Country Music artist Billy Currington has a song that goes, "I'm pretty good at drinkin' beer!" That's me! When it comes to drinking beer, I've been doing it consistently since I turned 21. Sometimes, I'd do a 30-Day No Alcohol Challenge, just to "reset" and "prove" to myself that I wasn't an alcoholic. 

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However, once that 30 days was up, my beer drinking koozie was itching to return to service. While bartending and working in the restaurant industry, it's easy to fall into a pattern of having an after-work drink. Next thing you know, you're drinking 5, 6, or 7 nights per week! 

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Then you take into consideration the marketing associated with the alcohol industry, and it feels like all the cool peeps are drinking alcohol. However, they never seem to include any of the negative consequences associated with drinking alcohol ... and there are many. You already know this. 

 

In addition, it seems like modern humans have forgotten how to socialize without being under the influence of alcohol. Maybe they just don't like humans; maybe it's social anxiety. Going to a wedding? Everyone is drinking alcohol. Football game? Alcohol. Cookout? Alcohol. Birthday party? Alcohol. Yet, how many times are these events ruined because of ... alcohol?  

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I think my transition into a mostly alcohol-free life has to do with age. It's the hangovers, man. I just can't deal with the hangovers like I used to. A few hours of drinking and rocking-out the night before, now often turns into two days of feeling like shit. At the very least, I'm certainly not feeling like I'm in my optimal state. 

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In December of 2022, I decided to embark on a 100 Day Challenge that I called "Operation, Run Forrest." You can learn more about that in the TOUR section of the website. It included no alcohol for the duration. It was the longest no alcohol streak I'd had ... since I first started drinking, many years ago. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I felt incredible, and in alignment with my Highest Path: Mental Clarity, Spiritual Insight, Physical Power. 

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After the 100 days was up, I went out with my boy to "celebrate" completing the challenge. We drank. I felt like shit for the next two days. I then decided to extend the challenge through the Spring season. I also completed that challenge, thereby, collecting over 6 months worth of Sober days. 

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As the Summer season was approaching, I was getting peer pressure from my Campground Crew, to drink beer with them after my Spring challenge ended. We've assembled a wonderful group of friends, where we all drink, laugh, cook-out, ride boats, and chill by the firepits while singing terrible karaoke. We thoroughly enjoy each others' company for the duration of the Summer, while camping at the lake on weekends. I'll park my truck at my camper on Saturday morning, and it doesn't move again until Monday or Tuesday. So, if I AM gonna drink, it's the ideal time and place to do so. 

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Long story short, I decided to give myself the freedom to drink during the Summer season, alongside my Campground Crew. As always, we had a wonderful time together. However, I still hated the hangovers. It was getting to the point that I was looking forward to the Fall season, so I could tell everybody, "I'm back on my Sober Path ... so don't ask me if I wanna drink!"

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And that's where we are now, as I type this in September of 2023. 

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I've learned to love my Sober lifestyle, as I know it's best for me ... and I'm in alignment with my Highest Path: Physically, Spiritually, and Mentally. Nearly every stupid decision I've made in life has been an extension of being under the influence of alcohol. Nearly every breakthrough I've had in life has been an extension of me being in alignment with my Highest Path ... while also being Sober. 

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I just finished reading the book, "Alcohol Explained" by William Porter. It provided a lot of illuminating insight. The most important aspect for me, personally, was with respect to sleep-quality. We panic if our phones drop down to a 50% charge, yet we often fail to fully-recharge our bodies every night. QUALITY sleep is greatly impacted when you fall asleep under the influence of alcohol. This, obviously, impacts your performance in your waking life. It's like you're constantly running on a 25% charge. I encourage you to read the book, if you've noticed some negative consequences of alcohol in your life. I've also heard good things about the book, "Quit Drinking Without Willpower: Be a Happy Nondrinker" by Alan Carr. 

If you're not a reader (you should be), I encourage you to consider watching YouTube videos from Sober Leon. 

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1 Peter 5:8 "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."
 

While recently encouraging one of my best pals to join me on The Sober Path, I was inspired to say the following: "It's never too late ... until it's too late." 

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I wish you the best of luck on your journey. 

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