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

  • Amends to Self

    Written by, Anonymous My dear self, I love you, and I’m so proud of you. I haven’t always made it easy for you, but you’ve become such an incredible woman, and I’m certain you will continue to thrive in the future. I’m writing this letter as an amends for all I have done and failed…

    Amends to Self
  • Seventh Step

    Written by, Jeremy O. God, grant me clarity, that I might recognize… God, grant me honesty, that I might acknowledge… Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit… Blessed are the powerless, for theirs is the path to recovery: This nameless addict asks God for serenity, for courage, for wisdom This powerless addict seeks God…

    Seventh Step
  • Loud Is Who I Really Am

    Written by, Martha S. The start of my sobriety from weed coincided with the end of my 24-year-marriage to the man who was originally my gay best friend. We had adventures. We survived 9/11, left the City to start a small farm in the mountains, adopted an infant from an African country (both of us…

    Loud Is Who I Really Am
  • My Beloved

    Written by, Jessyka C. Mary Jane, My beloved, my wife, my true love, I’m writing once again, To say I’m sorry but there’s nothing to discuss, I mean it this time, it’s over between us, you’ve got me feeling like trash, Now there’s no going back, I’m here wasting all of my cash, I can’t…

    My Beloved
  • Becoming

    Created by, Liz M. Published in A New Leaf – July 2026

    Becoming
  • There is Hope for the Doctor in Recovery

    Written by, Anonymous I’m a marijuana addict in recovery, and I am also a physician. I have struggled with my addiction in secrecy for my entire life, with not even my sister knowing the extent of my use. I lived a double life—one where I was a “goody-two-shoes” and “smarty pants” and the other where…

    There is Hope for the Doctor in Recovery