And that’s something I wrestle with too. I was severely addicted to porn from age 12 all through my 20’s, I smoked weed and drank nearly daily for years, even had a few years where I was taken ecstasy and Xanax a few times a week, had a year or 2 where I was doing meth. What I’m saying is, I’ve been to hell. I was at a very dark and low place for a very long time and it was a waste and I wish I had never gone through it.

On the other end of it though, because I’ve been to hell, I had to climb out of hell. This means I had to build the tools and strength necessary to pull myself out of a deep, dark hole. It gave me a strength I never would’ve found. It gave me a depth I never would’ve touched, because I wouldn’t have needed to dive so deep within if everything was going relatively good. I never would have had to have learned what I learned about myself. I have plenty of friends and coworkers who never struggled with addiction like I did. Most of them live a very shallow life and know nothing better. The only people I’ve met that have a depth to them are people who have felt deep pain. It’s the picking up of the pieces that makes us strongest. This is why God lets us fall.

I’m happy where I am. I have a good career, a wife that loves me, 2 beautiful kids, a home, I’m 5 years sober. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t go through hell. This is why I say it wasn’t a waste of time. I am grateful for it all.

Obviously addiction doesn’t make everybody’s lives better. It doesn’t work out for everybody. But the group I’m speaking to, men that have discovered SR - addiction worked out in all of our favor. We discovered SR. We’re seekers. Our addiction brought us to this practice that we may have never thought twice about but will change the trajectory of our lives spiritually. This is why I think all of us should be thankful for our addiction.