I hope you’re having a beautiful day. ♡
We’re celebrating another ¤ JohnnyO Gratitude Day! ¤

In all Matters, I Matter.

Quoth the Sober, evermore. In My Sobriety, I matter. In my desire to proclaim my wellness, I matter. In my opportunity to be a vessel and inspire others, I matter.

I am really fortunate to have people acknowledge what an impact I have had on them frequently. Frankly, it is surprising. Sometimes I am even shocked by the goodness of my life now. But then again I earned it. I will never take it for granted again.

From Kirk Johnson, Magpie Writer’s Collective. “It was another fabulous night and so much of what we do wouldn’t be possible without you. You are the connector of dots for many, many communities and it is an honor to be your friend”.

From Justin Quindlan, “I don’t need anything. I just want to make a donation on Thanksgiving and I wanted to make sure it is where you work.”

From Lance Turner, “Thanks John, I just wanted to check in with you and wish you a Happy New Year. I also want to reiterate that none of this would have happened had I not had the good fortune to run into you 16 months ago.”

So in all of this service to all, I will never lose my luster. The fact that my body is not, nor will it ever be what it used to be is irrelevant. I get the privilege of “showing up and showing out”. Which is a saying that is frequently expressed at one of the places where I have the privilege of facilitating writing. I get the privilege of being able to express the joy of being well and my day by day recovery in so many forums.

As things have evolved, I get the privilege of helping lots of people who are simply not as capable as me. Simple things for me, difficult for them.
What matters to me is that I can really exemplify and be the personification of the two greatest commandments,

1) Love me with all your heart and 2) Love your neighbor as yourself.

I really can exemplify and live the following Scripture, James Ch 1 v 2-4
“Count it all joy, brethren, when you go through these various trials, know that the testing of your Faith produces patience. But let patience have it’s perfect work and you will be made whole and complete, lacking nothing.”

Finally everyone, I could not be prouder that because I chose to embrace and proclaim my Sobriety to all, day by day, week by week, 1939 days today,

I MATTER.