are impressed with how you deal with your physical issues. I fail on this - when I'm not well it is a spiral downwards and I do very little to help myself, so I then feel guilty etc. etc.
    Always like a message of hope - I hope to be more hopeful

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    Replies
    1. Hi Graham!
      It's like praying for the willingness to be willing!
      I know the feeling of feeling down, that's for sure!
      xo

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  13. December 2nd is going to be fabulously successful.

    Your spirit and kindness shine through your words girl. You are awesome.

    Sherry

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  14. Sending hugs & prayers and will be thinking of you this week and next. Happy Thanksgiving to you & Mr. Untipsy! xx

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  15. Wendy, I read this on my phone so didn't get to comment until now that I am coming back for a reread. I love what you say here. Hope is so important to us in recovery. I do think it's what I was losing altogether when I returned to drinking again. I really admire how you are able to draw on your strength and look to the beauty in what I know are some very difficult things to get through. I'm glad your father-in-law is safe now. And I'm glad you are feeling hope and trust as you prepare for your upcoming surgery. (I worry I am becoming my mother when I way this, but just the same: ) I will say a little prayer for you on the day. Thanks for being such an inspiration and support! xo

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  16. Thank you for sharing that reminder on how crappy alcohol made us feel. Sometimes I forget how shit it really was. I hope things go well for you next week.Please let us know. xxx Mtts

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    1. Dear MTTS,
      It did make me feel crappy!
      It made me depressed and very unhappy!
      I will let everyone know!
      Thank you!
      xo

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  17. Love this post. Hope is so important. Hope is what got me in recovery. Hope for a better future. Hope that I can achieve my dreams and have the life I really want. This post reminded me how far Ive come from having no hope and no ambition. To having faith that thing will work out and my dreams will come true. I need to stop doubting, things have always worked out so far, some way or another. I need to remember that and I'll be way happier. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Hi Chelsie!
      Thank you!
      I am always happier when I trust that things will be all right.
      xo

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  18. Lovely. All the best with your surgery x

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  19. Wendy I'm so excited for you! This is an incredible post, thank you for sharing it, and thank you again for reminding me how much better things are Xx

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    1. Hi Harry!
      Thank you!
      Life is better!
      No hangovers is the best!!
      xo

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  20. Hi Wendy, Hope this gets to you, I couldn't figure out if you had a direct email address, I think you're a day behind me but I wanted to get in early and wish you all the best for the 2nd. I'll be thinking of you. xx

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    Replies
    1. Oh, Thank you so much, Millie!
      xo

      (My email is untispyteacher@gmail.com)

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