📅 Thought for today:

‘Laughter is day, and sobriety is night; a smile is the twilight that hovers gently between both, more bewitching than either.’

— Henry Ward Beecher

#thoughtfortoday #sobriety #alcohol #drinking #abstinence #friends

I decided during lockdown to reduce my alcohol intake. Significantly.

I get a lot of comments. After all, I started a brewery several years ago and enjoyed my beers (and ciders).

Yet as a therapist I have also seen the toll that alcohol can take on people’s lives and those close to them.

My decision is partly health-related (high blood pressure) and partly lifestyle choice.

I no longer enjoyed impairing my senses, and I can enjoy the company of others without a drink in my hand.

I do not sit in judgement of anyone else here, just explaining my own choices.

I went out for supper with a friend last night, it was a nice chance to chat and catch up.

Neither of us drank alcohol and I really appreciated being able to drive home clear-headed.

Inevitably some friends have challenged me, that’s OK, they have their reasons.

I looked for a suitable quote to go with today’s thought and found this one by Henry Beecher. It isn’t really about giving up alcohol but I liked it so much I kept it!