"The slightest slight used to wreck me for days when the person may just have been in a bad mood that had nothing to do with me. I was hostage to the whims of the world. Now, much less so."
What a self-aware and honest Q&A. Thanks for being so forthright.
As a sober person myself, gosh, coming up on 10 years this year, I’m always happy to read this stories of sobriety—how they got and stayed there. It’s affirming for me (I wasn’t the only FUp!) and so heartening to know the light continues and grows.
oh wow… the barbershop line flipped like that?? i love how recovery found you in such an ordinary, unexpected place, like it just kept showing up until you couldn’t ignore it.
and that shift from contagious plague to someone who shows up… that yoga class image really got me. there’s something so powerful about those small, consistent acts quietly rebuilding a sense of self. excited to connect!!
So appreciate your candid, funny, and insightful interview. I too immerse myself in mountaineering stories that go wrong. 'Into Thin Air' brought me to the fierce mountains filled with chaotic humans wanting to get to the top. Such a good metaphor for being human.
Always love these recovery stories! I got sober the first time when I was 23, went back out "to have more fun" at 26, and re-upped at 32 and have been sober now for 43 years. I resonate with your "non-negotiable daily spiritual practice of prayer, contemplative journaling, reading, and meditation. ... Also, walking and hiking are key for me." Three years ago I started a weekly women's meeting using "Voices of Women," a collection of women's stories from the Grapevine. This has been transformative for me and for others - actual women's stories shared in a safe environment. We old-timers thrive to at last find support as women, and young newcomers are arriving, staying, and celebrating.
Love the screaming honesties in Cara's sober answers -- as welcoming and magnetic as the writing in her upcoming book! Thanks Sari for providing such a forum.
Fantastic. As a sober oldster who is both older (65) and with less time sober (2 years if I do not use for another week!) I’m only concerned about Cara’s deep connection to and need for movement in the wild. She said “I am grateful to have an able body at this time so that I can get out of my head and onto my moving feet on the regular…I need this activity to keep me this side of sane.”
What happens when our bodies age out of the healthy activities that are so crucial to mental and physical health - and our sobriety?
Thank you Sari and A.J. for this regular feature 🙏
Thank you for considering this so attentively! I think about aging bodies. I imagine I will grieve, lament, and adapt. And likely there will be public sobbing...
I was taken by your leaking and “containment” boundaries — I really struggle with that - and hadn’t heard that term before—and ruminating on what people think of me. Your daily practice sounds like a real antidote. Thank you!
What a self-aware and honest Q&A. Thanks for being so forthright.
As a sober person myself, gosh, coming up on 10 years this year, I’m always happy to read this stories of sobriety—how they got and stayed there. It’s affirming for me (I wasn’t the only FUp!) and so heartening to know the light continues and grows.
Love everything about this
oh wow… the barbershop line flipped like that?? i love how recovery found you in such an ordinary, unexpected place, like it just kept showing up until you couldn’t ignore it.
and that shift from contagious plague to someone who shows up… that yoga class image really got me. there’s something so powerful about those small, consistent acts quietly rebuilding a sense of self. excited to connect!!
Yep, in my polyester Friendly's uniform. :)
A perfectly lovely human
What a lovely thing to say!
Thanks Cara , for being able to express so eloquently what you have learned from the time of your painful experience of life.
So appreciate your candid, funny, and insightful interview. I too immerse myself in mountaineering stories that go wrong. 'Into Thin Air' brought me to the fierce mountains filled with chaotic humans wanting to get to the top. Such a good metaphor for being human.
Can’t wait to read the book! I loved this. So helpful! And that 55th birthday photograph is awesome!
I’ve read (and blubed) the book and it’s wonderful.
There was actually a double rainbow that day! And this was after over 24 hours of drenching rain. As if the heavens parted....:)
Very propitious or perhaps auspicious omen- either way is good.
Always love these recovery stories! I got sober the first time when I was 23, went back out "to have more fun" at 26, and re-upped at 32 and have been sober now for 43 years. I resonate with your "non-negotiable daily spiritual practice of prayer, contemplative journaling, reading, and meditation. ... Also, walking and hiking are key for me." Three years ago I started a weekly women's meeting using "Voices of Women," a collection of women's stories from the Grapevine. This has been transformative for me and for others - actual women's stories shared in a safe environment. We old-timers thrive to at last find support as women, and young newcomers are arriving, staying, and celebrating.
I am glad to read that your life turned out so beautifully. Congratulations on your success.
I love Cara's attitude! Thank you for your sober oldster with the Small Bow. I look forward to it every month.
Sometimes public sobbing *is* the way one demonstrates how to get better!
Indeed!
Love the screaming honesties in Cara's sober answers -- as welcoming and magnetic as the writing in her upcoming book! Thanks Sari for providing such a forum.
Thanks, Amy!
And "screaming honesties" ftw....
Fantastic. As a sober oldster who is both older (65) and with less time sober (2 years if I do not use for another week!) I’m only concerned about Cara’s deep connection to and need for movement in the wild. She said “I am grateful to have an able body at this time so that I can get out of my head and onto my moving feet on the regular…I need this activity to keep me this side of sane.”
What happens when our bodies age out of the healthy activities that are so crucial to mental and physical health - and our sobriety?
Thank you Sari and A.J. for this regular feature 🙏
Thank you for considering this so attentively! I think about aging bodies. I imagine I will grieve, lament, and adapt. And likely there will be public sobbing...
This is so great. Thanks so much!
Instead I learned the art of public sobbing 🎯
Love you Cara and love this book!!!
Julie! xoxoxo
I was taken by your leaking and “containment” boundaries — I really struggle with that - and hadn’t heard that term before—and ruminating on what people think of me. Your daily practice sounds like a real antidote. Thank you!
I'm so glad this was helpful!