Wisebaxter

When I look at the above post I feel a little embarrassed at my sheer affectation. I'm sure I was using flowery language for effect but the fact remains, it seems quit high-flung. Lights me up on every level? Ah, well, this is a journal of light after all, so I'll just put it down to romantic ardor and hyperbole. My love has now gone. I tried to make it work, but my best efforts were thwarted by the force of opposing traits far too ingrained in both of us. I won't elaborate here, for it would bare me no advantage, but I will say...I don't know what to say. When I was with her I'd read old posts written when I was single, and feel a yearning, a sense of despair and panic. I was caught again. What had I done? Now I'm back again, and I can write whatever I like. I'm free. Thank God. This time around I don't miss her much at all. I couldn't care less who's she's sleeping with. I see the situation clearly. I'm shocked that I was so hung up on her. Expecting me to get out of bed at 8am on my day off, just because that fits in with her time table. I'm sure she sabotaged the relationship herself. Good on her. Enough said. Let's keep it sunny. She's better off without me. I am free of her. I will not let the past dictate my present or my future. I won't think about her. She's gone.

This is my second journal. This time around I'm going to be more positive and use it to encourage myself. I'll start my thanking myself for making this decision. I'm excited. I've been having a wonderful time learning to compose music and I've met some beautiful people. I can't wait to see where this journey takes me. I've learned so much already and it's incredible how far I've come. I've made so much awesome music and I'm so proud of myself for trying hard and following my passion. Whenever I make music now I'm always amazed at how good it is. Just to think, all those years growing up I love soundtracks so much and never thought that one day I'd be making my own. life unfolds in mysterious and profound ways. I've always felt like I'm being guided. With perseverance, comes success - Bob Matthews, Research methods: a practical guide for the social sciences I am manifesting: 1. Financial independence as a composer. For me, financial independence means - Not having to rely on anyone but myself to meet my basic needs of food and shelter. Not having a boss, other than the commissioner of my work. Not having a traditional working day, being able to choose my own hours Being in the process of paying back all by debts 2. A healthy, stress-free lifestyle where I make good decisions that benefit my body and mind 3. Freedom. To me, freedom means: Being able to have the things I want, with no money worries Travelling wherever I choose, whenever I choose Being able to make decisions that benefit me without having to consider money 4. Safety. To me, safety means: Not having to worry about people in my living space Being able to really relax at home in peace Cooking whatever I want, whenever I want. A home that feels like home 5. Health. Energy. Vitality. Balance. This is a good list. I am pleased with it. These are the things that will give me safety, security and peace of mind. I will not ask for more. I will be grateful for what I have and consider anything on this list as a precious gift.

Tonight I meet with my love to try and negotiate a way forward for us. It's been 6 months since I've held her close, felt her skin on mine, taken in her intoxicating aromas. The idea of a soul mate is irrational, yet she lights me up on every level and seems perfectly designed to both excite me and challenge me. Considering our past my anxiety is very low. I just feel pure elation at the idea of being with her again. I pray that we can work through our issues, honour our beautiful connection and enrich each other's lives. Being without her has been hard. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to meet and the possibility of reconciliation. I truly believe we were meant to be, as superstitious as that is. She is my angel. If we can't work it out I pray for acceptance and healing, I pray for resilience. I will make the following promises to myself: To always look for solutions instead of looking to blame To take time to sit with any painful feelings that arise and understand them, instead of choosing to react. To see her as another part of me, as well as a unique individual To practice putting myself in her shoes and showing empathy. To never walk out on her again To forgive myself and start again if I break any of these rules To work as a team To never judge her lifestyle choices or seek to change her in any way To make her life easier wherever I can To operate with love as my guiding principle instead of fear. To be practical and realistic in terms of our limitations and humanity. To keep the lessons of the Buddha close to my heart and avoid causing suffering To make efforts to appreciate her children as human beings and show them love and patience. To understand my triggers and to actively work on them The universe has blessed us with another chance. God is love and my intention is to be God-like. Here are some questions I could ask: What are my values within this relationship? What actions will demonstrate these values? How will they effect my 'relating?' What would I like it to look like? How will we 'relate' within this relationship? How do I want her to feel? How will my actions influence her emotional state? What are her values? What experiences would we like to have together? What has gone wrong in the past, why did it go wrong, and how can I avoid this happening again? What possible pitfalls can I identify at this stage, based on what I know about her, and me. How can they be avoided or dealt with if they occur? What is her love language? Where is she on the Spiral? What aspects of my persona could cause her discomfort and vice versa Based on what I know about her, what might she find attractive and unattractive in a partner?

