The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.

Proverbs‬ ‭12‬:‭15

When we’re at the end of our rope, it’s easier to admit we may have made a wrong turn somewhere.

But what about years before? Why is it that some avoid the heartache that we trudged blindly through?

Well, there are different flavors of despair, and I don’t think anyone is entirely immune to them all. Also, it does me well to remember that the majority of people do not develop into alcoholics because their minds and bodies simply don’t respond in the same way as mine.

But if we can get a little philosophical for a moment, there is another layer to it as well.

The foolhardiness of the young, potential alcoholic is that same recklessness that impales good judgement for anyone left to their own devices.

We do not bode well when alone.

The justification of my own bad decisions is so much easier when I’m not running them by anyone else.

We need the tempering that can only come from relationship with others.

And I can’t kid myself. I am influenced by others regardless of how holed up I may try to live.

I’ll either be a victim to poor examples— imitating the flickering personas I see—or I’ll put in the hard work of seeking wisdom—emulating the elders that have lived well.

I put little stock into this as a teen, but I believe those were the most crucial years leading into what became a period of addiction.

I was fortunate to loosely be around some wiser people for a few years, but when high school hit, everything derailed.

Our youth group leaders and locations all changed, and I did not roll with the change well. I sort of just slipped a little further away.

I didn’t even realize I’d turned all the way around when I took the first steps in the wrong direction.

God, help me never walk alone.