On independence for me personally.

independence

in·de·pend·ence n. (ĭn-dĭ-pěn'dəns)

1. The state or quality of being independent; freedom from dependence; exemption from reliance on, or control by, others; self-subsistence or maintenance; direction of one's own affairs without interference.

dependence

de·pend·ence n. (dĭ-pěn'dəns)

1. The state of being dependent, as for support.

2. Subordination to someone or something needed or greatly desired.

3. A compulsive or chronic need; an addiction.

What would have happened if our fore-fathers would have waited until New Year’s Day to declare independence? What if they had waited until every body around them saw things the same way they did? What if they had waited for somebody to tell them to?

What if they had waited until it just happened naturally because they grew out of it? What if they had waited for somebody else to do it?

Independence Day is special to me. On July 4^th 2005, it was the day that I decided to claim freedom for myself. I don’t know how long I knew I was a slave to alcohol before that day. I do know that directly because of alcohol I could not enjoy many freedoms that I wanted to, such as have somewhere of my own to sleep, have a car to drive, have a meaningful relationship, have food in my tummy, not be sick so often, have a life out side work and a bar. I cannot express the contempt I had for myself because I could not break the chains of bondage that I chose to put on myself. I cannot relate the number of times I had cried myself to sleep because of complete emptiness and how alone I felt from getting drunk by myself… again. I won’t even start on the chain of events that got me to where I was that night. I can’t understand why I thought I was so helpless and undeserving of anything better.

I don’t know exactly what it was that gave me the fire to change. Maybe I was a little inspired by the sentiment behind Independence Day. Maybe all my parent’s prayers, along with Randy’s, had finally answered. Maybe my god knew that I was going to finally talk my wife into going on a date with me the next day. I don’t know. I don’t think that I could have done it by myself. I am glad it happened though.

I can describe to you how weird it was to have fun, and remember it the next day. I can tell you all about how it felt like I had doubled my salary instantly. I can explain to you how hard it was try and hang out at some of my haunts without having a drink. I can tell about how good of an example and inspiration both my dad and brother were, each in their own way. I can tell you about how easy it is learn how to line dance when I drink 7up instead of beer. I can tell you all sorts of awesome things in my life that are a direct result of my choice on Independence Day.

So, I say to anybody, make any day independence day.

http://www.aa.org/

http://www.addictionhelpservices.com/

http://www.smokehelp.org/

http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/

http://newlifehabits.com/

http://www.wowdetox.com/