METAMORPHOSIS

For a number of years leading up to February 2008 I was drifting through the motions of life.  Most my time was spent working, participating in work related activities and spending time at home doing very little and drinking.  When I was home my time was spent watching current time on the deck spending time, by myself, drinking alcohol.  My circle of friends was not large.  I was not involved with any other activities nor did I have any other interests except for walking my dog on a daily basis.  My common-law wife and I owned a yellow Labrador breed dog.

When I attended extended work related meetings or conventions my free time was again spent drinking but this time with co-workers.  Drinking had become a habit, something that was done to occupy time.

I co-owned a house in the city with my partner, we both had jobs, we each had a car and the dog.  But things had stagnated and became routine and I was drinking to fill in the space that existed.  But I was not conscious of that space.

In March 2007, I left my relationship but returned to it in June but left again in August 2007 and moved to the suburbs.

On occasion I drove after drinking but figured that I was never so intoxicated that I couldn’t drive.  But on February I, 2008 I was in the city, at my house to pick up some items and while there had some drinks while watching a hockey game.  I then started to drive back to my home.  Along the way I got off the highway to go to a variety store and while traveling on this street to enter another highway, I had an accident but with no injuries to anyone.  I rear ended another car.  I was arrested and charged with impaired driving.  I contacted a lawyer and while discussing the facts of the  situation he suggested that I look at the Prometheum Institute website.  He thought the program offered might be of help to me.  And it definitely was!

Two weeks after being charged with impaired driving, I was out for a walk one night when I slipped on ice and fell.  I severely broke my ankle and had tissue damage.  I was in hospital for three weeks and had two operations and spent that time on strong pain killers, which I continued to take after my release.

Dr deGoias and Andrea visited me at my home, the first of a few visits.  I could not travel and had to use a walker (that did not have wheels) to get around.
I eventually progressed to a wheelchair and then to using a cane.  An assessment was done of me and my situation, the result has started me on a path to a more enjoyable and fuller life.

I was given books to read and movies to watch which we discussed regarding the meaning and message I grasped from these.  I was also exposed to forms of music I previously had not listened to.  I started to realize that change was necessary in my life and that there was a lot to discover about me as a person and what I could gather from life.

I have also learned how to deal with the issue of drinking.  In July I attended a work convention in Las Vegas during the time I was still using my cane.  Whenever my co-workers asked me to have a drink with them I would joke that they wanted me to fall and break something else.  It was my way of saying “no thanks”.  I have since attended a week long staff meeting, where a lot of drinking happens, two weddings and a party and had no desire to drink.  I have learned to say that I am not drinking and do not feel any pressure to have one.

I have started to enjoy photography again.  During the changing of leaves this fall I went taking pictures.   I used to enjoy photography quite a number of years ago.  I visited the royal Ontario Museum for the first time in August.  I also went to three fall fairs this year.
I enjoy walks and going to the YMCA with my present girlfriend and we recently spent a weekend at a resort and spa.  We also travel to other towns to enjoy the atmosphere.  I read books now, something that I have not done in a while.  I have expanded the circle of people I spend time with.

I do not feel as anxious as previous or become as agitated over trivial things as before.  I especially do not need to drink to “relax” or spend idle time.

I had Andrea  and Dr. D. and their program to thank for helping me discover that I was living in a vacuum and wasting my time by not taking advantage of the opportunities that were available to me  I plan on continuing to occasionally review the DVD’s I was provided from the program to help me to continue to learn.  But most of all I am going to continue to explore new experiences and enjoy them to the fullest.