Saturday

 

Daily Reflection – Unconscious Drinking Realization

Today is a beautiful day. What I am learning about pain is that many people do not believe in healing because of everything they have been told. But my journey is teaching me otherwise.

Last night was interesting. I sat on my bench while families enjoyed movies in the park. I waited for them to leave before I could rest. When they were gone, I felt a little lonely. But then I realized—maybe this is part of my journey. My ego was trying to convince me something was wrong because I wasn’t doing what they were doing. That’s how I was programmed. The truth is, my path is different, and that is where my strength lies.

This morning, I rose at 3:22. By 3:25, I was on the yoga mat. I did 650 push-ups, but more importantly, I discovered a new level of practice I now call Surrender Yoga. Instead of rushing to reach a number before stretching, I surrendered. I felt energy pulling through my spine, and for the first time, I accepted that I am truly a yogi. After more than 10 years on the floor stretching day after day, today I claimed it.

Running has been my purpose for decades. A deacon told me that 20 years ago, and 66,000 miles later, it is still true. Yoga and running are not hobbies for me—they are my life. My body is opening, my spirit is lifting, and I even feel like I have been in training for my next 100 miles for the past seven years.

This is why I call today’s reflection Unconscious Drinking Realization. Because just as people drink, eat, smoke, or distract themselves without realizing what they are doing, many also live without realizing the discipline and surrender it takes to truly heal. Food, drink, and habits may numb the pain, but yoga and running teach me to face it, release it, and surrender.

For me, self-honesty is stripping away everything—no substances, no food addiction, no cigarettes, no materialism. Just presence, discipline, and truth. That is sobriety in its purest form.

From now on, wherever I go and whoever I meet, I will speak my truth. Not to correct or condemn, but as part of my own training. My presence is my practice, and my words are my preparation.

Today I surrender again. Not to the world’s systems, but to my own discipline, to honesty, and to the journey I have been chosen to walk.