@Zigzag Idiot Aw, thanks so much Zigzag, that means a lot buddy.

I did it. I finished my MA. Against all odds a rose grew from concrete. The harsh rains and challenging climate made it so. Every hater that trampled me made me stronger. Really though, I am super duper proud of myself. Not only did I finish it but I excelled. I thought I would struggle to compete but from my perspective I was ahead of the pack in lots of ways. Not surprising really, when you look out how long I've obsessed over this. Three firsts, three? I mean come on...I'm the goat at song writing. If I was going to focus in somewhere that's where it should be. That's what Stephen might recommend, if he were the type to do so. No matter what happens that can never be taken away from me now. If I was to die tomorrow I could say I did my best and challenged myself to the very end. How many people could complete an MA in music composition? That's no easy feat. Even Ethan, a talented musician, was out of his depth at times. I'm also super impressed at how innovative and original my portfolio was. I demonstrated that I can make music, edit, write and voice act. Is there anything this man can't do? I turned up to every lecture bar two, I wasn't once late with a deadline. I devoted myself 100% and worked around the clock, even when I was tired. I applied myself with vigour. The thing that makes it even more impressive is the lack of real world encouragement I've had. I mean, I'm not pointing any fingers here as I've hardly been a model friend and family member, but the fact remains, I've had to be completely self motivated. Really I just can't thank myself enough. Despite every possible criticism that could be levelled at me in terms of my other challenges and history, nobody can say I'm not a driven individual who it comes to art and my vision. you could call me a visionary. If you want. just saying. I dreamed a dream, I brought it to life. How many people can say they did that, or even came close? It takes a visionary, a warrior, a dragon, someone who can see past what they're presented with and imagine something bigger. To have faith, when everyone around you tells you you're crazy, is a miracle of the human spirit, of the capacity to create from a place of individuality and authenticity. If every human was able to assertive themselves and have a unit voice in line with their soul. That'd be cool.

I've surprised myself with how deeply I miss my ex partner. Perhaps I was really in love. What a beautiful thing to have experienced. So many amazing memories. The pain is so profound and raw now. The universe truly is gangster. We are conditioned to love but staying in a partnership is such a challenge. I hope I get another chance one day, to do it right. My yearning for her is still so deep that the thought just doesn't appeal to me. It's true I can't imagine meeting someone I connect with so deeply, but it's important to remember the ways in which we didn't connect. I'm so proud of her for finally cutting ties and moving on. It must have been hard. She's so strong, stronger than me. All I have for that woman is love and adoration. I hope she's met someone else who really makes her happy. I wish I could have been that for her. Doesn't matter now. It's in the past. I have to admit for a while I really thought she was the one. It's hard to break free from that thinking. I sometimes wonder how and why it all went wrong. It seems like a blur now. But this is reality and there's no going back, ever. Soon will come the day when I think about her and all of the pain is gone. Then I'll really be able to send her love, without my ego getting involved. Blessed ego. It was so satisfied, in so many ways, but also so restless. Well now I'm free, although it doesn't feel like I thought it would, because I'm still playing host to the heartache. That's ok. I'll be the best host. I love you Lucie. Always will.

Sometimes I'll see a woman that gives me hope that I'll be able to move on from Lucie and fall in love again. I get reminded of the levels of beauty out there and it makes me feel better. It's such a lovely feeling, being single and knowing I can act if I want to. I'm not on the apps anymore. Tom really made me think about that. I won't sell myself again. I feel like I have more pride this way. It's nice not chasing women all of the time and just being friendly with them. I feel more mature and well rounded. I don't think I've ever just let things happen naturally before and not operated through that lens. It's still there, but I see it for what it is. I can see objective reality more, free from the lens of my ego. Friendship is such a beautiful thing. To have someone offer you that, to feel good enough about you to take that risk, means the world. It says more than anything. For someone to confide in you, offer you a part of who they are as a person, to share their feelings, to be vulnerable, trusting, outside of anything intimate, means something.

