Persian Poet, Jelaluddin Rumi (1207-1273)
This morning I got this message on Twitter:
“You’ve inspired me to have an AFD today! #Gottastartsomewhere”
Though being an inspiration for others to cut down on drinking alcohol wasn’t the goal of starting this blog (I’m assuming AFD means ‘Alcohol Free Day’), I’ve gotta say it is kind of nice knowing what you’re doing is having a positive affect on someone, somewhere, sometime.
I also recently discovered another blogger had been inspired by this blog too, having taken to including a joke in the same format as I do on my posts here on her blog (Obsolescence Project). She even gave me credit in a couple of posts, something I think was very kind considering I was, no doubt, inspired by someone else, somewhere, sometime to write the Little Booze Jokes in the way I do. And along with the Tweet it was another great reminder to me of something I think is true yet don’t always remember:
We each affect the other.
Positively and negatively. And so it goes on down the domino line.
As much as I believe in free-will and self-determination I know from my own life how others have changed me. And one of the most profound ways I have been changed is from things I have read, in particularly some great non-fiction.
While this blog post is DIRECTLY inspired by my two new social media friends (SMF’s?) mentioned above I’m not just talkin’ Twitter and blogs here. I’m talkin’ paper-made books too.
Over the years I’ve read a lot of self-help and human development books. From Louise Hay’s ‘You Can Heal Your Life’ to Stuart Wilde’s ‘Miracles’ I’ve read scores of different authors takes on how to live in the moment with complete acceptance of what you have created and what you are capable of creating (pretty much anything you concentrate on).
And while even if I don’t love each book or author in the same way, or to the same degree, I have always benefited from a new perspective. I’ve always taken away something positive from every good book I’ve read (and some of the bad).
But it’s not just non-fiction that has helped me. Fiction too has given me great insight into human behaviour, and therefore, my own habits, idiosyncrasies and hang ups. In this way I guess even the great classics like ‘Robinson Crusoe’, ‘Great Expectations’ and ‘1984’ could be seen as ‘self-help’ in that by putting myself in the hero’s shoes I learn how I might act under similar circumstances and how I might better my lot, by becoming more aware of my own and other’s human nature.
What wisdom did Shakespeare share about alcohol?
“O God, that men should put an enemy in their mouths to steal away their brains!” William Shakespeare, Othello
Then there is poetry too.
Though I don’t own much, I do value the few books of poetry I have. Most of them are by Rumi. Often, when feeling a certain wistfulness or quiet melancholy I turn to Rumi for solace. He always comes up with the goods
Here’s one of my favourite Rumi snippets, one I think relates nicely to anyone thinking about taking a break from boozin hard.
“Diminish what you give your physical self, your spiritual eye will begin to open.” RUMI
Today, right now, I am concentrating on my spirit—or ‘soul’ if you prefer. I am open to experiencing more clarity and depth in my spiritual life and that is why I am diminishing what I give my physical self.
And as I said at the beginning of this post it’s not just the great authors and poets who inspire me, every message of support and comment from readers sharing something about their journey with alcohol and self-control spurs me on and inspires me with the knowledge this is a blog worth doing.
For a year at least. Maybe longer?
My name is Ben and I’m a social experiment.
Today is Day 208 of my YOLS (Year Of Living Sober).
Little Booze Joke
A poet walks into a bar and the bartender says “What do you feel like today?” and the poet says, “A shipwrecked vessel battered by storms off the very rocks which stranded me.” The bartender stabs his own hand with a cocktail stick. The End.
Had to comment, if only to claim that first tweet as MINE! Lol. I appreciate you giving me the option to remain anonymous, though.
I see over and over again how we all affect each other. And it seems through social media we are able to stretch our arms out across the globe. Pretty much all of the people I have reached out to via Twitter and other social media have been super smart, witty, funny and helpful. I was just saying to another author the other day how it restores my faith in the world.
Then some sociopath hacks some poor soul up and posts the video for all to see. And some of the air goes out of my sails. *sighs*
But, as I tweeted to you, I know one has to: Be the change you want to see in the world! It’s trite but true. So good on you, my friend, with your wise words and sober wisdom. It has not gone unnoticed.
KC
Thanks Kyoko. V. glad you like (see, as I told you on Twitter, Bridget Jones has taken over some of my social media communication)!
Most Twitter (and blog) folk I hook up with are positive and genuinely interested in a v. happy life with as few units as possible of #notniceness. People being people though, the odd complainer pops his or her head up but that’s why we have a mouse—so we can click unfollow and move onto the next lovely dovely anonymous-might-be-less-anonymous-virtual-friend-one-day.
Working from home (writing—my novel manuscript is opened and screaming for some v.personal attention) I value these interactions v.much. I think in many ways it is possible to create a virtual workspace inhabited by more likeminds than you might get at any ‘normal’ job.
Viva la blogger revolution!
BGM
Absolutely we affect each other. S0cial media can definitely offer the best and worst as well. I think blogging retains that almost last century feel of community. Really enjoying your blog. Thanks for the shout-out.
Thanks Deanne. No worries for the shout-out too.
I feel like I done moved to a friendly little town, full of free-thinkin’ folk who ain’t to proud to give everyone their turn on the soapbox.
Next!
I like your observation “it is possible to create a virtual workspace inhabited by more likeminds than you might get at any normal office.”
I read somewhere recently (need to begin to take note of where) that we are the average of our five closest companions. Another way of saying we are deeply influenced by the people we choose to bring into our inner circle. Don’t think I’d go as far to think we are that average, because like you, I’m deeply influenced by books I read, songs I listen to, movies I see, and ordinary folks I meet everyday. Good people.
One of the great things about blogging is, while you do build up a ‘feeling’ about what someone is like over time, each post and comment is a chance to express a little of ourselves without interruption. I think real communication is often thwarted by the pace of modern life. And, as overwhelming as the options before us are these days—blogs, Tweets, Facebook msgs, emails, LinkedIn whatevers etc…—if we take a moment to compose a sincere thought, it is, I feel, often sincerely received.
Of course, you can also just av’ a larf and B as flippant asyoulike too