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JimmieOakland's avatar

I quit drinking in August 1986, shortly before my 33rd birthday. I was drinking pretty heavily in that period of my life, although never every day. But, it was becoming a problem. One morning I woke up with a slight hangover, having not imbibed overmuch the prior evening. Laying there, I thought about the bar I had visited, and how I almost did a really stupid thing. Rare good judgment prevented a disaster.

Then, I heard a very distinct voice speak to me. It was not my usual inner voice that said things like, "I am going to find that guy who scratched my car and kill him!" No. This voice came from without, and was very soft and gentle, like that of a young woman or perhaps a child. Whichever it was, the voice

clearly said, "The party is over, Jim. The party is over." That was the whole message, and I knew what it meant. I resolved to quit drinking that day.

A few weeks later, I began doubting my experience, and tried to drink again. I had two beers, then stopped. I realized that something dramatic had occurred, and I simply had lost the desire. It never returned.

Friends were amazed at my decision to quit drinking, and offered their congratulations. I accepted, but perhaps under false pretenses, because I have never been particularly proud for having quit. I cannot really accept responsibility for the decision, because I don't believe it was mine. As gentle as the voice was, it brooked no dissent. I wasn't being asked.

Of course, I have wondered since if I actually heard anything that morning, or whether it was simply a figment of my imagination. It may well have been. All I can say for sure is that it was one of the realest experiences I have ever had, and that it resulted in a most profound change in my life. For that I am grateful.

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tim harris's avatar

I have been working on giving up my 'need' for information. I am pulled in the direction of the computer to get my fix. I know that to keep up with the information I want to have I could read maybe every two weeks. I may have to make a two week break (or longer) to see what happens and to really know how this addiction is affecting me. So far I have been cutting down, deleting some sources of info, reading less of what comes to my inbox. I have been studying St. Augustine's 'Confessions' which is helpful as he always had a push/pull between outside stuff and inside stuff.

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