Doin’ What Feels Good

Written by, Dave K.

I have always had difficulty understanding how and why people don’t do a lot of what feels good. In other words, when I first began smoking pot, it felt very good, so I did it a lot. Sex is the same thing. It feels good, so I do it – and do it a lot. I understand now, though, that too much of anything can be harmful, whether it is sex, drugs, or rock-n-roll. Sobriety to me means many things. It means finding a healthy balance in life. That goes for all aspects of life too. It is not easy, but it is simple. Believe it or not, human beings are extremely complex things. Our minds are soo powerful that sometimes I think they are more powerful than any drug. Smoking marijuana allowed me to remain on the same level, even the few occasions that I was sober (during my using years). I found myself on almost the same, dull level I was on when I was stoned. For a long, long time though, I seemed to enjoy the level.

Today, the levels I encounter are dealt with up front, sober. Actually, I couldn’t face life today (the way I have for the past 28 months) without being sober. I feel many, many feelings today… and I love it! Sometimes, I feel feelings I have never felt before or I don’t understand why I feel certain feelings, but I am very grateful, happy and accepting of the fact that I do feel. When I was stone, I thought I felt, but I didn’t. Today I feel, sometimes even too much, but I’d rather feel too much that not feel at all. I’d rather be in love, have my heart broken, almost kill myself and recovery than to never have love. That’s my honest opinion!

I have been sober and on a recovery road ever since my first MA meeting. I felt (and do feel) accepted, loved unconditionally and supported, even in my first meeting. I love life and life, to me, is not real unless I’m sober. My sobriety is based quite a bit on Marijuana Anonymous. Therefore, MA and life go hand in hand.

I hope all of you that are reading this just accept things and facts for the way they are, there’s usually a meaning for it! For me, acceptance is the key. Don’t be shy and don’t get high, no matter what. I love people. Love, Dave K.

Published in A New Leaf – June 1991

More Articles

  • Steps and Principles

    By, Tanya Mc. Stepping into… I am absolutely powerless over weed in my life.I can honestly say i can’t stop using, once I start.It’s always, just one more time, but then;It seems to be a marathon, on which I embark. But, I feel like it is just me who is doing this.I feel like there…

    Steps and Principles
  • Recovering

    By Lisa N. Recovery – it takes some time.Minutes turn to days, days to weeks.While the weeks, they mark the climb. Work through the months, get to the end.Recovery is continuous, a journey and path.No final destination you see, my friend! Addiction is our illness, connection is our cure.We wrestle our demons, deal with Life.Adulting…

    Recovering
  • Heard in a Meeting

    “I’m having positive transitions. This is the promise of recovery.” – Anonymous Published in A New Leaf – June 2025

    Heard in a Meeting
  • This Tune Shall Pass

    By, Jesse P. It started out as one teenaged wishthe click of a lighterand turned into a lifeIt was excitingand floating from the groundcame the laughter and the closeness I needed to have somehowyou turned into a danger from someone I held so close, I don’t knowbut it was time for you to go Oh…

    This Tune Shall Pass
  • Dear Cannabis Sativa

    By, Melissa H. Dear Cannabis Sativa,We were introduced by a cool, blond-haired rebel girl from Colorado. I was a 15-year old flatlander from Pennsylvania who had never even heard of you. I took to you because you elevated fun to a new level. I hadn’t known that fun was smokable. You made rolling over on…

    Dear Cannabis Sativa
  • Depression and the Twelve Steps

    By, Carol M. I am an addict and a depressive. I wish I were manic depressive, but I have never experienced the up, just the down. Getting to the “almost OK” has been a struggle all my life. My first attempt at suicide was at eleven. Depression is a disease. In many ways it’s like…

    Depression and the Twelve Steps