The Courage to Change : Continued
Any lingering doubts Gilmore might have are answered by his subconscious . Almost once a month , he ’ ll dream about sneaking a beer or a scotch , thinking it ’ ll be fine , and he wakes up feeling terrible . It seems like an awful experience to have so often , but Gilmore views it as a blessing and proof that he ’ s on the right path .
Since quitting , Gilmore ’ s relationship with his wife has become , as he puts it , “ a different bucket of chicken .” They still occasionally squabble , but it ’ s more of a discussion than the heated , antagonistic exchanges from before . Gilmore has also found that being forthcoming about his journey has caused a positive ripple effect . “ I ’ ve had more people come to me with questions like , ‘ Hey , how did you do it ?’ or ‘ What would you suggest if I want to talk with this person about their drinking ?’ than I ’ ve had people complaining , ‘ I like the old Charley better ,’” Gilmore said .
Gilmore will always feel a little wistfulness about being sober , but overall he ’ s happier with this version of himself and has learned some powerful lessons . “ I find that it ’ s so much more enlightening to see yourself through somebody else ’ s eyes and that helps me decide who I want to be and how I want to behave ,” he said .
No matter where you ’ re at in life , Carpendale and Gilmore ’ s stories show that , however uncomfortable the journey may be , there are better things ahead than what we leave behind .
16 WINTER 2024 gmhTODAY Magazine : Go . Make history ... gmhtoday . com