Gerry
Gerry
Ray S.
Ray S.
Ray S.
Wednesday 25th June 2025
Join Gerry and Ray S. as Ray shares his journey of recovery, from childhood challenges to finding hope and strength through community support.
Explicit
29 minutes
hopeful
reflective
informative
inspiring
About this podcast
Author:
Gerry
Overview:
Categories:
Sobriety Success Stories
Creative Recovery Journeys
Links:
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Episodes:
42 (View all)
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Get the buttons here!Ray's Journey: From Fear to Serenity
Episode Overview
- Ray's early spiritual experience at age four.
- Challenges faced during socialization in childhood.
- Ray's journey through Alcoholics Anonymous.
- Impact of community support on recovery.
- Reflection on personal growth and the serenity prayer.
I felt like everybody had the rulebook of life and I didn't.
In this episode of 'I'm Sober Today,' Gerry welcomes his friend Ray S., who shares his compelling journey of alcohol recovery. Ray begins by recounting a vivid memory from his childhood, a moment of pure joy and spiritual awakening at the age of four. However, this blissful period was interrupted by the challenges of socialization once he started kindergarten. Ray discusses how those early experiences shaped his journey, highlighting the fear, doubt, and insecurity he felt growing up.
He describes feeling different from others, as if everyone had a 'rulebook of life' except him, a sentiment many listeners might relate to. His story continues through his teenage years, marked by these struggles and culminating in his enlistment in the Air Force. It was during his service that Ray made significant changes, including quitting smoking at 18, which marked the beginning of his path towards sobriety.
He shares a pivotal moment at a Golden Gloves fight in 1987, which was his last drunk experience before embracing recovery. Ray speaks warmly about the impact of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) on his recovery journey, emphasizing the importance of community and shared experiences. He describes the transformative power of group meetings, where collective reading and discussion of the AA 'big book' reveal insights that he hadn't considered before.
This communal aspect, Ray explains, has been 'rewarding beyond words.'
Throughout the conversation, Ray and Gerry reflect on the role of spiritual guidance and support from friends, such as the late Mike G., who left a lasting impression with his wisdom. The episode closes with Ray leading the listeners in the serenity prayer, a powerful affirmation for anyone seeking peace and strength.
Gerry and Ray's conversation is a heartfelt reminder of the strength found in vulnerability and the profound impact of community support in overcoming life's challenges. Their stories offer hope and encouragement to those on the path to recovery, reinforcing the idea that no one has to walk this journey alone.