Nelson H.
Nelson H.
The life lessons of a dying snake
The life lessons of a dying snake
The life lessons of a dying snake
Wednesday 11th August 2021
Nelson H. shares a powerful moment with an injured snake, reflecting on empathy and gratitude in sobriety in this episode of LOL Sober.
5 minutes
Empowering
Inspiring
Thought-provoking
Raw
Engaging
About this podcast
Author:
Nelson H.
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Categories:
Sobriety Toolkit
Navigating Challenges in Recovery
Sexual Empowerment & Identity
Creative Recovery Journeys
Comedic Journeys
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Get the buttons here!Lessons from a Snake: Sobriety and the Gift of Empathy
There's a part of my brain that gets insecure still from being sad and from crying, because other people might not find things sad that I do. And I'm just insecure about that. That part of my brain was whispering to me: hey, it's just a snake. There was nothing you could do anyway. But I was sad. It wasn't from guilt. I've always loved animals, so I don't have any deep down shame about past transgressions against nature. So I thought about it and I ultimately landed on the idea that I was sad because it was sad.
Picture this: you're out for a jog, enjoying the fresh air, when you spot something moving on the ground. As you get closer, you realize it's a snake—injured and barely hanging on. This is exactly what happened to Nelson H., the host of 'LOL Sober'. In this episode, Nelson shares this unexpected encounter and how it led him to reflect deeply on empathy and sobriety. Nelson describes how, in the past, he might have just kept running.
But sobriety has changed him. He found himself stopping, contemplating whether to help the snake or not. This moment, though seemingly small, brought a wave of emotions that he didn't expect. It was a stark reminder of how sobriety has made him more sensitive to the world around him. As he stood there, torn between wanting to help and fearing he might do more harm, Nelson realized that empathy is a double-edged sword.
It can be painful to feel so deeply, but it's also what makes life beautiful. This moment with the snake made him appreciate life in all its forms, even those we might usually overlook. Nelson's reflections didn't stop there. He noticed that carrying this experience with him made him more patient with his kids and more grateful for the little moments.
It's these unexpected lessons that sobriety brings—teaching us to value life, to be kinder, and to find gratitude in the most unlikely places. Join Nelson in this heartfelt episode as he explores how a simple run turned into a profound lesson on empathy and sobriety. Whether you're on your own journey to recovery or supporting someone who is, Nelson's story offers a touching reminder of the power of reflection and the importance of valuing every moment.