Sobriety and transition

[Charlize]

 

   As i sit here with my coffee i started to reflect on the similarities between the steps we have to take in transition and how they do mirror those we take to find sobriety. Maybe some is a stretch but the parallels are quite strong.

  I was certainly powerless over my gender issues.  I had to ask and find a power greater than myself to help me have the strength to continue. I became open and honest with others (including my gender therapist).  i prayed for and was granted the courage to confront my fears and self loathing.  I spoke honestly to my wife and family asking for forgiveness, not for being myself but for the deceit of many years.  I have lived since then more comfortably as a productive family member.  Issues continue to come up and i do my best to confront them in an honest way, looking for the right answer not the one that is most convenient for me.  I continue to see my higher power both as an alcoholic and a trans* person.  Having found my own path i have found that my experiences can benefit others.

  Perhaps this is simply a matter of finding through the 12th step that i must "practice these principals in all of my affairs”.

Transition has certainly been a journey that my sobriety and time in AA has made possible.  Thank you all for being there.  I could not make this journey without the help and support of others who make me stronger by their understanding.

Now off to help my wife, walk the dog, feed the goats and start moving through whatever is given me to do.  

  Tonight i am looking forward to a Zoom meeting with other sober trans* folk from around the country and the world.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

 

[Guest Rachel Gia]

Hi Charlize,

Although we got sober together on different side of the continent the miracles of AA happened and I learned about yours and other peoples struggles in the Trans community on this forum. Most all of us know the statistics published to do with substances and being transgender and maybe it really is a miracle that we found the strength and courage to leave the bondage of addiction and transition in a world that is just beginning to accept us.

You and others on this forum helped me in my transition and I thank you all.

Sometimes at meetings when some hardcore brings up "PEN TO PAPER!" I think , 'wow man, I don;t do that and I ams till sober" and then I remember how much I wrote about my feelings, mistakes, and happiness on this forum.

Rachel

PS don't look at the post count as the post count as it was reset after the revamp of Laura's Playground to Transpulse and I love the revamp!!!

[Julie J]

Hi. My name is Julie, and I am an alcoholic. I got sober, and remain sober since December of 1978. I am transgendered and have only recently begun to transition. I am on hormones and am having electrolysis (ouch) and once my facial hair is under control I will present and live as the woman I was born to be but was genetically male by design or mistake. It does not matter about the particulars of how I came to be, I just am. I love my sobriety and am not tempted to run and hide in the booze as I journey forward in sobriety. I ask my Higher Power for help every morning and give thanks for who I am and where my journey is taking me. I am not afraid of what lies ahead for I have the tools to deal with life on life's terms. I do not cringe or cower before the pressures of being trans, I embrace and accept myself for who and what I am. All aspects of me had a hand in making me the person I am today, the woman I am becoming and the sober example of a transwoman in AA who has been sober for nearly 40 years. God bless all who struggle with addiction issues (whomever you choose to think of or call God) and please know that I am so happy I found the 12 Steps and a new way of thinking and living because of AA. I hope you join me on the road of sobriety as I trudge the road of happy destiny as I transition with the support and acceptance of our wonderful Trans Community here in Ontario, Canada. Stay true to yourself and above all, stay sober, One Day at a Time! 

This is my first time posting.

Thanks for reading my thoughts. 

Julie J

[Jani]

Welcome Julie J and congratulations on your years of clarity!   I'm happy to hear you are moving forward with transition.  

 

Jani

[Charlize]

Welcome to Trans Pulse Julie!  Congratulations on 40 years.  I was given the gift of sobriety at the age of 58 so 40 years seems a bit of a stretch but i'll give it a sober try if that is to be.

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[Julie J]

Thanks for the welcome Jani and Charlie. I hope I can learn and hopefully give back to those searching for recovery as we travel through this amazing journey! 

Big (((HUGS))) 

Julie J 

[Julie J]

I was just reviewing my last message/reply and see autocorrect has struck again... Sorry about your name being misspelled Charlize

I'll try to be more careful when I check my messages before posting them.