@enchanted you're very welcome

Anyone got hold of this yet? It's fairly new. The guy basically breaks down the formula for how to develop in any area of life in such a clear way that it might as well be called 'how to enter God mode.' It's actually 'The Art of Mastery: Principles of Effective Interaction.' One of the biggest things to have impacted me so far is the idea that you constantly have to consider what's actually unfolding and whether the actions you take are in line with your objective. But really I just wanna say, please get this book, it will change you. I refer to it daily. It's kind of a manual for kicking ass. You could use it for anything from making a stew, giving head, to becoming enlightened. The first chapter is a condensed version of the rest of the book, for quick reference, so you don't have to look at longer paragraphs. Here's to give you an idea.

@quantumspiral thanks for the recommends. Ralston has trained a lot of athletes I think. Check out his Youtube channel too. He also runs retreats and they look incredible. Yeah he says the more you tune your awareness, the deeper the distinctions you make on a phenomena. Like, if I listen to the sound of birds intently I'll be able to pick out different birds instead of it being just one mass of chirpy loveliness

And just when they thought he was out for the count, boom! He goes and gets a job, in extra time, and scores a pay check. Any doubt about finishing my course has gone. I'm basically a master of the arts. Somehow I did it. I managed to survive a year with no job, working hard and churning out good work, developing my skills to a level I never thought I'd get to. I'm a composer now, a musician, a frikkin maestro. How does this man do it? How does he maintain this level of badassery? Not only that, but I now have a cool job where I've made friends with beautiful people and received so much love.

@BlessedLion That's great to hear. Have you read Zen Body Being? I love how practical all of his books are. I'd love to go on one of his retreats wouldn't you? They're a bit out of my price range though

I've always smoked weed when I've made music and when I'm not stoned I don't find it half as engaging. It's probably the main reason I haven't been able to give it up for the last 20 years. When I'm high I just enjoy it so much. I score Film, TV and Games and I'm studying it at uni, so right now, with a final assignment due, I've had to keep buying the stuff even though I'm in a bad financial situation, I mean really bad. Besides this risk factor from the habit, it bothers me that I can't even do my intended career without being blazed Right now though I'm thinking, shall I just say fuck it, I am a stoner composer and that's how it is. Obviously there's the money aspect and that has to be handled, but I love smoking, watching batman clips and making music, which is what I'm doing right now. I get so into it, like watching a movie but I'm creating part of the mood. What are your views on this? Accepting it seems like a wise idea right now and I'm guessing most of you will agree. Weed enhances everything right? I got some good grades recently which I know I wouldn't have got if I hadn't spent my days living like a hermit, getting wrecked and doing nothing but making music. I sometimes feel like I've cheated almost

@Paradoxed This is a very valid point and one I lose sight of, so thanks. The thing is, when I try and do creative stuff whilst sober I just don't enjoy it. Is it because I've programmed myself with the lie so heavily that I'm living it out? I just find weed keeps me engaged in it. It has to be pure biological programming right? Yeah that's the shitter. I'd probably be fine with the whole thing if I could afford it. I hope I can test that out one day. I do often thing it's made me into a recluse somehow, but I have no solid evidence for that. Yeah man, poor weed gets the blame for it all. This is very illuminating. It has a quite a 'rap sheet' in my mind. lots of people might argue that it's to blame for a lot and I'm now telling myself I should accept it as that's easier than quitting. How can I find out the truth? I also have this belief that it makes me overthink a lot. Looking at it now, my self concept is very defined by the stuff. I suppose I should just let it go and stop reinforcing It right

@PenguinPablo This is a very good question. I've thought the same myself but considering it now, the upgrades that I've received from tripping have been profound. Sure I haven't experienced ego death, but I've felt such an intense love that it turned up that dial for me permanently. Sure the dial went back, but it wasn't fully reset. Also, consider the insights. I'm sure you've had those. Again, for me these were permanent game changers. I've stopped hoping for mystical experiences on them now. I also don't take huge doses as I'm still a little wary. Largest dose I've done is 300ug of acid. Like I say it was a deep sense of being connected, feeling love and basking in the awesomeness and beauty of reality. I'd class it as a deeply spiritual experience, for me anyway. After that synchronicities seemed to occur more in my life and I felt a lot more guided and connected to a higher power, whatever that is. It was the closest I've come to a sense of what I'd like to call God and I've never been the same. So I'm team psychs

