Your humility and transparency are simply beautiful: “It’s a total change of character and way of looking at the world and people around me. I have learned to be more patient, tolerant, and compassionate. I’ve learned the power of forgiveness and validating other people’s experiences...” I’d say you won, Ray Cocks. Not that it’s a competition, even with yourself, but all the challenges you’ve faced? You have tackled them and are still tackling them. That takes a lot of courage and you have that in spades. ❤️
Congratulations, Ray. I'm from that generation, was married to a Vietnam vet who drank, and appreciate what it took for you to "find yourself," as we said in those days.
Ray Cocks' story is one of the total realities of life in recovery. I can relate to his story in so many ways! It always amazes me that no matter how long one is sober, the stories are always the same, the learning is ongoing, and life gets better and better with each new revelation each new 24 hours. My 22 months and 21 days or 690 days, nights, weekends and holidays of sobriety have shown me a new way to relate to myself, the world and everyone in it. I am happy to read his story of recovery, I remember life in the 70's, the drugs, drinks and insanity..... and wishing the Vietnam war would come to an end. Those days truly affected every part of my being. Thanks Sober Oldster for giving me hope for another 24!
Ray, it's great to see this! I'll be 15 years sober this coming January. No AA for me (tried it but didn't like it), but otherwise our stories are similar (I'm like a baby version of you).
I really like the “Instant asshole, just add alcohol" mantra. For me, I wasn't mean, but I was self destructive, and I would have brought others into my pit of shit. I needed to get out, and thankfully I did.
Can’t believe I’ve never heard that SOBER acronym before. That’s great. I’ll have to ask my dad about it, who has been in recovery for around 20 years.
Profoundly moving, Ray.
Thank you so much for your openness. Your strength and wisdom, your humor, are inspiring to me.
Good luck to you.
>>One of my favorite acronyms and one of the first I heard was for the word SOBER: Son Of a Bitch, Everything’s Real.
Wow. Why have I never heard this before. Ray's interview was incredibly open, honest, and inspiring. Thank you, Ray, for sharing your story!
<3
So much pain to go through to gain wisdom!
You have great strength. Your story is a powerful one, your life a testament to perseverance and worth. Thank you for sharing this.
Your humility and transparency are simply beautiful: “It’s a total change of character and way of looking at the world and people around me. I have learned to be more patient, tolerant, and compassionate. I’ve learned the power of forgiveness and validating other people’s experiences...” I’d say you won, Ray Cocks. Not that it’s a competition, even with yourself, but all the challenges you’ve faced? You have tackled them and are still tackling them. That takes a lot of courage and you have that in spades. ❤️
Congratulations, Ray. I'm from that generation, was married to a Vietnam vet who drank, and appreciate what it took for you to "find yourself," as we said in those days.
Thanks for this beautiful interview. 🙏
Ray Cocks' story is one of the total realities of life in recovery. I can relate to his story in so many ways! It always amazes me that no matter how long one is sober, the stories are always the same, the learning is ongoing, and life gets better and better with each new revelation each new 24 hours. My 22 months and 21 days or 690 days, nights, weekends and holidays of sobriety have shown me a new way to relate to myself, the world and everyone in it. I am happy to read his story of recovery, I remember life in the 70's, the drugs, drinks and insanity..... and wishing the Vietnam war would come to an end. Those days truly affected every part of my being. Thanks Sober Oldster for giving me hope for another 24!
Thanks for this, too! <3
Wow, this was so informative and insightful. Incredible writing.
Thank you for sharing your life journey, and reinforcing that life is about relationships. Peace be with you 🙏
Inspiring
Ray, it's great to see this! I'll be 15 years sober this coming January. No AA for me (tried it but didn't like it), but otherwise our stories are similar (I'm like a baby version of you).
I really like the “Instant asshole, just add alcohol" mantra. For me, I wasn't mean, but I was self destructive, and I would have brought others into my pit of shit. I needed to get out, and thankfully I did.
Thanks for sharing these thoughts!
Many thanks to Ray Cocks for his honesty. All happiness and success to him as he manages his life with honesty.
Can’t believe I’ve never heard that SOBER acronym before. That’s great. I’ll have to ask my dad about it, who has been in recovery for around 20 years.