People are friends. It just dawns on me that all my friends and acquaintances, I have never had a social alcoholic drink with. This is phenomenal. It is something of a miracle that I have NOT had some form of cocktail for almost 40 years. As a self-proclaimed introvert, I thought I needed a stimulus to be more sociable & likable. In a previous lifetime, I owned and operated my own beer keg-meister for hosting my beer-drinking buddies. Everybody I knew - coworkers, neighbors, relatives - all drank beer and were offered one immediately when entering the house.
The friends I have today have never seen me with the ‘beverage’ and I feel so blessed to have these people in my life. This experience I am having now, and have been preparing for the last 3 years, has truly shown me friendship like I’ve never before experienced. People have been exceedingly generous with support. Spiritually, energetically, financially, and lovingly. Feeling verklempt has almost become a common occurrence for me lately.
When I took my bike into the local bike shop at home, the gal said she was praying for me.
As I was pushing my loaded bicycle up this huge hill in Washington state, this guy stopped to offer to haul me up to the top. Yes, yes, I replied gratefully. Dan and I talked for half an hour and he wanted to know about
our blog. Never can I recall doing anything like that.
Sitting outside a convenience store, this gal inquires of my status and we chat for a while. She also wants to follow our blog. This is way out of my realm of past experiences.
Being raised on a small dairy farm in MN and going to a one-room country school of 8 grades, with one teacher and I being the only student in my grade for 8 years, being social was not a familiar trait I learned or felt.
After entering AA at age forty I experienced a whole new way of life, and how to socialize without the ‘beverage’. I am feeling and sensing a deeper connection with people where ever I go now. My feelings are at the very surface of my beingness. I sob at the slightest sensitivity or emotion nowadays. Someone sent me the song title of Alan Jackson’s song ‘The Older I Get’, a few days ago, I sobbed deeply over the implications of the song.
(2) Alan Jackson - The Older I Get - YouTube
It has taken me 80 years of life to begin to understand that humanity is loving and caring and generous regardless of my background or status.
I find myself so far out of the box now, I don’t even know where the box is anymore. Regardless of viewpoints or societal norms, I am finding a deeper honesty & friendship in our small community of T or C than I ever have. This experience that I am currently in, has highlighted a genuine feeling & sincerity of what life is really about. This was never taught me in my younger years- Germans were Germans - Catholics were Catholics - and that’s life!
All this baggage seems to be surfacing while in my solitary confinement. Life is changing very fast these days. I am finding this extremely exciting because it feels like consciousness is increasing among humanity. My solo journeying provides reflection time, meditation & much changing!!!
2 comments:
I don't know if it's age-related, but it seems the older we get, the more grateful we are for all our many gifts. Seems like the world comes into focus more and feelings are felt more - it's a great time of life. I'm happy for you! 😊
What a unique experience this is, Bill. A treasure for your life. It might not seem like it each moment, but hang in there!
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