I began training a client about a month ago on the north side of town. For those of you familiar with San Antonio, it is up in Stone Oak. So, every tuesday and thursday morning, before the sun comes up, I drive on the quiet, dark roads to train, and then return home during the beginning of rush hour. Typically, on the return trip I am thinking about the day ahead and what I need to get done...as well as enjoying watching all of the tired, angry people headed to work.
Today, I don't know what was going through my head, but I started thinking about all of the drinking I used to do up there. I always pass by the store I used to work at which sits directly across from Stone Werks. I spent countless lunch breaks there and many evenings with friends running up a tab. SW also played a huge part in entertaining me and my co-workers at Office Depot. From finding people passed out in their cars, men dropping off their drunken hook-ups in the morning, to finding wedding rings in the parking lot, and having the resident drunks come into the store after happy hour.
On the other end of the shopping strip is a giant liquor store...they knew me by name. I knew them so well, in fact, that if my store ran out of one dollar bills at the register, I could always count on them to help me out. In the same strip center used to be a wine bar that denied my friends and I entry one late night, and an Applebee's that always had a good happy hour. Their food sucks but beer was always served in ice cold frosty mugs.
Just down the road is a brewery that serves brick oven pizza. You can not go wrong with that combination. They also serve $2 Lone Star sixteen ouncers. If your on a tight budget, you can't go wrong with the $5 lunch special and some Lone Star. Their in house beers are also fantastic.
Do I miss it? Unlike most recovering addicts, I truly don't. It probably helps that my life is finally heading in a good direction, and I don't feel the need to cover up my feelings anymore. The only time I do miss having an ice cold beer is after a really hot day of yard work or sweating my ass off at the gym...but even that is rare. I also don't mind being around people that are drinking. I am not bothered by it at all, nor do I sit there consumed by thoughts of drinking. I do occasionally wish I could enjoy one with a group of friends, but I know that would be a huge step in the wrong direction ...and quite possibly have serious consequences. Life is not worth that risk any more.
The risks that are worth taking is a continous pursuit of success and happiness...in my life, with my family, at work, and with lifting. Nothing is guaranteed in life, I could get hit by a car putting the trash out in the morning. But adding additional external factors, such as alcohol, only leads to failure and missed opportunities. This is by no means an anti-drinking blog, hell, I am all for people enjoying themselves! Instead, it is just more of a reminder to anyone that battles addiction...you will always face challenges, whether it be driving by your old hangouts or fighting off cravings. But face them head on, almost stubbornly, and fight like hell because life is way more important than an ice cold brew.
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