Being of Sober Mind & Body

In my own experience, to be truly sober or sober minded means to be free from the influence of the unhealthy. This could be substances, people, inner thought streams, destructive addictive behaviors, or any influence that carries us away from our natural state of beautiful being. My teens and twenties were spent in the death grip of a ravaging opioid addiction that nearly snuffed me out entirely. 

Before first experiencing lasting sobriety in 2005 I was anything but free from unhealthy influences. Held hostage by addition I was dying a slow, agonizing death on the inside. And although by grace I’ll have been clean and sober 19 years in January 2024, my freedom and liberation from other unhealthy influences has been an ongoing journey. There are many other fetters to be loosened if one’s aim is unequivocal liberation and freedom.

More and more it seems we’re moved, guided towards this ever greater freedom within. Pointed gracefully towards our own seat of truth in consciousness. Refined like gold in a fire. Impurities once indulged in for sustenance now become painfully indigestible for this new state of being. If we wish to still grasp and hold onto what we’ve outgrown we are completely allowed to do so. But a strange awareness is now given us, a discernment that knows we are under the influence of something unhealthy once again.

Deep within you is a fundamental truth and life navigational tool so powerful that there is no way for you to miss your purpose here if you desire this one truth alone. Wise counsel is ok. Experienced guidance is ok. Inspiration is beautiful and it’s a gift to both inspire and be inspired by others. But you should never yield this pure consciousness within you to that which would influence you away from your heart space. In all things, be of sober mind.