An interesting lesson (Miss B)
15/08/10 • 3 Comments

We all have them.  Friends who are positive influences in our lives and friends who, shall we say, are ‘enablers’.  By enablers I mean people who, while they might be good people or good friends, quite often encourage or support us in areas we perhaps don’t need support or encouragement in.   And we can be oblivious to this. I have one friend in particular who I would consider my enabler.  Our friendship started at a work drinks function and everytime we caught up, it would often turned into a big night.    I realised that I couldn’t think of one time where he and I caught up without drinking. I have had to check the kind of time I will spend in his company during my HSM, because he (teasingly) discouraged my efforts, and semi-jokingly placed bets on how soon it would be before I caved.  So I intentionally put off catching up for a good few weeks.  When we [...]

“Character is who you are when no-one’s watching” (by Rubygirl)
20/07/10 • 1 Comment

I happened upon an interesting quote a couple of weeks ago, and it’s been since starting my HSM that it keeps reverberating in the background of my mind. “Character is who you are when no-one’s watching”.   For me, this created a sort of awakening and a new resolve.  I had often thought of ”character” as how we represent ourselves to and for others.   Which (truth be told) made it very easy for me to opt out, to not succceed or to commit half heartedly, seeing that I was doing or being based on ”others”.   All too often we place more value on what others think of us, or expect from us.  I’m learning that character is deeper than that.  So, who am I when no-one’s watching?  What is it that I am seeking to achieve or be?  Why is it important to me to succeed? Today is day 10 for me,  of no alcohol.  I survived [...]

There must be another buzz (by Belinda)
11/07/10 • 1 Comment

Today is officially the first day into my 3 month HSM.  I’ve been toying with starting this challenge for the last few weeks, but lacked the courage and ignored , no defied, the commitment required. After the weekend I’ve just had, I’ve run out of excuses.  There must be better ways of getting that buzz, that feeling of invincibility.    Yep, drinking gives me a buzz.  I love it.  I love the social aspect, I love the heady spin after the third glass.  But I do not like losing control, or losing time or wasting my weekends.  Which is precisely what I’ve become very good at.  Alcohol has become my friend.  More often than I care to remember or admit, I’ve often over indulged in alcohol  - to pick me up after a broken relationship, to soothe me after a shite week at work or to celebrate a great week, or to support a friend in need [...]