I have sitting in a tree early morning and as the sunsets for last 2 months during the Northeast BiG Game season. As we are moving to Florida in a few months This will be my last season after approx. 35 years. I had a few opportunities this year but did not take any shots for one reason or another. I am not even going to go out the backside of bow season right now.I have sold 2 of my guns and a lot of my equipment, only my Bow(which I love) and a few articles tree stands,seats.belts etc.I have had tremendous reflection time with my Higher Power,whom I call God, joining God's creatures as they bring the earth alive(squirrels,hawks,field mice,chipmunks,red fox and other day animals) and switch places with the nocturnal arrivals(deer,coons,coyotes,owls,etc)Truly a blessing to live in their environment and become part of the "woods"I have been adfforded,by God's grace and the willingness to do some work the serenity and peacefulness of that environment even though I didnt put meat in my freezer for another year. I only take what I use and I am okay with my decisons not to shoot. In recovery we are blessed with many different parts of life that werent available to us as we were caught in the grip..I will find new ways of enjoying God's playground and habitat for the creatures of the forest ,thinking of bird watching(am I old?? :) or just walk thru preserves to enjoy another world established by that POWER GREATER then I. If you are new here or to recovery or just coming around, WELCOME, there is hope and peace with application of our program Narcotics Anonymous and the guidance of that God of your understanding.If you been around for a few cups of coffee,WELCOME, we are definitely aware that their is more to recovery than just drug use(though putting down the drug has to come first)Just For Today seek that fit spiritual condition and become of maximum service to the God of your understanding and others.It will definitely pay forward.Have a blessed and productive day!!!
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Our purpose is to remain clean,just for today,and to carry the message of recovery.
I know the feeling you speak of Mike. I loved my hours spent in the woods hunting. due to legal issues some years ago, I lost my ability to hunt. It was quite a loss, and come This time of year I feel it acutely. Photograhy is just not the same...there is an indescribable feeling of being "part of the woods" when one enters the eco system as a predator. My senses have never been keener than at those times. And yes, I fully understand not taking the shot. It is as rewarding as an ethically taken clean kill. I suppose there are those who will take major exception to what i'm describing here, but those of us who know...know.
