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Over five years ago I decided to make a monumental life altering decision to quit drinking alcohol and I believe it to be one of the best decisions I have ever made.

I started drinking at the early age of 15 and alcohol grew to be a part of the routine, the cycle of endless binging every week. I became a bartender to continue getting my drink on and even becoming a DJ to feed my craving of drinking and partying.

Alcohol was my answer to solve all of my problems. I would drink to for the temporary release of stress. I lived in depression for most of my life, alcohol was my solution to drown my depression, not realizing that it was only temporary as the depression would float back to the surface, as the alcohol would only exacerbate the depression.

So I would continue the cycle of trying to drown my problems every week with alcohol. Numbing myself with alcohol. I would drink a bottle of liquor like tequila, vodka, bourbon, as if it was water.

I would go to the bars and nightclubs every weekend and just drink my nights away. When I moved to Puerto Rico, I would then drink my day away at the beaches and rivers. My days and nights would be a complete blur.

I also lived in Hawaii and I can say I never lived there because I would drink my days and night away.

I would drink to get totally wasted.

I came to the realization that alcohol was not a solution, but a burden and a problem.

An intelligent man is sometimes forced to be drunk to spend time with his fools.

-Ernest Hemingway

For you see in my time drowning myself with alcohol, I was doing just that, drowning who I was. I would drink to dance, I would drink to be happy, I would drink to be someone other than who I was.

Because the fact of the matter is that I had no clue who I really was. I was too distracted and numb by the alcohol to even get to know who I was deep inside.

I was trying to find happiness through bottle of liquor, when happiness was lying deep inside of me dormant, as happiness and the self of who I am was being held captive as my prisoners.

I found the key by finding myself in nature. I stopped drinking alcohol and then something beautiful happened, I realized the beauty of who I was. I opened my eyes to finally see the beauty of the world around me. I noticed the sky above, the beautiful clouds, the sun. I noticed the trees around me, the birds singing. I noticed LIFE and the beauty of life.

If I was drunk, I would not truly have appreciated this beauty!

I realized that I am so much more than the alcohol that consumed me and that in life there is so much more than giving in to alcohol.

For me I had the strong will power and the beginning of my self discipline to quit alcohol overnight and I never once looked back because there is nothing to look back to because now I look forward. I look forward to many clear minded days of enjoying this beauty that goes unnoticed by the weary eye. I speak of the beauty inside us all and the beauty of life.

Being alcohol-free, my mind is clearer. I make better life choices. I eat better. I nourish my body and mind daily. My life simply flows better. I am more mindful and have a natural high on life. I finally have control of my life instead of giving control to the alcohol. Long gone are the days of me stumbling around with a slurred speech.

We have this one sole life and it shouldn’t be seen through the eyes of a bottle of liquor. It should be appreciated and cherished. Every moment we have should be truly valued.

I see people here in Puerto Rico and see that many go to the beach to drink. So I implore all of those people where ever you may be reading this who think they need alcohol, to just stop for a day and take the time to observe your surroundings. Listen and appreciate it. there is so much more to life than drinking it away. It’s okay to say NO!

You have the key to stop the endless cycle, this never ending routine. So go to a place in nature and enjoy it and take the time to get to know who you are. Because who you are won’t be found through alcohol. Happiness will not be found through alcohol. It will be found in you!

I never felt better and more alive than when I quit drinking alcohol. I am more focused, I am much happier.

Time to start feeling fully alive and there is not better time than NOW!

I hope you found this posting inspiring and if anyone needs advice or someone to talk to. Please feel free to contact me.