My Next Self-Improvement Project

I talk often here about self-improvement.  I do my best to practice what I preach.  That is why I am sure to stay close to Christ, train hard to be fit, read to keep my knowledge growing, take classes, etc.

However, sometimes self-improvement is not adding a good habit.  Sometimes it is taking a good look in the mirror and removing or lessening a bad or potentially bad habit.

I have a potentially bad habit.  I drink too much sometimes.  Ah, most people do!  Don’t be so hard on yourself.

I don’t want to be most people.  I want to enter through the narrow gate.

What does the Bible say about drunkenness?  Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?  Do not be deceived:  neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.  (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

Throughout my life, over-drinking has at times caused me to make poor decisions and to have whacky illogical thoughts.

I think when we are drunk, we open ourselves to the demonic.  Maybe that is why they call alcohol spirits.

Now, am I an alcoholic?  Probably not.  I go periods without a drink or often have a few and shut it down with no problem.

However, sometimes I lose myself a bit.  I wet the whistle and don’t shut it down early enough.

The other day was an example.  I attended a party that was a fun time.  However, I stayed a little too long and came home having a few more.

A friend called me to help him move a piece of furniture.  I agreed leaving the party temporarily, but did so with a poor attitude.

Is that being a good friend, let alone a good Catholic?  Absolutely not!

Then, I was dragging ass all day.  I made it to Mass, but was hungover, actually still a tad buzzed.

Recalling this, I had no business receiving the Sacrament.  It is my obligation as a man to lead my family spiritually.

Is drinking like that going to make me the husband I set out to be?  Not in the long run.

Now does this mean I plan to quit drinking entirely?  Not at this time.

However, I am cutting back drastically.  Is some wine that enhances a good meal a problem?  No.

Is having a few drinks at an actual celebration or special occasion or get-together a problem?  No.

However, far too often, I have a tendency to say to myself, well it’s the weekend, so time to drink.  How juvenile!

A friend of mine put it well many times.  He basically said it’s worth being out and enjoying a drink if it’s a good meal or a good time.  But just to stare at each other in a bar because it is Saturday is a waste of time.

Here is a real hard truth:  my own drinking has at times caused me to fail family members who struggle with alcohol.  There have been times I may not have initiated a Sunday dinner because I wanted to have a drink and did not feel comfortable doing so around them.

That’s not support.  How can I remove the splinter from someone’s eye if I have a plank in mine?

So, I am going to cut out the senseless type of drinking.  The drinking to pass the time.  The drinking just because it is Saturday, or to just check out alone into some kind of dream world.

When I do drink, I am going to do my best not to let it go too far.

When that voice comes that says, should I stay another hour? or should I pour one more?, the answer is ALWAYS no.  I have also found lately that alcohol sometimes impairs my sleep.

I will not be up past midnight just because I am drinking again.  I will see how this goes.  If I cannot stay within these parameters, then I really do have a problem.

If that is the case, I will stop entirely.  I am not going to let alcohol impair my family life, my reliability as a friend or my productivity.

More importantly, I am not going to let it keep me out of Heaven.  Talk soon.

-Marksman

PS:  I will check in on this topic shortly after the New Year and give an honest account of my progress.