@Paradoxed That post gave me a lot to think about, thanks for taking the time. I have had these moments where I feel I should just embrace it and the whole 'fighting it' thing and the idea that I'm 'an addict,' is, like you say, just a friggin mind game and a load of bullshit. I feel like weed also becomes this big scapegoat for me that's convenient to blame because I don't have this or that. More specifically I don't own a house, a car or a pet, don't have a girlfriend/wife and really have bare minimum possessions. Basically a laptop, a VR headset and a bag of clothes.. I decided to go unemployed in my early 20s and devote my life to making music. 20 years later and people around me are enjoying the things they've built, homes, kids and shit, but not this guy! So weed gets the blame. There's all this stuff in our culture about how drugs make you a down and out as well, so that feeds into the narrative. I'm certainly anti social, that's for sure. But I think I was always heading this way. It's impossible to tell. I'm going to just embrace it now. If I run out of money again, God will step in, it always does. I often have this idea or sense that God wants me to be a blatant stoner and make amazing works of art so that's why I am this way. If I got out of my own way more that's the experience I would probably have. God as a stoner composer who gives zero shits

@Evelyna Yeah I suppose my barrier is the emotional labour from changing, I've always had pretty bad willpower and like you say, it works. It helps me enjoy it and put in the hours to develop at it, so quitting now when I've come so far, feels weird. But yeah I do have a choice and maybe there's something else I could try. Working after Kriya Yoga or something. Homeostasis has me by the balls I have to be open and set the intention to try. It blows my mind how hard it is for an organism to change. You see it all around you don't you, people in far worse states and unable to do anything. Thanks for posting @MarkKol Yeah I have microdosed and that does work very well. Never taken a normal dose and tried though, have you? It might be harder to work. @Lucasxp64 You're not wrong, I'm just a slave to a habit I've built up and can't find a path back from. I only seem capable of real change when shit hits the fan. Like recently when I ran out of money for food, I decided weed was the devil and threw my bong away. Then I sold my phone and just bought some more as the pressure was off. I just don't have the drive to try and change it normally. It's far too stimulating and I'm a pleasure junkie. It's really the only area pleasure I get as I have no family, friends etc. I just live for my craft and escape into it. @Paradoxed An important point and one I'm ignorant of most of the time, until I have this realisation and I'm constantly creating this narrative and I'm able to just observe more and stay unattached. But again, you need to actually practice this shit with intention right, for it to take root. I do tell myself I need it to be creative, and that keeps being reinforced by my experience of that. Perhaps I live out the experience as I've already visualised it. But the experience must have come first surely...

Damn dude I had no idea it was still dangerous there as you don't hear about it in the news anymore. What's going on there now then? Same thing as before?

Do you still have a lot of family in Syria and have you gone back much?

Today I planned my entire day like a straight up G. I went for a long hike, did a muscle workout, listened to some inspiring podcasts and worked on my portfolio. I didn't stick to it exactly but having that barebones structure gave me a framework to move through that stopped me from feeling lost in decision paralysis. Theo Von says he does it so he's in control of his day and not the other way around. I love that, it's so true. Working on a track felt odd at first with no weed. Less enjoyable. I kept wanting to reach for a bong but it wasn't there. I got a little worried that my skill level would drop but after a little while I started making good choices and things were sounding fine. This is going to take a while to feel normal, but this work right here, this is the key to it all. If I can be creative and enjoy this without weed then that's a huge steps towards resisting the urge. I had a moment when I thought 'screw this, I'm hitting my dealer up tomorrow,' but it's past now. If I can just make it through those periods, they always pass. Last night I went to bed with cravings and woke up feeling fine. There's something about being completely clean that boosts my self worth. I don't feel like I'm a slave to anything. I feel like other doors open for me, like better meditation sessions, or the ability to think outside of my habitual patterns. The conversations I've had with others have been a lot more fulfilling and I've been much more articulate. But....I can't get complacent. Anything could set me off again. If I keep God in my heart and put all my faith in it then I will be guided, I know I will. I feel great right now. That's the result of having worked out and done all the things that make me feel better and grow me.

