My New Year's Eve Sobriety Challenge
On September 15th, I started a 30-day fast of Internet, television, radio, meat, and alcohol. At the end of the fast, I noticed that I didn't have the urge to drink alcohol.
So I started another 30-day challenge. This too, included the elimination of alcohol. I started going out on the weekends; I just didn't drink any alcohol. It was an invigorating experience! It was a completely new experience. I soon discovered how economically intelligent (cheap) it was!
It was also an empowering experience. You're able to go to the club (or bar) and watch how foolishly people act. You're reminded of the times when you were "one of those people."
My most recent "no alcohol" challenge ended on November 22nd. I had just finished writing my book, so an old friend offered to buy a bottle of wine to celebrate. It was the first time I drank alcohol since September 15th.
I no longer have a desire for alcohol.
As I explain in my new book, in Chapter 9 "The Power of Sobriety," before the fast, I don't think I had gone 30 days without some sort of alcohol since I turned 21. Once you start going out, drinking just becomes a social habit. You actually forget that you can go to a bar and not drink, if you choose.
When you abstain from alcohol, you don't have to worry about getting pulled over or hurting anyone. You don't have to worry about making stupid decisions that you'll end up regretting. Think about it: Most stupid decisions start with alcohol.
Being sober while in the club is an empowering experience. Maybe you should try it out this weekend. It'll return you to a forgotten place of innocence — before you became "caught in the Matrix." Before you accepted the program known as: "If you go out, you must drink alcohol."
I bring this up, because I've decided to be sober on New Year's Eve.
New Year's Eve is the night the nearly everybody "goes all out." Most people drink alcohol. A lot of people do drugs. Some do both.
Think about that: You're beginning your "new year" under the influence. You're giving away your creative power to a substance. You're decreasing your ability to function properly.
Is that really how you want to start your new year?
Most humans have high hopes for positive change each new year. They commit to "New Year's Resolutions." So why does it make sense to get hammered the night before you kick off the "new you"?
It doesn't.
That's why I'm challenging you to try something different this year: Commit to sobriety this New Year's Eve.
No alcohol. No drugs. Just an appreciation for life — an appreciation for self-mastery.
I probably haven't been sober on New Year's Eve in a decade. How about you?
Think of how empowered you'll feel: While everyone else will have trouble remembering the events of the night before, you'll wake up feeling energized. No hangovers. No headaches.
You'll already begin your new year with a sense of accomplishment. You achieved something a majority of the American population did not: You demonstrated self-discipline powerful enough to resist the temptation to be a follower.
You chose to set a powerful example. You chose to be a leader. You chose to be the responsible designated driver.
Will you join me? Will you commit to bringing in the new year with a powerful, sober mindset?
If you choose to accept (and complete) your mission, the rush of motivational energy you feel will propel you into your new year (and the new you) like nothing else.
You'll just have to trust me. I can already sense its effect on your life. :]
So I started another 30-day challenge. This too, included the elimination of alcohol. I started going out on the weekends; I just didn't drink any alcohol. It was an invigorating experience! It was a completely new experience. I soon discovered how economically intelligent (cheap) it was!
It was also an empowering experience. You're able to go to the club (or bar) and watch how foolishly people act. You're reminded of the times when you were "one of those people."
My most recent "no alcohol" challenge ended on November 22nd. I had just finished writing my book, so an old friend offered to buy a bottle of wine to celebrate. It was the first time I drank alcohol since September 15th.
I no longer have a desire for alcohol.
As I explain in my new book, in Chapter 9 "The Power of Sobriety," before the fast, I don't think I had gone 30 days without some sort of alcohol since I turned 21. Once you start going out, drinking just becomes a social habit. You actually forget that you can go to a bar and not drink, if you choose.
When you abstain from alcohol, you don't have to worry about getting pulled over or hurting anyone. You don't have to worry about making stupid decisions that you'll end up regretting. Think about it: Most stupid decisions start with alcohol.
Being sober while in the club is an empowering experience. Maybe you should try it out this weekend. It'll return you to a forgotten place of innocence — before you became "caught in the Matrix." Before you accepted the program known as: "If you go out, you must drink alcohol."
I bring this up, because I've decided to be sober on New Year's Eve.
New Year's Eve is the night the nearly everybody "goes all out." Most people drink alcohol. A lot of people do drugs. Some do both.
Think about that: You're beginning your "new year" under the influence. You're giving away your creative power to a substance. You're decreasing your ability to function properly.
