Let Go. Be
Created by Jodi Lanning
Let Go. Be
I was 42, living in a friend's foreclosure house with my 3 dogs. In 2006, my partner left our long-term relationship and by 2008, I lost my Executive position (high-paying) due to my alcoholism. I thought I would rebound from all of this, but my drinking caused me to lose everything. By the time I asked for help, I was financially, spiritually, and emotionally bankrupt.
On November 12, 2014, it will be 5 years since I have stopped drinking. I have gained so much in my life since the day I asked for help. Today, i live with self respect and guilt-free days. I live my life with love. Getting sober was the best thing I ever did.
Six months into my recovery, I was driving to a friend's cottage in Northern Michigan. I was filled with much regret from my past mistakes, feeling sorry for myself on how broke I was, and worrying about tomorrow. My heart, mind and soul were filled with anxiety until I looked out my car window and saw that spring was arriving. The noise quieted in my head and I heard three little words:
Let go. Be.
I knew at that moment that there were answers to my problems beyond the bottle. I had little control over people, places, things and situations -- all I had control over were my actions and attitudes. I can't control tomorrow, but I can empower myself to be in the moment....and change my way of thinking in each and every moment. I started Let Go.Be within a few months and have a passion today in inspiring others to empower themselves to better thinking.
I am not saying that life has been a bed of roses, because it hasn't. I read in a book that God never gives us more than we can handle, but life can. That was a profound statement, because it is my perception that can get in the way of seeing hard times as an opportunity for self growth.
I am sober today and even when bad things happen, the solution isn't in the bottle. The biggest thing I learned in my recovery journey is that I am not alone. One of the biggest reasons for Let Go.Be is to blog about my experiences and allow a place for people to share life experiences, strength and hope.
Thank you for allowing me to share my story.
Let Go.Be
On November 12, 2014, it will be 5 years since I have stopped drinking. I have gained so much in my life since the day I asked for help. Today, i live with self respect and guilt-free days. I live my life with love. Getting sober was the best thing I ever did.
Six months into my recovery, I was driving to a friend's cottage in Northern Michigan. I was filled with much regret from my past mistakes, feeling sorry for myself on how broke I was, and worrying about tomorrow. My heart, mind and soul were filled with anxiety until I looked out my car window and saw that spring was arriving. The noise quieted in my head and I heard three little words:
Let go. Be.
I knew at that moment that there were answers to my problems beyond the bottle. I had little control over people, places, things and situations -- all I had control over were my actions and attitudes. I can't control tomorrow, but I can empower myself to be in the moment....and change my way of thinking in each and every moment. I started Let Go.Be within a few months and have a passion today in inspiring others to empower themselves to better thinking.
I am not saying that life has been a bed of roses, because it hasn't. I read in a book that God never gives us more than we can handle, but life can. That was a profound statement, because it is my perception that can get in the way of seeing hard times as an opportunity for self growth.
I am sober today and even when bad things happen, the solution isn't in the bottle. The biggest thing I learned in my recovery journey is that I am not alone. One of the biggest reasons for Let Go.Be is to blog about my experiences and allow a place for people to share life experiences, strength and hope.
Thank you for allowing me to share my story.
Let Go.Be
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Comments
1.
Laura B.
Laura B.
Hi Jodi! Happy Anniversary! I hope you are doing well :)
2.
Julie
Julie
Congratulations on five years!
3.
Jodi Lanning
Jodi Lanning
Dear Laura,
Thank you for reading my story and for taking the time to reply. I truly believe that even though we are strangers....we are friends and together we can grow from one another. Your reply gave my heart a huge smile and I glad I did the same to yours.
I am going through some rough patches in my life right now but I am pushing through them and growing each and every day, sometimes every moment. Five years ago, hard times was something I never wanted to face but today, I do. I don't like them but I accept them and I trust that I am right where I am supposed to be.
Please have a let go.be evening and weekend.
Jodi
4.
Laura B.
Laura B.
Hi Jodi,
This is a very inspiring and empowering story! Thank you for sharing such a powerful insight -- being in the moment - this is certainly a philosophy that can and will benefit everyone! I am going to follow you on your blog and I hope to gain more great insights.
Also, congratulations on your sobriety anniversary!
L
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