Hi! My name is Kathy O’Connor and I am a recovering Alcoholic. My Sobriety Birthday is February 11, 2012. I am so excited to be sharing my recovery journey with you and to be able to introduce you to my recovery coaching business that includes horses in the healing process.
Four years ago, my life was a mess. I was living my life dependent on vodka, or whatever I had around the house during a shaking attack. My days consisted of waking up shaking so bad that getting a cup up to my mouth was a chore. The cup had to be filled with vodka and a splash of orange juice. I would drink some of it, regurgitate it and go back to drink more — believe it or not — to settle my stomach, stop the shakes and get my heart rate back to a normal. I would then find an excuse to go to town or the local liquor store to buy another fifth so I could continue on my day without everyone knowing that my life depended on a bottle of alcohol. I had to have a continuous “buzz” throughout the day to stay alive. If I stopped drinking, my heart would race, my body would tremor, my stomach would flip and my blood pressure would sky rocket. My body was screaming at me to stop and the only way I knew to help it was to add more alcohol to it. I would pray every night that I would live to wake up in the morning. I thought then that my God did not talk to me. But today I believe that that was God yelling at me, keeping me breathing, until I found the courage to ask for help.
February is my month to celebrate my Sobriety Birthday. To celebrate the many ways that I have evolved. I am excited to share some of how my past experiences lead me to my journey in recovery. In my trek to be certified in the Touched by a Horse® Equine Gestalt Coaching Method®, Melisa Pearce, CEO of TBAH, taught me that I must heal my own life in order to become healthy and whole. I learned that I cannot help others in their recovery until I am living an authentic life of recovery myself.
In the coaching Melisa did with me I was asked what were the 5 most important moments in my life? It didn’t take me long to recognize that deciding to get sober was one of them.
One of the ways I was coached was to stand in a round pen with a horse on free liberty, which means to be free of halter and lead rope. A 10 foot pole was set down in the middle of the pen. I stood on one side and talked about my life as a sober Kathy; then walked to the other side and talked about my life as a drinking Kathy. I went from one side of the pole to the other, having the 2 Kathys talk to each other. At one point the horse literally pushed me back to the sober side of the pole. It is where my heart was, where my true self wanted to be. The horse was able to show me that today I do not want that drinking life anymore and that recovery lives in my soul.
I will celebrate this day, not with the celebratory champagne or the fake apple cider with a fizz, but with my closest and dearest friends, the old and the new, with joy, gratitude and pride.
So very proud and happy for you! What a journey you have had and will continue to have! Love you girl!
Thank you Renea, New Journeys aren’t always easy, but this one is well worth it. Love you to girl.
What a inspirational story Kathy. I am so proud of you and thankful that u are sober. I watched you just about drink urself to death but didn’t know how to help. It’s so awesome that u are using ur experience to help others. Happy sober bday!!!???❤️
Thank You Jodi, being healthy today is so much better then the life you witnessed me living.
Kathy there is so many people that are so happy for you. You come a long way. I didn’t know you was that bad. Till I read this. This is beautiful just like you.
Thanks Terri, your support means a lot.
Congratulations Kathy! Best wishes on your new endeavor. It takes a special kind of person to bare their soul to others so that all involved may find the strength to heal. I wish you continued success.
Amy, Thank you. Putting oneself out there is defiantly scary, facing my fears is yet another stepping stone in my recovery.
Congratulations Kathy! I am so proud of you!
Thanks you Kim, for your support.
How beautiful Kathy! Your story is an invitation for healing to others who can see themselves as you were four years ago. Your courage to honestly share gives others hope for recovery. Living one day at a time (♡) So excited for the launch of your new business adventure. What a service 😉
Honesty is a crucial step in recovery. Thank you for your support, Kathy.
Kathy I am so proud of who you are and who you have become. You can impact so many others that are hurting like you were. What a great story. I am so glad that I am your friend. Love you sweetie.
Proud to call you friend, Pam. Through the pain, I become stronger. The why is sometimes a mystery, but living live one day at a time, strengthens me. Love you too.
No one would ever wish upon another person the pain and struggles that you have endured over the years that set you on this journey. To see how you have overcome these obstacles in your life is an inspiration.
My wish for you on this 4th birthday of your sobriety is that the new trail you have set your life on will be a blessing to you and others as you have always had a generous heart in all the years that I have known you, so I am not surprised that you want to help others on their road to recovery.
May God bless you my friend! I love you and look forward to this next phase and wish you much success as you launch this service to our community!
Thank you Leanne, you have shown me what true friendship looks like. Your a blessing in my life and I am grateful for your continued support.
Love reading this. God is using you in such awesome ways. Keep going Kathy! 🙂
Thank you Kate, touching lives, growing in my spirituality is such a joyful experience. Grateful today, for the blessings I have in my life.
Having been married to a severe alcoholic I know the pain and anguish, both for those who are suffering from addiction and for all who love them. It is a helpless feeling to watch someone slowly killing themself right before your eyes. My respect and admiration for you bringing yourself back from that dark place knows no bounds. A very happy birthday to you! Love you so much, my friend!
Brenda, I appreciate you support. In my four years of healing I have had to watch people, I truly love, also deal with the pain of addiction. It is not a selective decease. It destroys lives. Healing ourselves, strengthens those we love.
Congratulations girl! I’m so glad to know you the way we’re supposed to live. You’re doing great things. Keep up the good work.
Its feels so much better to “show up” healthy, when I meet new people. Thanks for your support Terrie.
Happy Sobriety Birthday, Kathy! Congratulations!
Thank you Rita
What a beautiful way you have told your story. I am so happy that you have started your business and am so proud of all that you have done. You are a wonderful role model and person. I wish you continued joy and peace!
Thank you Diane, coming from such a strong women as yourself, I am honored by your words.
I’m very happy for you and proud of your sobriety. It isn’t easy, but soooo worth it. Onward lady, success is all yours!
Thank you Judy, sobriety is so worth it…the rewards are grand. Promises of a great life do exist.
I didn’t know the “old” Kathy, but I so love the new one and just can’t wait to see you continue to bloom. I think you are going to amaze us all.
Love the word Amaze…Thank you…Glad you know the “New” Kathy too. Proud to call you friend.