Is that really how you want to start your new year?
Most humans have high hopes for positive change each new year. They commit to "New Year's Resolutions." So why does it make sense to get hammered the night before you kick off the "new you"?
It doesn't.
That's why I'm challenging you to try something different this year: Commit to sobriety this New Year's Eve.
No alcohol. No drugs. Just an appreciation for life — an appreciation for self-mastery.
I probably haven't been sober on New Year's Eve in a decade. How about you?
Think of how empowered you'll feel: While everyone else will have trouble remembering the events of the night before, you'll wake up feeling energized. No hangovers. No headaches.
You'll already begin your new year with a sense of accomplishment. You achieved something a majority of the American population did not: You demonstrated self-discipline powerful enough to resist the temptation to be a follower.
You chose to set a powerful example. You chose to be a leader. You chose to be the responsible designated driver.
Will you join me? Will you commit to bringing in the new year with a powerful, sober mindset?
If you choose to accept (and complete) your mission, the rush of motivational energy you feel will propel you into your new year (and the new you) like nothing else.
You'll just have to trust me. I can already sense its effect on your life. :]
Posted by Brandon Merhout aka NN at 12/11/2009 2:14 PM 
Categories: Sobriety,Conscious Creation
Tags: non-alcoholic new year's eve parties the power of sobriety bringing in the new year sober be a designated driver this new year's eve
Categories: Sobriety,Conscious Creation
Tags: non-alcoholic new year's eve parties the power of sobriety bringing in the new year sober be a designated driver this new year's eve
I wanna congratulate you on the success of your completion of your challenge. I know having to give that up was difficult. Now you can save even more money. Hey I was wondering what are you doing for Christmas? The reason is because I'm leaving Tuscaloosa and stopping in bham for a layover next Friday as part of my trip back to SC. I know this sounds silly and odd, but I just wanna meet you in person. I really like your blogs as well as your dog NEO!
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I can so relate to that. Its been 4 months I haven't drank and it is a challenge when you live with 4 mates and 2 of them can't live without a bottle of vodka at night. It has been quite a challenge but somehow I have managed to live without a drop even at special occasions.
I feel quite liberated and Free. I feel motivated and in control. It is awesome. Now I may drink in the future but its not gonna be as I used for sure.
Btw it is a good website you got here. Will be visiting more often.
Regards.
Maddi.
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Congratulations on your success!
I wrote you an email when you made your second 30-Day challenge stating I would eliminate alcohol for the next 30 Days, as well.
I failed. I started off good, but the temptation grew stronger and I caved. I started drinking more than usual, the last 2 weeks of the challenge.
Once the 30-Day challenge was over, I experienced heart problems along with high blood pressure and discovered I'm anemic during the process of several test.
I've been diagnosed with cardiac dysrythmia. Due to the medication I'm prescribed for my heart, I don't have a choice to whether or not I want to drink alcohol or do drugs, if I want to live.
I didn't realize how much I did drink until after the freedom of choice was taken from me.
Looking back now, nothing positive has come from drinking alcohol in my life. I've made many bad decisions while under the influence.
I find my diagnosis to be God's intervention.
Cheers to change and a new year of sobriety!
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Wow I have so much to say...I was one of those unconscious drinkers for so many years-and did my fair share of drugs as well. (drugs stopped 7 years ago)
Only one year ago though I began a solid practice of meditation each day and made a commitment to really listen to my body those alcohol urges fell so fast.
What an amazing feeling to actually not have toxins running through my body, not to crave them at all...it's interesting once there is an "awakening" to living more conscious what is possible, how creative and empowered we become.
I LOVE YOUR BLOG POST...keep it coming!!!
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You are so right. I took this challenge 17 months ago, so this is my second sober new years. My life is so much better in every imaginable way without alcohol. So much more fun and joy! Not dulled senses and hangovers. I'm so happy to be free of that conditioning you described so aptly. You should read what Tich Naht Hahn has to say about consumption of alcohol (paraphrased): "Why do we continue to honor this beverage which has caused so much destruction? There are so many other tasty beverages available. Even people who don't have difficulties with alcohol should abstain out of solidarity with those who do." I know for myself that I have so much more clarity of thought and feeling now that I used to have under influence. I just didn't know what I didn't know. Life without alcohol and drugs is the best.
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Isnt it funny? The way everything looks through the eyes of a sober person. Especially at a bar! I get a kick out of watching and listening to everyone also when I'm out being the dd. Its amazing what secrets I learn and what I find out about people.
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