Hello everyone. I’m so happy I can be here with you tonight. I wanted to take this chance and take a moment to share some thoughts with you all. The lesson I cherish the most IN LIFE is to love what you do. If you love what you do, and it’s making you happy, all the hard work and perseverance will pay off. I once had a guidance counselor who told me I shouldn’t play basketball because it wouldn’t amount to anything. His negativity towards me made me stronger. You cant stop people from trying to limit your dreams, but you can stop it from becoming a reality. Your dreams are up to you. I encourage you to always be curious, always seek out things you love, and always work hard when you find it.

These words are from Kobie Bryant and they reminded me of the journey we embark upon towards healing the things that have brought us here together. I read this and the way I’ll apply this to my personal treatment, is to love my sobriety. So far in this short period of abstinence, I am loving the way I feel, loving the way I see things through eyes not clouded by fog, and for the first time in a long time, looking forward to feeling that same way as I awake each morning with clarity of thought and happiness in my heart.

I invite each of you to throw away any negative thoughts you have, negative people you encounter, triggers you may be confronted with, and replace them with the most positive thoughts you can muster. You may have difficulty grasping this concept at first, but if you try, and if you make it a conscious habit, sobriety can become your reality. If that’s your dream, and it’s certainly mine, then let it happen. Live the dream. Live it for you. Live it and love it.

I encourage you all, to feel some love towards yourself, your new found sobriety and, look forward to a beautiful life free from the shackles of addiction.

Peace and love to you all.