Yesterday I started on a new path in my life, one that I hope I can stay on for at least the rest of today. What makes this path so new for me is that it’s a non-alcoholic one. I have been imbibing a little alcohol each and every day for as long as I can remember, but yesterday I didn’t. Yesterday I was dry, on the wagon, temperate, clear-headed , alcohol-free. Mind you, I have never been a heavy drinker – just a single glass of wine before dinner – but still, the alcohol has, in an odd, hidden way, sort of dominated my days for all these many years. I often started thinking about my evening glass of wine around lunchtime, or before. As the evening hour drew nearer, I day-dreamed about the tall glass of wine more and more, until it was probably my overriding thought just before dinner. Well, I guess I decided yesterday that I don’t like that feeling. I don’t like being controlled by a single, irresistible idea, and I definitely don’t like the feeling of slowly falling into a swoon and then into a soporific, sleep-inducing condition by 8:00 in the evening. So, I purchased some alcohol-free wine at a local package store, and started off on my new path. I enjoyed a glass at lunch (without feeling bleary for the next several hours), and then partook of a delicious glass before dinner. I enjoyed the meal immensely, and – wonder of wonders! – felt awake enough to do stay out of bed until almost 10:00! It appears to be an attractive and possibly rewarding path. We’ll see what today brings in my new one-day-at-a-time life.