I woke up 45 minutes later than I wanted to today.  Even though it’s Saturday, we still have treatment.  But, I was just SOOOO tired from not having had decent sleep from the previous two nights, I just crashed   lastnight and did not feel like getting up at all!  So, at 8:46am, I looked at the clock, jumped out of bed, and was out the door walking to the hospital in the frigid air wearing myflip flops and no coat.  I didn’t get to the hospital until 9:15 and thought for sure I would be the last one there.  I wasn’t.  Two other guys showed up after me.

Oddly enough, I have really REALLY enjoying this experience at this treatment program I’m in at Mercy Hospital in Janesville, WI. The addictions counselors are really cool, and the exercises they’re having us do and discuss are very enlightening; providing us with ways to examine ourselves, the ways we communicate with others, how we see ourselves in the future, understanding the nature of addiction and how to achieve and maintain sobriety.

Today, we did this interesting exercise in which we had to write a letter to our future selves.  The idea was to write it now, seal it up, and then only open it up for some designated date sometime in the future, (i.e. one year from now, five years, ten, etc.).  I decided to take a different approach, though.  Instead of sealing it up, I decided I wanted to write it out, and then tape it to my mirror, to be read every morning. 

Since we only had about 10 – 15 minutes to write, I just started writing out things as they came to mind which I plan on re-ordering and expanding on later.

On September 22, 2013, I, Steven Berg:

1)  WILL not have taken a single sip of alcohol since the time of this writing.

2) WILL no longer be dependent upon ANYONE else for my basic, fundamental living needs such as, housing, transportation, food, clothing, etc.

3) WILL have at least supplemental income in Information Technology.

4) WILL have regular, consistent and in person contact with my son, Austin.

5) WILL have as my primary circle of close friends, people with whom I share the same religious beliefs and moral values (i.e. active involvement in a Bible-believing church)

6) WILL be reconciled (as much as is possible) with my family and close friends who have somehow been hurt by my addiction to alcohol.

7) WILL have a clear and defined path for completing my MBA.

8) WILL be financially responsible by living according to a pre-determined, reasonable budget.