Ah hey bro, thanks for reading and commenting on here. So even though you love music and you're drawn to it, the challenge you seem to be facing is that there's still a level of discipline needed to work on it. I relate to that. Sometimes I wonder whether I truly love it, if it takes discipline, but really I think that there's always going to be things you enjoy more, like games, as they allow us to just relax, switch off and feel completely blissed out. Making music requires focus right? You also have to fail sometimes, or hit a brick wall, which, if there's an attachment (and there usually is) hurts. So we go the with the easy route instead. Even harder if you have a full time job, and I'm guessing you do. My thing is VR. I love fucking around in VR and mind mapping. Like those Warcraft Maps. It makes me so happy. I also wonder whether my obsession for music is based on more than just my love for it. maybe I think t's a cool career, or maybe I've done it for so long and had it as a goal that I don't want to admit it's not really for me. One thing I do know is, the more I get on with it, the easier it becomes and when I see myself developing that gives me the juice to continue. What kind of music are you into making? Damn dude your neighbours sound like grade A assholes. Do they actually say shit to you, or is a feeling you get? Quite often the way we feel about ourselves subconsciously can be projected and we look for any outwards signs to confirm our bias. Please be sure this isn't what's happening here, otherwise you'll be attacking a straw man instead of turning inwards. When people are judging it's really just a sign of insecurity right? This is hurtful, being on the receiving end, and I'm sorry that's happened to you. I listened to a Theo Von podcast recently where some guy calls in and he's worries his ex has moved on. Theo tells him to do the counterintuitive thing and wish her well, as that will. make him stand tall, be the bigger person and steer clear of animosity. What your neighbours are doing is wrong and not nice for you, but wishing them well and responding with love is your super power bro. Wave hello to them, ask them how their days been, drop over a fucking soufflé, anything. Don't let those motherfuckers draw you down to their level. how's that for a pep talk! Much love brother, hope your day's going well

@integration journey Jump on this one buddy. Stick it at the top of the list, trust me you won't regret it. It's so foundational it may as well be made of cement

@universe It hasn't done so far and I've nearly finished it. He doesn't ever talk about Law of attraction in any of his works. The closest he gets to it is talking about a form of practice where you can use your imagination to practice your craft. So in 'The Art of Effortless Power' he talks about how he would practice Judo moves at home by imagining every single way his opponent might react and then imagining how he was going to counter that. It's was a huge part of his process. But this book is very very practical. Not that Law of attraction isn't a valid idea in relation to mastery (from my perspective), but it's too esoteric for what he's trying to achieve here. In terms of Shadow Work, you won't find that here. Only in the sense that he talks about distinctions you might be experiencing that are unrelated to your goal and might put you off course. For example he talks about how you might have fears and insecurities that cloud your experience. I believe the healthier your shadow is, the clearer your objective will be. The book you want for Shadow Work, if you haven't come across it, is 'Shadow Dance' by David Rico. Leo will attest to that one. Amazing book and full of practical exercises. I couldn't imagine finding a better book on the subject than that one

@Happy Lizard You didn't ask me but I'll chime in anyway if you don't mind. It's been a while since I've read that book so it's a little hard to say but if I had to take a guess I'd say that Ralston not only has a deeper grasp on the subject but he's a master communicator. He would make finer distinctions regarding his audience's capabilities and present information in such a way that makes it not just easier to understand but also remembered and utilised. For example the 'short version' at the beginning of the book that can be used for quick reference, is kind of like a distillation of the process. Most writers of books of this nature wouldn't even think to go there. If you consider that Ralston runs workshops where the purpose is to help people make distinctions and actually experience things for themselves, plus his level of dedication to truth and consciousness, it would suggest his work is going to be much more accessible and lucid, although @Thought Art did comment that it was a bit dry. I suppose that's Raslton's way of removing anything extraneous so you don't get distracted, but I'm guessing. Great question by the way. That George Leonard book was definitely the balls and you could easily argue it presents it's own unique perspective that some people would find more palatable and helpful. But Ralston's book, for me, is of a quality that reflects his extraordinary ability to communicate ideas and master his craft. I mean the guy won a martial arts contest...whereas you could probably fuck George Leonard up

