The Deuce is done. I’m aspiring to extend this to a Triple today with the day being halfway behind me. For me to do that, I’ll need to keep the alcohol cravings (aka Drinkie) at bay.
On my ride home from work last night, I had a very strong craving to stop at the liquor store and pick up some beer. It’s a challenge having a liquor store across the street from my office. I have to drive by the damn place at least twice a day.
Gripping the steering wheel, I applied the R.A.I.N. principle. First, I recognized the alcohol craving (Hello, Drinkie!), allowed it, investigated it, and non-associated with it. And in that small amount of time, in that little bit of space I created, I continued on past the liquor store.
Through the wisdom of my daily meditation practice, I now know that I am not my urges. I am not these fleeting cravings. They are not me. They don’t define who I am.
Over the long years, I have associated drinking alcohol with relaxation and the pleasure of drunken dopamine. Now I increasingly see my alcohol and marijuana cravings as gateways to sleep deprivation, hangovers, gastro intestinal issues, weight gain, bloating, brain fog, and general unpleasantness.
Non-association with cravings
Additionally, I have determined that through non-association with cravings, I gain a significant return on investment (or in my case, a return on sobriety). These are:
- Restful and rejuvenating sleep
- Enhanced mood (I’m no longer angry all the time)
- No bloating
- Weight loss
- Vastly more energy and focus
- Bowel regularity (sorry, but important to mention)
- Monetary benefits
Let’s take a closer look at this last bullet. While I may be craving alcohol and still drinking beer now and again, I’m buying a hell of a lot less of it. Plus, marijuana cravings are virtually nonexistent. When they do arise, they are fleeting and easily dismissed.
Previously I was buying at least a case of premium quality beer weekly, sometimes 2. We’ll split the difference and estimate my beer consumption as a case plus a 12 pack every week on average. Plus, I’d have drinks out with friends at the pub. On top of that, I was acquiring $300 of premium marijuana flower and vape cartridges, cannabis gummies, THC oils, and assorted candies at least quarterly.
While I still buy beer, it’s maybe every other week and only a 4 or 6 pack. I don’t buy pot anymore. Let’s say then, I’m saving $300 every three months on pot and $750 on beer and alcohol. That’s $1,050 per quarter or $4,200 a year!
If I were to take this money and invest it, I might generate a real ROI (return on investment).
Returns on Sobriety
Sticking to these numbers, after year 1, I’d have around $4,200, plus interest, dividends, and asset appreciation depending on how it’s invested. If I stuff it in my mattress, I’ll have $4,200 (minus inflation).
If I earn 7% annually, $4,200 becomes $8,898 after two years. While 7% may seem like an unreasonable return, that’s what AT&T is paying in dividends to its shareholders as I type this. So, definitely not out of the question.
To test this theory, I’ve added an investment portfolio to the blog where I’ll track my monetary return on sobriety. This is essentially what not spending money to indulge my urges, cravings, and vices is paying me to move on. Hey, at some point, this could turn into real money.
I believe there are many opportunities to earn returns on sobriety beyond money. Other returns I’m planning to develop and pursue: productivity, health, relationships, well being, knowledge, and philanthropic pursuits.
I won’t be able to work on these all at once, and I’ll need to come up with reasonable metrics to measure the progress of each as I go. Things like health are easy to measure – I’m planning to buy a scale that measures not only weight, but BMI, Fat %, Water, etc. I’ll measure and share knowledge returns through the book reviews on this site. Other returns, like relationships are a bit more subjective.
I’m excited to see what kinds of returns manifest from this list over the next few months.
Where you start never matters so much as where you are going – and it is first within your own mind that you conceive greatly and begin to go.
Napoleon Hill – Grow Rich! With Peace of Mind
