The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober

by Catherine Gray

A runner called Monte Davis summed it up beautifully in the 1970s, when he said, ‘It’s hard to run and feel sorry for yourself at the same time.’

Toddlers need regularly timed, long sleep, clockwork food, fresh air and exercise, comforting when they’re upset and nighttime baths. Now apply that principle to yourself. You deserve it. Yes, you do.

‘Expectations are resentments under construction.’

I’m grateful for dogs. Sometimes when I’m sad, a little dog comes up to me and I think, ‘How can I ever be sad, in a world that has dogs.’

‘It’s not finding gratitude that matters most; it’s remembering to look in the first place.

‘Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.’

‘Feelings are like children. You don’t want them driving the car, but you shouldn’t stuff them in the boot either.’

‘You are the sky. Everything else – it’s just the weather.’

‘Don’t try harder. Try different.’