Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Critical Planning

I was a Boy Scout for two weeks. I didn't like it much. But, the Boy Scout motto, Be Prepared, stuck with me. I've learned it's even more critical in staying sober and fit. I thought about that today during my run. This morning I made reservations for a cabin in the Smokey Mountains for Pat and I to stay in for a few days next month. As I was running along, I realized I was preparing for challenges I might face.

Before my last drink, I loved the beach. You can read about that here. At the beach, I didn't have to hide my drinking. I was, after all, on vacation and it was OK to drink. I drank while I made breakfast, then rode the waves to clear my head. A few drinks before lunch, then a nap. Sit around the pool sipping scotch in the afternoon, then more wave riding to be completely sober for dinner. There was nothing better than sitting on the balcony watching the ocean sipping White Russians all evening long. I loved it.

I haven't been back to the beach in sobriety. A cabin in the mountains isn't the beach, but it's close. There's a balcony with a hot tub overlooking a beautiful scene. Perfect for the White Russian deal. As I ran today, I was going through my
alcohol buddies and who I would call while I was up there. Probably spread it around a bit so I can call a couple of times a day. Then, I worked through the food deal -- thinking about what I can eat while I'm there so I won't be OCD about it and at the same time not recreate my obsessions for brownies and French bread. I thought about running. I'd read a review of the cabin we'll be staying in that talked a bout a bobcat on the beach. I thought about searching Google for how many people get eaten in the Smokies each year.

Then, I realized I was planning and how that comes naturally now. To fail to plan invites total failure. Without planning, I risk triggering all the bad stuff I've learned to avoid. I've seen that happen over and over to others over the past seven years. Don't want to follow those footsteps.

Plan, plan, plan.
Be prepared.

posted by Ed at 2:37 PM

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