The last couple of weeks have been transformational. When I moved to Stockbridge Halls the reality of my predicament hit me. I was about to run out of money and I couldn't afford rent. My whole system went into survival mode and I took steps to avert disaster, all the while envisaging the worst. During this time I had the realisation that weed had led me here. It isn't some miracle drug that's fuelled my creativity and kept me focused, but it's robbed me of everything. I've often thought 'was I always like this, so I gravitated towards it? How much is it to blame? Is it like an island within the chaos that keeps me going?' I believe this kind of reasoning to be part of the justification that perpetuates the behaviour, a sneaky ego trick that maintains homeostasis. Even if it isn't wholly to blame, because really it's just a green leaf, when I think about how much money I've spent on it...or about how I recently bought some and now I can't eat, it's clear to me that it's nothing but a hinderance. Would I have achieved two firsts in my assignments without it? This is a dangerous question and again I can feel the draw towards it as the question lingers....I could just smoke it until the end of the course...just to get the grades...only another couple of months...seems rationale, sensible even. Madness can appear as Logic to an irrational mind. Not this time though. I've made a promise to myself. I'm not smoking again until I have absolute security. By that I mean an established career, my own place, a car, basically I need to be 100% certain that I can afford the habit and it's not going to hinder me in any way. Why am I giving myself this olive branch, rather than just quitting for good? Partly because I can bare to not enjoy GTA 6 whilst stoned, also because I actually love the stuff and don't think it's an issue if other areas of your life are under control and it's not used as a crutch. Maybe. It might just feel better than absolutes at this stage. I watched a Shia Lebouf interview and it moved me: I hope I can remember this and check in again with it if I need to. I've been here so many times and I hope I'm not reading this in the future thinking 'I failed again.' Let me rephrase that. I won't be. I've had to access food banks, clothes hand outs...I've really been reflecting the truth of my situation for a change, rather than hiding behind benefits, my mother, credit cards, or a partner. I'm a drug addict. Drug addicts run out of money and need food hand outs. That shit's real. It's also exactly what I needed to happen, to be brought low and have to show up and say 'I'm fucked.' I've felt closer to God than ever before during this time. Like I have nowhere else to turn but God's mercy, forgiveness, grace. Hitting up the cathedral for daily prayers has been like a salve for my soul. Soul Salve. I even God my damn knees a couple of times. Someone walked into the chapel behind me and I felt embarrassed. I wanted to stand up and shuffle out but I stayed and set my intention on feeling love for the person. I feel a certain amount of shame at the idea of becoming a christian or embracing that side of me, which has always been there. It just wasn't the done thing in the circles I moved in. God botherers. Bible bashers. Idiots. Fantasists. They're so fake. Well wishers. They're all so judgmental deep down, that's why they hide behind faith. I've thought these things too. Said them. I can see it now. Faith is all I have and all I need. It's like a shield against the waves. It's the voice that says 'this too.' It doesn't shield so much as embrace. Everything is God's Grace, the joy and the pain. Why? Because it all brings us closer to it. Joy uplifts us, pain humbles us. We either fight it or welcome it, take it upon us and let ourselves be moulded in the fire. Ok so I may end up going to an extreme here. My poetic sensibilities are having a field day. Suffice to say I might become a Christian. I wonder who I speak to. A priest, or God himself? Also, what type of Christian? Or should I be a catholic? How does one decide. I'm a sucker for a rosary so maybe catholic. What's going to be trip me up? Boredom Lack of stimulation Desire for Power Associations with music. When I listen to certain tracks I want to smoke, like lbelin from the Kingdom of Heaven Soundtrack. I listened to that when I made 'On Fire for Love.' There it is again, the desire. I could get some weed tomorrow...it felt so good. Listening to that track and hearing my own track coming together, thinking 'this fucking rocks,' and getting goosebumps. Can that happen when I'm sober? Can I let it go if not...Should I? I feel I should. It's intoxicating. This will be the biggest hurdle for me by far. I can feel it. My obsession with success and the idea that weed is a magic ingredient that lets me make incredible music. Not staying busy the strangeness of sobriety. It feels alien to me. There's a part of me that just wants it to stop. Being high is all I know. Lack of willpower Reactivity External events that are hard to deal with Wanting it to enhance Things. Feeling the emptiness of an experience without it, or a reduction in stimulation. Tiredness Not enjoying composition What's going to keep me going? The image of the man I will become. Stoic, masculine, unfazed. In control, clean, healthy, selfless, alert, successful The fact that it might land me up broke again and racked with fear Faith in God NA The idea that I'm doomed if I don't The idea that I'm never going to be confident and outgoing enough to succeed The fact that so many pikeys smoke it The idea of a Shia Style turnaround. What a story The idea of complete purity and how good that will feel Not wanting to be a 'druggie' any more. Sorting out my appearance, getting nice clothes, a well groomed beard, becoming a sexy sober badass. Finding a support Network Starting a new hobby to distract me, like wakeboarding or something stimulating and healthy