I started writing this blog, not this post, the collection of my posts, with a purpose; To share what I’ve learned in recovery with those not fortunate enough to have “a program” as well as share my experience with those who do.
I’ve written a lot more about cycling than initially intended but that’s only because cycling is awesome and the sport makes my recovery more enjoyable.
Thus far I’ve received exactly nothing for my effort, and that has always been the idea. We don’t sell recovery, we give it away. Free of charge. A bunch of people gave me a new outlook, a good, happy, wonderful outlook on life so I’m simply doing my part to make sure others get the same, if they’re willing to work for it.
It turns out I’m not a very good sponsor, mainly because I expect people to work for their recovery as I did. Not exactly skirt-blowing news (most people prefer the “osmosis method” which typically has poor results). I have, in the process, been able to reach more people that I ever could attending meetings. I’ve gotten several “this post changed my life” comments and that’s what has kept me going. That’s all this blog has ever been about (again, the collection, not the post).
As cycling goes, I’ve never sought out ambassadorships, free stuff or sponsorship. I don’t even race competitively. I’m too busy having fun and being happy. That’s what sobriety is all about… Good, clean living in lieu of bad choices, sickness, dependence and mayhem.
I did end up with a cool bike though, but even that has ties back to recovery. My bike is the biggest thing I’ve ever paid cash for:
32 One Hundred Dollar Bills laid on the counter. My wife’s was the next biggest, though I wrote a check for that one, the novelty of the thick stack was done. This is what happens when one chooses the path of recovery. Good decisions tend to lead to good results.
The best I could manage as a drunk was delivering pizzas and living at my parents’ house. I wasn’t very good at delivering pizzas. Today my efforts provide good, high-paying jobs for dozens of families.
Back to writing… I was contacted last week by the publisher of an endurance sport magazine about a post I’d written a short time ago. They want to publish my post, and not only that, I’ll be paid. Not a lot, of course, but dude!
I took my bikes into the office yesterday to work on some better, cleaner pics to go with the article.
I don’t know if my post will become a real, honest to God article yet, but you can be sure that if it does I’ll let you know where it’s published… More, I hope, to come.
Best of luck with the publication. It’s a worthy story.
The other side of the coin works for others around here. Some of us are prevented from entering dark times by cycling. Without it, I think I would have cracked up years ago.
Just rewards! let us know how it pans out.
Thanks, brother! I absolutely will.
AWESOME!
Thanks Kecia!
Fantastic, well done. Totally deserved.At my home group last evening there was more talk about triathlons and running pre.chair than drinking. Ya gotta love it!!
Thank you, and how cool is THAT! (The triathlon talk before the meeting)
Great news! Congrats!
Thank you, Sara!
Thrilled for you!
That principle always works… keeping what we have by giving it away. Wish you many more clean miles on your bike.
Thank you!
Excellent news and congratulations!
I’ve a friend who found cycling and running helped him too. I think that was shortly before I first started following your blog. I’ve not been on here for a while but it was good to see you’ve stuck with it.
Thank you Kitty.
It’s always a great feeling of accomplishment to get your first paid byline, even after you’ve written a ton of stuff for free. I still remember my first paid article in a computer magazine decades ago.
Thanks, Brent. It is pretty cool.
That´s great! Congrats, my friend 🙂
Thanks, man. I appreciate it.
I am truly so happy for you. Squeeee!
Thanks Gail!
How cool! I’m happy for you. I love the message of fit recovery. I need to hear it more myself. I’m usually a if I’m recovering, all else will be OK kind of guy, which is never all the way true.
Thank you, Mark. I can’t put to words how much that means to me. Keep at the recovery, brother. Sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. It will materialize if we work for it.
Excellent work brother!
Thank you, brother!
You write from the heart and it shows!!!
Thanks browney!
That’s great! Congratulations for the offer and good luck in the rest of the process.
Fortunately my day job is pretty solid. Chuckle! 😆
Well done. You’ll have to let us know when it gets published. Is the magazine available over the pond?
I do not believe it’s available overseas but I’ll check. I just heard back yesterday from the publisher and he was stoked about the photos I’d sent in and said the post was over at the editor being worked on. I’ll let everyone know in a post what’s what when it gets settled. My article will likely appear in the March issue from what I’ve been told.
Congrats, that is awesome!
Shay-lon
Thanks Shay-lon. Much Appreciated.
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Must’ve missed this earlier… congratulations! I know you don’t do this for the money but you’ve written many posts worth of publication in a paying venue.
oops … make that “worthy of”
Read right through it. 😉
Thank you! Coming from someone with your talent and profession, that means a lot!